Category Archives: Veterans

A death on Kearsarge Avenue

For two years the CSS Alabama wreaked havoc with Union shipping. That stopped on June 19, 1864 when the USS Kearsarge sunk the rebel commerce raider off the coast of France. John Winslow, the Kearsarge’s commander, died at his home … Continue reading

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still salient

Thirty years after the Battle of Gettysburg, Union General Daniel Sickles’ management of the Third Corps on the second day of the battle was still controversial. From the August 24, 1893 issue of The National Tribune: THIS country is fortunate … Continue reading

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peaceful transfer

The South had its Fire-Eaters, the North had John A. Dix. While briefly serving as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury for a time before Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration, John Dix sent a telegram to Treasury agents in New Orleans ordering them … Continue reading

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General Meade, R.I.P.

The day after his Commander in Chief was re-elected United States President, General George Meade died at his Philadelphia home. From The Chicago Daily Tribune November 8, 1872: IN MEMORIAM. Honors to the Late General Meade. Washington, Nov. 7.—General Sherman … Continue reading

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redecoration

From the June 10, 1871 issue of Harper’s Weekly: From the The New York Herald May 31, 1871: THE NATION’S DEAD. … The muffled drum’s sad roll has beat The Soldier’s last tattoo, No more on life’e parade shall meet … Continue reading

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sound retreat

From the March 18, 1871 issue of Harper’s Weekly: THE SOLDIERS’ HOME. ON one of the most beautiful sites in the neighborhood of Washington stands an edifice of singular attractiveness, known as “The Soldiers’ Home,” of which we give a … Continue reading

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a death on campus

It was a damp, chilly afternoon in Lexington, Virginia. A heavy rain set in that eventually resulted in some severe flooding. September 28, 1870 was a long day for Robert E. Lee, the president of Washington College. According to Colonel … Continue reading

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floral tributes

From the May 31, 1870 issue of The New-York Times. Except the day on which is celebrated the independence of these United States, there is no day that calls out the patriotic feelings of our people more than “Memorial Day.” … Continue reading

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Old Pap gone

I first knew of him as “The Rock of Chickamauga.” In September 1863 Union General George H. Thomas and his men held off the Confederate Army of Tennessee while about a third of the Union Army of the Cumberland was … Continue reading

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so much service everywhere

John Ellis Wool, 85, died at his home in Troy, New York on November 10, 1869. Major-General Wool was a veteran of three major North American wars. After volunteering for the War of 1812 he made the U.S. Army his … Continue reading

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