1st Michigan Infantry Company B

09/05/2026

09/05/2026

MISCAPTIONED BY MILLER & OTHERS
Here is an expansive version of one of the best and most frequently miscaptioned Civil War photos. In the words of Garry Adelman, "we see men of Brooks' Sixth Corps division south of Fredericksburg[, Virginia] in 1863, but it's usually listed as Petersburg in 1864. Troops, cups, shelters, cannons, papers, bedrolls, sponges. distant house, lotsa muskets and more puts the viewer in the trench more than other views."

It is a great shot attributed to Andrew J. Russell.

Although the original plate is broken, it is retained in storage by the US National Archives. Go to: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/525173?objectPage=2. The Notes section accompanying the image reads in part:

"In the early 1980s, research by Larry Strayer, Brian Pohanka, Harris Andrews, and William Frassanito uncovered documentary evidence suggesting that this image of Union forces was taken by Andrew J. Russell just before the Second Battle of Fredericksburg in the spring of 1863, not at Petersburg, Virginia, as the caption for the image among NARA's holdings of Brady photographs notes. A group of five Russell photographic prints bearing Fredericksburg references in their captions, including another copy of this image, can be found in the holdings of the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) in Cleveland, Ohio. The hand written caption on the WRHS copy of the photo (presumably by A. J. Russell the photographer) is “Line of Brooks' Division at Fredericksburg, May 2, 1863. Rebels charged here 20 minutes after the picture was taken but were repulsed and driven back. As well, the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center has this same photo listed with a Fredericksburg origin, and a smaller archive at the Medford, Massachusetts Historical Society has it listed as “Entrenched Union soldiers, May, 1863” which corresponds to Fredericksburg rather than Petersburg."

Join the Center for Civil War Photography in Gettysburg, Pa. for the Image of war Seminar Seminar from Oct. 2-4, 2026! Details and registration at: https://www.civilwarphotography.org/upcoming-events/

By Craig Heberton IV

09/05/2026

Two Union generals were killed in 1862 at the Battle of Chantilly or Ox Hill. Confederates under General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson pursued Union troops on the retreat from the Battle of Second Manassas or Bull Run. Skirmishing occurred, until the arrival of troops commanded by General Isaac Stevens, who proceeded to attack the center of the Confederate line across an open field. Initially successful, the attack was repulsed by Confederate General Jubal Early and Stevens was killed. Torrential rain began to fall, limiting visibility. Union General Phil Kearny arrived on the field with his division and attempted to rally Stevens’ troops. Hand-to-hand combat broke out as soldiers were unable to fire their weapons due to water-logged ammunition. Investigating a gap in the lines, Kearny encountered rebel soldiers, who demanded his surrender. Kearny attempted to escape and was shot down. Confederate General A.P. Hill, observing the general’s death remarked: “You've killed Phil Kearny! He deserved a better fate than to die in the mud."

Photo: "Battles and Leaders of the Civil War"

08/30/2026

in 1864 the Democratic National Convention met in Chicago and nominated former Union General George McClellan to run against incumbent Abraham Lincoln for President of the United States. The party platform was billed as a “peace” platform, which was highly critical of Lincoln, accusing him of violating civil liberties and constitutional rights and interfering in elections in border states. It also condemned Lincoln for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. In addition, the platform called for an immediate end to the war and a peaceful resolution to restore the Union. Even though he was the nominee, McClellan personally opposed this last part of the platform and supported continuing the war in an attempt to reunite the country.

Image: Democratic Party Banner for 1864 (Atlantic Monthly)

08/30/2026

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