Soldiers
Published: 3/18/25
A Boy Soldier
The story of 15-year-old Jimmy Bateman's relentless pursuit to join the Union army in 1861.
Published: 1/2/25
Narrow Escapes
A sampling of first-person quotes by Union and Confederate soldiers about the close calls they had in combat.
Published: 12/16/24
How a Man Feels in Battle
In its October 12, 1861, issue, The Scientific American reprinted a brief article that had recently appeared in the Philadelphia newspaper North American. In it, an editor at the North...
12
Published: 11/25/24
Civil War Punishments
Discover the various methods used to discipline soldiers during the Civil War.
Published: 10/2/24
A Package from Home
A captivating photograph of Union officers opening a package from home.
Published: 10/2/24
Accidental Deaths
A sampling of first-person quotes about accidental deaths during the Civil War.
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Published: 10/2/24
The Zouave
By 1861, Elmer Ellsworth had become a household name in much of America. Read how he and his Chicago Zouaves earned national fame.
8
Published: 10/2/24
The Bloodiest Day
D. Scott Hartwig looks at how rank-and-file Union and Confederate troops experienced the Battle of Antietam.
Published: 10/2/24
A Burdensome Decision
A look at the difficult decision Colonel Lewis Johnson of the 44th U.S. Colored Troops faced at Dalton, Georgia.
Published: 8/26/24
Extra Voices: Killing the Enemy
In the Voices section of our Summer 2024 issue we highlighted quotes by Union and Confederate soldiers that revealed their thoughts about killing the enemy. Unfortunately, we didn’t have room...
Published: 8/2/24
A Captured Weapon Freed
A photograph of Confederate soldier Charles Stephen Prescott Hill sheds light on the story of a captured sword.
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Published: 8/2/24
Boy Soldiers
One in 10 Union soldiers was underage when they enlisted. Their presence disrupted families, created chaos—and helped win the war.Published: 8/2/24
Killing the Enemy
A sampling of first-person quotes by Union and Confederate soldiers on their feelings about killing the enemy.
Published: 8/2/24
Sergeant Francis McMillen’s Sword Belt Plate
A look at the bullet-struck sword belt plate of Union soldier Francis McMillen.
Published: 4/15/24
The Myth of the Civil War Sniper
What do Union generals John Reynolds, William Sanders, Stephen Weed, and John Sedgwick have in common? According to traditional historiography, each man was killed by a sharpshooter who targeted him,...
Published: 4/8/24
Extra Voices: Losing Comrades
In the Voices section of our Winter 2023 issue we highlighted quotes by Union and Confederate soldiers about the loss of a comrade. Unfortunately, we didn’t have room to include all that we found. Below are those that just missed the cut.
Published: 3/18/24
An Unwilling Abolitionist
Joseph D. Hatfield and emancipation's effects within the Union army
Published: 3/18/24
A Close Call Close to Home
A wartime photograph helps tell the story of a Confederate soldier from Tennessee.