Articles • Toy Soldier Museum

ARTICLES | American Civil War

Civil War Battles | 1861-May 1863

“Baptism at Manassas — July 1861”
James H. Hillestad chronicles a battle that encouraged the Confederacy and at the same tiem bolstered the determination of the North. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Bloodbath at Shiloh” – April 1862”
James H. Hillestad looks at the significance of the Battle of Shiloh and its impact on the outcome of the Civil War. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Make Me a Map of the Valley: Shenandoah Campaign May 1862”
Stonewall Jackson's Shenandoah Valley campaign has been described as a military classic — James H. Hillestad explains how he was aided by a humble 33-year-old ex-school teacher by the name of Jedediah Hotchkiss. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“The Civil War’s Bloodiest Day: Antietam, August 1862”
James H. Hillestad chronicles the battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg‚ and the role that a nondescript cornfield would play in the final outcome | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Fredericksburg September 1862”
Jamers H. Hillestad highlights the battle that was doomed almost from its inception. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Chancellorsville, May 1863: Lee’s Master Stroke”
James H. Hillestad focuses on the battle of Chancellorsville, which distinguished Lee as a brilliant tactician and marked the apogee of his military career. | W. Britain’s The Standard

Battle of Gettysburg | July 1-3, 1863

“Cashtown, Pennsylvania: Prelude to Gettysburg”
James H. Hillestad highlights the role that the hamlet of Cashtown played in the Civil War. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Location, Location, Location”
James H. Hillestad applies a popular real estate maxim to the Battle of Gettysburg. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Little Round Top, July 2, 1863”
James H. Hillestad recounts the significance of this eminence in the Battle of Gettysburg. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Garrad’s Tigers at Gettysburg July 2, 1863”
James H. Hillestad highlights the flamboyantly attired 146th New York regiment in the Civil War, known for their Zouave-style uniforms. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Barksdale’s Charge: Undaunted Spirit — July 2, 1863”
James H. Hillestad offers a revisionist view of the role played by General William Barksdale and his Mississippi Brigade at Gettysburg. | W. Britain’s The Standard

Gettysburg, July 3, 1863: Pickett’s Charge
James H. Hillestad chronicles the ill-fated Pickett’s charge, which set the “high-water mark” of the Confederacy. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Appointment With Destiny: Stuart & Custer at Gettysburg
James H. Hillestad recounts the Civil War’s crucial clash between two of American history’s greatest cavalry commanders at Gettysburg. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure

Custer: The Man Who Saved the Union”
James H. Hillestad focuses on the campaign that decided the Civil War. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Crisis In Command”
Inspired by the W. Britain range of Civil War generals, James H. Hillestad looks at the impact of the personalities on the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Horse Soldiers”
James H. Hillestad chronicles the pivotal role of the Union Cavalry at Gettysburg. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Rolling Thunder: The Guns of Gettysburg”
James H. Hillestad takes a look at the guns of Gettysburg. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“The Gettysburg Gospel: Lincoln’s Address”
James H. Hillestad reflects on Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. | W. Britain’s The Standard

Civil War Battles | 1864-1865

“Petersburg 1864-1865”
Jamers H. Hillestad focuses on the campaign that decided the Civil War. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Sailor’s Creek – March 1865”
James H. Hillestad recounts the last major battle of the Civil War. | W. Britain’s The Standard

Civil War Personalities

“Lincoln and His Generals”
James H. Hillestad profiles the Union commanders in the Civil War. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Man of the Hour” — Gen. Reynolds at Gettysburg
James H. Hillestad highlights the role of Gen. John F. Reynolds at the Battle of Gettysburg. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Faithful Until Death: Alonzo Cushing"
James H. Hillestad recounts the bravery of Alonzo Cushing at the Battle of Gettysburg. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“General John Gibbon”
James H. Hillestad chronicles the career of the man who was known to be “A Tower of Strength and Cool as a Steel Knife.” | W. Britain’s The Standard

“The Gray Ghost — Gen. John S. Mosby”
James H. Hillestad profiles a larger-than life figure, John S. Mosby. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“The Ohio Factor in the Civil War: Grant, Sherman and Sheriden”
The Toy Soldier Museum’s James H. Hillestad focuses on three generals with Ohio ties and their roles in leading Union forces to victory to end the War Between the States. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure

Civil War Regiments & Brigades

“The Red Legs: 114th Pennsylvania Volunteers”
James H. Hillestad profiles the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteers, popularly known as Collis’ Zouaves. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“The Black Hats: Iron Brigade”
James H. Hillestad looks at an illustrious Union Army formation with an unusual nickname. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“The Texas Brigade” of Confederate Gen. Hood
James H. Hillestad highlights the flamboyantly attired 146th New York regiment in the Civil War, known for their Zouave-style uniforms. | W. Britain’s The Standard

Factors in the Civil War

“Telegraphy During the American Civil War”
James H. Hillestad writes about the new long-distance communication hat revolutionized command and control by a national leader located far distant from the action. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“American Civil War Engines of War: Railways”
The Toy Soldier Museum’s James H. Hillestad researches the role of railways during the War Between the States and builds a diorama with items produced by W. Britain. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure

“Engines of War: Railroads”
The role of railroads in the Civiil War, by James H. Hillestad. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“A Mark of Distinction: Signal Flags & Insignia
James H. Hillestad focuses on Union Army Corps insignia. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“The Civil War Ambulance Wagon”
James H. Hillestad chronicles the state of medical transport during the Civil War. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Federal Cavalry”
James H. Hillestad takes a look at federal cavalry regiments during the Civil War. | W. Britain’s The Standard

Also of Interest

“Spanning New Heights: National Civil War Museum”
James H. Hillestad forms the battle lies at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. | W. Britain’s The Standard

“Toy Soldiers in the White House”
James H. Hillestad recounts Abraham Lincoln’s association with toy soldiers. | W. Britain’s The Standard

The Toy Soldier Museum

Cresco, Pennsylvania