This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
Edward Dutch ’07 (Havertown, Pa.) took a step back in time for his honors thesis research. The history major examined an often unexplored key component of the Battle for Vicksburg during the Civil War.
“My thesis examined the living conditions of the soldiers and describes the many hardships these men faced,” Dutch explains. “Although some fighting did take place, ultimately the winner was the side which could out-camp the other, surviving the difficult conditions of life in the army.”
The Battle for Vicksburg, Miss., lasted months, culminating in a 47-day siege and eventual victory by the Union army on July 4, 1863.
Under the guidance of Donald L. Miller, John Henry MacCracken Professor of History, Dutch examined how the Union soldiers dealt with the challenges they faced as well as their comfort and morale. He focused on three main stages of the campaign: the initial period from January through April during which the soldiers were camped in the swamps along the Mississippi River, a period of marching long distances throughout Vicksburg, and the 47-day siege of Vicksburg.
Dutch decided to pursue honors research on the Civil War after several classes and projects inspired him to explore it more in-depth.
“Throughout my studies at Lafayette, I have worked on several small research papers concerning the Civil War, and have continued to become more interested in its events,” he says. “Much has been written about the actual fighting of the war, yet there has been little focus on the lives of the ordinary soldiers, in particular the camp life, yet this is an important part of the Civil War.”
Dutch was excited to work with Miller because of the professor’s extensive knowledge about the Civil War and high standards of excellence.
“Professor Miller is an accomplished author who has written several books on World War II and is currently working on a book about Vicksburg,” he says. “His knowledge of Vicksburg has been helpful in developing my ideas.”
Miller’s most recent book Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and has received positive reviews in a variety of publications including the New York Times. Miller has won six awards for excellence in teaching, five fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and a number of prestigious book awards. His articles have appeared in national publications, and he has served as an on camera expert for several documentaries, the most recent of which will focus on the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 and appear on the National Geographic Channel this coming fall.
Dutch believes Lafayette is an excellent environment for a project like his thesis, primarily because of the professors and the available resources. Staff at Skillman Library provided him with key sources and helped him obtain primary sources, including soldiers’ letters and diaries, through the interlibrary loan program.
Miller credits Dutch’s exhaustive research with helping him complete a high quality thesis.
“Edward is very persistent and is a good researcher,” says Miller. “He takes criticism very well. You have to have a thick skin to work with me because I demand a finely polished draft. Edward has kept his spirits up and has always been on time with his revisions. The result is that he’s got a nice, stylish thesis.”
After graduation, Dutch plans to teach history at the high school level, a career goal that Miller believes will benefit greatly from the student’s honors thesis work.
“Writing samples are crucial for students,” he says. “I have had at least three students recently whose theses were the ‘closer’ for them securing a good job. All of them had to provide writing samples, and all of them provided their theses. This thesis will be immensely helpful for Edward.”
Dutch is captain of the cross country team and a member of the track and field team. He was named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll three times.
Honors theses are among several major programs that have made Lafayette a national leader in undergraduate research. The College sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year; 21 students were accepted to present their research at this year’s conference.