Category Archives: WBS

What if Robert E. Lee Had Sent Troops to Vicksburg?

Why was Robert E. Lee so opposed to sending help to Mississippi in 1863? That question was certainly on the mind of Confederate Secretary of War James Seddon that season. By default, then, it was also on Lee’s. Anchored on … Continue reading

Posted in TTG, WBS | 19 Comments

The Great Charge – 3 July 1863 (from “The Butcher’s Cleaver”)

“… A mile away, across the grassy valley from the cemetery ridge, Pickett’s Division lay waiting in the woods.  They had come up to this position in the early morning hours.  The officers occupied themselves with the usual business of … Continue reading

Posted in Prose, Ukraine Crisis, WBS | 13 Comments

“There’s the devil to pay” – 1 July 1863

The quote is from Brigadier General John Buford as he directed his delaying action before Gettysburg. With his bold and brilliant action, he shaped the course of that pivotal three day battle. This video describes the events of that day … Continue reading

Posted in TTG, WBS | 5 Comments

“The Jayhawker and the Conductor: The Combahee Ferry Raid, 2 June 1863”

This is an excerpt from an article by James Stejskal about the Combahee Ferry raid and the USCT campaign preceding that raid written for the Army Historical Foundation. A while ago I wrote about one of his earlier books, Special … Continue reading

Posted in The Military Art, TTG, WBS | 10 Comments

2023 Memorial Day Weekend Luminaria at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — On Saturday, May 27, 2023 the National Park Service will host the 28th annual luminaria at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. The program runs from 8 pm to 11 pm, and is free to the public. In the … Continue reading

Posted in TTG, WBS | 1 Comment

A Field Too Far – The Battle of Malvern Hill

Background In March 1862, McClellan opened the Peninsula Campaign by sailing from Alexandria, Virginia, to Fort Monroe. Over the next two months, his army cautiously advanced toward Richmond, but Confederate general Joseph E. Johnston checked him at Seven Pines on … Continue reading

Posted in TTG, WBS | 19 Comments

“Civil War general’s remains come back to his hometown” – TTG

The final resting place of Civil War Gen. A.P. Hill has been anything but that, as his remains were put in the ground, dug up and moved, three times in the 19th century. Then, when the city of Richmond decided … Continue reading

Posted in Current Affairs, TTG, WBS | 14 Comments

VA hospital to drop Confederate name – TTG

The Department of Veterans Affairs has changed the name of the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veteran Affairs Medical Center in south Richmond, dropping the name of a Confederate surgeon. The facility’s new name: Richmond VA Medical Center. It’s the latest instance … Continue reading

Posted in Current Affairs, TTG, WBS | 18 Comments

“A.P. Hill removal plans in Richmond now under legal challenge”

“A legal challenge is being mounted against the City of Richmond’s plans to remove the final confederate statue still standing. A.P. Hill, a general, killed in the Civil War, is buried under the statue, which sits at the intersection of … Continue reading

Posted in History, WBS | 28 Comments

Juneteenth – TTG

For the Christian Recorder LETTER FROM RICHMOND City Point, Va., April 12th, 1865. Mr. Editor:- I have just returned from the city of Richmond; my regiment was among the first that entered the city. I marched at the head of … Continue reading

Posted in History, TTG, WBS | 13 Comments