Today is "Juneteenth," the anniversary of the day, in 1865, that enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom from Union soldiers, 900 days after the Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect.

"Point Lookout, Maryland: The Largest Civil War Prison" by Robert Crickenberger Jr. is "perhaps the most detailed work on a single Civil War prison site ever written," writes Madeline Feierstein. Read more about it here: tinyurl.com/55twxtwf

In the latest installment of our "Fugitive Federals" digital series, Hope Ash writes about the daring escape of Union prisoner Abram J. Price and comrades from the Danville Prisons. Read more here: tinyurl.com/45dhpkks

Winfield Scott—the influential army commander known as "Old Fuss and Feathers"—was born in Virginia #otd in 1786. As general-in-chief of the U.S. Army in 1861, he formulated the Anaconda Plan, which called for a blockade of southern ports and control of the Mississippi River.

Union cavalry under Philip Sheridan—looking to distract the enemy from U.S. Grant's planned crossing of the James River after Cold Harbor—clashed with Confederate horsemen at Trevilian Station #otd in 1864. The 2-day engagement was the bloodiest all-cavalry battle of the war.

"Defiant: The Story of Robert Smalls" by Rob Edwards is "cleverly written, beautifully illustrated, and exceptionally well-produced," writes Aaron David Hyams. Read more about the new graphic novel here: tinyurl.com/3dbps6x6

Union and Confederate forces clashed around Brandy Station, Virginia, in what became the largest cavalry battle ever fought in North America, #otd in 1863. Read a firsthand account of the historic fight from a member of Cobb’s (Georgia) Legion: tinyurl.com/u8af7u6j

William Quantrill, an Ohio-born schoolteacher who led the notorious pro-Confederate partisan ranger outfit responsible for the Lawrence Massacre, died #otd in 1865 of wounds he received on May 10 in a fight with Union troops in Kentucky, one of the war's final clashes. He was 27.

"The Lynches of South Carolina: From Reconstruction to Redemption," edited by Robert Emmett Curran, "provide[s] a snapshot of a Catholic family seeking to make its way in the postbellum United States," writes Evan C. Rothera in our latest book review. Read it here: tinyurl.com/yuz7snbk

The Summer '26 issue of the Monitor goes on sale today. You can learn more about it—or order a copy—at our website.

In our latest digital history column, Chuck Lyons writes about Acting Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter's clever ruse to keep a captured Union ironclad from Confederate service. Read it here: tinyurl.com/4tnc362v

The first day of the Battle of Seven Pines was fought #otd in 1862. Tactically inconclusive, the fight saw the wounding of Confederate general Joe Johnston—and his replacement by Robert E. Lee. Shown here: A depiction of Rebels wounded at the battle in the streets of Richmond.

"Green and Blue: Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861-1865" by Damian Shiels "represents a significant accomplishment in advancing the study of the common Irish American soldier," writes Jeremy Knoll. Read more here: tinyurl.com/mujtfvbh @lsupress.bsky.social

In the Season 2 finale of our "Civil War Curious" podcast, historian Allen C. Guelzo discusses the various causes behind the outbreak of the American Civil War. Sponsored by @battlefields.org. Listen here: tinyurl.com/y6y9put9

Wishing you all a safe and peaceful Memorial Day, a holiday with its roots in honoring those who died during the Civil War. Shown here is a Harper's Weekly illustration from 1864 depicting Union officers toasting their fallen comrades.

Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, 24, was the first Union officer killed during the Civil War #otd in 1861 when he was shot by the proprietor of the Marshall House in Alexandria, VA, after removing the Confederate flag that had flown from the establishment's roof.

Ambrose E. Burnside was born on this day in 1824. A West Point grad and creator (in 1855) of a breech-loading carbine that bears his name, he began the Civil War as commander of the 1st Rhode Island Infantry and ended it as a major general.

#otd 170 years ago, Representative Preston Brooks, a proslavery Democrat from SC, used a walking cane to beat Senator Charles Sumner, an abolitionist Republican from MA, nearly to death in the U.S. Senate chamber, an incident that laid bare the country's deepening sectional rift.

The digital version of our Summer '26 issue is now live for subscribers to read at our website: tinyurl.com/maaw88s5. Not yet a subscriber? Fix that here: tinyurl.com/232zx9cd.

Patrick H. Garrow's "From Gray to Blue" offers "an effective overview of the wartime experiences of the thousands of ex-Confederates who found themselves in the curious position of fighting for their former adversaries," writes Jeremy Knoll. Read more: tinyurl.com/5cfhh6sp @utpress.bsky.social

In the latest episode of our "Civil War Curious" podcast, Joan Waugh discusses the postwar relationship between U.S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, as well as those between other former Union & CSA military leaders. Sponsored by @battlefields.org. Listen here: tinyurl.com/52pyfd98

In the latest installment of her "Unhidden History" column, Zethyn McKinley looks at the the interracial, freedom-fighting military unit of Americans that fought in the Spanish Civil War under the name of the country's Great Emancipator: tinyurl.com/23frkwr6

The Battle of Resaca, GA, concluded #otd in 1864. Though inconclusive, the engagement resulted in William T. Sherman's Union force pushing Joe Johnston's Confederates farther back toward Atlanta, Sherman's ultimate goal.

"A Little Piece of Hell at Gettysburg: The Attack and Defense of the Rose Farm, July 2-3, 1863" by Scott T. Fink "does solve some mysteries" but "is not without flaws," writes Harry Zhang. Read more about it here: tinyurl.com/3ctk7fz8

In the latest episode of our "Civil War Curious" podcast, historian Aaron Sheehan-Dean answers several questions relating to the non-combat lives of Civil War soldiers. Sponsored by @battlefields.org. Listen here: tinyurl.com/564au7df

John Clem lived an extraordinary life: In 1861, he tried to enlist in the Union army at 9 and was adopted by a MI regiment as a mascot/drummer; earned fame as the “Drummer Boy of Chickamauga” for his exploits at that battle; and rose to the rank of major general after the war: tinyurl.com/sfd2kwhr

Confederate general Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson died #otd in 1863 from pneumonia, eight days after he was accidentally shot by Confederate soldiers at the Battle of Chancellorsville, a wound that resulted in the amputation of his left arm. He was 39.

The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House began #otd in 1864 when Union troops tried but failed to dislodge Confederates blocking their path to the vital crossroads. By the time the battle ended on May 21, the opposing armies had suffered over 30,000 combined casualties.

"Fred Grant at Vicksburg: A Boy’s Memoir at His Father’s Side During the American Civil War" edited by Albert A Nofi is a "touching portrayal of a father through the eyes of his son," writes Robert L. Glaze. Read more here: tinyurl.com/hyax4de8

In the latest episode of our "Civil War Curious" podcast, historian Aaron Sheehan-Dean answers several questions pertaining to the training that Union and Confederate soldiers received during the Civil War. Sponsored by @battlefields.org. Listen here: tinyurl.com/mr3ty9s4

In the latest installment of our "Civil War Medicine" digital history column, Megan VanGorder writes about the concoction that trailblazing nurse Mary Ann “Mother” Bickerdyke used to treat wounded soldiers. Read more here: tinyurl.com/y7p74dw9

Joseph Hooker finished concentrating his Army of the Potomac at the hamlet of Chancellorsville, VA, #otd in 1863, part of his plan to defeat Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. "May God have mercy on General Lee for I will have none," a bold Hooker said at the outset.

"Black Religion in the Madhouse: Race and Psychiatry in Slavery’s Wake" by Judith Weisenfeld is "a well-researched discussion of race, religion, medicine, healthcare, and the development of psychiatry in the...U.S.," writes Evan C. Rothera. Read more here: tinyurl.com/47sz23u2

In the latest episode of our "Civil War Curious" podcast, Gary W. Gallagher discusses the Battle of Chancellorsville, including how Union commander Joseph Hooker squandered multiple chances for victory. Sponsored by @battlefields.org. Listen here: tinyurl.com/yv2hm5wn

Hiram Ulysses Grant was born #otd in 1822. Before he rose to Civil War fame, Grant commanded the 21st Illinois Infantry. Read about a valuable lesson he learned during his time with the 21st that helped make him the successful general he'd become: tinyurl.com/2trsxba2

"The Old Alcalde: Life and Times of a Texas Fire-Eater, Oran Milo Roberts" by John A. Adams Jr. is a "thoroughly researched and exhaustive biography" of an "unlikely" fire-eater, writes Aaron David Hyams. Read more here: tinyurl.com/dutdn8kw

In the latest episode of our "Civil War Curious" podcast, Garry Adelman discusses what it's like to be a Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide. Sponsored by @battlefields.org & The Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides (gettysburgtourguides.org). Listen here: tinyurl.com/4jn7b75y

In the latest installment of his "Science and War" column, Scott Hippensteel writes about how meteorology impacted the Union blockade of southern ports. Read it here: tinyurl.com/y5u8juwe

"Gettysburg Postcards: An Illustrated Guide" by Richard A. Sauers "supplies a starting point for anyone seeking to understand how the relative importance of battlefield landmarks changed over time," writes Brian Matthew Jordan. Read more about it here: tinyurl.com/4u5czmwa

In the latest episode of our "Civil War Curious" podcast, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Garry Adelman discusses the enduring legacy of the 1993 movie "Gettysburg." Sponsored by our friends at @battlefields.org. Listen here: tinyurl.com/k2776n8x

Robert Anderson surrendered Fort Sumter #otd in 1861 after a 34-hour Confederate bombardment. Until they were evacuated two months earlier, 45 women and children—families of Anderson's soldiers—had lived in the fort. Read an account of their experiences: tinyurl.com/yjk8h8aj

Robert E. Lee surrendered his army to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House #otd 161 years ago. Lee, dressed in his ceremonial uniform, stood in contrast to Grant, whose government-issued sack coat, trousers, and boots were splattered with mud.

"The Reconstruction Diary of Frances Anne Rollin: A Critical Edition" edited by Jennifer Putzi is "an excellent combination of original secondary research and a fascinating piece of primary material," writes Lincoln Hirn. Read more about it here: tinyurl.com/4263dvnd

In the latest episode of our "Civil War Curious" podcast, historian Brooks Simpson assesses Ulysses S. Grant's best and worst military moments and addresses rumors of his wartime drinking. Sponsored by our friends at @battlefields.org. Listen here: tinyurl.com/4yvdhku4

In our latest digital history column, Christian McWhirter examines Abraham Lincoln's lifelong quest for personal betterment through learning. Read it here: tinyurl.com/3h7z4k9r

Happy Easter to all who celebrate. Shown here: Rev. P.P. Cooney is depicted conducting divine services on Easter Sunday, 1864, for men of the Union Army of the Cumberland. #civilwarhistory #americancivilwar #HappyEasterHolliday

"Sisterhood of the Lost Cause: Confederate Widows in the New South" by Jennifer Lynn Gross shows that "students of the Civil War era still have much to learn about what it meant to live on in the shadow of the dead," writes Brian Matthew Jordan. Read more here: tinyurl.com/yr5n5tjk

Happy #AprilFoolsDay! Shown here: A Union naval officer is depicted messing with a comrade in this Thomas Nast illustration marking April Fool's Day in 1864.

In the latest episode of our "Civil War Curious" podcast, historian Christian McWhirter discusses the importance of music during the Civil War, both in the armies and on the home front. Sponsored by our friends at @battlefields.org. Listen here: tinyurl.com/4ahbj7k2

In the Voices department of our Spring 2026 issue we highlighted quotes by Union and Confederate soldiers about the importance of religious faith in helping them navigate the challenges of war. Read those we didn’t have room to include here: tinyurl.com/yeu5j3rv