Levin traces the history of the black Confederate myth that winds down a Lost Cause path to the late-19th century and the faithful slave narrative. Monuments to faithful “servants” (a popular euphemism for slave) and black Confederate “mascots” in Rebel gray at reunions populate the early story - and Levin deftly explains their presence and usefulness to the postwar construction of the Lost Cause myth.
Read MoreThe site features a timeline, interactive maps, lesson plans (which link back to the Allen letters…HUZZAH!!), and a good deal of addition information about Ciivl War era prisons.
Read MoreWhat I find particularly unique here in the world of edited collections of Civil War letter (there are tons available) is that since this is a digital project, I can add new information when it becomes available, provide recommended readings for all the latest studies as they are published, and revise when necessary.
Read MoreThey could relate to the stories about young people - not so much older than themselves - who had hopes and dreams and plans for the future…all of which abruptly ended during the Civil War.
Read MoreI’ve just recorded three of Henry A. Allen’s letters as we wind down to the end of the collection. This is among the most interesting set, as Allen considers the gravity of signing a loyalty oath in the wake of the surrender of the two major Confederate armies east of the Mississippi River.
Read MoreSomewhere in the neighborhood of 175,000 men fought at Gettysburg. We got to know 24. I had them write reflections on their experiences when we returned to the classroom - and they unanimously agreed that these personal connections helped them engage the history in ways that they had never considered…beyond the books - beyond the maps.
Read More…historical artifacts help us understand nuance and complexity. They help us see history through the eyes of individual historical actors. They help us understand perspective and motivation. In short…I find it profoundly instructive to - from time to time - step away from written texts and lectures (though I love to hear myself talk) to focus on individuals and material culture.
Read MoreThis year I am dialing up the human element. The plan: each student will be assigned a specific soldier with some accompanying background about that person’s life: where they were from, what they did in the civilian world, their family…whatever personal information is available (they’ll get a trading card and everything).
Read MoreNow, if you think is something of a pedestrian framework with which to engage Civil War history, I’ll note that I have had this conversation with some of the most prominent scholars in the field…and the debates were (nearly) as heated as any other.
Read MoreJeffry Wert’s Isoroku Yamamoto-esque “sleeping giant” metaphor certainly works, but only because he couples it with a review of the individuals who had the determination and the foresight to use what they had before them.
Read MoreHolzer’s analysis illustrates Lincoln’s political cunning, intentional obfuscation, and deliberate planting of information in order to finesse the notion of emancipation for an uneasy citizenry. Emancipating Lincoln offers some surprising conclusions, suggesting that Lincoln’s image as emancipator was longer coming than we might have previously imagined.
Read MoreCapt. Allen has certainly grown weary of his life as a prisoner of war.
Read MoreReaders interested in the war narrative as understood through the mind of a young man behind the lines will find Janet Elizabeth Croon’s editing accomplishments worthy of celebration. Her exhaustive work helps the reader negotiate the many obstacles that emerge from Gresham’s pen as fact, rumor, and pure misinformation.
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