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Thomas Nast’s Christmas Eve
Thomas Nast created “Christmas Eve” for Harper’s Weekly in which he portrayed a wife separated from her soldier husband on Christmas Eve 1862. The sketch shows a family split apart by the Civil War. It is also one of the earliest images of Santa, in a sleigh, being pulled by reindeer.
The Story of ‘Jingle Bells’ by Oliver Ditson
One of the cherished tunes that fills the air during the Christmas season originated not as a holiday anthem but as a humorous ditty performed in minstrel shows in the 1850s. “Jingle Bells” is among the most popular American songs of all time. Although it is strongly...
Exploring the Gettysburg Address with Google Earth
Several years ago I created this video that describes the events of November 18th and 19th, 1863. It begins with Abraham Lincoln in Washington, DC and follows his travels to Gettysburg and his famous Gettysburg Address....
What did Confederate Soldiers Wear – Part 2
As a continuation of a series on looking at a Confederate soldier's uniform and equipment, in this post we look at his uniform and things he may carry in his pockets. The following images provide an excellent insight into all of the clothing that a Confederate...
What did Confederate Soldiers Wear?
The following image provides an excellent insight into all of the clothing and equipment that a Confederate soldier would have worn. This "kit" is an example of a sergeant of from Company A, 24th Virginia infantry circa mid-1863. 1 - Jeancloth trousers &...
Happy Halloween – Spiders
Soldier deaths during the Civil War were common however, the October 14, 1862 edition of the Charlotte Democrat describes the unfortunate events that lead to the death of a soldier from North Carolina. When you hear of a soldier dying during the Civil War you...
The Civil War in Color Series: Francis Brownell
My colorization of Francis Brownell who received the Medal of Honor for killing James W. Jackson after Jackson shot Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, colonel of the 11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Although Brownell didn't receive the award until 1877, a dozen years...
Developing Civil War Photographs
Wet-plate photography was the style of photography utilized during the American Civil War. It took a lot of time and effort to take the pictures. Photographers had to bring a cart with all of their bulky equipment, including a mobile darkroom, to the...