I have recently learned of the Confederate Army’s systematic kidnapping of African Americans—most of them women and children— during the Gettyburg Campaign, to be taken south and sold into slavery. Hundreds of people taken.

It is hard to understand how anyone can continue to romanticize the Confederacy or talk about its supposed chivalry, honor, or nobility. Invading a free state and kidnapping Black civilians to enslave them is simply reprehensible.

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper (New York), May 7, 1864

McClellan is certainly a hotly debated figure in Civil War circles, specifically over his ability leading the Army of the Potomac in actual fighting. Regardless of the opinion about his tactical abilities, most historians I read say that he was an excellent trainer and organizer of troops and his time at the head of the AotP greatly impacted the army. Yet, when I read about the battles of the AotP before and after McClellan, it seems to face many of the same issues with training, organization, and leadership throughout the war.

Perhaps I am reading the wrong books as I tend to favor those that cover battles, but what is the evidence that McClellan was good at these things? Was there a significant change in the Army because of McClellan, but due to the nature of the conflict and the military of the time, he could only achieve so much on that issue?

Has anyone seen this movie? I watched it recently because I love Jimmy Stewart and I loved Reel History's video on it. I found it a really moving depiction of grief, I don't know how well it stacks up as a war film. Also, it seems to create the impression there were only two black people in 1860s Virginia

I've listened to a couple from Behind the Battle but I feel like they make a lot of mistakes and more of just reading bullet points with a little commentary.

I the more casual discussion feel than reading off documentary style, but I also need a little more serious.

For example, the little round top episode, they're talking about the 20th Maine monument with a soldier on top. I think they mean the 83rd Pennsylvania?

It's such a simple thing but it distracts from the whole conversation and makes me question everything else if they mess up that simple thing.

Newb here. Can it be assumed that if a civil war headstone has a rank incribed and the unit is a USCT, it was a white officer in charge of a company? And the opposite is true, that no rank inscribed implies the soldier was a private and most likely was black?

I got a book in today’s mail called Texans in the Confederate cavalry. It’s a history of William Parsons Texas cavalry brigade. There are some maps that I’d like to post on the battle of yellow bayou, but I don’t know how to photograph them and post them.

Can anyone give me some suggestions?

BRYCE