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From the Editor
For six years, I’ve had a stack of research in my back pocket about Stonewall Jackson’s Valley Campaign. And for six years, I’ve intended to use that research to write a book. And for six years, a swarm of other projects—my own and the projects of others—have kept me from getting that book written.
I’ve written other books in that interim, for sure. And I’ve helped a lot of other ECW folks get their books into print. I’m proud of that output. But all the while, Stonewall Jackson has been whispering sternly in my ear: “If the Valley is lost, Virginia is lost!”
The 164th anniversary of Jackson’s Valley Campaign will be upon us in May, so I’ve decided to use that occasion as my excuse to finally write my book about the campaign. My goal is to do it in “real time”—that is, as the campaign anniversary unfolds, I want to write my first draft in parallel time.
And I’m telling YOU about it as a way to hold myself accountable!
This is, I admit, a gimmick. In theory, I should be disciplined enough to write the book on my own through consistent, applied effort. But honestly, ECW has been so busy this year, my own writing time has been severely compromised. So I’ve told everyone I’m taking a “time out” from everything else except this book project.
I also have to wrap up the semester, pay my annual respects to the various Civil War stories that unfold on the battlefields around me, and pay visits to Boston, Milwaukee, Chicago, and Virginia Beach. There’s a lot to do—but as Jackson himself once said, “What I willed to do, I could do.”
Time to get ‘er done. Wish me luck. I’ll keep you posted.
— Chris Mackowski, Ph.D.
Emerging Civil War
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12th Annual Emerging Civil War Symposium at Stevenson Ridge
We’re pleased to announce our full line-up of speakers for our 12th Annual Emerging Civil War Symposium at Stevenson Ridge. Our event will be held August 7–9, 2025. Tickets are available for $325 each. Our theme will be “Partnerships and Rivalries.”
We’re pleased to feature TWO keynote speakers this year:
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Harold Holzer—Presidents in Print: The Dueling Images of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis
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Craig Symonds—Admirals in Blue and Gray: Farragut and Buchanan
Plus, we have a line-up of eight other speakers:
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Kris White—“Heavens, How They Hate Him”: Braxton Bragg and the Army of Tennessee’s High Command
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Dr. Angela Zombeck—Partners in Escape: POW Escape Attempts and Plots, Successful and Stymied
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Joseph Ricci—“Not with a Pen but a Sword”: George H. Thomas and John M. Schofield
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Pat Kelly-Fischer—Duel in the Desert: Canby and Sibley’s Fight for the West
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Neil Chatelain—The Mississippi River vs. Everyone: How Grant, Foote, Pope, Farragut, Porter, Butler, Lovell, Johnston, Beauregard, and Hollins had to fight the “Father of Waters” before fighting each other
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Ryan Quint—“With Friends Like These…”: Ambrose Burnside and Joseph Hooker, Late 1862
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Tim Smith (of the East)—Friction in Command: Personal and Professional Conflicts Between the Union Commanders During the Gettysburg Campaign
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Evan Portman—Frenemies: The Partnership and Rivalry of Joshua Chamberlain and Ellis Spear
Our popular Friday evening panel also returns, and we'll have a Sunday morning tour: "Stonewall Jackson's Arresting Personality" by Chris Mackowski, featuring the south end of the Confederate position at Fredericksburg.
For information or to order tickets, visit our Symposium page.
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Used Book Sale!
We will be hosting a used book sale at the Symposium! If any person or organization is interested in donating used Civil War books to the sale, please reach out to emergingcivilwar@gmail.com.
The proceeds will benefit ECW's mission by helping to offset our annual preservation initiatives and support us as we provide free Civil War content on the blog, podcast, and YouTube channel.
| | Congrats to Jon-Erik Gilot for pulling off another successful symposium at the Carnegie Free Library in Carnegie, PA, Apr 17 & 18. The theme this year was "1861: Little Battles, Big Outcomes." The weekend featured a who's-who of ECW speakers, contributors, and friends in the field. From left: Phil Spaugy, Mark Maloy, Jon-Erik Gilot, Melissa Winn, Rob Orrison, Caroline Davis, Rich Condon, Evan Portman, Terry Rensel, Chris Mackowski, and Ryan Quint. | | | | Neil P. Chatelain's latest book, This Great Contest Afloat: The Civil War on the Seas, Coastline, Rivers, and Oceans, was just released. Besides that, Neil also had an article titled "Command Problems on USS Vincennes" for the Spring 2026 issue of Civil War Navy—The Magazine. He also gave presentations to both the Inland Empire Civil War Round Table and for Civil War Talk in April. | | |
Arie De Young gave a lecture to the Madison County Civil War Roundtable this month about the career of William B. Cushing and his role in sinking the CSS Albemarle. He also visited the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. In their excellent collection of exhibits, the original headstone of Salmon P. Chase will be of particular interest to Civil War buffs.
| | Kevin Donovan reports on a trifecta of ECW favorites recently highlighted in two prominent Virginia Civil War symposia. First, during its Civil War Weekend Conference in Blacksburg, the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies (VaTech) presented ECW Alumna Sarah Kay Bierle, who spoke on "The Winchester Accord: An Innovation of Humanity." This unprecedented May 31, 1862 agreement promised “the unconditional release of all medical officers taken prisoners of war hereafter.” At the same conference, General U.S. Grant (sometimes known as ECW Contributing Member Dr. Curt Fields), gave a well-received talk on “Grant’s Strategic Innovations.” The VaTech Center for Civil War Studies is headed by Dr. Paul Quigley, who recently appeared on the ECW Podcast to discuss his newest book, The Man Behind the Cane: Preston Brooks, Political Violence, and the Road to the Civil War. Meanwhile, ECW Alumna Cecily N. Zander presented the fascinating story of "Deep Snow and Bitter Cold: The Bear River Massacre and the Civil War's Western Edge" at the University of Virginia’s John L. Nau III Center For Civil War History Annual Conference, held in Charlottesville. | | |
Pat Kelly-Fischer was on location in Albuquerque, NM, with Desert Empire, photographed here in Old Town with replicas of cannons buried in the plaza during Sibley's campaign.
| | Civil War Books and Authors gave great marks to the ECW Series title from Patrick Kelly-Fischer and Phill Greenwalt. "Desert Empire skillfully delivers a comprehensive campaign history in a tight package capable of appealing to a wide range of readers. . ." it said. "Patrick Kelly-Fischer and Phillip Greenwalt's engaging new account of that unique campaign is highly recommended." Read the full review here. | | |
Chris Kolakowski recently appeared on the Wandering Scribe, where they talked about his books and the practice of history: Chris Kolakowski: Author & Military Historian. He also appeared on Commemorative Air Force's WarbirdTube about Admiral Yamamoto: The Man Behind Pearl Harbor: Admiral Yamamoto’s Real Story.
In April Brian Kowell gave a power-point talk to the Lodi/Harrisville Historical Society in Lodi, Ohio about Lucy Bagby, the last fugitive slave returned to the South.
Chris Mackowski and Tyler McGraw visited the American Civil War Museum in Richmond in late April to shoot a series of behind-the-scenes videos for ECW. Those video will appear in in May. In the meantime, the museum shot a video of its own, making note of Chris and Tyler’s visit. You can view the museum’s video here.
Chris worked with his colleeagues in the History Department at St. Bonaventure University (where he teaches in the School of Communication) to present a series of lecture to commemorate America’s 250. The Monday night lectures were co-sponsored by Emerging Revolutionary War. The programs are available to view on the History Department’s blog.
| | Derek Maxfield is about to embark on a busy May. On May 2, Maxfield spoke at the Bellefonte Civil War Weekend about his book Man of Fire: William Tecumseh Sherman in the Civil War (Savas Beatie, 2023). He will be joined by Brian Matthew Jordan, Harold Knudsen, and Evan Portman. On May 6, Derek will speak for the Genesee Torch Club about his book Hellmira: The Union's Most Infamous Civil War Prison Camp—Elmira, NY (Savas Beatie, 2020). That will be followed by a Virginia speaking tour which will include events at the Shenandoah Valley CWRT, Roanoke CWRT, and the American Civil War Museum at Appomattox. On May 20, Derek will step out of the Civil War era to speak about Founding Father Benjamin Rush at the Holland Land Office and Museum in Batavia, NY. | | |
Tonya McQuade will be giving two talks this month, both on May 19. The first will be in person to the Peninsula Civil War Round Table at 12 p.m. PST on the topic of "Paddy's Lament and the Irish Brigade." That talk will take place at Harry's Hofbrau in Redwood City, CA. The second talk will be on Zoom to the Delaware Valley Civil War Round Table on the topic of "The Role of the Invalid Corps (aka. Veteran Reserve Corps) in the Civil War," starting at 7 p.m. EST. Contact Tonya at tonyagrahammcquade@gmail.com if you would like the Zoom link.
Tonya is also excited to announce that the South Bay Civil War Round Table (of which she is a member) hosted its first-ever high school Civil War essay contest to promote greater interest in and understanding of the Civil War. The winners presented their essays and received their cash prizes at a reception on April 28 in Saratoga, CA. Tonya will be sharing the first place essay, written by Branham High School Junior Emmett Spear of San Jose, CA, in an upcoming ECW post.
| | This month, Evan Portman attended the Civil War Symposium in Carnegie, PA which featured a host of Emerging Civil War speakers! He is also looking forward to speaking at the Bellefonte Civil War weekend on May 2 on the Seven Days battles. | | |
The month began with Darren Rawling’s second-ever talk, this time for the Lyminge History Society. The talk held special significance for Darren, as it centered on research carried out alongside Gina Denham, co-founder of the Monuments for UK Veterans of the American Civil War Association. In recent years, they uncovered the story of an American Civil War veteran buried in Folkestone without a headstone, Henry Harrell. It was a privilege for Darren to share his remarkable story with the local community, a man who served in multiple capacities and fought throughout the entire war from beginning to end.
Midway through the month, Darren had the pleasure of attending the American Civil War Roundtable UK 2026 Conference. This year’s event focused on the Vicksburg Campaign and was headlined by the excellent Timothy B. Smith. His expertise and engaging delivery made for a truly memorable experience, and it was a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts and historians.
Rounding off the month, the final weekend of April saw Darren stepping back into the ranks—quite literally—as he donned the blue for a weekend of reenacting at Fort Amherst. Set in the historic surroundings of Chatham, it was a brilliant event and a great way to bring history to life for visitors. All in all, April was packed with meaningful events, great conversations, and continued efforts to keep history alive and accessible. Here’s to more in the months ahead!
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Terry Rensel recently attended the Carnegie Free Public Library Civil War Symposium where he heard ECW members Mark Maloy, Chris Mackowski, Rob Orrison, Ryan Quint, and Melissa Wynn all give presentations. It's a great event put on by Jon-Erik Gilot every year. As part of his day job with the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, he participated in Park Day, where a group of about 20 volunteers cleaned up several properties on Jackson's Flank Attack at Chancellorsville. Finally on Wednesday April 29, he staffed a booth at the Fredericksburg Nationals History Day, where he was set up next to Kevin Pawlak, who was there as part of his job duties, as well.
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Tim Talbott presented "We Fight for Our Rights, Liberty, Justice, and Union: The Battle of New Market Heights" at the Sandston (VA) Public Library on April 1. He also enjoyed attending a wonderful evening reception at the American Civil War Museum in Richmond on Thurs., April 9, for the awarding of the first William Francis Bartlett Medal by the museum. Tim additionally attended a fantastic day of touring John Brown sites in the Harpers Ferry area on Sat. April 18. The tour was led by former NPS historian Dennis Frye and was sponsored by the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College and the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War at Shepherd University. Finally, he also participated in Park Day with the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust on Sat., April 25 by helping clean up a couple of CVBT properties.
| | Melissa Winn’s spring calendar is anything but quiet. In April, she joined several of her Emerging Civil War colleagues at the Civil War Symposium hosted by the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. Melissa presented about a wave of medical innovation that followed the First Battle of Manassas. In May, her travels take her west to Galena, Illinois, once home to a remarkable circle of Civil War leaders, including Ulysses S. Grant and John A. Rawlins. There, she will present about Rawlins at the Galena History Symposium, held May 15–17 at the DeSoto Hotel. Learn more here. | | |
The American Battlefield Trust is bringing back its popular summer series of hikes and virtual lectures! The Trust is offering a wide selection of tours at battlefields like Brandy Station, Gettysburg, Spotsylvania, and Great Bridge, as well as a full slate of virtual lectures on topics throughout the Revolutionary War and Civil War. As part of the line-up, you'll see a lot of familiar ECW faces. For more information and how to register, visit their website here.
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8 Questions with. . .
Frank Jastrzembski
This April, we’re highlighting Frank Jastrzembski, an ECW contributor since 2018. Frank is the founder of Shrouded Veterans, a nonprofit that with the mission to rescue “the neglected graves of 19th-century veterans by identifying, marking, and restoring them.” Check out the Shrouded Veterans Facebook page to stay up to date all the great work! Frank is also the author of numerous articles and two books. If you haven’t already, check out his latest post on Charles H. Innes, NYC Fireman, Forty-Niner and Mexican War Hero. You can read his full bio here.
1. How did you get interested in the Civil War?
My Civil War obsession can be traced to the 5th grade, when I wrote a book report on President Ulysses S. Grant. I was captivated by Civil War uniforms and the fact that our country fought a civil war. My interest has only branched out from there to include all conflicts of the 19th century, especially Britain’s Victorian “little wars” and the U.S.-Mexican War.
2. What's your favorite Civil War museum to visit and why?
It’s more of a presidential museum than a Civil War museum, but I’d have to say the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums in Fremont, Ohio. Hayes was a U.S. brigadier general during the war, so it counts. He preferred being referred to as “General Hayes” rather than “President Hayes.”
3. If you could only visit one Civil War battlefield for the rest of your life, which would it be and why?
It would have to be Gettysburg. There’s so much to see there. I feel like I experience or see something new every visit (which, at this point, I think is six or seven times). On my last trip, I also visited the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton close by in Emmitsburg, which is easy to overlook with so much to see in Gettysburg.
Lightning Round
4. Favorite primary source?
How can I choose one? I might be breaking the rules because his letters were transcribed and published, but I’ve really enjoyed Monterrey Is Ours! The Mexican War Letters of Lieutenant Dana, 1845–1847 by Napoleon Tecumseh Dana, especially the letters that weren’t meant for public eyes. (Sorry, Dana.)
5. Favorite Civil War-related monument?
It has to be the bronze statue of Union Brig. Gen. John Buford at Gettysburg, created by sculptor James Kelly. It doesn’t get more iconic than this.
6. Favorite unsung hero of the Civil War era?
I’ve been on a quartermaster kick lately, so Brig. Gen. Robert Allen. Arguably, next to Montgomery Meigs, he was the second-most important U.S. quartermaster during the war. He handled roughly 100 million dollars in wartime disbursements. Hardly anyone knows who he is.
7. What’s a bucket-list Civil War site you’ve not yet visited?
You might be surprised, but I’ve never visited Fort Sumter. I’m hoping to cross it off my bucket list this year.
8. Favorite book by an ECW author?
I’d say Civil War Monuments and Memory: Favorite Stories and Fresh Perspectives from the Historians at Emerging Civil War, edited by Jon Tracey and Chris Mackowski, and not just because I have two chapters in the book. There are works by over two dozen authors with a varying degree of unique stories and perspectives. There’s something for everyone in it.
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ECW Bookshelf
Neil P. Chatelain has published the latest book in the Emerging Civil War Series: This Great Contest Afloat: The Civil War on the Seas, Coastline, Rivers, and Oceans. The Civil War’s naval forces fought in four distinct theaters of conflict. The offshore blockade was an economic and logistical campaign waged to determine whether Southern armies would remain properly supplied. Sailors enacting that blockade worked in tandem with armies to assault cities and coastal areas to deny the Confederacy its ports and coastal infrastructure, while Confederate sailors fought to both break the blockade and keep control of its ports. Meanwhile, fleets on both sides battled for control over the Mississippi River Valley in an effort to cleave off the Trans-Mississippi Theater from the rest of the Confederacy. Finally, an economic and diplomatic war was waged across the oceans, where Southern privateers and commerce raiders prowled for Federal merchant ships. In This Great Contest Afloat, award-winning historian and professor Neil P. Chatelain unpacks each of these naval theaters, all the while demonstrating the extent and impact of Civil War naval activity. More information about the book, including where to purchase it, can be found here.
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And on the YouTube channel…
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Chris Mackowski visited Camp Nelson National Monument in Nicholasville, KY, and was joined by National Park Service Historian Steve Phan. Together they discussed the park’s transformation over the past few years.
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Chris also spoke with American Battlefield Trust President David Duncan on a recent victory in battlefield preservation. They discuss how the largest data center development on planet earth would impact Manassas Battlefield, and the Trust’s legal battle to prevent that. You can learn more here.
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Emerging Revolutionary War News
As the calendar slowly moves toward May, we come closer to the 250th anniversary of the momentous "Summer of 1776." The movement toward a break with Great Britain gains momentum, as both Rhode Island and Virginia officially move toward independence and instruct delegates representing the two colonies to push for it as well. The last meeting of the House of Burgesses in Virginia happened on May 6, and in closing, Patrick Henry was elected as governor by the Virginia Revolutionary Convention.
To continue to track, learn, and understand the events that will be quickly upon us, click on over to www.emergingrevolutionarywar.org and social media pages as blog posts, our popular "Rev War Revelry" and live videos keep you in the know and immersed in America's 250th. We've also been partnering with the Adams Memorial Foundation to present selections from the archives of their monthly book club.
If an in-person event is more to your liking to begin May with, check out the accompanying image with the link to attend the National Museum of the United States Army's 2026 Symposium, titled, "Revolutionary War 250: Struggle for Independence 1777-1779. ERW historians Mark Maloy and William Griffith will both be speaking.
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You Can Help Support Emerging Civil War
Emerging Civil War is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. If you’re interested in supporting “emerging voices” by making a tax-deductible donation, you can do so by visiting our website: www.emergingcivilwar.com; you can mail us a check at the address below (make checks payable to "Emerging Civil War"); or you can make a gift through PayPal.
Thank you!
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May
1-3: Dave Powell, Central Coast Civil War Conference, Monterey, CA
2: Derek Maxfield, Bellefonte Civil War Weekend, Bellefonte, PA
7: Chris Mackowski, "A Tempest of Iron and Lead: The Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse," Milwaukee (WI) Civil War Roundtable
8: Chris Mackowski, "A Tempest of Iron and Lead: The Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse," The Civil War Round Table of Chicago (IL)
11: Bert Dunkerly, "Surrenders of the Civil War," Raleigh NC Civil War Round Table
11: Derek Maxfield, Shenandoah Valley Civil War Roundtable, Harrisonburg, VA
11: Brian Kowell, Civil War Horses talk for the Northeast Ohio Civil War Round Table in Wickliffe, Ohio
12: Brian Kowell, “Civil War Horses,” Northeast Ohio CWRT in Willoughby, OH
12: Dave Powell, Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Columbus Ohio Civil War Round Table
12: Derek Maxfield, Roanoke Civil War Roundtable, Roanoke, VA
14: Derek Maxfield, American Civil War Museum, Appomattox Court House, VA
16: Melissa Winn, “Grant’s Conscience: The Unique Camaraderie Between Ulysses S. Grant and his Chief of Staff John Rawlins,” Galena History Festival, Galena, IL
18: Evan Portman, "A Question of Conscience: Saint Vincent Archabbey in the Civil War," Greater Pittsburgh (PA) Civil War Round Table
18: Kevin C. Donovan, “The Court Martial of Fitz John Porter: Fair or Fixed?”, Inland Empire CWRT, Redlands, CA (via Zoom)
19: Neil P. Chatelain, "Treasure and Empire in the Civil War," Scottsdale (AZ) Civil War Round Table
19: Chris Mackowski, "Atlas of Independence: John Adams and the American Revolution," Maine Historical Society (via Zoom)
19: Tonya McQuade, “Paddy’s Lament and the Irish Brigade,” Harry’s Hofbrau in Redwood City
19: Tonya McQuade, “The Role of the Invalid Corps (aka. Veterans Reserve Corpse) in the Civil War,” Delaware Valley Civil War Round Table (virtual)
20: Doug Crenshaw, Hanover Tavern: 7 Days
21: Chris Mackowski, "Strike Them a Blow: Battle Along the North Anna River," Hampton Roads Civil War Roundtable, Virginia Beach, VA
27: Curt Fields, Grant at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, St. Louis CWRT, MO
June
1: Neil P. Chatelain, "Treasure and Empire in the Civil War," Atlanta (GA) Civil War Round Table
1: Curt Fields, The Cumberland County Playhouse, “Grant: An American Life!,” Crossville, TN
3: Doug Crenshaw, Peninsula Tour
12-17: Melissa Winn, “Dead Letter Office Images: The Civil War’s Lost Sentiments” and Medical tour of aid stations and nurses, Gettysburg College Civil War Institute Summer Conference, Gettysburg, PA
13: Arie De Young, "Foreign Officers of the Union," History Speaks event at Buckley Homestead in Lowell, IN
24: Samuel Flowers, Tallahassee History Roundtable in Statuary Hall
30: Chris Mackowski, "All Men Are Created Equal: From Jefferson to Lincoln to Us," Seminary Ridge Museum, Gettysburg, PA
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