Nick Smith

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…

Portrait of an Artist: How Research Happens (Part 1 of 2)

By Jeanette Bovard | July 7, 2015

Several people have asked me how historical research is done, or other questions about the process of learning about the men and women featured in this exhibit. So I thought…

The Last Reunion – Gettysburg 1938

By Jeanette Bovard | June 30, 2015

In central Pennsylvania in early July it’s either as hot as the devil’s front porch or raining barrels, with thunder and lightning to boot. If you’re especially lucky, you get…

The Fife and the Drum

By Jeanette Bovard | June 23, 2015

“The John F. Godfrey Post, G.A.R.’s “Drummer Boys of ‘61 ” met much applause. “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” was the song theme, and on the float a group of…

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