The Front Line
Our communal blog featuring the latest in Civil War news, research, analysis, and events from a network of historians
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...
Published: 5/15/20
The Five Best Books on Civil War Combat
Library of Congress “Spare Cartridges” by Alfred R. Waud In considering the vast literature on combat in the Civil War, one is hard-pressed to limit a selection of the best...
Published: 4/9/20
Lee Bids Farewell
Read Robert E. Lee's farewell address to the Army of Northern Virginia written shortly after the surrender at Appomattox.
Published: 4/3/20
The “Hero” of Castle Thunder
Learn about the Russian bloodhound used to guard Union prisoners at the prison at Castle Thunder in Richmond.
Published: 3/16/20
History in the Digital Age
Michaela Levin Historian Kevin M. Levin In November 2005 I created the website Civil War Memory, which included a blog. I had recently completed a master’s degree in history and...
Published: 3/13/20
Extra Voices: Payday
Firsthand quotes by Union and Confederate soldiers about their reactions to receiving their monthly wages.
Published: 3/6/20
The Fashion Trends of 1864
View examples of men's fashions in 1864 as published in an illustration from Harper's Weekly.