Civil War
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…
…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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
“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…
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…