Nowadays the word “shoddy” means something that is cheap and poorly made and liable to come apart. The origins of the word date back to the 19th century. “Shoddy” (a noun) was a type of fabric made by grinding up… Read More
My friend Michaela sent me the most amazing book last week. Well, if we’re going to get technical about it, she actually sent it to me with the idea that I might forward it to my brother, Luke. She knows… Read More
In Civil War battles, the powder used as propellants in the rifles quickly blanketed a battlefield in black smoke. Officers often had to get down on all fours to determine enemy troop positions.
Source: Guelzo, Gettysburg, page 37… Read More
Because decent sanitation was virtually nonexistent during the Civil War, scouts could generally find out the location of the enemy by smelling them. One Union scout remarked that “the smell simply indicated the presence of the rebel army in the… Read More