"Civil War Research Project" Topic

Hello,
I am preparing to write a research paper. I would like to focus on a small scale Civil War battle, emphasising the stratetgy and tactics. Any suggestions?
Thank you

The Battle of Glorieta Pass, fought from March 26 to 28, 1862 in northern New Mexico Territory, was the decisive battle of the New Mexico Campaign during the American Civil War. Dubbed the "Gettysburg of the West"

Both the strategy and tactics of the battle are interesting.

Newmarket 1864.

B

Glorieta Pass and New Market are both fun to game – But I also enjoy Honey Hill in 1864, Port Republic 1861 (coming right after Cross Keys) and the Battle of Lone Jack 1862

Battle of Cloyd's Mountain May 9th, 1864

Not sure where you live 10th Mountain but you might do a battle that was close to where you live. Might be more useful to find the extra research information. Just a different approach. Good luck with the paper.

How small?

Exactly – how are you defining small battle? At the extreme end of small (both in terms of size and results) I'd recommend the Chicmacomico Races on North Carolina's Outer Banks. Geographically constrained and isolated, very small numbers of troops with the interesting angle of naval gunfire support.

Galveston is fun, as a combined arms operation.

Or Ringgold.

I agree about the importance of visiting the battlefield.

Pilot Knob, MO and Sterling Prices' invasion of Missouri. Did the Union defense create time to reinforce St Louis and doom Prices mission.

Iuka? Helena? Prairie Grove? Mansfield?, Mill Springs?

Hello, 10th Mountain. What grade are you in – or what year of college? That might help us narrow our suggestions.

Hello,
I teach 7th grade U.S. History and I am going for a second degree in Military History.

Labadieville, LA , Poison Spring, AR, Honey Springs (now in OK)

Hoovers Gap, esp. The actions of Wilders Lightning Brigade.

South Mountain or just do one of the passes.

Chris

The battle of Monocasy in 1864.

Don

I would pick one that has plenty of available sources.

The Battle of Sporting Hill, PA; halfway between Carlisle and Harrisburg, this skirmish was the true "High Water Mark of the Confederacy", the northernmost engagement on the northern flank of the Gettysburg campaign.

PDF link

Rumor has it that 3 Confederate dead that were buried on the field and never found or recovered. Even when the owner declined offers from reenactor groups to buy the land to preserve it as a historical site; the owner then sold the land to be made into a housing development. One hopes the missing souls visit their new neighbors to enlighten them as to what happened in their back yards.

The Battle of McDowell during the Valley Campaign. About 6,000 to a side.

If you like green troops vs green troops, try Camp Wildcat in October 1861. Mill Springs in January of 1862 might be fun, as well.

Battle of Wyse Forks (aka Battle of Wise Forks, Kinston)…2d largest battle in North Carolina, overshadowed by Bentonville. Bragg's last hurrah.

Details:

link

link

link

John the Greater beat me to it..Camp Wildcat….

10th Mountain,

I second South Mountain as an option.

Teaching HS social studies myself and with a masters in military history too, may I offer a suggestion and encourage you ( if you are a younger individual ) to get a second degree in administration instead. Its just more practical for our proffession by giving you the option to move up if you eventually need a new challenge / change of pace, new additions to a family / more financial costs 5 to 10 yrs down the road.

Just a thought. Enjoy the research.

I would go with any of the battles fought in the vicinity of Cumberland Gap. Several smaller actions took place in the Kentucky / Tennessee area around the gap.