The 8th New York is on the lines at Cross Keys battlefield, and doesn't realize there are Confederates lying in wait for them.

The infantry soldiers had the luxury of using their ramrods to clean and dry the bore of their rifles. However, federal cavalry during the American Civil War did not have that tool to use. How did they clean their carbines without a rod?

Since the Battle of Antietam back in September, the Confederate and Federal armies have stared the other down for the last few months of 1862. However, after a change of command for the Federal army, a prompted Burnside decides to lead his men on a winter campaign that will bring him to the very ...

Only weeks after Gettysburg, Union and Confederate forces vie for control of the gaps in the Shenandoah Valley. On July 21st, 1863 the 17th Virginia marched into Front Royal. With their company B having been raised in Front Royal, it was a brief homecoming - then they had to defend nearby Manassa...

The average civil war cavalry trooper had to carry more than just his weapons. He had to carry his bedroll, shelter, canteen, poncho, picket pin, lariat, haversack, and much more! How and where did they put all of it when riding on campaign?

Keeping your blanket roll as thin as possible is paramount. Therefore, keeping it no less than 30 inches allows you to pack extra personal gear in your bed roll while not having a massive roll on your saddle that you have to get over when mounting your horse. Simply put, keep it at 30" in length ...

The Battle of Tom’s Brook was a cavalry battle. While old friends Custer and Rosser oversaw the entire fight, the action of the left was between two Ivy League grads. Let’s go to that side of the field and see how it went.

If you enjoyed this story, find out more about the post Gettysburg moveme...

Here is a quick piece of fieldcraft. Let's learn how to fold the saddle blanket correctly in the Civil War era. What is correct? How did that help a campaigning trooper - and his horse?

At Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, the men of the 20th Maine Infantry found themselves at the far left of the Union line on Little Round Top. Company B played a crucial role in repelling the confederate attackers. This video explores their story—what they faced, how they fought, and why their stand bec...

Take a walk with Andrew around the Kernstown Battlefield just outside Winchester, Virginia. On this tour you will be transported back to March 23, 1862. Following the footsteps of the 8th Ohio Infantry on that day as they made history crossing paths with a portion of Stonewall Jackson’s men.

The Union Army won the third battle of Winchester, Virginia, in September, 1864. In doing so, the Union secured the Shenandoah Valley , making the outcome of the entire war inevitable. William Knowlton, a Maine officer, participated in the first battle of Winchester. He returned to fight in the t...

Following the defeat of Van Dorn's desperate attack upon Corinth in early October. Major General Ulysses S. Grant directs his forces against his next target, the annoying river citadel of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Once all his forces are ready, Grant unleashes his Army of the Tennessee south down t...

Many cavalry officers, including the author of "Volunteer Cavalry" Lessons of a Decade, stated that the '59 pattern McClellan saddle was the best saddle ever to be used in military service. This video is the 1st part in a multipart series exploring the '59 pattern McClellan saddle. More specifica...

Andrew has a discussion on the evolution of the Springfield musket with historian Phil Spaugy. They take a look at how the Springfield evolved from the model 1855 to the 1863 model. The fun does not stop with the history because they take an original and a reproduction Springfield out on the range!

After the Crimean War, many young men from across the US became enamored with the Algerian Zouaves. Militia units and drill dressed in uniforms meant to emulate them. Several Civil War units began the war with this gaudy dress. In the middle of Jackson’s Valley Campaign in 1862, two of these unit...

John Francis Campbell journeyed far and wide during his lifetime. A scholar, an author, a traveler, and a rambling renaissance man, he traveled to different parts of the globe to see what he could see. This includes a visit to the war-torn United States in the autumn of 1864.

For all the great characteristics of the '59 issued McClellan Saddle, there were many complaints that soldiers had. Check out this video on what the most common complaints were.