Looking at old black-and-white photos and illustrations, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the places and events they depict. However, standing in those locations and seeing the landscape in full color makes history feel real. While much has changed in the 165 years since the war, seeing these places in person offers a perspective you can’t get from books alone. The natural terrain—hills, valleys, streams—helps you imagine what the landscape looked like to the soldiers who fought there.
As the curator of this encyclopedia, I believe it is essential to visit the locations we cover, study the terrain, observe the details, and imagine what it was like in that time. Slowly but surely, we are updating our encyclopedia with images of each battlefield and skirmish site. Photos of historical markers, signage, and monuments provide a valuable visual record, especially as more of these monuments and landscapes disappear from public view each year—whether due to neglect, political activism, or commercial development.
Photos have been added to the following pages:
- Skirmish at Bunker Hill
- Action at Martinsburg
- Engagement at Pig Point
- Action at Pocatalico
- Skirmish at Barboursville
- Battle of Scary Creek
Check back often for more updates!
Spirit of '61 