Tell Owen's story through Civil War historyUnderstand the Civil War through Owen's story

The recently discovered Journals of Owen Thomas Wright, 14th Indiana Volunteers, provide a fresh perspective on the Civil War through the pen of a young soldier who experienced almost the entire war. You can read the complete summary of Owen's story here:

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Owen Thomas Wright, 14th Indiana Volunteers

For Freedom and Humanity brings to life the Civil war through the pen of a young man who experiences some of its most significant events from the early stages and through the end of the war. The 19-year-old son of a Methodist minister, Owen is among the first to answer Lincoln's call for troops. Declaring his mission to fight in defense of freedom and humanity, Owen lives on the front lines through almost the entire war. 

Owen's journey starts in June 1861 with the 14th Indiana Volunteers, a rough ragtag unit that would be dubbed "the Gibraltar Brigade" by generals who admire how they stand against even the most overwhelming enemy. As part of the Army of the Potomac, Owen fights on the front lines of several significant battles and campaigns, including Cheat Mountain, Winchester, The Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness.

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THE BLOOMFIELD NEWS, VOL. XXXV, NO 8 Page 1 Column 3, Green County, Indiana. Thursday, Jan 5, 1911,

"OWEN WRIGHT DEAD: Former Well Known Soldier Citizen of Taylor Township Passes On."

No citizen of Taylor Township was better known from the close of the war until he left Green County about twenty-five years ago than Owen Thomas WRIGHT, who died in Kansas on Dec. 21. The Dodge City Journal recently contained the following notice of his death:

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Landscapes Of The Civil War: Newly Discovered Photographs from the Medford Historical Society

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How Abraham Lincoln's Hiring Decisions Almost Lost a War

Doris Kearns Goodwin (2018) recently published a book that features Abraham Lincoln as one of the iconic leaders in American history: Leadership: In turbulent times. I was honored to receive a copy from my staff, who inscribed it: "We couldn't think of a more fitting book... that would reinforce all you do for us..." I try to encourage myself, my employees, and my students to strive for success despite the environments we are in and the leaders we work for. Part of this involves shifting perspectives to see ambiguity as an opportunity to define our direction and stress as a tool for productivity and growth. I've been a Lincoln scholar since I was a kid, so I attribute much of that philosophy to lessons I learned from him.

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Captured in the Wilderness

The Gibraltar Brigade

On the brink: Prelude to Antietam

The enemy behind the lines: Copperheads

Nathan Kimball

Escape into the Swamp War

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