The Front Line
Our communal blog featuring the latest in Civil War news, research, analysis, and events from a network of historians
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.
Published: 2/20/20
A Goodbye Gift
While attending services at St. Paul’s Church in Richmond on Sunday, April 2, 1865, Confederate president Jefferson Davis received word that Confederate forces had begun evacuating Petersburg in the wake...
Published: 1/26/20
“What will not the human body endure?”
Read Union Corporal James K. Hosmer's detailed account of the harrowing seven days he spent on detached duty as a nurse.
Published: 1/21/20
Grant and Lee at Appomattox
Library of Congress The McLean House in Appomattox Court House, Virginia, where Robert E. Lee met with Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, to discuss terms of surrender. In...
Published: 1/11/20
Badge Quest
On a Saturday morning this past April, a tiny compact car pulled into the parking lot at the Gettysburg National Military Park’s visitors center. Out of the car popped four...
Published: 12/30/19
The Best Civil War Books of 2019
The Books & Authors section of our Winter 2019 issue contains our annual roundup of the year’s best Civil War titles. As usual, we enlisted the help of a handful...
Published: 12/20/19
Extra Dossier: William T. Sherman
We asked top Civil War historians what they thought Union general William T. Sherman's best quality was. Read their answers.
Published: 12/19/19
The Drummer Boy of Our Regiment
An 1863 illustration from Harper's Weekly highlights a variety of scenes associated with the service of a Union drummer boy.
Published: 12/14/19
Eyewitness to the Battle of Fredericksburg
Explore the Battle of Fredericksburg through the eyewitness account of Union officer William Thompson Lusk.
Published: 12/3/19
Extra Voices: Gambling
Read firsthand Union and Confederate soldiers' quotes on incidents of gambling they encountered during their Civil War service.
Published: 11/22/19
The Dogs of Andersonville
Learn about "Spot," one of the dogs used to guard Union prisoners of war at Andersonville.
Published: 11/16/19
Word-clouding the Gettysburg Address
View a world cloud of Abraham Lincoln's famed Gettysburg Address, delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in 1863.
Published: 11/15/19
The March to the Sea Begins
Read William T. Sherman's Special Field Orders 120, his plan for the March to the Sea through Georgia in 1864.
Published: 10/21/19
Grant’s War Horse: Cincinnati
Discover the story of Grant's favorite war horse, Cincinnati. Learn about their bond and Cincinnati's role during the Civil War.
Published: 10/14/19
Lee’s War Horse: Traveller
Learn about Confederate general Robert E. Lee's warhorse, Traveller.