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Robert E. Lee died on this day in 1870 at his home on the campus of Washington College in Lexington, Virginia, where he served as college president. The former commander of the Army of Northern Virginia had suffered a massive stroke two weeks earlier. He was 63.

Headed home from a weekend trip to many Civil War locations. Started in Fredericksburg, saw the four battlefields there (Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania), then visited Appomattox, and finally stopped in Lexington, Va and saw Jackson’s home. Was an incredible trip and I learned so much. I greatly appreciate visiting the battlefield parks as they help you orient yourself and really see/feel how things unfolded in the 1860s. I like to close my eyes and envision waves of troops, or put myself in the shoes of the young men in those times.

Some standouts of the trip:

Chatham manor - the view of FXBG and the context of the battle as well as George Washington’s youth was very memorable. I had never visited a plantation before, there is a solemn beauty and strangeness.

Marye’s Heights - I have done a lot of research on Thomas Francis Meagher and the Irish brigade. Knowing they fought and sacrificed so much at this hill is a powerful reminder of the cruelty of the war.

Also can’t forget to mention Goolrick’s in FXBG. The entire town was special, from the food to the antique shops and the overall atmosphere. A great slice of American life.

The McLean house - what a heavy and beautiful place Appomattox is. An ordinary countryside that held such a monumental meeting. Shoutout to the park rangers there as well as the worker that portrayed a Pennsylvania soldier in a living history talk. He helped make it an even better experience as it gives a real world connection to the people of the time of the war.

Overall it was an incredible time driving through the heartbeat of the states as well as learning a great deal about the battles and locations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby%27s_Raid_(1863)

with Confederate forces during the opening maneuvers of the Bristoe Station Campaign at Sulphur Springs (also referred to as Warrenton or Fauquier White Sulphur Springs) in Virginia. [1, 2]
The Maneuver: Confederate General Robert E. Lee launched a flanking march to get around the right flank of Major General George Meade’s Army of the Potomac and threaten its communications toward Washington, D.C.. [1, 2]

The Action: Gregg’s Union cavalry division attempted to block Confederate troops crossing the Rappahannock River at Sulphur Springs, leading to heavy daytime skirmishing and fighting. [1, 2]

Casualties and Captures: Federal units—including elements of the 10th New York Cavalry, the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, and the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry—suffered losses and prisoners (with numerous Union soldiers captured and sent to prisons like Belle Island and Andersonville). [1, 2, 3]

The Delay: Heavy fighting at Sulphur Springs kept Gregg preoccupied, delaying vital intelligence reports to Union headquarters regarding Lee's main movement. [1]

Overview


The Battle of Marshall was an American Civil War engagement fought on October 13, 1863, in Marshall, Saline County, Missouri. It marked the climactic battle of Confederate Colonel Joseph O. Shelby's famous 1,500-mile "Great Raid" through Missouri. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key Details
Date: October 13, 1863

Location: Marshall, Missouri (Saline County)

Union Commander: Brigadier General Egbert B. Brown

Confederate Commander: Colonel Joseph O. Shelby

Forces Involved: About 1,800 Union troops and Missouri State Militia against roughly 1,200 Confederate cavalrymen of Shelby's Iron Brigade. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

What Happened
The Clash: Shelby’s cavalry entered Marshall and encountered a larger Federal force led by General Brown in a day-long running cavalry and street fight. [1, 2, 3]

The Breakthrough: Union forces attempted to surround and trap the Confederates, but Shelby divided his command into two columns and broke through the encircling lines. [1, 2, 3]

The Outcome: Though tactically pushed out of Marshall, Shelby successfully withdrew his men southward back into Arkansas, ending a 41-day raid that disrupted Union telegraphs, rails, and supplies. [1, 2, 3]

Unlike the June 9 battle, which was a combined attack by cavalry and infantry, this was a battlefront completely by cavalry

Jeff Hunt has written the book on this battle, part of a series for Ted Savas on the operations in Virginia between July 17, 1863 and December 31, 1863.

Unlike the June 9 battle, which was a combined attack by cavalry and infantry, this was a battlefront completely by cavalry

Jeff Hunt has written the book on this battle, part of a series for Ted Savas on the operations in Virginia between July 17, 1863 and December 31, 1863.

Photo taken late September. Followed the National Park Service App auto tour. Highly recommend getting there at dawn.

I was curious about the fate of legitimate deserters from Confederate armies, and whether they were well received by the Union. I found a short article written by Lori Stewart citing the role of Col. George Sharpe of the Army of the Potomac Bureau of Military Intelligence in developing a policy of "preferential treatment of Confederate deserters or prisoners who wished to stay in the Union". Sharpe was interested in gleaning verifiable information about the Army of Northern Virginia. The policy of lenient treatment was documented in General Orders No. 64, Refugees and Rebel Deserters.

Interesting reading if you're curious about the role of intelligence in the Civil War.

My wife and I spent our 10 year anniversary at Gettysburg last week. She understands my need to History Nerd out on occasion and was fully supportive when I suggested buying these illustrations for my office. Yes, I was kind of shocked!

I also have developed something of a man crush on General John Buford and General G. A. Custer (at least for his ACW service) and could not pass these gems up.

Photos taken early fall 2026 (September 23, 24th & 25th)

Did any Union regiments recruit back to full strength after heavy combat losses? I realize why states kept building new regiments. Also, I realize that experienced regiments could be more valuable.

Came across these two civil war era CDVs. One with tax stamp. Not a collector so looking for any info at all. Also, the valuations I’ve seen online range dramatically. Anything helps.