The complete issue
Vol. XXIII, No. 4
(40 pages)
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Inside
Cover image
Two Union soldiers pose with a cannon.
Table of Contents (p. 1)
Mail Call (pp. 2-3)
Feedback includes praise for the Signal Corps issue and support for the new ownership.
Passing in Review (pp. 4-5)
Three publications are reviewed, including Civil War Acoustic Shadows (White Mane Books) by Charles D. Rose, The Preacher’s Tale: The Civil War Journal of Rev. Francis Springer, Chaplain, U.S. Army of the Frontier (University of Arkansas Press) edited by William Flurry and The Young Eagle, The Rise of Abraham Lincoln (Taylor Publishing Co.) by Kenneth Winkle.
The Auction Block (p. 6)
A sampling of sales from the popular auction site eBay is included.
Camp Life in 1861 by Jerry Harlowe (pp. 7-11)
In 1861, Union volunteers rushed to defend Washington and Maryland, the city’s surrounding slave state. For most it was their first experience with camp life and the rigors of military life. The author explores these earliest days of the war and the men who participated. A total of 10 outdoor photographs illustrate the text. Regiments represented include Cook’s Boston Battery and the 8th Massachusetts Infantry. One man pictured is known by name, Asst. Surg. Warren Tapley of the 8th Massachusetts Infantry.
Caught in the Maelstrom by John Sickles (p. 12)
The June 20, 1864, attack by Confederate cavalry on the Union supply base at White House, Va., ended in failure. Four days later, the Confederates attacked Union cavalry and thought they dealt a blow to the blue riders the federals were able to protect their supply trains. One of the gray soldiers wounded in the latter fight, Jefferson H. Richards of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry, suffered the amputation of his right arm. He succumbed to an infection on July 17, 1864. An image of Richards with his exposed stump of an arm is included.
To Catch the Shadow: Photographers in Occupied Vicksburg by Jeff Giambrone, Old Court House Museum (pp. 13-16)
The occupying Union army in Vicksburg created a vigorous economy that encouraged the local photographic market. Vibrant ads and a large number of photographers operated galleries in the city. A history of these photographers includes nine images. Identified portraits include Capt. John G. Yeiser of Wirt Adams’ Mississippi Cavalry, Thomas G. Birchett and Harvey Shannon Jr. of the Warren Light Artillery, Confederate Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Harrison Harris, Col. Hermann Leib of the staff of Gen. John Stevenson, Lt. Samuel LaFaure of the 48th U.S. Colored Infantry and Union Maj. Gen. John A. Logan.
Hard-Luck Officers of the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry by Ronn Palm (pp. 17-19)
Sad stories of four officers in the 150th, also known as the “Wild Cat Regiment,” are the subject of this narrative. All were killed in battle. They include Col. Amos A. McKnight, Col. Calvin A. Craig, Capt. John C. Conser and Capt. James Hamilton. A portrait photograph is included for each officer.
‘A Ten Day Trip to Mississippi’ by Arthur O’Leary (p. 20)
The life and times of Carter B. Granger (1840-1912), of the 2nd Iowa Cavalry, includes his capture by Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Confederates at Okalona, Miss., in 1864.
Soldiers, Wives & Sweethearts by Mike Fitzpatrick (pp. 21-29)
Recognizing that the Civil War was not fought in a vacuum, the author notes that though not on the front lines or in the army, women had to endure financial and emotional strain while their loved ones were away. A number of images of couples are included and several are identified: George R. Southworth of the 11th Connecticut Infantry and wife Martha, James Ballard of the 3rd and 7th Connecticut Infantries and his wife, Thomas M. Long of the 5th Alabama Infantry Battalion and his wife, John Wesley Adams od the 2nd New Hampshire Infantry and wife Lydia, Simeon K. Burd of the 5th Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery and his wife Virginia, Mary Elizabeth Mackey and suitors John Sammons of the 36th Ohio Infantry and David J. Hussey of the 174th Ohio Infantry (she chose David), George Heppenheimer of the 1st District of Columbia Infantry and wife Mary, and Maj. Gen. George Brinton McClellan and wife Mary Ellen.
Charles Spinzig of the 2nd Missouri (U.S.) (p. 30)
The military service of Spinzig begins with the 2nd Regiment of United States Reserve Infantry organized in early ay of 1861. He later became surgeon of the 2nd Missouri Infantry and survived the war. He lived until 1882.
A Lost Battalion: Pennsylvania’s State Fencibles (pp. 31-35)
Many of America’s old volunteer militia companies disappeared long ago. But one company organized from 1812-1813, the State Fencibles, enjoyed a long history that finally came to an end during the Vietnam War. Illustrated with period engravings and photographs, two portraits are men who served in the Civil War. They are Theodore Husser, who commanded the company when it mustered into federal service as Company K of the 18th Pennsylvania Infantry, and Capt. James Page, who commanded the Fencibles for 50 years.
Stephen Long, a Famed Explorer by John Halliday (p. 36)
Best remembered for his service on the American frontier, Col. Stephen Harriman Long served for almost a half century in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The text is illustrated with his portrait photograph.
Uniforms & History by Michael J. McAfee (p. 37)
In “11th New York Cavalry,” McAfee provides background and uniform details of the regiment. A portrait of Bugler James Monroe illustrates the text.
Sutler’s Row (pp. 38-39)
The Last Shot (p. 40)
A carte de visite from the Chris Nelson collection pictures a Pennsylvania couple during the Civil War.
