Bummers were soldiers in Sherman’s army during its March to the Sea and march through South Carolina. The term most likely originated with the German word “bummler” which meant an idler or scoundrel. Sherman’s soldiers adopted it as a means of intimidation. The purpose for Sherman’s March was, according to Read more…
Roman emperor Caligula had a low opinion of the Roman public. He sometimes would show the finger (that’s right, people were flipping the bird in ancient times) to people at banquets. At the chariot races once, when he heard the crowd cheering for a chariot team that he did not Read more…
In December, 1776 the Continental Army was coming off a series of bad defeats. It had lost New York City and retreated across New Jersey to seek refuge in Pennsylvania. The army barely got across the Delaware River with the British in hot pursuit. Then both armies settled down for Read more…
It was Christmas eve on the Western Front in France in 1914. The Germans were singing “Silent Night” and when the song drifted over to the British, they joined in. After the song ended, a German stood up and waved his arms above the trench. No Tommy shot at him Read more…
This is a picture of horse-drawn artillery. This type of mobile artillery was developed during the Thirty Years’ War by the Swedish army of Gustavus Adolphus. In the Civil War, a unit consisted of the cannon on two wheels and an ammunition carrier called a caisson. It was usually pulled Read more…
When Julius Caesar was an up and coming politician, he made a trip to Rhodes to study rhetoric. On the way, his ship was taken by pirates. Yes, they had pirates in the Mediterranean Sea in the time of Ancient Rome. As was common for noble captives, Caesar was held Read more…
Prior to the Civil War, long hair was the norm for several reasons. First, lots of hair gave a raw look and it was thought to be intimidating. Second, in cold weather it provided some protection. Lastly, lots of hair could provide some protection from wounds to the skull. By Read more…
A picket is a soldier who is positioned in front of an army to provide early warning of an enemy attack. The word comes from the French word “piquet” which means pointed stake. It was first used by the French army around 1690. The main job of a picket was Read more…
Cambyses was the Persian Emperor who conquered Egypt. He may have been a great conqueror, but he was a cruel despot. Once when a judge was found guilty of corruption, he had him flayed alive. He ordered that the skin be used to cover the judge’s bench and then he Read more…
This picture is of a typical slave cabin in the Antebellum South. Most of the field hands lived in structures like this. The cabins were made of wood. Even the chimneys were wooden. Most were 1 1/2 stories with the upper level used for storage or sleeping. The interior was Read more…