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Civil War Chronicles is an organization dedicated to the education and enlightenment of the Civil War

01/11/2025

Francis Channing Barlow passed away peacefully in his New York home 128 years ago today, at the age of 61. He succumbed to the combined effects of "the grip" (likely influenza) and Bright's Disease.

Barlow was a man defined by self-determination and confidence. Born and raised in Concord, Massachusetts, he grew up under challenging circumstances. His single mother, who struggled with mental health issues, chose Concord to raise her three sons—a fortunate decision, as Barlow was profoundly influenced by figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson during his formative years.

As a young scholar, Barlow attended Brook Farm and later graduated from Harvard. In 1855, he moved to New York to practice law. It was there he met and fell deeply in love with Arabella Griffith. They married in 1861, just one day before Barlow marched off to join the Civil War.

Barlow quickly distinguished himself on the battlefield, rising from private to the rank of Major General. Known for his fearless demeanor and disciplined nature, he fought with exceptional bravery in some of the Civil War's bloodiest battles. Despite being wounded twice, he recovered with the devoted care of his beloved Arabella.

Tragically, Arabella died of typhoid fever in 1864, leaving Barlow devastated. Physically weakened from the war and mentally burdened by grief, her loss nearly broke him. Yet, he found the strength to rebuild his life.

After the war, Barlow remarried and had three children. He went on to lead an accomplished public life in New York, serving as Secretary of State, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District, and Attorney General. The same discipline and ethics he exhibited on the battlefield guided his work in public office. A friend once described him as a man who "walked a narrow path," reflecting his unwavering moral compass and black-and-white view of the world.

Barlow continued to expand his successful law practice while cherishing his role as a father. He enjoyed spending quieter days with his family in Lenox, Massachusetts. Despite the trials he faced, Barlow led a fulfilling and honorable life, leaving behind a legacy of courage, resilience, and integrity.

Shared from our senior contributions personal page.

12/25/2024

Wishing all a joyful and wonderful holiday season!!!

12/22/2024

On December 22, 1864, Union General William T. Sherman completed his "March to the Sea" by capturing Savannah, Georgia. He sent a message to President Abraham Lincoln, stating, "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah."

11/30/2024

160 years ago today the Army of Tennessee fought a terrific battle at the small town of Franklin, Tennessee. The attack consisted of 20,000 men in what some historians call, the Pickett's Charge of the West. In the fight 6 Confederate generals would die. The fiercest of the fight was near the Carter farm at the center the union line.

11/28/2024

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving Day 🦃. Civil War Chronicles is grateful for all of you that follow our page.

11/20/2024

360 degrees here at Ball's Bluff Battlefield. The Union loss occurred on October 21, 1861.

11/04/2024

Now, 163 years ago, the Battle of Ball’s Bluff was one of several early Union attempts to test Confederate defenses and gather intelligence around Washington. Captain Chase Philbrick, serving with the 15th Massachusetts Regiment, inadvertently contributed to the costly Union defeat due to his inexperience. As dusk fell, he was sent on a reconnaissance mission to detect Confederate activity but mistakenly identified a line of trees on a ridge as an enemy encampment.

Philbrick’s incorrect report led Union forces under Colonel Edward Baker to cross the Potomac, expecting only a minor Confederate presence. Instead, they encountered a large and well-prepared Confederate force commanded by General Nathan Evans. As Baker’s men navigated the challenging terrain of steep cliffs and narrow paths, Confederate forces fortified their positions and launched a fierce defense.

Caught off guard and with no clear escape route, the Union soldiers quickly suffered heavy casualties, and Colonel Baker was killed in action. With Baker’s death and under intense Confederate fire, Union forces began to fall into disarray. The retreat turned chaotic, with many soldiers drowning or being captured as they tried to escape, marking the battle as a devastating Union rout.

Image below ~ Philbrick, Baker and Evans
Post credit: Andrea Quinn

10/19/2024

Civil War Chronicles was at Walnut Street Cemetery in Brookline, Massachusetts today offering our respects to Major General Francis Channing Barlow on the 190th anniversary of his birth.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, October 19, 1834. The middle child to Rev. David Hatch Barlow and Almira Penniman Barlow. Barlow was twice married. His first wife, Arabella Griffith Barlow, died of typhoid fever in 1864. After the Civil War he married Ellen Shaw Barlow. They had three children.

Barlow died at age 61 on January 11, 1896.

09/17/2024

At the Battle of Antietam on this day in 1862, The federal infantry regiment with the highest casualty rate at Antietam was the 12th Massachusetts of Hartsuff’s brigade equaling an appalling 224 casualties out of the 334 men who got into the battle. That was a 67% casualty rate. The casualties occurred in a murderous fight with Hay’s Louisiana brigade in the southeast part of the cornfield and in the bloody Clover field pasture just to the south.
The 12th Massachusetts was the originator of the popular wartime ballad “John Brown’s body lies a moldering in the grave”, sung to the tune later made famous as Julia Ward Howe’s, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”.

09/16/2024

“…Tomorrow we fight the battle that will decide the fate of the Republic…”

Commanding General George B. McClellan to his staff between noon and 2 PM on September 16, 1862 .

09/01/2024

Now, September 1,1862, at the Battle of Chantilly, Major General Philip Kearny was scouting positions towards a gap in the Union line and reconnoitering the enemy’s picket. Kearny inadvertently rode too close to Confederate forces. He was shot in the left hip and the bullet traveled through his body landing in his chest. Phil Kearny was dead.

08/28/2024

Now, 162 years ago, August 28 - August 30, 1862, Union forces battled Robert E. Lee at 2nd Manassas. Confederate forces prevailed over Major General John Pope. Federals' were forced to retreat back toward their defenses in Washington. This Southern victory set course for Lee’s northward invasion.

Civil War Chronicles had the opportunity to tour Manassas in June, 2024.

08/27/2024

Emory Upton was born on this day, August 27, 1839 in New York. The West Point graduate would lead a distinguished career through the Civil War. At the Battle of Spotsylvania he led an attack upon the Confederate entrenchment.

Sadly, he took his own life on March 15, 1888. He's buried in Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, NY with his wife Emily who died in 1870.

08/20/2024

August 20, 1866 President Andrew Johnson President declared the US Civil War was officially over.

08/14/2024

Now, August 14, 1864 General Winfield Scott Hancock had the 2nd and 10th Corps across the James River near Deep Bottom, VA. He placed them in position to attack the Confederate lines.

Under Hancock's temporary command was the 10th Corps, detached with Hancock who encountered Confederates dug in along New Market Heights. The Union was able to take control of ground near Fussell’s Mill. An unsuccessful Union attack was launched on August 16, 1864 at Fussell’s Mill.

Image: Pontoon over the James River

08/12/2024

Thomas Davee Chamberlain died 128 years ago, August 12, 1896. 1st Lieutenant and the 20th Maine's adjunct. He saw battle at Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and Petersburg. In 1870, Chamberlain married Delia Jarvis, his brother John's widowed wife - they had no children. Chamberlain struggled to hold down jobs drifting from Maine, to New York to Boston. It was during this period that he began drinking and started his health to deteriorate. In 1864, he suffered from a severe case of bronchitis that left his lungs permanently compromised. In 1870 he was afflicted by several pulmonary hemorrhages further weakening his lungs and his heart. The combination of alcoholism and cardiopulmonary disease led to his death at age 55.

Thomas Davee Chamberlain is buried at Castine Cemetery in Castine, Maine.

For more on Thomas Chamberlain follow this link.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/civilwartalk.com/threads/tom-chamberlain-my-brave-young-brother.75296/%3famp=1

Photo credit Maine State Archives

08/03/2024

“Remember Frontenez!”

Thomas F. Meagher , Irish nationalist and Brigadier General of the Irish Brigade was born in Waterford, Ireland on August 3, 1823. His first action of the war came at the First Battle of Bull Run, in Manassas, VA, July 21, Meagher’s Company K with the 69th NY took heavy casualties.

He was instrumental in raising more men to his Irish Brigade that he led through the Peninsula Campaign where they proved themselves as fierce fighters. He fought Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville then was transferred to the Western Theater.

On a steamboat traveling the Mississippi River he died under suspicion after drowning on July 1, 1867. His body was never found.

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360 degrees here at Ball's Bluff Battlefield. The Union loss occurred on October 21, 1861.

Our friend Matt Atkinson (sporting a new look goatee) in The Peach Orchard.

Honoring local heroes. “We fight for men and women whose poetry is not yet written, but which will presently be as enviable and as renowned as any.” – Robert Gould Shaw, Colonel of the 54th Massachusetts