Video: Watch Mark and Me on the Tony Tone Show

Video: Follow in the Footsteps of a Female Participant in Thayer's Assault at Vicksburg

Today is the 156th anniversary of the Federals' second assault at Vicksburg and the last before Grant laid siege to the river city. During this assault , Brigadier General John M. Thayer attacked a Confederate fort across challenging terrain. Check out the video Mark and I made in which we navigate Thayer's approach. Interestingly, a woman soldier serving in the 3rd Missouri Infantry (US) was among the Federal element of Woods' brigade providing support.

We made this video in October 2018 prior to the release of my book, Behind the Rifle. But now that it's out, you can read all about "Charles Junghaus." She is buried in Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Until next formation....rest.

My Interview for Mississippi Public Broadcasting

Recently, I was interviewed by Karen Brown about my book, Behind the Rifle, for the Mississippi Edition segment of Mississippi Public Broadcasting.  You can listen by clicking on the link below:

http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/mississippiedition/mississippi-edition-thursday-april-25/

My Interview on the Y'all Show

Yesterday, I was interviewed by Jon Rawl for the radio show, Y'all. Based out of Tennessee, the show covers a range of topics from food, travel, outdoors,sports, history, and more: all with a Southern focus of course! I have not listened to it yet, so I'm not sure how goofy I sound. 😃


Y'all Show - Masters Preview; Civil War Women; Southern Food Fests

And Now For Something Completely Different: Ringwraiths at Sudley Springs Ford

One of my favorite photographs from the Civil War was taken by George Barnard at Manassas in March 1862. 

Library of Congress:  LC-DIG-cwpb-00954

There's just something about this photograph that depicts children and Federal cavalry staring each other down at Sudley Ford.  The tension is palpable, and a viewer is quickly immersed with the unknown.  What transpired between the children and troopers?  What was said?  Regardless of the subsequent events, one thing for sure is that the lives of these individuals would be changed forever in the coming days, months, and years.   Specifically, the innocence of the children would be stolen by one of the most profound tragedies in American history that was the Civil War. 

[HERE] is a post containing then and now photos of the area.  And in [THIS BLOG POST] one researcher identified the children as belonging to the Thornberry family. 

The troopers are unknown, but for whatever reason, when I saw this photo for the first time, I couldn't help but thinking of them as the Ringwraiths in The Fellowship of the Ring and the scene depicted as "Flight to the Ford."  

Supplement to My Article "Hidden in Plain Sight" (Military Images, Spring 2019): JANE PERKINS

In a previous blog post, I shared a teaser video in which I revealed that I had discovered what I thought to be a woman soldier in a photograph.  Based upon my research of military documents, newspapers, and soldiers' letters and diaries, I developed a theory as to who she possibly was.  And so Mark and I tag teamed on an article about this photograph and the alleged woman soldier it contained.  It has been been published in Military Images magazine (Spring 2019).  Visit the Military Images magazine website by clicking [HERE] to learn how to purchase this magazine.

Cover for the Spring 2019 Edition of Military Images Magazine

Trailer for "Behind the Rifle"

I hope you enjoy the trailer I made for my book, Behind the Rifle:  Women Soldier in Civil War Mississippi.

My Article: "Hidden in Plain Sight"

When I came across this image of Confederate soldiers, I discovered that one of them may be a woman! In this video, Mark and I analyze this interesting photograph, which - according to my research - would be the only one known of a female soldier in the field with her male comrades, if the soldier is indeed a woman.   Make sure to watch to the end to learn about our upcoming article, "Hidden in Plain Sight," which will appear in the spring 2019 edition of Military Images magazine. In this publication, Mark and I discuss this photo and reveal who this possible woman may have been according to military documentation.

I include this female soldier in an introductory chapter in my book, Behind the Rifle, but I discovered her in this photograph too late to include it.

Until next formation...rest.

Julia Underhill, "Don't Forget Me," Part 2

In my previous article, I shared the first part of Julia Rundlett Underhill's story.  She was born in Maine and had married Leemon Underhill, who did not meet her father's approval.  The couple moved initially to Minnesota and then to Wisconsin.  Things were going well until Leemon enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery and marched away to garrison Fort Jackson in southern Louisiana.  With her husband absent, Julia found it increasingly difficult to take care of their two daughters and fend off unwanted attention from men.  The tense situation she discovered herself in ultimately drove her back east - to Massachusetts where two of her aunts lived.  And it was from there where she sent Leemon a letter in 1864, informing him that she had become a "good looking boy."  Click [HERE] to read part one.

Julia Underhill: "Don't Forget Me"

Born in either 1836 or 1843 (depending on the source) in Maine, Julia Frances Rundlett did not have an easy life.  Her troubles began when she wed Leemon Underhill, a Canadian by birth.  Some sources claim that he was a local teacher.  Some even say that he was her teacher specifically.  Depending on which birth date is correct, Julia may have been fourteen when she was married.  Leemon was twenty three.  And her father, Joseph, did not approve of the marriage.  He said that he "sent [her] to school and tried to give [her] a chance to be somebody in the world."  And now, it appeared as if she had squandered the opportunity her father had presented her by marrying Leemon.  Joseph apparently did not believe Leemon was good enough for his daughter and doubted his ability to take care of her.