1st Michigan Infantry Company B

06/10/2026

https://www.facebook.com/civilwarphotography/posts/pfbid02uZ55c7MnNRzTgbCjPj29oVTCe6qsCTtBRFtmxLUYFStv9Y8i97uKcDdKPvY4UPAGl?rdid=U5ulzwMkFRHp8fK6

JUNE 10th DURING THE CIVIL WAR
“June 10th might bring to mind for some the 1864 Battle of Brice’s Crossroads, or perhaps part of the 1862 Valley Campaign, but long before all that, the men in this early June 1861 [photograph, below] would have thought of Big Bethel, a sharp fight on the Virginia Peninsula fought a few days after this photo was taken and six weeks before Bull Run. The man looking through the scope could have no idea that he would be within 25 months the chief engineer for the Army of the Potomac AND the Hero of Little Round Top (well that’s my take at least), and in less than three years commander of the Fifth Army Corps and in less than four years, relieved of command after helping to win the Battle of Five Forks. That’s future General G.K. Warren. He was serving on the staff of Colonel Abram Duryee when this photo was taken. Duryee himself, standing second from right, was a fighter who was wounded at Second Bull Run and then South Mountain right after that and then Antietam, again, right after that!” — Garry Adelman, VP of the Center for Civil War Photography

Photo by George Stacy of New York City taken near Fort Monroe, Virginia.
https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2017647761/

By Craig Heberton IV

06/10/2026

On June 8, 1862, Union cavalry under Col. Samuel Carroll surprised Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson in Port Republic. Jackson narrowly escaped across a covered bridge before Union troops could capture him. Dr. Hunter McGuire was briefly captured along with others on his staff. Although the Federals gained control of the bridge, they failed to destroy it, allowing Jackson to stay connected to his supplies. Jackson then rallied the 37th Virginia Infantry, which charged across the bridge, captured a Union cannon, and drove the Union forces out of the village.

06/10/2026

Reenacting is a ridiculous concept

When you get right down to it, it’s a weird hobby. Leaving the comforts and security of our 21st century lives to wear clothes that went out of fashion over 100 years ago, eat food that’s repetitive and often tasteless, and sleeping on the ground are all things that an average person would label as crazy. However, we believe there’s three motivating factors that keep us going and encourage us to expand our experiences.

1. It helps us honor the original cast and keep their story alive.
‘Nuff said. We are the ones that make history tangible and more enjoyable to the public that watches the reenactments, visit us in camp, and ask questions. History books in school are boring. Seeing, hearing, and smelling even just a sliver of history helps people realize what life was like for the original cast.

2. It helps us understand the original cast better
As our friends over at the 11th OVC keep reiterating, experimental archeology is king. There aren’t many (if any) letters, diaries, or documents that explain the difference between cotton or wool socks, lined or unlined coats, how to deal with a misbehaving musket in the thick of battle, or so much more. These were the daily experiences of so many of these people that we can also experience firsthand, though sometimes not to the degree that the original cast did.

3. Reenacting is hard
If it were easy, everyone would do it. In a world of instant gratification, there is something to be said about doing hard things and things that take time. You want a cup of coffee? Make sure you gather the firewood, start the fire, boil the water, make the coffee, and make sure it cools down enough where you don’t burn your entire mouth. That’s a much different experience than popping a pod in a Keurig and getting the perfect cup of coffee every time. By taking on these challenges you prove most importantly to yourself that you can do it. That builds confidence and can make you a better person because of it.

So next time you’re in the field, take some time to reflect on why we do this crazy hobby and cherish the friendships, memories, and the history that you’re living.

📸: Joel F. Carberry

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

The photograph captures Robert E. Lee beside his horse, Traveler, not as a distant symbol but as a weary man pressed down by circumstance. Mud clings to his boots and uniform, and his posture suggests exhaustion more than authority. Traveler stands patiently at his side, head lowered, as if sharing the burden of long days and uncertain outcomes. The usual polish of command is absent here, replaced by something raw and unguarded.

Lee’s face tells a story that words often soften—eyes dulled by sleepless nights, features drawn tight by responsibility and loss. This is not the image of parades or speeches, but of pauses between decisions, when the weight of command settles heavily and there is no audience to impress. The ground beneath them looks churned and unforgiving, mirroring the strain etched into his expression. In this moment, even legend seems to step aside, allowing fatigue and doubt to show through.

What makes the image rare is not only its scarcity, but its honesty. It freezes a fleeting instant when history’s pace slowed just enough to reveal its cost. Lee and Traveler stand still, caught between past orders and future consequences, offering a quiet reminder that behind every sweeping narrative are moments of silence, mud, and human endurance that rarely make it into memory.

06/09/2026

𝐀 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞

This vintage advertisement from Trans‑Mississippi Lead Works showcases photographs of some of the rarest bullets from the Civil War era.

Special thanks to Meigs Brainard for generously allowing us to share this image. Click to enlarge. Meigs is the administrator of the 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴‑𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪 𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘏𝘰𝘨𝘴 page on Facebook.

06/09/2026

06/09/2026