The Lost Order

Sometimes luck changes history.  In Sept., 1862, coming off a big victory at the Second Battle of Bull Run, Gen. Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia invaded the North for the first time.  He hoped to win a victory that would convince England and France to recognize Read more…

AFRAID OF HIS SHADOW

The teenage Alexander once accompanied his father Philip on a horse-buying expedition.  There was one magnificent stallion that Philip was interested in, but none of his expert horsemen could stay on the horse.  Each was bucked off as soon as he got in the saddle.  Alexander was watching all this Read more…

Civil War Bummers

Bummers were soldiers in Sherman’s army during its March to the Sea and march through South Carolina.  The term most likely originated with the German word “bummler” which meant an idler or scoundrel.  Sherman’s soldiers adopted it as a means of intimidation.   The purpose for Sherman’s March was, according to Read more…

ONE NECK

Roman emperor Caligula had a low opinion of the Roman public.  He sometimes would show the finger (that’s right, people were flipping the bird in ancient times) to people at banquets.  At the chariot races once, when he heard the crowd cheering for a chariot team that he did not Read more…

Rall’s Note

In December, 1776 the Continental Army was coming off a series of bad defeats.  It had lost New York City and retreated across New Jersey to seek refuge in Pennsylvania.  The army barely got across the Delaware River with the British in hot pursuit.  Then both armies settled down for Read more…

Horse-Drawn Artillery

This is a picture of horse-drawn artillery.  This type of mobile artillery was developed during the Thirty Years’ War by the Swedish army of Gustavus Adolphus.  In the Civil War, a unit consisted of the cannon on two wheels and an ammunition carrier called a caisson.  It was usually pulled Read more…

Camp Barber

Prior to the Civil War, long hair was the norm for several reasons.  First, lots of hair gave a raw look and it was thought to be intimidating.  Second, in cold weather it provided some protection.  Lastly, lots of hair could provide some protection from wounds to the skull.  By Read more…