OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF WALTER COFFEY
HISTORICAL WRITER































Below are two photos of the Bull Run National Monument at Manassas, Virginia.  The photo on the left is me standing in front of the monument, and the photo on the right is the monument dedication in 1862 (courtesy of the Library of Congress).
































--Article posted on 11/13/2008 to commemorate the election of Barack Obama as U.S. President
On November 4, Barack Obama became the first African-American to be elected president. Because of this, the election has already earned a place among the most significant elections in U.S. history. In keeping with that theme, here’s a summary of other elections that have proven to be historically important in shaping our nation: 

1789.  Because this was the first U.S. presidential election, it has to be considered one of the most important. George Washington became the only person ever unanimously elected by the Electoral College. In so doing, Washington initiated many traditions that incoming presidents follow today, including taking the oath of office on a Bible and delivering an inaugural address.

1800.  This election was called the “Revolution of 1800” because it was the first time an opposing faction defeated the faction in power, as Thomas Jefferson defeated incumbent President John Adams. There was much hostility between these men and their factions, and some feared that Adams would refuse to leave office. However Adams peacefully stepped aside, setting an important precedent that the presidency is more important than factional differences.

1860.  This election helped to spark the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican elected president, prompting the Southern states to secede from the Union. 

1864.  This election helped reunite the nation as Abraham Lincoln was re-elected president in one of the first popular elections held by a country fighting a civil war. Lincoln advocated continuing the war until the South was defeated, as opposed to his opponents’ platform of negotiating a peaceful separation between North and South. Thus Lincoln’s re-election was vital in preserving the Union as it is today. 

1876.  This was one of the closest and most controversial elections in U.S. history and a winner was not declared until February 1877. Ultimately Rutherford Hayes was elected even though his opponent, Samuel Tilden, won more popular votes. The results were disputed in several states and Congress decided on a compromise: please Republicans by putting Hayes in the White House and please Democrats by ending the military occupation of the South (the South had been under military rule since the end of the Civil War in 1865). This compromise enabled traditional Southern Democrats to return to power, thus dooming freed blacks to nearly 100 years of racial segregation and inequality.

1932.  In this election, Franklin Roosevelt defeated incumbent President Herbert Hoover as voters clamored for change in the midst of the Great Depression. Roosevelt promised a “new deal” for the American people and his victory marked the beginning of the modern Democratic Party that is in place today. Roosevelt went on to serve in office longer than any other president (over 12 years).

2000.  In another close and controversial election, George W. Bush was elected president despite losing the popular vote to Al Gore. It took numerous ballot recounts and a Supreme Court decision to declare Bush the winner in December.  


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Below are photos of my recent book signing at the Liendo Plantation Civil War Weekend at Hempstead, Texas.  The main event was the mock battle in which many re-enactors participated.  Special thanks to the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Waul's Texas Legion, for allowing me to work with them.