Daily Updates on the Civil War

I have been following for the past month a fantastically put together blog by "The American Interest" called The Long Recall. Everyday this blog takes first-hand accounts from newspapers 150 years ago and prints them in a concise manner putting you as the reader into the civil conflict between the states. The information has opened my eyes to the things that went on before the war officially started and the resistance that sprang up in what became known as the border states. I am looking forward to the next four years and learning about the day-to-day events and drama that is the Civil War.


http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/civilwar/

Our Nation Divded: Confederacy Declares War on United States

May 6, 1861, the Confederate States of America made the 'War Between the States' official. It was today, 150 years ago that the Confederacy made it official in act and soon deed on their intention to remain a separate country and defend their territories in armed conflict. Since Fort Sumter both sides had been by time in an attempt to secure larger and stronger military forces. Neither side was completely ready for this fight. This day also marks the additional of two more states to the Confederacy, Arkansas and Tennessee which Lincoln was attempting to keeping as apart of the United States. As spring continues the North and South are poised on the edge of full-scale war which both sides want to avoid however both sides believe is inevitable and anxious to get it started.  

Last World War 1 Veteran Dies

Claude Choules has passed on to glory being the last known veteran of the First World War. Joining the Royal Navy in 1916 Choules saw two years of service which took him to witnessing the surrender of the German fleet in 1918. The story of the First World War is much forgotten behind the grandeur of the Second World War however it is one war which time should not forget. Living in Austrlia most of his life since the First World War, Choules was a low key participator in the Second World War mainly helping with a German mine that washed ashore as well as the protection of Fremantle Harbor. The stories which Choules would have been able to tell about his experience would have been invaluable and I hope a portrait of his history can be passed down to other generations even if only through his family. Choules passing reminds us all of one of the bloodiest wars in world history and from my perspective I thank him for his service to England and the alliance which won the war.


http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/05/05/australia.ww1.veteran.dies/