The USS Hartford, Admiral David Farragut’s flagship and four gunboats of the Mississippi River Squadron appear in the second novel of my Shiloh Trilogy.
Cold Harbor
The Battle of Cold Harbor was the most lop-sided defeat suffered by the Army of the Potomac. Decades later, Gen. U. S. Grant still regretted ordering the assault.
The Art of the Mule Shoe
The desperate fighting at Spotsylvania on May 12, 1864 inspired several artists to record their impressions of that bloody day on canvas. (Look for next installment January 8, 2016.)
A Season in the Wilderness
Beyond the struggle for survival in battle, the Wilderness forced Michael Palmer, the protagonist in my novel, An Eye for Glory, to face the dark reality of how the war was changing him.
Manual of Arms Drill
Understanding what it took to load and fire a muzzle-loading rifled musket is a must if you want to write about any Civil War battle. This short video should help you visualize it better.
Civil War Traveler
Whether you’re thinking of touring only one Civil War site or several, the CivilWarTraveler website is the place to start. You will find lots of resources and information about lesser known sites that will make your trip more pleasant and beneficial.
Traces of Natchez
Natchez, Mississippi experienced little hardship during the Civil War compared to Vicksburg. Today, it’s a beautiful historic small city with wonderful views of the river.
Scenes of Vicksburg
A final look at some of the sights I found interesting at Vicksburg – a blend of the historic and the modern day.
The Fickle Father of Waters
The changing course of the Mississippi River radically altered the geography of two historic Civil War locations shortly after the war.
USS Cairo Museum
The combined efforts of salvage, preservation, and restoration have resulted in a wonderful exhibit of a Civil War era ironclad gunboat that is not to be missed.
To read a fine article on the discovery, salvage, and preservation of the USS Cairo, click here.