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A new research project is using artificial intelligence to uncover the stories of Union sailors, or ‘bluejackets’, during the American Civil War.
The study is the result of a collaboration between the universities of Sheffield and Northumbria. It aims to ‘uncover the contributions of thousands of men whose names and stories were previously overlooked,’ its organisers said.
The sailors of the Union army were so-named because of their distinctive short shell-jacket uniforms. There were around 118,000 or so who served during the war of 1861-1865.
Artificial intelligence has been used in the analysis of archival data – such as muster rolls and ships’ logs from the Civil War period – to identify patterns in the stories of the sailors. Researchers hope the study will provide a counterbalance to the well-documented histories of naval leaders from the period.
As Professor David Gleeson of Northumbria University, leader of the project, explained: ‘This research is revolutionising how we study history, combining modern technology with historical analysis to bring the voices of ordinary bluejackets to the forefront.’
The project, which has involved a collaboration with the University of Koblenz (in Germany) and the United States Naval Academy Museum, has already yielded new information about the diverse origins of the Union sailors – many of whom were immigrants – and their role in the war.
‘The stories of these sailors resonate far beyond the battlefield, illustrating resilience, camaraderie, and the pursuit of a common cause,’ Gleeson added.
A blog by Professor Gleeson and his colleagues on the results of the research so far has been published on The Journal of the Civil War Era website.
