Civil War history

As a military historian I've always been fascinated by the American Civil War, especially the understudied Trans-Mississippi Theater. The war west of the Mississippi started seven years before the attack on Fort Sumter and the hatred the war created lasted much longer there. Below are two books I've written on the Civil War and some articles too.

While the giant armies of the Union and the Confederacy were fighting over cities and strategic strongholds, a large number of warriors from both sides were fighting smaller, more personal battles.
Beginning with the violent struggle known as "Bleeding Kansas," armed bands of irregular fighters began to wage war in every corner of the United States. Many of the names of their commanders have become legendary, including William Quantrill, "Bloody Bill" Anderson, and John S. Mosby, "The Grey Ghost."
To their own people they were heroes; to others they were the first of a new generation of wild west outlaw. Their tactics including robbing banks and trains, kidnapping soldiers and civilians, rustling cattle, and cutting telegraph lines. In fact, it is during the violence of the war that many of America's future outlaw legends would be born, most notably Cole Younger and Frank and Jesse James. In this book, I explore the varied and often daring tactics employed by these famous warriors.

In July of 1863, Federal forces, emboldened by the victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg, moved across the Missouri state line south into Confederate-held Arkansas, advancing from the northwest and northeast in a pincer movement that took all of the northern half of the state, including the prosperous Arkansas river valley and the state capital at Little Rock, by September 11. Secure in their position, the Federals began to transfer men to the campaigns east of the Mississippi. This new book's detailed and exciting account highlights all aspects of the raid into Missouri planned by Colonel J.O. Shelby, whose famed "Iron Brigade" was the boldest and most accomplished cavalry outfit in the Trans-Mississippi Theatre.


Civil War articles

Oklahoma's largest Civil War battlefield may become National Park. The Battle of Honey Springs, where the First Kansas Colored Volunteers distinguished themselves and Native Americans fought on both sides.
Civil War reenactor injured in groin by his horse
Vicksburg 1863: America's most important July 4th (besides 1776)
Confederate Submarine set upright for first time since Civil War.
The First Escaped Slave to take up Arms against the Confederacy. An almost forgotten anniversary.
The Civil War's First Land Battle Reenacted in West Virginia. The Battle of Phillipi.
The Civil War's First Important Battle. The Battle of Boonville, MO.
Four Forgotten Civil War Battlefields. All in the Trans-Miss!