Drowning the Anaconda How a string of mild hurricane seasons during the Civil War aided the Union navy's blockading operations.

In the latest installment of his "Science and War" column, Scott Hippensteel writes about how meteorology impacted the Union blockade of southern ports. Read it here: tinyurl.com/y5u8juwe

Gettysburg Postcards (2026) A detailed review of "Gettysburg Postcards: An Illustrated Guide" by Richard A. Sauers.

"Gettysburg Postcards: An Illustrated Guide" by Richard A. Sauers "supplies a starting point for anyone seeking to understand how the relative importance of battlefield landmarks changed over time," writes Brian Matthew Jordan. Read more about it here: tinyurl.com/4u5czmwa

Episode 14: The Movie Gettysburg Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Garry Adelman discusses the enduring legacy of the 1993 movie "Gettysburg."

In the latest episode of our "Civil War Curious" podcast, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Garry Adelman discusses the enduring legacy of the 1993 movie "Gettysburg." Sponsored by our friends at @battlefields.org. Listen here: tinyurl.com/k2776n8x

The Women of Fort Sumter How the families of the Union garrison at Fort Sumter experienced the struggle for Charleston Harbor in the months preceding the Civil War.

Robert Anderson surrendered Fort Sumter #otd in 1861 after a 34-hour Confederate bombardment. Until they were evacuated two months earlier, 45 women and children—families of Anderson's soldiers—had lived in the fort. Read an account of their experiences: tinyurl.com/yjk8h8aj

Robert E. Lee surrendered his army to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House #otd 161 years ago. Lee, dressed in his ceremonial uniform, stood in contrast to Grant, whose government-issued sack coat, trousers, and boots were splattered with mud.

The Reconstruction Diary of Frances Anne Rollin (2025) A detailed review of "The Reconstruction Diary of Frances Anne Rollin: A Critical Edition," edited by Jennifer Putzi.

"The Reconstruction Diary of Frances Anne Rollin: A Critical Edition" edited by Jennifer Putzi is "an excellent combination of original secondary research and a fascinating piece of primary material," writes Lincoln Hirn. Read more about it here: tinyurl.com/4263dvnd

Episode 13: Ulysses S. Grant Historian Brooks D. Simpson weighs in on U.S. Grant, from assessing his best and worst military moments to addressing rumors of his wartime drinking.

In the latest episode of our "Civil War Curious" podcast, historian Brooks Simpson assesses Ulysses S. Grant's best and worst military moments and addresses rumors of his wartime drinking. Sponsored by our friends at @battlefields.org. Listen here: tinyurl.com/4yvdhku4

Lincoln’s Drive for Self-Improvement A look at how Abraham Lincoln's educational journey—fueled by a thirst for knowledge—never ceased.

In our latest digital history column, Christian McWhirter examines Abraham Lincoln's lifelong quest for personal betterment through learning. Read it here: tinyurl.com/3h7z4k9r

Happy Easter to all who celebrate. Shown here: Rev. P.P. Cooney is depicted conducting divine services on Easter Sunday, 1864, for men of the Union Army of the Cumberland. #civilwarhistory #americancivilwar #HappyEasterHolliday

Sisterhood of the Lost Cause (2025) A detailed review of "Sisterhood of the Lost Cause: Confederate Widows in the New South" by Jennifer Lynn Gross.

"Sisterhood of the Lost Cause: Confederate Widows in the New South" by Jennifer Lynn Gross shows that "students of the Civil War era still have much to learn about what it meant to live on in the shadow of the dead," writes Brian Matthew Jordan. Read more here: tinyurl.com/yr5n5tjk

Happy #AprilFoolsDay! Shown here: A Union naval officer is depicted messing with a comrade in this Thomas Nast illustration marking April Fool's Day in 1864.

Episode 12: Music Historian Christian McWhirter discusses the importance of music during the Civil War, both in the armies and on the homefront.

In the latest episode of our "Civil War Curious" podcast, historian Christian McWhirter discusses the importance of music during the Civil War, both in the armies and on the home front. Sponsored by our friends at @battlefields.org. Listen here: tinyurl.com/4ahbj7k2

Extra Voices: Faith in the Fight Union and Confederate soldiers quotes about the importance of religious faith in helping them navigate the challenges of war.

In the Voices department of our Spring 2026 issue we highlighted quotes by Union and Confederate soldiers about the importance of religious faith in helping them navigate the challenges of war. Read those we didn’t have room to include here: tinyurl.com/yeu5j3rv

"The 14th New York State Militia in the Civil War, Volume 1: 'Baptized by Fire'" by James L. McLean Jr. offers an "exemplar of how regimental histories can benefit those whose interests extend beyond a particular unit," writes Jonathan Noyalas. Read more: tinyurl.com/48pswrw2

Episode 11: Sherman's March Historian Anne Sarah Rubin discusses the significant and enduring impact of William T. Sherman's March to the Sea.

In the Season 2 premiere of our "Civil War Curious" podcast, historian Anne Sarah Rubin discusses the significant and enduring impact of William T. Sherman’s March to the Sea. Sponsored by our friends at @battlefields.org. Listen here: tinyurl.com/yv6bzmfc

Civil War Curious Season 2 Trailer Civil War Curious is back for a second season, in which expert historians answer more listeners' Civil War questions.

The second season of our "Civil War Curious" podcast—in which expert historians answer your Civil War questions—is coming soon. Learn more about it by listening to the Season 2 trailer here: tinyurl.com/2y6w8ybn

A Nation Unraveled (2026) A detailed review of "A Nation Unraveled: Clothing, Culture, and Violence in the American Civil War Era" by Sarah Jones Weicksel.

"A Nation Unraveled: Clothing, Culture, and Violence in the American Civil War Era" by Sarah Jones Weicksel is "a brilliant new history of the Civil War" that "will repay scholars and the lay public alike," writes Brian Matthew Jordan. Read more here: tinyurl.com/3k53zxv7

St. Patrick's Day, 1863 Experience the lively St. Patrick's Day celebrations held in the camp of the Irish Brigade in 1863 through Edwin Forbes' sketches of the event.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! In 1863, Irish Brigade commander Thomas F. Meagher hosted elaborate festivities to mark the day, which artist Edwin Forbes captured in a series of sketches. View them here: tinyurl.com/yrajyz4j

Battle Fury at Averasboro In the Battle of Averasboro, an outnumbered Confederate force made a desperate effort to defeat Sherman’s army as it marched through North Carolina.

Union and Confederate forces clashed at Averasboro, NC, #otd in 1865, part of William T. Sherman's advance through the state. Read about it in Derek Smith's article, "Battle Fury at Averasboro," in our current issue: tinyurl.com/2rwzpk44

Little Round Top at Gettysburg (2026) A detailed review of "Little Round Top at Gettysburg: A Reassessment of July 2, 1863" by Joseph Michael Bostlet.

"Little Round Top at Gettysburg: A Reassessment of July 2, 1863" by Joseph Michael Bostlet draws upon a "broad collection of published sources to render more legible a most murky historical record," writes Codie Eash. Read more about it here: tinyurl.com/bddeffwy

Voices at Triune Exploring the remnants of a once-vital chain of Union defenses at Triune, Tennessee.

In the latest installment of his "Tales from the Road" column, John Banks travels to Triune, TN, to explore the remnants of a once-vital chain of Union defenses. Read it here: tinyurl.com/bd6b7n6v

The Spring '26 issue of the Monitor goes on sale today. You can learn more about it—or order a copy—at our website: www.civilwarmonitor.com/issue/spring-2026/

Ironclad Men Bulletproof vests during the Civil War were less popular and effective than their manufacturers—and supporters in the press—had envisioned.

While bulletproof vests existed during the Civil War, they were less popular and effective than their manufacturers—and supporters in the press—had envisioned. Learn more here: tinyurl.com/2nbpwnf5

A Fate Worse Than Hell (2026) A detailed review of "A Fate Worse Than Hell: American Prisoners of the Civil War" by W. Fitzhugh Brundage.

"A Fate Worse Than Hell: American Prisoners of the Civil War" by W. Fitzhugh Brundage is "a landmark book that will engross the reading public and compete for the field’s top awards," writes Brian Matthew Jordan. Read why he thinks so here: tinyurl.com/yn6a6akw @wwnorton.com

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, who began his distinguished Civil War service as lieutenant colonel of the 20th Maine Infantry and ended it as a brevet major general, died #otd in 1914 at 85. After the war, he served as Maine's governor and president of Bowdoin College.

Introducing Fugitive Federals Historians Lorien Foote and Andrew Fialka on the launch of a new Civil War Monitor digital history column about escaped Union POWs.

We're excited to announce the launch of our latest digital history column, Fugitive Federals. Overseen by historians Lorien Foote and Andrew Fialka, it will highlight the stories and experiences of escaped Union POWs. Read more about it here: tinyurl.com/5x9yhtkc

The Battle of Olustee, Florida, was fought #otd in 1864. African-American troops from the 54th Massachusetts and 35th USCT helped turn back the victorious Rebels' attempts to overwhelm the rear element of the retreating Union force at battle's end.

The digital version of our Spring '26 issue is now live for subscribers to read at our website: tinyurl.com/38sjruhy. Not yet a subscriber? Fix that here: tinyurl.com/232zx9cd. #civilwarhistory #twitterstorians #history #americancivilwar

Love and Loss After Wounded Knee (2025) A detailed review of "Love and Loss After Wounded Knee: A Biography of an Extraordinary Interracial Marriage" by Julie Dobrow.

"Love and Loss After Wounded Knee: A Biography of an Extraordinary Interracial Marriage" by Julie Dobrow is "an excellent dual biography" of interest to "any audience, scholarly or popular," writes Aaron David Hyams. Read more about it here: tinyurl.com/hnaherd4

Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley undertook a nighttime attack on USS Housatonic in the waters of Charleston Harbor #otd in 1864. Hunley's spar torpedo detonated and sank the sloop of war; the sub itself foundered shortly thereafter, all eight of its crew lost with the vessel.