The relationship between Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln is often summed up by the apocryphal story of Lincoln saying "I can't spare this man; he fights" after the battle of Shiloh. But while Henry Halleck sidelined Grant after Shiloh, probably for his own ambition, Halleck also shielded Grant from a presidential inquiry into his actions. The truth is, to some extent, Abraham Lincoln did believe he could spare Grant, and considered doing so on several occasions, starting with Shiloh....

I've read several blogs on this site. One issue that keeps coming up, is the contention that "Slavery" was the major cause of the Civil War.

I've never seen anyone address Mr. Lincoln's comments during his first inaugural address:

"I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so."

Couple this...

9 AD

In September of 9 AD, three Roman legions under the command of Quinctilius Varus were destroyed in the Teutoberg Wald of Germania, in a revolt organized by the renegade auxiliary commander Arminius. This has become one of the most celebrated battles of antiquity, thanks in part to the painstaking efforts of German archaeologists in this past century.

The loss of three legions - as many as 15,000 men - was a painful blow to Rome under any circumstances. But we can scarce...

LEGIO VIIII HISPANA

65 BC - c. 100/150 AD


The Ninth Hispanic Legion has - somewhat ironically - become Rome's best known legion. Though it had a long history and was present at many historical battles, the Ninth was never a particularly distinguished Legion, nor is there any mentioning of it developing a sense of unit "personality". What has won this legion a form of immortality is the mystery that surrounds its demise...

Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus...

LEGIO XXI RAPAX

31 BC - 92 AD

Of all of the thirty-some legions in existence by the death of Augustus, only one had earned the title of rapax - ferocious, predatory. What feats of courage or cruelty the men of the Twenty-first Legion performed to earn this name, has long since been lost by history. What is known, however, is that the Twenty-first Ferocious Legion was to spend most of the century of its existence in heavy campaigning against Germanic tribes, and would become...