patrick teegarden
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Trying to understand Veterans Day: What and whom are we honoring?
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Here’s how well I understand Veterans Day — I told my publisher/editor/friend, Ms. Strogoff, how thrilled I was to write about this important national holiday, because it had in fact been originated by Civil War General and Congressman John “Blackjack” Logan. Which would have been correct if we had been talking about Memorial Day! In…
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The closer we examine Abraham Lincoln, the greater he remains in our minds
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Having recently discussed the bare bones story of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, I’ve been uncertain how to best present or frame the apparent ambiguities and lack of urgency in Lincoln’s own commitment to end slavery. When studying or reading about Lincoln’s life, particularly his early career in Illinois, one cannot help but stumble across any…
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Beginning of the end of slavery in the Union
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On September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln publicly announced his intention to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, effective on January 1, 1863. Under the terms of this Presidential Order, any area in a state of rebellion against the Union would immediately forfeit the institution of “legal” slavery without compensation. Lincoln had actually come to his own…
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Single day of fighting in Civil War resulted in twice the deaths from terrorists of 9/11
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September 17, 1862 was the bloodiest single day in U. S. history-by a long shot. Total deaths — the worst. Total casualties (killed, wounded and missing) — the worst. Deaths and total casualties adjusted as a percentage of total population — worse yet! During this past week, as we’ve all appropriately reflected on the horrors…
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13 months of Yankee ineptitude and defeat
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This past week, Aug. 30 marked the 149th anniversary of the Union’s second consecutive defeat at Bull Run. But Union futility on the fields of Virginia over this 14-month stretch was more pathetic than the record might indicate. The Yankee losing streak that had begun on the same battlefield the previous year, in July 1861,…
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Civil War Generals Grant, Sherman and the Western Theater of War
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The Civil War battle resulting in the Union capture of Fort Donelson, in northern Tennessee, is not nearly as well known as it ought to be, given the eclectic cast of characters serving as general officers who played a role there. But most notably, it was during the preparation for and execution of this campaign…
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The Confederate Army & “defensive” strategy
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For a variety of reasons, I’ve always had more difficulty gaining insight, perspective and understanding of the main generals of the Confederacy than of their Union counterparts. One contributing factor is certainly the misleading and often false reporting of “history” through the Myth of the Lost Cause. Likewise, I suspect that it’s more difficult to…
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Civil War Generals: Part I — The Union Army
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Over the four-year duration of the Civil War, the Union Army included close to 2,500 “generals.” But that number is somewhat misleading in that it includes almost 2,000 “Brevet” Brigadier Generals. While the “Brevet” rank is somewhat complex to understand in its entirety, it is roughly analogous to a modern day combat medal or other…
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The anniversary of the Battle of Manassas
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A giant equestrian statue of Stonewall Jackson stands today near the spot where his lines faced the Federalsand stemmed the tide, leading to ultimate Southern victory on the battlefield.Photo by Patrick Teegarden/The Colorado Statesman July 21 will mark the 150th anniversary of the first “major” battle of the American Civil War, which was referred to…
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Happy Birthday, America!
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As an undergraduate student, I once had the temerity to ask a Lincoln/Civil War scholar which of Lincoln’s numerous speeches should be considered his greatest. For a moment he looked piteously down at my lesser being, then smiled and suggested that, rather than pick one favorite, all good citizens should simply read, assimilate, and reflect…
