Author Archives: Michael Noirot

About Michael Noirot

I grew up in the Central Illinois farming community, of Dunlap. Growing up, I played sports, tinkered with cars and enjoyed photography. While I did well in school, I did not become passionate about history until my early 30's. I have built a large library, of books on early America, politics and the Civil War. I am an avid reader. Fortunately, I have had plenty of opportunities to travel, over the years, and have been to most of the Civil War battlefields. I work while I travel, so more often than not, I am up, in the middle of the night, to get sunrise pictures, or I will be out until well after dark, exploring Civil War battlefields. I have other hobbies, and passions, that I really enjoy. Number one on the list would be guitar. I play my guitars on a regular basis, and enjoy the Bluegrass, and Contemporary Christian (CCM) genres. I play a style of guitar, called FLATPICKING, where using a flat pick, you play lead solos, similar to the way a fiddle would have been played during the 19th and early 20th Centuries. Laura, my wife, and I also enjoy scuba diving, travel and spending time at our property, in the country. Lastly, we spend as much time with our families, as possible. Thanks for stopping by.

Battle of Chickamauga -148th anniversary

Today is the 148th anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga. This was the second most costly battle, in terms of casualties (34,000+ killed, wounded, missing and captured), during the American Civil War. Fought for two days in northwest Georgia, it … Continue reading

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Battle of Antietam -149th anniversary

Today is the 149th anniversary of the single bloodiest day in American history -September 17, 1862. On this day two armies met near the small town of Sharpsburg, Maryland. One was intent on protecting his escape route over the Potomac … Continue reading

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Bennett Place -a photo essay

I visited the historic Bennett Place, in Durham, North Carolina, this past July. Run by the state of North Carolina, it is a historic site that you need to visit if you are in the area. I was fortunate to … Continue reading

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Battle of South Mountain -149th Anniversary

Today, September 14, is the 149th anniversary of the Battle of South Mountain. Part of the 1862 Maryland Campaign, it is more often than not overshadowed by the Battle of Antietam which followed three days later. With nearly 5,000 combined … Continue reading

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Georgia Civil War Era Graves -a photo essay

Over the past several weeks I have found myself in Georgia for two separate trips. Besides hosting the Battle of Chickamauga, Atlanta Campaign and the March to the Sea, Georgia is the final resting place for many of the Confederacy’s … Continue reading

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Battle of Chantilly -149th Anniversary

Today is the 149th anniversary of the Battle of Chantilly. It was the final engagement of the Second Bull Run Campaign – and a very costly battle for the Federal forces. While not considered a Union defeat, it is considered … Continue reading

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Historic Selma, Alabama -a photo essay

Over the years, I have visited Selma, Alabama on several occasions. The county seat of Dallas County, Selma was incorporated in 1820. Originally inhabited by the Creek Indians, the city got its name from the poem, The Songs of Selma. Selma … Continue reading

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RIP: American Civil War Battlefields Facebook Group

Many of you have followed my blog articles via the Facebook group, American Civil War Battlefields. I started this group around four years ago when I first signed up for Facebook. The group had grown to over 6,000 members and … Continue reading

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Illinois Civil War Era Graves -a photo essay

I had the opportunity to drive to Chicago this past June. Normally I would fly but the flight was quite expensive for a last minute purchase. Driving from Saint Louis to Chicago is normally a boring endeavor, but this trip … Continue reading

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Witness Tree Identified on Culp’s Hill

A witness tree was recently identified on Culp’s Hill at Gettysburg National Military Park. National Park Service workers learned a fallen oak tree, near the 66th Ohio Volunteer Infantry monument, was indeed a witness tree, when their chain saws struck … Continue reading

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