The Civil War Monitor

The second season of our "Civil War Curious" podcast—in which expert historians answer your Civil War questions—is coming soon. Learn more about it by listening to the Season 2 trailer here: tinyurl.com/2y6w8ybn

"A Nation Unraveled: Clothing, Culture, and Violence in the American Civil War Era" by Sarah Jones Weicksel is "a brilliant new history of the Civil War" that "will repay scholars and the lay public alike," writes Brian Matthew Jordan. Read more here: tinyurl.com/3k53zxv7

Happy St. Patrick's Day! In 1863, Irish Brigade commander Thomas F. Meagher hosted elaborate festivities to mark the day, which artist Edwin Forbes captured in a series of sketches. View them here: tinyurl.com/yrajyz4j

Union and Confederate forces clashed at Averasboro, NC, #otd in 1865, part of William T. Sherman's advance through the state. Read about it in Derek Smith's article, "Battle Fury at Averasboro," in our current issue: tinyurl.com/2rwzpk44

"Little Round Top at Gettysburg: A Reassessment of July 2, 1863" by Joseph Michael Bostlet draws upon a "broad collection of published sources to render more legible a most murky historical record," writes Codie Eash. Read more about it here: tinyurl.com/bddeffwy

In the latest installment of his "Tales from the Road" column, John Banks travels to Triune, TN, to explore the remnants of a once-vital chain of Union defenses. Read it here: tinyurl.com/bd6b7n6v

Philip Sheridan was born in Albany, NY, #otd in 1831. Nicknamed "Little Phil" for his small stature (5' 5"), the West Point grad began the conflict as a staff officer and ended it as a major general whose actions in Virginia played a significant role in securing Union victory.

"Boss Lincoln: The Partisan Life of Abraham Lincoln" by Matthew Pinsker is a "superb, often surprising account" of the sixteenth president, writes Fergus Bordewich. Read more about it here: tinyurl.com/4rjjxtxu

The Spring '26 issue of the Monitor goes on sale today. You can learn more about it—or order a copy—at our website: civilwarmonitor.com/issue/spring-2…

While bulletproof vests existed during the Civil War, they were less popular and effective than their manufacturers—and supporters in the press—had envisioned. Learn more here: tinyurl.com/2nbpwnf5

"A Fate Worse Than Hell: American Prisoners of the Civil War" by W. Fitzhugh Brundage is "a landmark book that will engross the reading public and compete for the field’s top awards," writes Brian Matthew Jordan. Read why he thinks so here: tinyurl.com/yn6a6akw

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, who began his distinguished Civil War service as lieutenant colonel of the 20th Maine Infantry and ended it as a brevet major general, died #otd in 1914 at 85. After the war, he served as Maine's governor and president of Bowdoin College.

We're excited to announce the launch of our latest digital history column, Fugitive Federals. Overseen by historians Lorien Foote and Andrew Fialka, it will highlight the stories and experiences of escaped Union POWs. Read more about it here: tinyurl.com/5x9yhtkc

The Battle of Olustee, Florida, was fought #otd in 1864. African-American troops from the 54th Massachusetts and 35th USCT helped turn back the victorious Rebels' attempts to overwhelm the rear element of the retreating Union force at battle's end.

The digital version of our Spring '26 issue is now live for subscribers to read at our website: tinyurl.com/38sjruhy. Not yet a subscriber? Fix that here: tinyurl.com/232zx9cd. #civilwarhistory #twitterstorians #history #americancivilwar

"Love and Loss After Wounded Knee: A Biography of an Extraordinary Interracial Marriage" by Julie Dobrow is "an excellent dual biography" of interest to "any audience, scholarly or popular," writes Aaron David Hyams. Read more about it here: tinyurl.com/hnaherd4

Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley undertook a nighttime attack on USS Housatonic in the waters of Charleston Harbor #otd in 1864. Hunley's spar torpedo detonated and sank the sloop of war; the sub itself foundered shortly thereafter, all eight of its crew lost with the vessel.

In February 1864, Union surgeon J. Theodore Calhoun offered his thoughts on the causes and prevalence of nostalgia—or homesickness—among Union soldiers to an assemblage of medical officers from the Army of the Potomac. Read them here: tinyurl.com/4frczt5x

Happy #ValentinesDay! During the Civil War, Americans sent Valentine’s Day cards to family and friends that could at times be more comic, satirical, and biting than loving. View samples here: tinyurl.com/3m8a7av2

Abraham Lincoln was born in LaRue County, KY, #otd in 1809. Largely self-educated, he became a lawyer, Illinois state legislator, and U.S. representative before being elected 16th U.S. president in 1860. He was 56 when assassinated at the end of the Civil War in April 1865.