Civil War

A Final Walk

By Jeanette Bovard | September 15, 2015

By the late 1930s, there were only a handful of Civil War veterans left in Pasadena. Unlike in earlier days, there were no big groups of them attending events, such…

Give Us a Flag: African American Civil War Soldiers

By Jeanette Bovard | September 8, 2015

…And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and…

Under a Heavy Fire: Lieutenant Thomas Ellsworth

By Jeanette Bovard | September 1, 2015

“Under a heavy fire carried his wounded commanding officer from the field.”– from the Medal of Honor citation of Thomas F. Ellsworth, 55th Massachusetts Infantry In mid-1863, Corporal Thomas Ellsworth…

By Their Gallantry in Action

By Jeanette Bovard | August 25, 2015

When the Civil War began, the United States had no official medals or other decorations that could be awarded to soldiers or sailors for bravery or special merit. This was…

Summer Camp: Civil War Veteran Associations

By Jeanette Bovard | August 18, 2015

The local Civil War veterans, especially the Union Army veterans, tended to socialize together both locally and on “road trips.” Some were to reunions at Gettysburg, or state and national…

Causes Natural and Unnatural

By Jeanette Bovard | August 12, 2015

Last week’s column may have given you the unfortunate idea that old soldiers simply died in bed, of old age or disease, or both. While many Civil War veterans did…

Hospital and Home

By Jeanette Bovard | August 4, 2015

As the veterans of the Civil War grew older, they faced many problems. One of the main political lobbying efforts of the Grand Army of the Republic was to force…

Two Who Wore Gray: Confederates Who Went West

By Jeanette Bovard | July 28, 2015

There is a clichéd image of Confederates going west after the war, of gunfighters and bounty hunters, outlaws and ranchers, all escaping poverty and ruin. In actuality, the Confederates who…

Statue in the Park

By Jeanette Bovard | July 21, 2015

“John McDonald, Esq., “Chairman Pasadena Memorial Statue Committee: “Dear Sir: As per your instructions received from H. H. Kitson, sculptor, Boston, Mass., we have this day shipped to you as…

Portrait of an Artist: How Research Happens (Part 2 of 2)

By Jeanette Bovard | July 14, 2015

Once I finally dug up Ludwig’s military records, my theory fell apart. Julius Ludwig didn’t enlist until 1864 (not early in the war), and apparently got discharged as soon as…

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