2016

Reviewed by Robert L. Durham

The John Anderson Tobacco Emporium of New York is an interesting story in and of itself, with both a famous clientele and a whiff of scandal in the…

The people whose stories fill the pages of Civil War histories are an interesting bunch of characters in a drama which continues to fascinate us and…

One of the best things about writing this column is the information you get in response when you write about something interesting and unusual.…

In our last column, we related how Douglas Southall Freeman’s “Confederate Book Shelf,” published in 1939, led Ralph G. Newman of the Abraham Lincoln…

During the American Civil War, some 68,505 Austrian Model 1842 Muskets were imported for use by the United States military. It is most likely that…

A Civil War Captain and His Lady: Love, Courtship, and Combat From Fort Donelson Through the Vicksburg Campaign. Edited by Gene Barr. Illustrated…

The standard image of the hollowcheeked, gaunt, and starving Civil War soldier is deeply embedded in the consciousness of most Americans. It is…

“There was never such a band of men on the face of the earth before, and there never will be again. While they are living give them a decent home…

I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of George Lomas of The Regimental Quartermaster sutlery in September. I realize that almost everyone…

“What shall I read next?”

Last month we talked about James Kerr’s revolver in Confederate service. Now we turn our attention to his rifle design, a gun that was acquired in…

The following terms and conditions shall be incorporated by reference into all placement and order for placement of any advertisements in Civil War…

“Training in the use of these weapons was startlingly belated and haphazard.” Orrin W. Cook, 22nd Mass. Vol. Co. B

From its earliest days until its last the Confederacy waged a costly war which stretched the nation’s capabilities to their very limits – and…

Muzzleloading double-barreled shotguns were in use early in the Civil War by some cavalrymen, particularly Confederates, but were usually replaced…

Last month we discussed the Confederate use of English made Tranter revolvers, this month we turn our attention to the English revolver that was most…

ATTENTION ALL bookworms: Forage Blue Acorn Press’ on-line catalog of Civil War and WWI titles. Heavy emphasis on Western Theatre subject matter.…

“At noon we draw a ration of corn bread, pork and beans…took breakfast at 7 ocl (o’clock) of cold beans and corn bread.” Civil War Diary of Leonard…

New Jersey Arms Collectors Cancel Show

Civil War soldiers’ writing can be judged by any number of criteria. Accuracy and factual detail (content); intelligence and articulateness (style)…

Inspection, ARMS is a new addition to the monthly columns in Civil War News. Authored by antique military arms dealer & collector Tim Prince of…

A Self-Made Man: The Political Life of Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1849. By Sidney Blumenthal. Illustrated, photos, notes, bibliography, index, 556 pp.…

The second most commonly imported European military arm during the U.S. Civil War after the P-53 Enfield long and short rifle(s) was the Model 1854…

Black Powder Equivalency and

Fighting for General Lee: Confederate Rufus Barringer and the North Carolina Cavalry Brigade. By Sheridan R. Barringer. Illustrated, photos, maps…

“The Confederate troops are now entirely armed with excellent rifles, mostly Enfields.” Quote from the work: dated 22d June, 1863 (Monday), written…

Reader Harold Ruhl sent me an email with the following question:

Indispensability is measured by the distance of an item from one’s desk. In my case, the indispensable Nevins, Robertson and Wiley, eds., Civil War…

You have to really be interested in slavery to appreciate this book. Besides having that appreciation, you had better be prepared to pay $65 to show…

During a recent visit to the Springfield Armory Museum there was a video program which included a re-enacted segment about 19th century British…

Relics and reminders of the Confederacy’s war for independence are under threat by well-publicized campaigns to relocate them, dismantle them and…

Instructing the “Stupids”

What makes a good battle book?

This is the second volume of the Nathan I. Huggins lectures at Harvard University that I have read. The first, as eminent as this volume…

After Gettysburg in July 1863 27,574 muskets were picked up by the Union from the battlefield, according to the report of Lt. John R. Edie, Acting…

Most Civil War historians and buffs are aware of the famous afteraction report regarding the muskets and rifle-muskets picked up on the Gettysburg…

Is Cooke’s Wearing a memoir, a history, or a romantic novel? Well,

Margaret Mitchell’s epic novel Gone With the Wind and its cinematic adaptation by David Selznick have become America’s iconic story of the…

“Forward My Brave Boys!”: A History of the 11th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, C.S.A. 1861- 1865.By M. Todd Cathey and Gary W. Waddey. Illustrated…

This month I would like to report on an interesting Civil War firearms postal match between my friend Bill Adams’s 34th Virginia Cavalry Battalion…

Civil War historians have estimated that over 70,000 books have been published pertaining to the “the late unpleasantness” since the rebellion…