Book Review: Stephen A. Swails, Black Freedom Fighter in the Civil War and Reconstruction

Stephen A. Swails, Black Freedom Fighter in the Civil War and Reconstruction By Gordon C. Rhea (LSU Press, forthcoming November 2021) Gordon Rhea will be leading the BGES tour “The 1864 Overland Campaign Part 1: Grant versus Lee,” on October 18-23, 2021. There are two related videos on BGES YouTube channels that are worth a … Read more

Field Report 2: Lee’s Retreat from Gettysburg

A field report from Sandy Horton:   Just finished up the “Lee’s Retreat from Gettysburg” tour with BGES and enjoyed it immensely. Eight of us were guided by Parker Hills along the two avenues of Lee’s retreat from Pennsylvania, through Maryland, and into the safety of Virginia on this five-day excursion. Contributing to its success … Read more

Book Review: Tullahoma: The Forgotten Campaign that Changed the Course of the Civil War

Tullahoma: The Forgotten Campaign that Changed the Course of the Civil War, June 23–July 4, 1863 David A. Powell and Erc J. Wittenburg (University of Massachusetts Press, 2001) David Powell continues a relentless publication schedule that has established him as the “go-to” guy for all things Middle Tennessee and Northern Georgia—not to mention, his recent … Read more

Celebration of a Life Well Lived

The life celebration of long-time and much lamented BGES supporter David Dubose has been rescheduled for September 4, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida. The family is inviting all members of the BGES to join them for this celebration of David’s life and legacy. BGES Executive Director, Len Riedel will be attending, and the BGES is sponsoring … Read more

Members Making a Difference: Greg Mertz

Upon completing a phone interview with BGES member Greg Mertz, you are immediately struck by two thoughts. First, despite an illustrious career in the National Parks system, including more than two decades as the Supervisory Historian at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park (FRSP), Mertz might have missed his calling. His rich, distinctive voice and … Read more

Field Report 1: A Historian’s Reflection on the First Day of Gettysburg

A field report from Joe Knapp:   The Blue and Gray Education Society sponsored “A Historian’s Reflection on the First Day of Gettysburg” on July 9-11, 2021. What a great experience, especially with all the unexpected problems that occurred. Fortunately, Len Riedel and Scott Hartwig managed to overcome and provided a first-class experience. We had … Read more

Tour Talk: “Washington’s Desperate Gambit”

This coming October, longtime friends Gary Ecelbarger and Scott Patchan will team up once again for a BGES tour. But this time around, the duo will turn their attention to the Revolutionary War with “Washington’s Desperate Gambit,” slated for October 13–17, 2021. Ecelbarger sees it as a golden opportunity for BGES members. “I’m certain they … Read more

Book Review: Hope and Glory: Essays on the Legacy of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment

Hope & Glory: Essays on the Legacy of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Edited by Martin Blatt, Thomas J. Brown, and Donald Yacovone, foreword by Gen. Colin Powell (University of Massachusetts Press, 2001) They were not the first, but they were arguably the most famous black regiment in United States military history. The 54th Massachusetts Infantry … Read more

Trip Report: All’s Fair in War: Streight’s Raid and Forrest’s Bluff

Over the weekend of June 25 to 27, 2021, I had the opportunity to join Dr. Brian Steel Wills and Norman Dasinger, Jr. for Blue & Gray Education Society’s tour of Streight’s Raid, from Eastport, Mississippi to Cedar Bluff, Alabama. It was my first time to join a BGES tour and it was an amazing … Read more

Civil War Sites in Ohio

The Ohio River served as the dividing line between the North and South in middle America, with Ohio offering freedom and opportunity to refugee enslaved individuals. Ohio also served as an important political calculation for President Abraham Lincoln, who understood the importance of Ohio (and neighboring Indiana) as the South closed off economic traffic downriver. … Read more