A handy app makes it possible to offer a zoom function for historic maps and photos. We will eventually incorporate this function for earlier pages. See June 18, Federal Maps. Let us know what you think.

This is an accurate and entertaining depiction of how forces entrenched in the last year of the war. These skills learned by the soldiers in combat changed the face of the Civil War battlefield. Ear buds are suggested.

Progressive Entrenching

A very entertaining account has been added to the "Sinks" page... don't miss it.  Much goes on between the lines.

On a more heartwarming note- check out additions to Kittens, Puppies and Ponies.

We've added a version of a paper we delivered at the Society for Historical Archeology Conference in New Orleans on January 4.  Archeology isn't just about digging.  Much of it has to do with modeling the activity of humans on the landscape at various times and for various purposes. The paper addresses various levels and scales of observation between the lines of combatants- from the heights of signal towers and trees, to the depths of covered ways and picket posts in locations where the observers needed cover.

There’s more we could have added- French terms are particularly descriptive- boyaux, a military term for communications trenches, can literally be translated as bowels or guts.  A vidette, related to latin words about seeing and watching, is a mounted sentry in advance of the outposts of the army.

Also- sometimes we read or reread a regimental account that provides great descriptions of some of the features we've already posted.  In this case, James A. Emmerton, AA Record of the Twenty-third Regiment Mass. Vol. Infantry in the War of the Rebellion 1861-1865, provides good descriptions of the Confederate mine explosion of August 5, 1864, and has been added to our discussion of that topic.

He also has a vivid description of the August 15, 1865 flood, which has been added to
 Dams and Inundations. 
 "A Strange Sort of Warfare Underground"cord of the Twenty-third Regiment Mass. Vol. Infantry in the War of the Rebellion 1861-1865

These are images of the Federal armies mastering the siege of Petersburg. Many more photos downloaded and linked. Four-photo panorama (likely by Capt. Russell) identified and placed on the map. Much more work to be done .... City Point

New information has been added to the Winslow Homer page.  Prisoners From The Front is  an extraordinary tribute to a cousin.

​A photograph in the Massachusetts Digital Collections Online was labeled "Frederick Augustus Schermerhorn: Headquarters of the 1st division, 5th cavalry at the Cummings House, Petersburg, Virginia" This appeared garbled and it was. 5th Corps, was intended. As a bonus, we have an annotated map from the National Archives that shows 1st Division, 5th Corps deployed at the Cummings House, November 2, 1864, which helps date the photograph. It is assumed that that is Mrs. Griffin seated.

Some of the lead expended by the Confederate forces at Petersburg was likely smelted at the leadworks constructed in 1862 on the southwest edge of town.This important facility was originally outside the city's defenses, but at some point new earthworks were built to protect it Strangely, a Confederate map of the Petersburg region compiled in summer 1864 misplaces the leadworks.
New: Confederate Leadworks