Al Mackey

Weapons Technology in the Revolutionary War

This is an excellent lecture by Professor Paul Lockhart. The video's description reads, "Wright State University professor Paul Lockhart taught a class on the development of weapons technology in the American Revolution. Wright State University is…

The 69th New York Storm the Wheatfield

Thanks to "StuffWriter" for posting this video of Ranger Dan Welch's battle walk looking at the 69th New York, part of the famed Irish Brigade, and its attack on the Wheatfield at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863.

It really drives the lesson about myths in history home.

The Battle of Mayberry

This was Season 6, Episode 29 of the old "Andy Griffith Show," originally aired April 4, 1966. Andy Griffith plays Andy Taylor, the folksy sheriff of the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, living with his son, Opie, played by Ron Howard, and his Aunt Bee. In this…

Campfire lecture tonight.

Army Explorers of the West

The description for this excellent lecture reads, "Texas Woman's University history professor Cecily Zander discussed the federal government's efforts to explore and control the American west from the early 1800's through the Civil War. Texas Woman's University is…

Bittersweet when we remember how the network treated that excellent show.

1815 Battle of New Orleans

Dr. Harry Laver of the US Army Command and General Staff College gave this presentation on the battle of New Orleans. The video's description reads, "Military historian Harry Laver talked about General Andrew Jackson and the 1815 Battle of New Orleans. The Kansas City…

#IYKYK #Picard

Hot.

He's "helping" you.

It was a great year for music.

What perfect album came out when you were sixteen?

Tea: Consumption, Politics, and Revolution, 1773-1776

The description for this video reads, "Author James Fichter talked about the role and politics of tea leading up to the American Revolution. Revolutionary Spaces in Boston hosted this program."

ICE Risks Overplaying Its Hand. We’ve Seen It Happen Before. A condemnation of the Fugitive Slave Act from 1850 showing a group of four Black men — possibly freedmen — ambushed by a posse of six armed white men in a cornfield. | Library of Congress Who says history isn't relevant? This article shows yet another parallel with historical events that we are seeing today. "President Donald Trump and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller set a goal of deporting 1 million undocumented immigrants each year — a staggering number that would require a massive expansion of immigration enforcement. Trump’s 'big, beautiful bill' delivered just that, throwing roughly $170 billion to the administration’s immigration restriction program, including $45 billion for new detention centers and $30 billion to hire 10,000 new ICE officers.

ICE Risks Overplaying Its Hand. We’ve Seen It Happen Before.

A condemnation of the Fugitive Slave Act from 1850 showing a group of four Black men — possibly freedmen — ambushed by a posse of six armed white men in a cornfield. | Library of Congress Who says history isn't relevant? This article…

The Week in Confederate Heritage

This week we look at this article about renaming bases. "In 2023, amid a national reckoning on issues of race in America, seven Army bases' names were changed because they honored Confederate leaders. Now, those same bases are reverting back to their original…

History Shows Why Birthright Citizenship is so Important

This article from Time Magazine discusses a historical perspective on Birthright Citizenship. "On Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump’s first day back in the White House, he issued Executive Order 14160 'Protecting the Meaning and Value of…

Seems to be an idiot as well. You have all the luck.

At Jim Broomall's excellent lecture.

Mahmoud v. Scopes

Disagreements over religion in the public schools led to violence in 1844 Philadelphia. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division/public domain This article from the American Historical Association and written by Professor Adam Laats looks at parents opting their…

Why Study History

This article by Peter N. Stearns was originally published in the American Historical Association's "Perspectives on History" on January 1, 1998. People live in the present. They plan for and worry about the future. History, however, is the study of the past. Given all the demands…

Gettysburg Day One: Taking Cemetery Hill and Culp’s Hill This article by Douglas R. Kleinsmith is from Gettysburg Magazine, Issue 53, July 2015, pp. 31-44. The article is an attempt to determine the feasibility of a confederate attack on Cemetery Hill and/or Culp's Hill at the end of July 1. "The first part of investigating whether the Confederates could have taken Cemetery Hill or Culp's Hill is to understand the situation in the late afternoon of the first day. Confederate commanders were under discretionary orders to handle enemy forces if encountered but with a firm understanding not to bring on a general engagement.

Gettysburg Day One: Taking Cemetery Hill and Culp’s Hill

This article by Douglas R. Kleinsmith is from Gettysburg Magazine, Issue 53, July 2015, pp. 31-44. The article is an attempt to determine the feasibility of a confederate attack on Cemetery Hill and/or Culp's Hill at the end of July 1. "The…

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain’s Gettysburg Report

The Maine State Archives has a copy of Chamberlain's report from the battle of Gettysburg. You can view it here. Head Quarters 20th Maine Vols. Field near Gettysburg, Pa. July 6th 1863 Lieut, In compliance with orders from Brigade Hd.Qrs. I have the…

The Week in Confederate Heritage

Gov. Jeff Landry announced Monday he will name the state’s largest National Guard training site after a little-known early 19th century Louisiana militia member and slaveowner, the father of the Confederate general whose name the facility originally carried. (Photo…

159th Anniversary of the Peach Orchard – Gettysburg Battle Walk with Ranger Matt Atkinson

Thanks to "Stuffwriter," we have this video of Ranger Matt Atkinson discussing Barksdale's Brigade in the Peach Orchard on July 2, 1863. The video's description reads, "Ranger Matt Atkinson leads a hike about…

Battle of Gettysburg Q&A

This is a terrific question and answer session between Garry Adelman, Doug Douds, Professor Carol Reardon, and Wayne Motts. It was a live program on YouTube. The video's description reads, "Hit our expert panel of historians with all of your Battle of Gettysburg questions.…

Elevating the Few

Etching from Harper’s Weekly, “The Fifty-Fifth Massachusetts Colored Regiment Singing John Brown’s March in the Streets of Charleston,” 1865. Wikimedia Commons. This essay by Professor Elizabeth Varon discusses one of the latest bits of dishonest ignorance and idiocy from the…

At the State Museum of Pennsylvania.

The Battle of Little Round Top – Gettysburg Battle Walk with Ranger Chris Gwinn

Thanks to "Stuffwriter" for posting this video. Ranger Chris Gwinn leads this battle walk on Little Round Top. Unfortunately, he had to cut it short due to a visitor having a medical problem.

ECW Podcast: The Great Partnership (with Dr. Christian Keller)

This is an excellent discussion between host Chris Mackowski and his guest, Dr. Christian Keller about the partnership between Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. It's a podcast from the Emerging Civil War folks.