Can anybody point to me a scholarly source that documents the presence of Prussian observers with either side in the Civil War?  I know they were there and if I remember right they were mostly with the Union.  I need the source for my thesis and all my Civil War books are packed in the basement or attic.Yes, Donnie you can make smart comments.  the more I read the more I agree with you that European armies paid quite a bit of attention to events in America during the Civil War.  Even if they did not try to emulate American forces they definitely noted the impact of railroads, telegraph, etc on the fighting.