civil war

8 articles

Feb6

2014How important was the use of "troop trains" during times of war and peace?

Troop trains transformed military logistics in both Canada and the United States, becoming vital during events such as the 1861–1865 U.S. Civil War and the 1885 Northwest Rebellion in Canada. By enabling rapid deployment of thousands of soldiers and supplies across vast distances, railways often determined the outcome of key conflicts. In a remarkable episode, the Ottawa Company of Sharpshooters endured a grueling nine-day train journey on the newly built Canadian Pacific Railway to fight in the Northwest, a trip that would take just hours today. The enduring legacy of these journeys is still remembered, as seen in Ottawa’s Confederation Park, where a 2014 ice sculpture commemorates the poignant departures of World War I soldiers from Valcartier.

Sep16

1941Who is the youngest recipient of the U.S. Medal of Honor?

William H. "Willie" Johnston, born in New York in 1850 and raised in Vermont, became the youngest recipient of the U.S. Medal of Honor for his service as an 11-year-old drummer boy during the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War. His remarkable bravery was recognized when, unlike many soldiers who discarded their equipment during a difficult retreat, Willie safely carried his drum to Harrison’s Landing and was the only drummer to do so, earning praise from commanding officers and a personal medal presentation from Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. On September 16, 1863, at just age 13, Johnston was awarded the Medal of Honor, a legacy commemorated today by three monuments, including a granite stele in Derby, Vermont, unveiled on the 156th anniversary of his achievement. Willie’s inspiring story continues to resonate, marking milestones like the 164th anniversary of his medal presentation and the ongoing remembrance of his extraordinary courage in American history.

Feb21

1919Who is the only woman to be awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor?

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker of Oswego, New York, remains the only woman ever awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor. As a pioneering Civil War surgeon and women's rights advocate, Walker volunteered her medical expertise on the battlefield when women were barred from official military commissions. Captured as a suspected spy in 1864 and enduring four months in a Confederate prison, she was honored by President Andrew Johnson with the Medal of Honor in 1865—only to have it rescinded in 1917 and later reinstated in 1977. Walker's legacy endures not only through her medal, now displayed at the Richardson-Bates House Museum, but also in the ongoing recognition of her extraordinary commitment to both her country and to gender equality.

Oct16

1896What was the first monument in the world dedicated to journalists killed in combat?

The world’s first monument honoring journalists killed in combat stands at South Mountain, Maryland, conceived and built by famed Civil War correspondent George Alfred Townsend in 1896. Named the War Correspondents Memorial Arch, it pays tribute to 157 writers, artists, and photographers from both sides of the conflict who chronicled the events of the war. Distinctive for its 50-foot height, Moorish horseshoe arch, and eclectic mix of symbolic figures—like a statue of Pan and busts labeled "SPEED" and "HEED"—the memorial remained unique for 90 years before similar tributes appeared. This historic landmark, now part of Gathland State Park, continues to recognize the sacrifices of journalists on the battlefield more than 129 years after its dedication.

Nov29

1864How the horrible massacre of Native Americans by U.S. Soldiers on the banks of the Sand Creek in 1864 is commemorated and memorialized today?

The Sand Creek Massacre took place at dawn on November 29, 1864, when Colonel John M. Chivington led 675 Union cavalrymen against a peaceful encampment of Cheyenne and Arapaho people in southeastern Colorado. The tragic assault resulted in the deaths of over 200 Native Americans, most of whom were women, children, and elders, and is remembered for both its brutality and the refusal of officers like Captain Silas S. Soule to participate. Today, the massacre site is preserved as the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, officially established in 2007, and remains sacred ground to the descendant communities. On the 161st anniversary in 2025, the enduring commemorative efforts, including a marker erected in 1985 and the restricted 640-acre site, remind visitors of the need to remember and honor the victims.

Sep20

1863Who was known as 'The Angel of Marye's Heights' during the American Civil War?

Richard Rowland Kirkland, known as 'The Angel of Marye's Heights,' was a Confederate sergeant from Kershaw County, South Carolina, who gained lasting fame on the battlefield at Fredericksburg, Virginia. Amid the carnage of December 13, 1862, Kirkland risked his life to bring water and comfort to wounded Union soldiers stranded between enemy lines, a rare act of compassion during one of the Civil War's bloodiest confrontations. His selflessness became legendary, and in 1965—a century after the war—a bronze and granite monument by Felix de Weldon was unveiled at the Fredericksburg Battlefield, dedicated to "national unity and the brotherhood of man." Canteens still appear at its base, a tribute to one young soldier’s extraordinary humanity.

May10

1863How did Confederate General Thomas Jonathan Jackson acquire the nickname 'Stonewall'?

Confederate Lieutenant General Thomas Jonathan Jackson, remembered as 'Stonewall,' earned his famous nickname at the First Battle of Bull Run near Manassas, Virginia, on July 21, 1861. His steadfast leadership in closing a dangerous gap in the Confederate line inspired fellow General Bernard Bee to reportedly rally his troops by comparing Jackson to a “stone wall.” While several versions of Bee’s words exist, Jackson’s resolute stand made his new moniker legendary throughout the Civil War. The bronze statue marking his grave in Lexington, Virginia, was dedicated on the battle’s anniversary, honoring his enduring legacy more than three decades after his death.

Aug25

1789Which monument in the United States has the distinction of being the only one erected to a woman by women?

The Mary Washington Monument in Fredericksburg, Virginia, stands as the only monument in the United States erected to a woman by women, honoring Mary Ball Washington, mother of George Washington. Its creation signifies the collective efforts of several women's associations, most notably the Daughters of the American Revolution, to preserve and commemorate the memory of a foundational figure in American history. After decades of stalled attempts and setbacks—including damage during the Civil War and the threatened sale of her grave—the monument was finally dedicated on May 10, 1894, before thousands, with President Grover Cleveland presiding. Its Vermont granite obelisk, inscribed “ERECTED BY HER COUNTRY-WOMEN,” remains a unique testament to American motherhood and women's perseverance.