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Civil War Blog

A project of PA Historian

Cinco de Mayo, the Confederacy, and Gen. Jo Shelby

| May 5, 2011

Today is Cinco de Mayo (Fifth of May), a holiday that had its origins during the American Civil War.  It commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French forces of Napoleon III at the Battle of Puebla.  The holiday was actually created by Mexicans living in California who supported the cause of Mexican freedom.  Ironically, […]

St. John (Hill) Church and Cemetery

| May 3, 2011

The popular name, “The Hill Church” was given to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, because it is situated on a hill about a quarter mile south of Berrysburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and from the church and cemetery the surrounding countryside can be seen for many miles in each direction. According to its 1780 date of […]

Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863-1865

| May 2, 2011

  Click on picture to enlarge From 1863 to 1865, four drafts took place in the United States.  The draft call of 1863 required registration of eligible men between the ages of 20 and 45, divided into two classes as described below in the Ancestry.com data base, U.S. Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863-1865: This […]

The 1863 Draft for Upper Dauphin County

| May 1, 2011

In July of 1863, President Lincoln issued a proclamation ordering a draft to raise five hundred thousand men for the Union army. It was the first compulsory draft in American history.  The draft was intended to encourage enlistment, but in many cases it had the opposite effect.  Federal troops had to be called out in […]

Gettysburg – The Ted Turner Movie

| April 30, 2011

Part 25 of ongoing series on the Battle of Gettysburg.  This post features the trailer for the Ted Turner movie, Gettysburg, as well as the title theme and some favorite scenes.   Soundtrack:  Title Theme   1st Day – Reynolds Arrives   Killer Angels   Pickett’s Charge – The Plan   Soundtrack:  Reunion & Finale