The Purple Martin (Progne subis) is the largest North American swallow at 20 cm length. Adults have a slightly forked tail. These "aerial acrobats" have speed and agility in flight, and when approaching their housing, will dive from the sky with their wings tucked at great speeds.

Purple Martin (Female)

The Purple Martin (Progne subis) is the largest North American swallow at 20 cm length. Adults have…

Clement Laird Vallandigham (July 29, 1820 – June 17, 1871) was an Ohio unionist of the Copperhead faction of anti-war, pro-Confederate Democrats during the American Civil War.

Clement Laird Vallandigham

Clement Laird Vallandigham (July 29, 1820 – June 17, 1871) was an Ohio unionist of the Copperhead…

The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a passerine bird, and a member of the family Corvidae native to North America. It belongs to the "blue" or American jays, which are, among the Corvidae, not closely related to other jays. It is adaptable, aggressive and omnivorous, and has been colonizing new habitat for many decades.

Blue Jay

The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a passerine bird, and a member of the family Corvidae native to…

Smilax is a genus of about 300-350 species, found in the tropics and subtropics worldwide. In China for example about 80 are found (39 of which are endemic), while there are 20 in North America north of Mexico[1]. They are climbing flowering plants, many of which are woody and/or thorny, in the monocotyledon family Smilacaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. Common names include catbriers, greenbriers, prickly-ivys and smilaxes. "Sarsaparilla" (also zarzaparrilla, sarsparilla) is a name used specifically for the Jamaican S. regelii as well as a catch-all term in particular for American species. Occasionally, the non-woody species such as the Smooth Herbaceous Greenbrier (S. herbacea) are separated as genus Nemexia; they are commonly known by the rather ambiguous name "carrion flowers"

Smilax

Smilax is a genus of about 300-350 species, found in the tropics and subtropics worldwide. In China…

Stephen Van Rensselaer III (November 1, 1765 – January 26, 1839) was Lieutenant Governor of New York as well as a statesman, soldier, and land-owner, the heir to one of the greatest estates in the New York region at the time. He was the father of Henry Bell Van Rensselaer, who was a politician and general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Stephen Van Rensselaer

Stephen Van Rensselaer III (November 1, 1765 – January 26, 1839) was Lieutenant Governor of New York…

Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar, Red Cedar, Eastern Juniper, Red Juniper, Pencil Cedar) is a species of juniper native to eastern North America, from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, east of the Great Plains. Further west, it is replaced by the related Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain Juniper), and to the southwest, by Juniperus ashei (Ashe Juniper). The Lakota Native American name is Chansha, "redwood" or Hante'. In its native range, it is commonly called "cedar" or "red cedar", names rejected by the American Joint Committee on Horticultural Nomenclature as it is a juniper, not a true cedar

Eastern Juniper

Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar, Red Cedar, Eastern Juniper, Red Juniper, Pencil Cedar) is a…

The Battle of Veracruz was a 20-day siege of the key Mexican seaport of Veracruz, during the Mexican-American War. Lasting from March 9 to March 29, 1847, it began with the first large-scale amphibious assault conducted by United States military forces, and ended with the surrender and occupation of the city. U.S. forces then marched inland to Mexico City.

Vera Cruz during the Mexican War

The Battle of Veracruz was a 20-day siege of the key Mexican seaport of Veracruz, during the Mexican-American…

Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes (December 20, 1717—February 13, 1787) was a French statesman and diplomat. His rivalry with the British, and his desire to avenge the disasters of the Seven Years' War, led to his support of the Thirteen Colonies in the American War of Independence, a step which would help bring about the French Revolution of 1789.

Charles Gravier Vergennes

Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes (December 20, 1717—February 13, 1787) was a French statesman…

The Vicksburg Campaign was a series of maneuvers and battles in the Western Theater of the American Civil War directed against Vicksburg, Mississippi, a fortress city that dominated the last Confederate-controlled section of the Mississippi River. The Union Army of the Tennessee under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant gained control of the river by capturing this stronghold and defeating Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton's forces stationed there.

Vicksburg during the Civil War

The Vicksburg Campaign was a series of maneuvers and battles in the Western Theater of the American…

Pemberton's Headquarters is a two-story brick house that served as the headquarters for Confederate General John C. Pemberton during most of the 47 day siege of Vicksburg, and the site where he decided to surrender the city to Ulysses S. Grant on July 4, 1863.

General Pemberton's Headquarters at Vicksburg

Pemberton's Headquarters is a two-story brick house that served as the headquarters for Confederate…

The American Bison (Bison bison) is a bovine mammal, also commonly known as the American buffalo. 'Buffalo' is something of a misnomer for this animal as it is only distantly related to either of the two "true buffaloes", the water buffalo and the African Buffalo. The bison once inhabited the Grasslands of the United States and Asia in massive herds, ranging from the Great Slave Lake in Canada's far north to Mexico in the south, and from eastern Oregon almost to the Atlantic Ocean, taking its subspecies into account. Its two subspecies are the Plains Bison (Bison bison bison), distinguished by its smaller size and more rounded hump, and the Wood Bison (Bison bison athabascae), distinguished by its larger size and taller square hump. Wood Bison are one of the largest species of cattle in the world, surpassed in size only by the massive Asian gaur and Wild Asian Water Buffalo, both of which are found mainly in India and Southeast Asia.

North American Bison

The American Bison (Bison bison) is a bovine mammal, also commonly known as the American buffalo. 'Buffalo'…

Union forces bombarded the city all night, from 220 artillery pieces and naval gunfire from Rear Adm. David D. Porter's fleet in the river, and while causing little property damage, they damaged Confederate civilian morale. On the morning of May 22, the defenders were bombarded again for four hours before the Union attacked once more along a three-mile front at 10 a.m.

Porter's Fleet Shelling the Batteries Vicksburg

Union forces bombarded the city all night, from 220 artillery pieces and naval gunfire from Rear Adm.…

During the siege, Union gunboats lobbed over 22,000 shells into the town and army artillery fire was even heavier. As the barrages continued, suitable housing in Vicksburg was reduced to a minimum. A ridge, located between the main town and the rebel defense line, provided a diverse citizenry with lodging for the duration. Over 500 caves were dug into the yellow clay hills of Vicksburg. Whether houses were structurally sound or not, it was deemed safer to occupy these dugouts.

Cave Life in Vicksburg

During the siege, Union gunboats lobbed over 22,000 shells into the town and army artillery fire was…

As June wore on, Grant pressed the siege with vigor. Johnston tried to help Pemberton, but could not. Grant proceeded to mine under some of the Confederate works to blow them up. One of these, known as Fort Hill Bastion, was in front of McPherson, ad on the afternoon of June 25 it was exploded with terrible effect, making a great breach, at which a fierce struggle ensued.

Blowing Up Fort Hill Bastion

As June wore on, Grant pressed the siege with vigor. Johnston tried to help Pemberton, but could not.…

The Battle of Chattanooga and included the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 25, 1863 during the American Civil War.

Top of Lookout Mountain

The Battle of Chattanooga and included the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 25, 1863 during the…

The Battle of Chattanooga and included the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 25, 1863 during the American Civil War.

Confederate Battery on the Top of Lookout Mountain

The Battle of Chattanooga and included the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 25, 1863 during the…

Seth Low (January 18, 1850 - September 17, 1916), born in Brooklyn, New York, was an American educator and political figure who served as mayor of Brooklyn, as President of Columbia University, as diplomatic representative of the United States, and as Mayor of New York City.

Seth Low

Seth Low (January 18, 1850 - September 17, 1916), born in Brooklyn, New York, was an American educator…

James Russell Lowell (February 22, 1819 – August 12, 1891) was an American Romantic poet, critic, editor, and diplomat.

James Russell Lowell

James Russell Lowell (February 22, 1819 – August 12, 1891) was an American Romantic poet, critic,…

William Ludlow was an officer in the Corps of Engineers and a major general in the United States Army who served in the Civil War and led a scientific expedition examining the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park.

William Ludlow

William Ludlow was an officer in the Corps of Engineers and a major general in the United States Army…

The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is a camelid animal native to South America that stands between 107 and 122 centimeters (3.5 and 4 feet) at the shoulder and weighs about 90 kg (200 lb). The colour varies very little, ranging from a light brown to dark cinnamon and shading to white underneath. Guanacos have grey faces and small straight ears. They are extremely striking with their large, alert brown eyes, streamlined form, and energetic pace. They are particularly ideal for keeping in large groups in open parklands.

Guanaco

The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is a camelid animal native to South America that stands between 107 and…

Nathaniel Lyon (July 14, 1818 – August 10, 1861) was the first Union general to be killed in the American Civil War and is noted for his actions in the state of Missouri at the beginning of the conflict.

Nathaniel Lyon

Nathaniel Lyon (July 14, 1818 – August 10, 1861) was the first Union general to be killed in the…

Coca is a plant in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to north-western South America. The plant plays a significant role in traditional Andean culture. Coca leaves contain cocaine alkaloids, a basis for the drug cocaine, which is a powerful stimulant. Coca should not be confused with the similarly named South American cocoa bean from which chocolate is made. The plant resembles a blackthorn bush, and grows to a height of 2–3 m (7–10 ft). The branches are straight, and the leaves, which have a green tint, are thin, opaque, oval, and taper at the extremities. A marked characteristic of the leaf is an areolated portion bounded by two longitudinal curved lines, one line on each side of the midrib, and more conspicuous on the under face of the leaf. The flowers are small, and disposed in little clusters on short stalks; the corolla is composed of five yellowish-white petals, the anthers are heart-shaped, and the pistil consists of three carpels united to form a three-chambered ovary. The flowers mature into red berries.

Coca Flower

Coca is a plant in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to north-western South America. The plant plays…

George Brinton McClellan (December 3, 1826 – October 29, 1885) was a major general during the American Civil War. He organized the famous Army of the Potomac and served briefly (November 1861 to March 1862) as the general-in-chief of the Union Army.

Major-General George B. McClellan

George Brinton McClellan (December 3, 1826 – October 29, 1885) was a major general during the…

John Cardinal McCloskey, (March 10, 1810 - October 10, 1885) was an American cardinal, the fifth bishop (second archbishop) of the Roman Catholic diocese of New York.

Cardinal McCloskey

John Cardinal McCloskey, (March 10, 1810 - October 10, 1885) was an American cardinal, the fifth bishop…

Alexander McDowell McCook (April 22, 1831 – June 12, 1903) was a career United States Army officer and a Union general in the American Civil War.

Alexander McDowell McCook

Alexander McDowell McCook (April 22, 1831 – June 12, 1903) was a career United States Army officer…

Edward Moody McCook (June 15. 1833 – September 9, 1909) was a lawyer, politician, distinguished Union cavalry general in the American Civil War, American diplomat, and Governor of the Territory of Colorado.

Edward M. McCook

Edward Moody McCook (June 15. 1833 – September 9, 1909) was a lawyer, politician, distinguished Union…

Thomas MacDonough (December 21, 1783 – November 10, 1825) was an early 19th-century American naval officer, most notable as commander of American naval forces in Lake Champlain during the War of 1812.

Thomas Macdonough

Thomas MacDonough (December 21, 1783 – November 10, 1825) was an early 19th-century American naval…

Thomas MacDonough (December 21, 1783 – November 10, 1825) was an early 19th-century American naval officer, most notable as commander of American naval forces in Lake Champlain during the War of 1812.

Macdonough's Medal

Thomas MacDonough (December 21, 1783 – November 10, 1825) was an early 19th-century American naval…

Thomas MacDonough (December 21, 1783 – November 10, 1825) was an early 19th-century American naval officer, most notable as commander of American naval forces in Lake Champlain during the War of 1812.

Macdonough's Medal

Thomas MacDonough (December 21, 1783 – November 10, 1825) was an early 19th-century American naval…

St. John's Episcopal Church is the oldest church in Richmond, built in 1741 and giving its name to the Church Hill district. St. John's was formed from several earlier churches. It was the site of two important conventions in the period leading to the American Revolutionary War, and is most famous as the location where Patrick Henry gave his closing speech at the Second Virginia Convention with the famous quotation "Give me liberty or give me death."

St. John's Church

St. John's Episcopal Church is the oldest church in Richmond, built in 1741 and giving its name to the…

The Appomattox Campaign (March 29, 1865 – April 9, 1865) was a series of battles fought in Virginia that culminated in the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and the effective end of the American Civil War.

After Appomattox

The Appomattox Campaign (March 29, 1865 – April 9, 1865) was a series of battles fought in Virginia…

Benjamin Franklin "Bluff" Wade (October 27, 1800 – March 2, 1878) was a U.S. lawyer and United States Senator from Ohio. In the Senate, he was associated with the Radical Republicans of that time. Wade, along with other politicians, witnessed the defeat of the Union Army at the First Battle of Bull Run. There, he was almost captured by the Confederate Army. Wade, along with most other Radical Republicans, was highly critical of President Andrew Johnson (who became President after Lincoln's assassination).

Benjamin Franklin Wade

Benjamin Franklin "Bluff" Wade (October 27, 1800 – March 2, 1878) was a U.S. lawyer and United States…

John Grimes Walker (20 March 1835 – 16 September 1907) was an admiral in the United States Navy who served during the Civil War. After the war, he served as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation and head of the Lighthouse Board. In retirement, he led commissions to investigate the construction of a Central American canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

John Grimes Walker

John Grimes Walker (20 March 1835 – 16 September 1907) was an admiral in the United States Navy…

Artemas Ward (November 26, 1727 &ndash; October 28, 1800) was an American major general in the American Revolutionary War and a Congressman from Massachusetts. President John Adams described him as <em>"...universally esteemed, beloved and confided in by his army and his country."</em> Ward was much more effective as a political leader than as a soldier.

Artemas Ward

Artemas Ward (November 26, 1727 – October 28, 1800) was an American major general in the American…

George Edwin Waring was born in Poundridge, NY, July 4, 1833. He was agricultural engineer of Central Park, New York City in 1857. He was the drainage engineer of the park until the Civil War broke out, when he entered the Union army as major of the 39th New York Volunteers, and later served as colonel of the 4th Missouri Cavalry, till its close. After the epidemic of yellow fever in Memphis in 1878, he changed the sewerage system of the city on an original plan, which was adopted in many cities of the United States.

George Edwin Waring

George Edwin Waring was born in Poundridge, NY, July 4, 1833. He was agricultural engineer of Central…

Warren's Monument was created in memory of Mason and fallen Bunker Hill hero Dr. Joseph Warren in 1794 by King Solomon's Lodge of Masons and was initially an 18 foot (5.5 m) wooden pillar topped with a gilt urn.

Warren's Monument

Warren's Monument was created in memory of Mason and fallen Bunker Hill hero Dr. Joseph Warren in 1794…

The Burning of Washington took place in 1814, during the Anglo-American War of 1812. British forces occupied Washington, D.C. and set fire to many public buildings. The facilities of the U.S. government, including the White House, were largely destroyed.

Remains of the Capitol After the Fire of 1814

The Burning of Washington took place in 1814, during the Anglo-American War of 1812. British forces…

The Burning of Washington took place in 1814, during the Anglo-American War of 1812. British forces occupied Washington, D.C. and set fire to many public buildings. The facilities of the U.S. government, including the White House, were largely destroyed.

Remains of the White House After the Fire of 1814

The Burning of Washington took place in 1814, during the Anglo-American War of 1812. British forces…

Bust of George Washington by Jean-Antoine Houdon. George Washington (February 22, 1732 — December 14, 1799) served as the first President of the United States of America (1789—1797), and led the Continental Army to victory over the Kingdom of Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775—1783).

Houdon's Bust of Washington

Bust of George Washington by Jean-Antoine Houdon. George Washington (February 22, 1732 — December…

The American Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is a neotropical eagle, often simply called the Harpy Eagle. It is the only member of the genus Harpia. It is the largest and most powerful raptor found in the Americas, usually inhabiting tropical lowland rainforests in the upper (emergent) canopy layer. Its name references the harpies from Ancient Greek mythology. These were wind spirits that took the dead to Hades, and were said to have a body like an eagle and the face of a human.

American Harpy Eagle

The American Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is a neotropical eagle, often simply called the Harpy Eagle.…

The American horned owls and the Old World eagle-owls make up the genus Bubo, at least as traditionally circumscribed. This genus, depending on definition, contains about one or two dozen species of typical owls (family Strigidae) and occurs in many parts of the world. Some of the largest living Strigiformes are in Bubo. Traditionally, only owls with ear-tufts were included here, but this is now known to be wrong.

Great Horned Owl

The American horned owls and the Old World eagle-owls make up the genus Bubo, at least as traditionally…

William Washington (February 28, 1752 to March 6, 1810), was a patriotic Southern cavalry officer during the American Revolutionary War, who held a final rank of Brigadier General in the newly created United States after the war.

William Washington

William Washington (February 28, 1752 to March 6, 1810), was a patriotic Southern cavalry officer during…

"Schizodon fuscus...A genus of South American octodont rodents, related to Ctenomys" (Tuco-tuco). -Whitney, 1911

Schizodon

"Schizodon fuscus...A genus of South American octodont rodents, related to Ctenomys" (Tuco-tuco). -Whitney,…

Although he did not explicitly seek the office of commander and even claimed that he was not equal to it, there was no serious competition. Congress created the Continental Army on June 14, 1775; the next day, on the nomination of John Adams of Massachusetts, Washington was appointed Major General and elected by Congress to be Commander-in-chief.

Washington Taking Command of the Army

Although he did not explicitly seek the office of commander and even claimed that he was not equal to…

Irvin McDowell (October 15, 1818 &ndash; May 4, 1885)[1] was a career American army officer, famous for his defeat during the First Battle of Bull Run, the first large-scale battle of the American Civil War.

Irvin McDowell

Irvin McDowell (October 15, 1818 – May 4, 1885)[1] was a career American army officer, famous…

Lachlan McIntosh (March 17, 1725 &ndash; February 20, 1806) was an American military and political leader during the American Revolution and the early United States.

Lachlan McIntosh

Lachlan McIntosh (March 17, 1725 – February 20, 1806) was an American military and political leader…

The interior of the Temple of Music at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York where President William McKinley was shot in 1901. The X marks the sport where McKinley stood when shot.

Interior of the Temple of Music Where McKinley was Shot

The interior of the Temple of Music at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York where President…

Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. Each medal honors a particular individual, institution, or event. The medal was first awarded in 1776 by the Second Continental Congress to then-General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War.

Washington's Congressional Gold Medal, Front

Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national…

James Birdseye McPherson (November 14, 1828 &ndash; July 22, 1864) was a career United States Army officer who served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

James Birdseye McPherson

James Birdseye McPherson (November 14, 1828 – July 22, 1864) was a career United States Army officer…

Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. Each medal honors a particular individual, institution, or event. The medal was first awarded in 1776 by the Second Continental Congress to then-General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War.

Washington's Congressional Gold Medal, Back

Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national…

The Battle of Maguaga (also known as the Battle of Monguagon or the Battle of the Oakwoods was a small battle between British troops, Canadian militia and Tecumseh's natives and a larger force of American troops during the War of 1812.

Maguaga Battleground

The Battle of Maguaga (also known as the Battle of Monguagon or the Battle of the Oakwoods was a small…

Stephen Russell Mallory (1813 &ndash; November 9, 1873) was a United States politician and the Confederate Secretary of the Navy during the American Civil War.

Stephen Russell Mallory

Stephen Russell Mallory (1813 – November 9, 1873) was a United States politician and the Confederate…

U.S. Troops invaded Manila in 1898 and waged war with the Spaniards and Filipinos in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War.

The Capture of Manila

U.S. Troops invaded Manila in 1898 and waged war with the Spaniards and Filipinos in the Spanish-American…

Horace Mann (May 4, 1796 &ndash; August 2, 1859) was an American education reformer, and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (Republican) from 1848 to 1853.

Horace Mann

Horace Mann (May 4, 1796 – August 2, 1859) was an American education reformer, and a member of…

The Morris-Jumel Mansion (also known as the Roger and Mary Philipse Morris House), located in historic Washington Heights, is the oldest house in Manhattan. It served as a headquarters for both sides in the American Revolution. Between September 14 and October 20, 1776, General George Washington used the mansion as his temporary headquarters after he and his army were forced to evacuate Brooklyn Heights following their loss to the British Army under the command of General William Howe in the Battle of Long Island.

Washington's Headquarters at New York

The Morris-Jumel Mansion (also known as the Roger and Mary Philipse Morris House), located in historic…

John Marshall (September 24, 1755 – July 6, 1835) was an influential Chief Justice of the United States who shaped American constitutional law and made the Supreme Court a center of power.

John Marshall

John Marshall (September 24, 1755 – July 6, 1835) was an influential Chief Justice of the United States…

Joseph Webb House is a historic Georgian-style house in Wethersfield, Connecticut that was the site of a five day military conference during the American Revolutionary War. General George Washington came to Wethersfield in order to plan with Rochambeau, the French commander. These plans led to the Siege of Yorktown, the last major battle of the war. Washington, in his words, "lodged...at the house of Joseph Webb", on the May 17, 1781. This house is in the central part of Wethersfield, a few rods south of the Congregational Church.

The Webb House

Joseph Webb House is a historic Georgian-style house in Wethersfield, Connecticut that was the site…

James Murray Mason (November 3, 1798 – April 28, 1871) was a United States Representative and United States Senator from Virginia.

James Murray Mason

James Murray Mason (November 3, 1798 – April 28, 1871) was a United States Representative and United…

Massasoit Sachem or Ousamequin was the sachem, or leader, of the Pokanoket, and "Massasoit" of the Wampanoag Confederacy.

Massasoit's Lodge

Massasoit Sachem or Ousamequin was the sachem, or leader, of the Pokanoket, and "Massasoit" of the Wampanoag…

George Gordon Meade (December 31, 1815 &ndash; November 6, 1872) was a career United States Army officer and civil engineer involved in coastal construction, including several lighthouses.

George Gordon Meade

George Gordon Meade (December 31, 1815 – November 6, 1872) was a career United States Army officer…