The American Civil War Chronologically - Introduction

Welcome, please allow me to explain what's going on here. 

I started off trying to visit each Civil War battlefield in the Eastern Theatre in the order they occurred. That quickly spiraled out of control. Now, I'm just visiting every Civil War-related site I can, with an emphasis on the East (and especially my home state of Maryland), and then assembling my observations in chronological order. I try to minimize editorializing, and tend to just copypasta information directly from the sources I encounter- and credit. Sometimes though, I can't help it. My acute interest is compounded by the fact that I and my neighbors still live on sacred ground soaked with the blood of the American Revolution and Civil War. These events literally created the nation we have today. It's fascinating to see a fast-food place where a hero died - and so few care. I also agree with Grant who said the cause of the Confederacy was "one of the worst for which a people ever fought, and one for which there was the least excuse." Unequivocally, they attacked and sought to destroy America, so I revel in their defeat - and cherish its accurate memorialization. 

The intersections of time and place are important here. I'm not just adding arbitrary dates on which something important happened. I only blog about places I have physically visited, and then note what happened there - and when. 

Hate war? Me too. But this one was necessary. Still, if you have no interest, perhaps check my other blog in which I listen to music in chronological order:

https://allmymusicchronologically.blogspot.com/

Yes, I've seen the Ken Burns series - several times.

I've read James Macpherson's The Battle Cry of Freedom, of course.

Now I'm working my way through Shelby Foote's narratives. And WOW. 

Besides these sources, I am typically reliant on the historical markers and signage, especially from Maryland Civil War Trails. 

I can't say enough good things about the good work of the American Battlefield Trust. 

I'm also an official contributor to--and frequently reference--the Historic Marker Database, which is far more fun than it sounds. 

If any Sons of Union Soldiers will have me in an auxiliary position - hit me up!

[Update: actually in 2023 I became an Axillary member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the official historical successor to the Grand Army of the Republic.]   

The obscure sites are my favorites. I'll take a picture of what I find. I'll probably post the information directly from the sign. And then I'll move on to the next day, and the next location. Eventually, it will be like the Writer's Almanac but for the Civil War, with something or other of importance happening on every day of the year. Does that already exist? Yes, in several forms. Besides my inability to remain neutral, I guess what will make this one special is a focus on the Eastern Theatre, especially Maryland. In fact, my initial goals are to hit every Civil War-related historical marker in Baltimore (60+) and then eventually all of them in Maryland (1,300+). 

"The Union forever. Annihilation to traitors!" 

The author, well before blogging