The History Guy *

The History Guy remembers the forgotten history of the Battle of Fort Necessity, the prelude to the French and Indian War.

Fort Necessity, built by George Washington in 1754, played a pivotal role in the early stages of the French and Indian War. Situated in present-day Pennsylvania, the hastily constructed fort became a symbol of Washington's inexperience. In July 1754, it succumbed to a French and Native American force, leading to Washington's surrender. This event marked the beginning of hostilities, eventually escalating into the larger conflict between European powers for control of North America. The battlefield is now part of the National Park Service's Mount Vernon Trail. 

Fort Necessity 

George Washington's Defeat: the Battle of Fort Necessity

The amazing story of Truman Everts is a story of survival, of adventure, and a cautionary tale on why it is important to not get lost. 

On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal and geologic features. Within Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres, visitors have unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal areas that contain about half the world’s active geysers, and view geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.

Yellowstone

The Misadventures of Truman C. Everts

Located in rural Randolph County, Illinois, Fort de Chartres seems out of place. 

A great place to explore the history of France in America, Fort de Chartres State Historic Site features a reconstruction of the last of four forts named "de Chartres." The first was built in 1720, when France was the dominant colonizing force ranging from the Gulf of Mexico up into Canada. From 1753-1765 Fort de Chartres was the French seat of government for Upper Louisiana. 

Fort de Chartres

On the Fringe of the French Empire: Fort de Chartres

The History Guy remembers Carlo Camillo Di Rudio who was notably hard to kill. His story is a ripping yarn that deserves to be remembered.

The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is located in southeastern Montana, near the town of Hardin. The monument memorializes the Battle of the Little Bighorn, which was fought between a Lakota-Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho force and the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army. The Indian victory in this battle was one of the Indians' last armed efforts to preserve their way of life. The monument consists of several different areas, including the actual battlefield, visitor center, and museum. The battlefield itself is quite extensive, and visitors can take a self-guided tour or join a ranger-led tour. There are also several hiking trails that wind through the area. The visitor center contains a number of exhibits on the battle and the history of the area. The museum is home to a collection of artifacts from the battle, as well as a number of other historical items.

Little Bighorn Battlefield

The Adventures of Charles DeRudio

The history of how a famous mountain in the United States, Mount Rushmore, was named may surprise you.

Completed in 1941, "America's Shrine to Democracy" features four mammoth, 60-foot sculptures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Carved into the Black Hills near Keystone, South Dakota, by Gutzon Borglum, the memorial draws more than 2 million visitors a year – but also its share of controversy. The U.S. Government in 1868 promised the Lakota Sioux they could keep the Black Hills "so long as the buffalo may range thereon," only to renege on the deal once gold was discovered. The nearby Crazy Horse Memorial was begun in 1940 to honor Native Americans, but some tribes continue to argue for the land to be returned.

Mount Rushmore

Naming Mount Rushmore

The general who saved the Union by losing a battle.

Monocacy National Battlefield is the site of a major battle fought on July 9, 1864. The battlefield straddles the Monocacy River southeast of the city of Frederick, Maryland. The battle, labeled "The Battle That Saved Washington," was one of the last the Confederates would carry out in Union territory. The two opposing leaders were General Jubal Early, fighting for the South, and General Lew Wallace, leading the North. Although Wallace was outnumbered nearly two-to-one, he was able to hold off Early's troops for six hours, buying time for Union reinforcements to arrive from Washington. When Early finally began his withdrawal late in the afternoon, he had suffered significant losses, while the Union forces had sustained only moderate casualties. The Battle of Monocacy proved to be a turning point in the Civil War, as it prevented Early's troops from carrying out a potentially devastating assault on Washington. As a result, the city was saved and the Union army was able to maintain its momentum in the war effort.

Monocacy 

Lew Wallace: Author, Politician, General

The first battle of Fort Sumter is generally considered to represent the first shots of the U.S. Civil War.  

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park protects and interprets the sites, structures, landscapes and history associated with the first military engagements of the Civil War. The park encompasses two forts – Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the war were fired, and Fort Moultrie, where Confederate soldiers fought their first successful battle – as well as Liberty Square and Charleston Light. Located in Charleston, SC, on the banks of the Cooper River, the park also includes a Visitor Education Center that tells the story of the lead-up to the war, with exhibits on topics such as slavery and plantation culture, major figures, politics, and how the Confederate Army was formed. The Visitor Education Center is also the main departure point for tour boats heading to Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. 

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie 

Fort Sumter and the "Third System"

The only verified survivor of Custer's last stand was a horse. Its rider deserves to be remembered. 

The Military Career of Comanche's rider, Myles Keogh

The first major battle of the Civil War fought west of the Mississippi represented the conflicted loyalties of the border states.

In July of 1864, Union forces marched into Tupelo, Mississippi in an effort to keep the Confederates away from Union railroads in Tennessee. Among the Union troops were men from the United States Colored Troops. The Confederate soldiers put up a fierce fight, but they were no match for the Union troops and were forced to retreat. While neither side could claim a clear victory, the Union troops had succeeded in their primary goal. This was a significant victory for the Union forces and helped to turn the tide of the war in their favor.

Wilson's Creek 

The Battle of Wilson's Creek

The History Guy remembers the creation of the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Arlington National Cemetery holds a significant place in American history and serves as a poignant tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes. Maintained by the U.S. Army and spanning over 600 acres, it is the final resting place for more than 400,000 military service members, veterans, and their families, including notable figures such as President John F. Kennedy and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Arlington National Cemetery also encompasses the Arlington House, which is administered by the National Park Service and was once the home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The house, now a memorial, offers a glimpse into the past while serving as a reminder of the complex history surrounding the cemetery. 