The Front Line
Our communal blog featuring the latest in Civil War news, research, analysis, and events from a network of historians
Published: 10/23/20
The Five Best Books on the Confederate Homefront
Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper In a New Orleans cemetery in 1863, a woman and her daughters adorn the graves of loved ones killed during the war. For decades, books about...
Published: 10/20/20
“The Good Lord Bird”: Episode 3
The third installment of historian Megan Kate Nelson's review of the Showtime miniseries "The Good Lord Bird."
Published: 10/13/20
“The Good Lord Bird”: Episode 2
The second installment of historian Megan Kate Nelson's review of the Showtime miniseries "The Good Lord Bird."
Published: 10/6/20
“The Good Lord Bird”: Episode 1
Historian Megan Kate Nelson's review of the first episode of the Showtime miniseries "The Good Lord Bird."
Published: 9/28/20
Quote for the Day: Autumn is Coming
A quote from Zenas T. Haines, 44th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, on enjoying the fall scenes in October 1862.
Published: 9/21/20
The Five Best Books on the African-American Civil War Experience
Library of Congress This image of an unidentified African-American soldier, his wife, and their two daughters was made between 1863 and 1865. In the midst of current events, people are...
Published: 9/18/20
Interview: Historical Tours in the Time of COVID-19
An interview with Richard Blackmon, director of Historic America Tours, about the challenges of conducting historical tours in the time of Covid-19.
Published: 9/4/20
A Man of Sorrows
Library of Congress Abraham Lincoln in 1860 Abraham lincoln had a great reputation for humor. He cracked jokes constantly—often painfully bad ones, as when he said after examining a model...
Published: 8/25/20
Extra Voices: Thirst
Read firsthand Union an Confederate soldiers' quotes about the extreme thirst they experienced while in the army.
Published: 7/30/20
Eyewitness to the Crater
Read Confederate officer William "Willie" Pegram's eyewitness account of the Battle of the Crater during the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia.
Published: 7/30/20
The Greatest Bards: Part 2
Library of Congress Bruce Catton When I was 12 I found a mass market paperback of Bruce Catton’s A Stillness at Appomattox, and it yanked me so deep into the...
Published: 7/25/20
An Infernal Machine
Read an article from Harper's Weekly about the discover of an "infernal machine," or mine, used against Union ships in the Potomac River.
Published: 7/10/20
The Greatest Bards: Part 2
Library of Congress Bruce Catton When I was 12 I found a mass market paperback of Bruce Catton’s A Stillness at Appomattox, and it yanked me so deep into the...
Published: 6/15/20
Extra Voices: Camp Sports
Read firsthand Union and Confederate soldiers' quotes on the various sports they played during downtime in camp.
Published: 6/12/20
History’s “Grant” Considered
Historian Brooks D. Simpson reviews The History Channel's historical docu-series "Grant."
Published: 5/29/20
The Best Books About Ulysses S. Grant
What are the best books about Ulysses S. Grant? Explore the picks of top Civil War historians.
Published: 5/22/20
The Rable Method—Time and Again
Civil War historian George Rable's impressive professional career is detailed by two of his former protégés.
Published: 5/18/20
The Greatest Bards: Part 1
Alamy Author Shelby Foote Asked to name the writer whose work had the greatest influence on their early love for the Civil War, most lay students of the conflict would...