While Gettysburg and Vicksburg and other significant battles get all the attention, the Civil War was fought across the expanse of the North and South … and beyond, in places one might not expect. Here are some lesser-known Civil War sites that, while not as famous or visited as their celebrated battlefield brethren, all played … Read more
Williamsburg flaunts its colonial heritage, and rightly so–it served as the capital of the Virginia Colony between 1699 and 1780. But after the state government moved to Richmond in 1780, the old colonial capital fell into decay. Civil War came to its doorsteps in 1862, as part of the Peninsula Campaign, in which General George … Read more
Neither the North nor the South had much of a navy before the Civil War. But at the war’s outbreak, both sides realized the strategic importance of the sea, to cut off supply routes, control rivers, and support land operations. One of the greatest developments? The ironclad ship, which could fend off explosive shells capable … Read more
Robert E. Lee was a new commander in June 1862, when he looked out on Chickahominy River with the expectation that Confederate troops would be arriving to help bring the rest of his army across the river to face the Army of the Potomac–the largest army ever to assemble in North America, poised to take … Read more
Fanatical abolitionist. Rebel. Martyr. Lunatic. Criminal. People view John Brown in different ways, but one thing is sure: His place was written into history at the dawn of the Civil War, during his brazen attack on the US armory at Harper’s Ferry. Here are some of the places that tell the life story of this … Read more
The largest Confederate state east of the Mississippi, Georgia reigned during the Civil War as the crossroads of the South. Thanks to Gone With the Wind and other popular references, Sherman’s March to the Sea is a familiar event, but the deep-seeded military, social, political, and economic aspects of the war in Georgia—as important as they are—may not be so well known. There are few better experts on the topic than historian Stephen Wise, who leads the upcoming BGES tour, “Sherman’s Infamous March to the Sea and a Tour of Confederate Georgia,” beginning on January 17, 2019. We caught up with Stephen and posed some questions about himself and the upcoming tour.
“Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead!” may be one of the Civil War’s most famous battle cries, but there’s much more to the story of the Mobile Campaign of 1864–1865. Defiant Mobile remained elusive to General Grant, and he wanted it. Finally, the time had come. Historian Mike Bunn, who leads the upcoming tour, “The Mobile Campaign 1864-1865,” beginning on February 7, 2019, is one of the leading experts on the topic. We caught up with Mike and posed some questions about himself, the Mobile Campaign, and his tour.
January kicks off BGES’s 26th year, with thirty-six tours offered –more than any year before! We caught up with Len Riedel, BGES’ busy Executive Director, to touch base as he launches the new season. BGES Blog: There are 36 tours slated for 2019—the most ever. Wow! What’s different this year? Len: Recently a longstanding tour … Read more
Originally from Maryland, Aaron Palmer graduated from the U.S. Military Academy as a Field Artillery Officer in 2008. He was wounded in action the following year when serving as the Fire Support Officer in Able Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne. The following 2.5 years he spent recovering at Walter Reed National Military … Read more
Of the three “southern sisters”—Charleston, Savannah, and Wilmington—the city of Savannah is the most authentic. Its historic buildings and design, set around a series of squares, makes this a delightful walk filled with Civil War history. Find a parking place along Bay Street and begin your tour at City Hall. City Hall (2 E. Bay … Read more