Early Life and Military Career of William Sherman William Tecumseh Sherman was born in Lancaster, Ohio, on February 8, 1820. After his father’s untimely death, Sherman was adopted by the notable Ewing family. They greatly influenced him and provided an environment that fostered his intellectual growth. As a youngster, Sherman displayed curiosity and a yearning […]
US Civil War
George Meade
Early Life and Education of George Meade George Meade, born on December 31, 1815, spent his early years in a city full of culture, Philadelphia. His parents, Richard and Margaret Meade, provided a nurturing environment that shaped his growth. Interestingly, he also had Spanish roots since Margaret was the daughter of a wealthy Spanish merchant. […]
Stonewall Jackson
Early Life and Education of Stonewall Jackson Stonewall Jackson, born Thomas Jonathan Jackson, initiated his life’s journey in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia) on January 21, 1824. Raised by his uncle after the early demise of his parents, Jackson had to grapple with abject poverty during his adolescence. Despite the challenging circumstances, Jackson was determined […]
Robert E Lee
Robert E Lee’s Early Life and Education Robert Edward Lee was born into a prestigious Virginia family on January 19, 1807. His father, Henry ‘Light Horse Harry’ Lee, had been a Revolutionary War hero. Despite their distinguished ancestry, the family was plagued by financial difficulties, heavily affecting Robert E Lee’s childhood. At a tender age, […]
Sojourner Truth
Early Life and Enslavement Sojourner Truth was born into a world of enslavement in the late 18th century. Originally named Isabella Baumfree, she was the second-youngest of thirteen siblings. Born to enslaved parents, James and Elizabeth Baumfree, in Swartekill, Ulster County, New York, her early life was rife with hardship. As the property of Colonel […]
Susan B Anthony
Early Life and Upbringing of Susan B Anthony Susan B Anthony was born on February 15, 1820, in Adams, Massachusetts. Part of a family with strong Quaker beliefs, Anthony’s upbringing set her apart. Her parents, Daniel and Lucy Anthony, raised Susan and her siblings in a household enriched with a culture of equality. Accordingly, the […]
Jefferson Davis
Early Life and Education Jefferson Davis was born on June 3, 1808, in Kentucky. Fortunately, for Davis, his family decided to migrate to Mississippi when he was just a child. Here, he became aware of the rural Southern lifestyle, a factor that deeply influenced his future. Interestingly, Davis’s formal education began in a small log […]
Reconstruction Era
The Immediate Aftermath of the Civil War The Civil War culminated in a Union victory in 1865. As the dust settled, the country was left in a state of complete devastation. The South, in particular, had suffered significant damage. Infrastructural ruin, farmland destruction, and a crippled economy were among the many challenges facing the region. […]
Thirteenth Amendment
The Historical Context of the Thirteenth Amendment The mid-19th century was a tumultuous period in American history. The United States, young and vibrant, found itself in the throes of a civil war. Furthermore, it was not just any war, but one that brought to the forefront the moral question of slavery, a deeply rooted societal […]
Surrender at Appomattox Court House
The Road to Appomattox In April 1865, the American Civil War was rapidly nearing its end. Consequently, Confederate General Robert E. Lee aimed to join forces with General Joseph E. Johnston’s troops in North Carolina in order to strengthen their dwindling power. Unfortunately for Lee, Union forces blocked his path to the south, hence forcing […]