BATTLES ALONG THE TECHE

               New Orleans (the biggest city in the Confederacy) fell without a fight in April, 1862. The next goal of the Union army in Louisiana was to participate in the campaign to control the Mississippi River. As Grant advanced on Vicksburg, Gen. Nathaniel Banks decided to campaign through the Bayou Read more…

WILMER McLEAN

               Wilmer McLean had been in the Virginia state militia and served in the Mexican War). At age 47, he was too old to serve in the Civil War. He owned 1,400 acres near Bull Run Creek in Virginia.  In 1861, the war came to his farm.  Confederate Gen. Pierre Read more…

THE GREAT LOCOMOTIVE CHASE

               James Andrews had a bright idea.  Andrews was known to the Union Army of the Ohio as a purveyor of intelligence about Confederate movements.  Intelligence is what Brigadier General Ormsby Mitchel expected when Andrews asked to see him.  Andrews had an insane idea, he and some volunteers would hijack Read more…