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Strange and Obscure Stories of the Civil War
Strange and Obscure Stories of the Civil War is an entertaining look at the Civil War stories that don’t get told, and the misadventures you haven’t read about in history books. Share in all the humorous and strange events that took place behind the scenes of some of the most famous Civil War moments. Picture a pedestal in a public park with no statue on top; Rowland’s book explains that when the members of the New York Monument Commission went to hire a sculptor to finish the statue, they were shocked to discover that there was no money left in the agency’s accounts to pay for the project. The money for the statue of Dan Sickles had been stolen—stolen by former monument committee chairman Dan Sickles!Brig. Gen. Philip Kearny was the son of a New York tycoon who had helped found the New York Stock Exchange, and who groomed his boy to be a force on Wall Street. The younger Kearny decided his call was to be a force on the field of battle, so despite a law degree and an inheritance of better than $1 million, he joined the U.S. Army and studied cavalry tactics in France. His dashing figure in the saddle earned him the name of Kearny the Magnificent, probably because Kearny rode with a pistol in one hand and a sword in the other while holding the horse’s reins in his teeth. This habit proved useful after he lost his left arm in the Mexican War, because he was able to continue to wave his sword with all the menace to which he was accustomed while still guiding his horse.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 29, 2016
This is a short book about little known Civil War incidences. Rowland looked for strange or humorous stories to report on. For example, members of the New York Monument Commission went to hire a sculptor to finish the Statues of Dan Stickle. They discovered the monies had been stolen. You will get a hoot when you discover who was the thief. I found the information about the horses interesting; such as over one million horses died in the Civil War, the life expectancy of the horse was four to six month during the War. I also thought that Rowland’s comment about the South having mostly Calvary horses and the North draft and utility horses to pull wagons and cannons interesting. Rowland claims that this reflected the industrialized North and the agrarian South. Rowland claimed that many of the northern men were poor equestrian riders but were expert at handling teams of horses and in the South, it was reversed. Most of the stories are about individual real people that helps to provide a more personal touch to the War.
The book is well written and researched. It is easy to read and full of facts. The author claims it is not a trivia fact book but I used it as such. This is a great book for Civil War history buffs or those hunting for a source book of little known trivia facts. The book is short at about five hours.
Fred Sanders does a good job narrating the book. Sanders is a stage and film actor and award winning audiobook narrator.
The book is well written and researched. It is easy to read and full of facts. The author claims it is not a trivia fact book but I used it as such. This is a great book for Civil War history buffs or those hunting for a source book of little known trivia facts. The book is short at about five hours.
Fred Sanders does a good job narrating the book. Sanders is a stage and film actor and award winning audiobook narrator.
Read
June 25, 2012This is a great introduction into the Civil War. This author not only tells of some of the more unusual aspects of the war, but he never lets the reader lose sight of the fact that real men and women lived, died, and survived this incredible ordeal.
December 7, 2023
If you like Civil War books or history in general this is a fascinating read.
February 8, 2025
Fun little book with a bunch of fun little stories from the civil war.
December 10, 2021
You have a Civil War book, no matter how dry or over researched it is, I will read it. I like books best that give small bits of battles or personalities of the war, as short entries, then go on to the next, following some central theme.
March 20, 2019
Tim Rowland has presented a collection of tales, Strange and Obscure Stories of the Civil War. Sixteen chapters are filled with many elements of history mostly skipped in high school textbooks. No trigger warnings are necessary but there would probably be objections if young minds were exposed to the prevalence of venereal disease, tales of ridiculous situations that came about due to being under the influence of alcohol, and a detailed history of a prominent political figure, Maj. Gen Sickles, who lived with a family where he bedded the matriarch while he was waiting for an infant to grow up so he could marry her. OK, maybe the last one is not so shocking. And although Gen. Sickles did not shoot someone in Times Square and get away with it, Sickles did murder the son of Francis Scott Key. And got away with it.
Of course, the incidents were carefully chosen by Rowland. The amount of literature about this period is overwhelming. The author is careful to report that some of the stories are impossible to prove but that the stories were accepted at the time and there were consequences that came from a belief in their veracity. Think of the butterfly effect. Something might not be proven, but if I believe it and take actions based on my belief, and … While Rowland reports certain accounts as not completely based on sources, the author provides eighteen pages of a Selected Bibliography which contains, books, newspapers, magazines, and websites.
I like Civil War history. I read books and listen to audiobooks related to the conflict. This book will send me back to the library for further information on some of the surprising and sometimes shocking information I read. One example is the case of Sarah Emma Edmonds, a woman who enlisted in the Union Army as a man. She would later write a book Nurse and Spy in the Union Army (Kindle location 633). As a man Sarah (or maybe Emma) dressed as a male and served as an attendant in hospitals. One of the things that surprised me: Rowland reports that from 500-1000 women served in this form of false identity. One of the things that shocked me: When Sarah was working as a spy, she impersonated a woman as she tried to hang around confederate camps as a camp worker. What kind of woman would be permitted to linger in a Confederate camp? Perhaps a Black Woman. That is what happened. But Sarah Emma Edmonds was White. Chapter Four is primarily about the strange and twisty (not twisted) story of Sarah, but author Rowland goes on to relate anecdotes of other women who carried out similar deceptions.
Rowland uses humor and wit as he tells his stories. I found it hard to detect when he was trying to use wit because some of his descriptions are inherently funny. In other words, you can’t make this stuff up. In Chapter Sixteen we have the story of Maj. Gen. Joshua Chamberlain. This last chapter of the collection had lots of surprises for me and I guess if there is any place in the collection where I might report a spoiler, this would be it. I won’t report a spoiler but I want to quote a description Rowland provides for Chamberlain. For me, it was almost laughing-out-loud humor. “With Chamberlain, appearances were always deceiving. He sported one of those classic Civil War moustaches that look as if a bat hit him in the face at high speed. His eyebrows hunkered down over a piercing gaze that could be disarming, yet slightly hard to take seriously due to the unfortunate outgrowth on his upper lip.” (Kindle location 2262). I think it was the bat that did it. I found this chapter to be one of the most moving. It was new information for me and has several surprises.
And there are many more surprising pieces of information. Think of the number of horses that were used in the Civil War. How much food does each horse eat per day? Maybe you are not interested in that but from a logistics perspective, this is interesting. It is not just putting people in a group, pointing them in the direction of gunfire, and saying, “Let’s Go!” According to this collection of stories, that is how some of the earlier actions seem to have been managed.
There are some problems with typos and missing words. I’ll give them a pass due to the fog of war (just had to say that). The errors are not excessive, but they do keep me from giving the novel five Amazon stars. Maybe 4.8. And I won’t round up. This was a page-turner for me, and I don’t like to slow down to fill in missing words. It slows down the terrific pace of this novel. This sells for USD 1.99 on Amazon or is free through Kindle Unlimited.
Of course, the incidents were carefully chosen by Rowland. The amount of literature about this period is overwhelming. The author is careful to report that some of the stories are impossible to prove but that the stories were accepted at the time and there were consequences that came from a belief in their veracity. Think of the butterfly effect. Something might not be proven, but if I believe it and take actions based on my belief, and … While Rowland reports certain accounts as not completely based on sources, the author provides eighteen pages of a Selected Bibliography which contains, books, newspapers, magazines, and websites.
I like Civil War history. I read books and listen to audiobooks related to the conflict. This book will send me back to the library for further information on some of the surprising and sometimes shocking information I read. One example is the case of Sarah Emma Edmonds, a woman who enlisted in the Union Army as a man. She would later write a book Nurse and Spy in the Union Army (Kindle location 633). As a man Sarah (or maybe Emma) dressed as a male and served as an attendant in hospitals. One of the things that surprised me: Rowland reports that from 500-1000 women served in this form of false identity. One of the things that shocked me: When Sarah was working as a spy, she impersonated a woman as she tried to hang around confederate camps as a camp worker. What kind of woman would be permitted to linger in a Confederate camp? Perhaps a Black Woman. That is what happened. But Sarah Emma Edmonds was White. Chapter Four is primarily about the strange and twisty (not twisted) story of Sarah, but author Rowland goes on to relate anecdotes of other women who carried out similar deceptions.
Rowland uses humor and wit as he tells his stories. I found it hard to detect when he was trying to use wit because some of his descriptions are inherently funny. In other words, you can’t make this stuff up. In Chapter Sixteen we have the story of Maj. Gen. Joshua Chamberlain. This last chapter of the collection had lots of surprises for me and I guess if there is any place in the collection where I might report a spoiler, this would be it. I won’t report a spoiler but I want to quote a description Rowland provides for Chamberlain. For me, it was almost laughing-out-loud humor. “With Chamberlain, appearances were always deceiving. He sported one of those classic Civil War moustaches that look as if a bat hit him in the face at high speed. His eyebrows hunkered down over a piercing gaze that could be disarming, yet slightly hard to take seriously due to the unfortunate outgrowth on his upper lip.” (Kindle location 2262). I think it was the bat that did it. I found this chapter to be one of the most moving. It was new information for me and has several surprises.
And there are many more surprising pieces of information. Think of the number of horses that were used in the Civil War. How much food does each horse eat per day? Maybe you are not interested in that but from a logistics perspective, this is interesting. It is not just putting people in a group, pointing them in the direction of gunfire, and saying, “Let’s Go!” According to this collection of stories, that is how some of the earlier actions seem to have been managed.
There are some problems with typos and missing words. I’ll give them a pass due to the fog of war (just had to say that). The errors are not excessive, but they do keep me from giving the novel five Amazon stars. Maybe 4.8. And I won’t round up. This was a page-turner for me, and I don’t like to slow down to fill in missing words. It slows down the terrific pace of this novel. This sells for USD 1.99 on Amazon or is free through Kindle Unlimited.
January 5, 2026
After studying the Civil War for more than three decades, it’s increasingly rare to find a book that doesn’t feel like a repackaging of material I’ve already read countless times. This one was a pleasant surprise.
Rowland focuses on the strange, overlooked, and genuinely obscure corners of the war — the kinds of details that are usually dismissed as footnotes or never mentioned at all. Topics like Maryland’s state song, lesser-known aspects of Joshua Chamberlain beyond Gettysburg, ammunition logistics, naval oddities, foreign affairs, and even boredom in camp are pulled out of obscurity and given real attention. Many of these sections offered information and perspectives that were new even to me, which is no small feat.
What I appreciated most is how the book reframes small or “insignificant” moments and shows how they shaped daily life, morale, and decision-making during the war. It reminds the reader that history isn’t just battles and generals — it’s lived experience, often strange, sometimes humorous, and frequently unexpected.
My one real criticism is the flow. Because each chapter tackles a completely different subject, the book can feel disjointed at times. Some transitions are abrupt, and not every chapter holds the same level of intrigue. I found myself moving from highly engaged to mildly disconnected as topics shifted — an issue that may be unavoidable given the book’s structure, but noticeable nonetheless.
Even so, this is a book I genuinely appreciated. I learned new things, laughed more than expected, and enjoyed seeing the Civil War through angles that don’t usually make it into classrooms or traditional histories.
For seasoned Civil War readers looking for something fresh — and for newer readers wanting to see the war from a less conventional perspective — this is an easy recommendation.
Rowland focuses on the strange, overlooked, and genuinely obscure corners of the war — the kinds of details that are usually dismissed as footnotes or never mentioned at all. Topics like Maryland’s state song, lesser-known aspects of Joshua Chamberlain beyond Gettysburg, ammunition logistics, naval oddities, foreign affairs, and even boredom in camp are pulled out of obscurity and given real attention. Many of these sections offered information and perspectives that were new even to me, which is no small feat.
What I appreciated most is how the book reframes small or “insignificant” moments and shows how they shaped daily life, morale, and decision-making during the war. It reminds the reader that history isn’t just battles and generals — it’s lived experience, often strange, sometimes humorous, and frequently unexpected.
My one real criticism is the flow. Because each chapter tackles a completely different subject, the book can feel disjointed at times. Some transitions are abrupt, and not every chapter holds the same level of intrigue. I found myself moving from highly engaged to mildly disconnected as topics shifted — an issue that may be unavoidable given the book’s structure, but noticeable nonetheless.
Even so, this is a book I genuinely appreciated. I learned new things, laughed more than expected, and enjoyed seeing the Civil War through angles that don’t usually make it into classrooms or traditional histories.
For seasoned Civil War readers looking for something fresh — and for newer readers wanting to see the war from a less conventional perspective — this is an easy recommendation.
October 14, 2023
All told “Strange and Obscure Stories of the Civil War” by Tim Rowland was a solid read. The tales and accounts that sit between the covers are those incidents that don’t often get looked at. Some are humorous, others are peculiar. To read of Confederate Captain Tod Carter leading a battle charge against his own family home, being shot a few yards from the front door, and dying in his own house is attention-getting and heartbreaking. The fascinating episode of James Andrews and his Union team sneaking into Confederate territory, stealing a train, and creating all-day mayhem that turns into an 87-mile 7-hour race with some determined Confederates chasing them, and the story becomes a thrilling page-turner. It is packed with these kinds of episodes.
As I was reading the book I told a friend of mine, “This book puts a deeply human side to the Civil War that is really believable.” The doldrums that afflicted soldiers of both sides between clashes, the death toll by disease, the humor, the stupidity, and the good-old-boy system that stacked the leadership of both sides with incompetents, all of these show up and give color to the Civil War. For Civil War buffs and newbies, this is a work worth reading. I highly recommend it.
As I was reading the book I told a friend of mine, “This book puts a deeply human side to the Civil War that is really believable.” The doldrums that afflicted soldiers of both sides between clashes, the death toll by disease, the humor, the stupidity, and the good-old-boy system that stacked the leadership of both sides with incompetents, all of these show up and give color to the Civil War. For Civil War buffs and newbies, this is a work worth reading. I highly recommend it.
November 29, 2018
This book covers a good bit of information. It starts off with John Brown and what he did. Abner Doubleday (who did not invent baseball, actually) is next. He did invent the San Francisco cable car system, though, and was at Fort Sumter when it was attacked.
One strange and upsetting thing is what happened to some Maryland legislators who wanted Maryland to join the South. They were arrested and kept out of the decison-making process. The man who ordered their arrests (which were basically illegal)? Abraham Lincoln.
Other topics included how economics affected the South and its fight; the Great Locomotive Chase (which ended up a Disney movie); immigrants in the military; horses; Dan Sickles and his screwing up Gettysburg for the Union; how many died on each side and Joshua Chamberlain who ordered the rather desperate bayonet charge at Gettysburg (and which is one heck of a scene in the Gettysburg movie.)
There are other topics discussed, of course. It proved to be a very interesting book.
One strange and upsetting thing is what happened to some Maryland legislators who wanted Maryland to join the South. They were arrested and kept out of the decison-making process. The man who ordered their arrests (which were basically illegal)? Abraham Lincoln.
Other topics included how economics affected the South and its fight; the Great Locomotive Chase (which ended up a Disney movie); immigrants in the military; horses; Dan Sickles and his screwing up Gettysburg for the Union; how many died on each side and Joshua Chamberlain who ordered the rather desperate bayonet charge at Gettysburg (and which is one heck of a scene in the Gettysburg movie.)
There are other topics discussed, of course. It proved to be a very interesting book.
May 25, 2019
Read this book!
Superb book for beach or book club. As America enters yet another election cycle of name calling and outright lies, this book presents a horrible war in an unforgettable series of exhaustively researched stories. The author shows an almost poetic turn of phrase as in this quote, "the Monitor and the Merrimack, the two ironclads that pinged and doinked each other to a draw", page 174. However, I was left wondering about the reference to a weigh station on the Underground Railroad, page ,2. Whatever did they use for scales?
Again, read this book for its historical content. Never forget everyone, even those that couldn't read or write, kept journals and sent letters during the Victorian Age. This book reduces 2 hard drives of hard copy to a fascinating book.
Superb book for beach or book club. As America enters yet another election cycle of name calling and outright lies, this book presents a horrible war in an unforgettable series of exhaustively researched stories. The author shows an almost poetic turn of phrase as in this quote, "the Monitor and the Merrimack, the two ironclads that pinged and doinked each other to a draw", page 174. However, I was left wondering about the reference to a weigh station on the Underground Railroad, page ,2. Whatever did they use for scales?
Again, read this book for its historical content. Never forget everyone, even those that couldn't read or write, kept journals and sent letters during the Victorian Age. This book reduces 2 hard drives of hard copy to a fascinating book.
June 11, 2025
Entertaining, although perhaps not as humorous as the introduction suggests, this book provides a glimpse at some of the less known experiences and characters of the US Civil War, with a few big names making an appearance as well. The stories that stick with me are mostly sad ones. What humor exists is primarily of the "things are so awful and absurd that we have to laugh or we'll just give up and die" variety. The adventures of the perpetual con man who stole the money raised for his own monument were rather entertaining, though. As is always the case with books about war, I'm left wondering what the hell is wrong with humans that we do this to ourselves over and over again.
February 25, 2019
A thoroughly enjoyable read of things Civil War
Tim Rowland does a nice series of stories, not bogged down with too much detail, but complete in the matters to tell the tales.
This was intended to be a weekend read, ended up being a day. Could not put it down.
No bad history, no one sided apology....He captures the persona of Dan Sickles and portrays the man so we all get it.
Recommend
Tim Rowland does a nice series of stories, not bogged down with too much detail, but complete in the matters to tell the tales.
This was intended to be a weekend read, ended up being a day. Could not put it down.
No bad history, no one sided apology....He captures the persona of Dan Sickles and portrays the man so we all get it.
Recommend
September 13, 2019
An honorable attempt to bring some snarky humor to our country's most devastating conflict. The author chains together sixteen small vignettes of the Civil War. I didn't really learn anything new from this book, but it wasn't through any fault of the author. I read and review mostly Civil War themed tomes, so I am sure this book would appeal to the neophyte as well as the Civil War bore. A very light, quick read.
February 19, 2019
Each chapter discusses a different aspect of the war so it’s very easy to get sucked in and just keep reading. I love those kind of unknown stories and that’s what this book is all about. A nice mix of humor and history. A quick and easy read. The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars is because there are some editorial mistakes.
April 14, 2019
Interesting
This a good book for the casual follower of the civil war, as well as the more seasoned student. It fills in some of the gaps and shows much more of the humanity of the war. The apocryphal stories are interesting and enlightening. A few minor mispellings, but an interesting read,nonetheless. Makes me want to explore some of minor battlefields of the Civil War.
This a good book for the casual follower of the civil war, as well as the more seasoned student. It fills in some of the gaps and shows much more of the humanity of the war. The apocryphal stories are interesting and enlightening. A few minor mispellings, but an interesting read,nonetheless. Makes me want to explore some of minor battlefields of the Civil War.
November 17, 2021
Tim does a fantastic job of finding and telling obscure stories of the Civil War. I learned quite a bit that isn't typically taught in a school history book. From Sarah Emma Edmonds to Racing Locomotives to Henry Stanley and more. The reading is easy and presented well. Take a few minutes and learn more about the Civil War and some lesser-known participants.
October 19, 2022
Out of the misty past
The stories give readers a detailed history most accounts never reach, putting passion, humor, fervor, and breath into lives lived long ago and made to live again. The stories--scattered as they are through the war--lose the character development to hold some stories together, requiring some extra background on them. Nevertheless, worth the read.
The stories give readers a detailed history most accounts never reach, putting passion, humor, fervor, and breath into lives lived long ago and made to live again. The stories--scattered as they are through the war--lose the character development to hold some stories together, requiring some extra background on them. Nevertheless, worth the read.
March 9, 2023
A lot of amazing stories. Some funny or exciting, some sad and tragic.
There is a story of the theft of a train and two movies were made from this event.
A white woman disguised herself as a black women to spy on the south.
A man was shamed into fighting for the South, got captured, changed sides and went on to be very famous for a 4 word question.
There is a story of the theft of a train and two movies were made from this event.
A white woman disguised herself as a black women to spy on the south.
A man was shamed into fighting for the South, got captured, changed sides and went on to be very famous for a 4 word question.
October 2, 2017
A great look at a terrible time in American history
Rowland has brought to life many people and events that we never learned in school. As a ardent history buff, I am very greatful to him for his honest accounting and very readable tome.
Rowland has brought to life many people and events that we never learned in school. As a ardent history buff, I am very greatful to him for his honest accounting and very readable tome.
February 12, 2018
Good information
We often forget that war has stories to tell other than those of battle. Certainly these missing parts of history while trivial can still have an important message. Well written and researched.
We often forget that war has stories to tell other than those of battle. Certainly these missing parts of history while trivial can still have an important message. Well written and researched.
February 6, 2020
Great, fun read
For those who enjoy the human side of history, this book is a must read. Some of the blunders are well known, some never revealed. Told in a light hearted manner, non-history buffs will enjoy it too.
For those who enjoy the human side of history, this book is a must read. Some of the blunders are well known, some never revealed. Told in a light hearted manner, non-history buffs will enjoy it too.
July 26, 2021
History Never Changed
The various stories about the Civil War gave me insight into the humanity of those fighting a sad war. Each story revealed the feelings of the time, stories that described events not usually told.
It’s definitely a good read.
The various stories about the Civil War gave me insight into the humanity of those fighting a sad war. Each story revealed the feelings of the time, stories that described events not usually told.
It’s definitely a good read.
May 17, 2022
I found this to be a different take on learning about the Civil War. It had interesting short stories in regards to events for both the Confederacy and Union Armies. Some of the stories were simply interesting, unusual, humorous or even touching in a nice way.
December 15, 2023
The book vividly brings the Civil War to life. Not just facts but the human beings who fought it. When studying the war in school, this book should be part of the curriculum. It is not just facts and figures but the way it was in human terms.
January 29, 2026
Great book, with each story more interesting than the last. I am surprised some have not been picked up for movies or the face of flag flyers.
Perhaps I will contact some people to see what can be done.
Great Job Tim.
Perhaps I will contact some people to see what can be done.
Great Job Tim.
January 2, 2018
Lots of short interesting stories about those who fought in or just survived the civil war.
August 31, 2018
Interesting
Interesting stories. Words omitted in places; grammatical errors. Although I love anything Civil War, this book didn't really hold my interest.
Interesting stories. Words omitted in places; grammatical errors. Although I love anything Civil War, this book didn't really hold my interest.
Want to Read
December 17, 2018When asked about suggestions on historical reads by Alex Lawson.
April 23, 2019
A Good Read
A well written book worthy of any history lover. A good story made better by crisp and clear facts. Recommended.
A well written book worthy of any history lover. A good story made better by crisp and clear facts. Recommended.
May 6, 2019
This was an okay read. Not something that really grabbed me. The stories were interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews