American Civil War Today

Connecting you to Civil War History

Faded Lines of Gray Charles Cummings, editor of American Civil War Today, interviews Steven Harris on his new book Faded Lines of Grey. Faded Lines of Gray: An Historical Novel is classified as Civil War historical fiction, although the book is based on real people, places and events. The story is true to history as much as possible, with fictional elements added where information gaps existed. Emphasis is placed on the historical element of this work. About the Author: Steven D. Harris was raised in northwest Ohio, not far from Johnson's Island, where much of the Faded Lines of Gray story is set.  He currently resides on the Northern Neck of Virginia overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. Keep up with developments in the Faded Lines of Gray story by visiting this website: fadedlinesofgray.wordpress.com.   Inquiries may be directed to Steve at fadedlinesofgray@aol.com.  Faded Lines of Gray: An Historical Novel is available directly from the author, from bookstores, and also can be purchased online at Amazon in hardcover or Kindle.  

Charles Cummings, editor of American Civil War Today, interviews Dr. Angela Baker. Angela is on the committee for the Midwestern Civil War Civilian Conference. About the event: There are so many things people just "know" about their time: how to travel, where to worship, and how to dress are just a few of those. As reenactors & living historians we are people of the 21st century, who aim to become people of the mid 19th century for a weekend at the time. The Midwest Civil War Civilian Conference was started with the goal of filling those gaps in our knowledge of the everyday functioning of mid 19th century life. We aim to assemble experts in the most varied fields to share their knowledge in various ways. The conference was and still is the premier project for the Midwest Civil War Education Inc., but we also widen our educational offerings by sponsoring other educational groups and events, as well as living history events. About Dr. Angela Baker: Dr. Angela Morrow Baker holds a BS, MS, and PhD in biology as well as a MS in educational administration. She worked for the Auburn University system for 15+ years primarily teaching microbiology. Her signature microbiology course was designed to teach hospitality majors such things as ‘why is it important to store the chicken below the lettuce”. She moved to Colorado in 2011 to become the Director of Pre-Service Elementary Education- Science at the University of Northern Colorado. At that time, Dr. Baker became active in AP Environmental Science, writing and lecturing about public health in a more urban society. She currently teaches at Front Range Community College in Fort Collins, CO.   Website: http://www.midwestcwcivilian.com  

Charles Cummings, editor of American Civil War Today, interviews Eric Powell. Eric is the chairman of the Battle of Fredericksburg Commemoration Committee, Inc. About the commemoration and events: The sesquicentennial commemoration of the Battle of Fredericksburg will take place December 7-15, 2012. The Battle of Fredericksburg Commemoration Committee (BFCC) has partnered with the City of Fredericksburg, the counties of Stafford and Spotsylvania, the National Park Service, the George Washington Foundation, and many other local historic organizations to put together a unique event that will teach about this significant time in the region’s history, as well as honor those brave men and women of 150 years ago. Reenactments and living history programs will take place during the weekend of December 8-9. Two major aspects of the battle will be recreated; the pontoon crossing and street fighting, and the assault on Marye’s Heights. . The BFCC is constructing two replica pontoons and the 189th Engineering Company of the Virginia National Guard will be placing a ribbon bridge across the river at the site of the middle crossing to recreate the opening of the battle, which will lead into a street battle. The Irish Brigade’s famous assault on Marye’s Heights will take place at Trench Hill, on the campus of the University of Mary Washington. Military camps will be open to the public in Stafford and Spotsylvania. The Union will camp at George Washington’s Ferry Farm and the Confederates will be at the Slaughter Pen Farm. Attractions include Thaddeus Lowe and his hot air balloon, period telegraph, several field hospitals, artillery demonstrations, and visits from living historians portraying the generals. The impact of the battle on civilians will also be told through a series of living history programs throughout the city. The National Park Service will be conducting a procession and culminating ceremony on Sunday, December 9 that will recreate the 100 rounds a minute of artillery fire, tell the story of the battle, and honor those who weathered the storm 150 years ago with a laying of carnations on the stone wall at Sunken Road. Descendent units of the Irish and Stonewall Brigades will be on hand, along with Irish Color Guard and several dignitaries. Throughout the week, the NPS will be conducting a series of tours and lectures in real-time with the events of December 11-15. More information and a complete schedule of events can be found at the following websites: www.fredericksburg150.org www.nps.gov/frsp www.visitfred.com About the Battle of Fredericksburg: General Ambrose E. Burnside took command of the Army of the Potomac after the Battle of Antietam in September of 1862.  His plan was to again attack Richmond, but this time he was going through Fredericksburg.  The Union army arrived in Stafford, Virginia on November 14, 1862, and found the bridges across the Rappahannock River destroyed.  Burnside wired to Washington to send pontoon bridges to allow the army to cross the river.  The delay in getting those pontoons allowed General Robert E. Lee to move his Army of Northern Virginia south of Fredericksburg and position himself on the heights overlooking the town. On December 11, 1862, Union engineers began constructing five bridges under fire from Confederate sharpshooters under the command of William Barksdale from Mississippi.  Federal artillery shelled the city in what some described as 100 rounds a minute.  However, the assault failed to drive out the Confederate infantrymen.  It was finally decided that men of the 7th Michigan and the 19th Massachusetts would row across the river in some of the pontoons to establish a bridgehead.  This would be the first amphibious assault under fire in US military history.  Some of the earliest urban combat in US military history occurred as Union soldiers clashed with Confederate troops in the streets of before orders were given for the Confederates to pull out.

Charles Cummings, editor of American Civil War Today, interviews David Meisky. David Meisky portrays William "Extra Billy" Smith at living history events and speaking engagements. About David Mesiky: David Mesiky is retired from the Fairfax County Virginia Public Library system. He currently resides in Buena Vista Virginia in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. David studied history at George Mason University, served in the DC National Army Guard, became a reenactor 12 years ago, and has portrayed Extra Billy for the last 7 years. Visit http://www.extrabillysmith.com/ for more details on upcoming events. About William "Extra Billy" Smith: Born in 1797 and raised in Virginia. Governor of Virginia during the Mexican-American war. Has a very unusual story on how he ended up as a colonel in the American Civil War. And much more. Listen to the podcast for many more interesting stories about Extra Billy. .

Newman Lanier, this site's Web Producer, joins us on the show to discuss his 1st American Civil War Reenactment.

Today is the final day of the 150th anniversary of the 2nd Battle of Manassas (also known as Bull Run). 150 years ago, nearly to the minute, 25,000 Confederate soldiers led by Major General Longstreet smashed into the Union left flank. Before darkness fell, the Union army led by Major General Pope would be in full retreat. The total casualties of both sides would come to about 17,000 for the 3 day battle. This Confederate victory would lead Abraham Lincoln to assign Major General Pope to Minnesota and the door was opened for General Lee’s first incursion into Maryland, culminating in the battle of Antietam.

As a young teenager, I visited many of the American Civil War battlefields across the country, from Chickamauga to Gettysburg. However, I somehow missed Richmond altogether. I took a recent 3 day trip to Richmond to see the main American Civil War sites. Richmond offers a great opportunity to visit many places of interest. There are three main areas, sites in Richmond, the battlefields of the 1862 Seven Days' Battles, and the battlefields of General Grant's 1864 Overland Campaign/Siege of Richmond and Petersburg.