robert e. lee

4 articles

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in a Confederate prison, she was honored by President Andrew Johnson with the Medal of Honor in 1865—only to have it rescinded in 1917 and later reinstated in 1977.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.

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.

Feb12

1809Which U.S. President is known as the 'Savior of the Union' and emancipator of the slaves?

Abraham Lincoln, born in a humble log cabin near Hodgenville, Kentucky, rose to become the 16th President of the United States and is celebrated as the 'Savior of the Union' and emancipator of the slaves. His leadership during the Civil War not only preserved the nation but also led to the historic Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which paved the way for the abolition of slavery. The 19-foot-tall statue of Lincoln inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., carved by the Piccirilli brothers under Daniel Chester French’s direction, stands as a powerful tribute to his enduring legacy. As of 12 February 2026, Americans mark the 217th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, reflecting on a figure whose vision and resilience forever shaped the course of U.S. history.