CONFEDERATE COMPATRIOTS IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES - 2   Our Confederate Ancestors: Part Two of The Daring Exploits of H. D. D. Twiggs and His Confederate Compatriots in the War Between the States   by Gene Kizer, Jr. |   A Series on the Daring Exploits of Our Confederate Ancestors in the War Between the States.   We were enjoying, as only ravenous soldiers could, the delicious viands which tender hands at home had stored away in this precious box, and had nearly finished

By Compatriot Michael Thomas   Service in the Signal Corps has rarely been addressed by historians. Formed in April 1862, less than 1,600 men served in its ranks. Though most of its records are lost, sufficient documentation is found showing its composition and nature of service.    Led by 23-year-old 1st Lieutenant Frank Markoe, the Corps in Charleston was comprised almost entirely of enlisted men detached from various infantry, artillery and cavalry commands. Each could be

By W. Eric Emerson, Ph.D. On Dec. 13, 1862, Union Maj. Gen. Am-brose E. Burnside issued orders to the Army of the Potomac that would lead to one of the greatest military disasters of the Civil War.   His men had crossed the Rappahannock and fought their way into Fredericksburg on Dec. 11. Two days later, Burnside launched an assault on the forces of Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, which was arrayed along with a series of hills known as Marye’s Heights.   The k

THE SCHOONER RHODA H. SHANNON INCIDENT   By Compatriot Michael Thomas   We all know about the guns of Morris Island firing at the U.S. supply vessel Star of the West January 9, 1861 and then again on Fort Sumter the following April 12th. However, in between those events, they were involved in another action, one seldom mentioned but quite concerning at the time.     It began when the 180-ton schooner Rhoda H. Shannon left Boston March 26th bound for Savannah with a shipment o