Abraham Lincoln: A Life available free online
I want to allow as many people to access the free unedited online version of Abraham Lincoln: A Life by Michael Burlingame, which is available from Knox College by clicking here, given that other posts will come after the original posting. This will remain up for the next month or so.
Review of So You Think You Know Gettysburg?
This book is an interesting take at the park where the bloodiest battle on American soil occurred. While other books focus on the tactics, men, and other aspects of the real battle, James and Suzanne Gindlesperger chose to look at the history of the many monuments that dot the battlefield park. It represents the growing influence of both history and memory and public history.
The title is quite proper, as while most may think they know everything about the battlefield, there are many places and monuments included in this book that readers may not be aware of. The coverage of the work goes beyond the park area and includes several sites and locations in and around the town of Gettysburg. Each chapter is devoted to a specific section and area of the Gettysburg, which allows readers visiting the park to use each chapter as a guide to areas including Culp’s Hill, Little Round Top, Gettysburg, etc.
Three key things stand out that make this book great. First is the wonderful use of maps. The authors included an overview map of all areas covered, then incorporated into each chapter a map of the area covered, with locations of each monument or spot numbered on that map. Second is the abundance of photographs, one of each spot. This allows those visiting the park to know which monument they are looking at, and, allows readers unable to visit Gettysburg to view one of the more striking features of the region. Finally, the descriptions are quite detailed, incorporating latitude and longitude coordinates, which is good for users of GPS touring the park, as well as providing brief, but detailed descriptions of the site or monument and the people that motivated the particular item covered. The only thing that would have been great to include was a suggested reading section, as well, as a notes section to give background to where information on locations featured was found. Though a minor issue, it does not really detract from the overall value of this work.
The authors, though not trained historians, according to the description, do have great credentials for writing this book. They live in Pennsylvania and are members of the Friends of Gettysburg Foundation, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Civil War Preservation Trust. Though not an academic book, this is a must have for anyone interested in public history, history and memory, or Gettysburg in general. If visiting Gettysburg in the near future, pick up a copy of So You Think You Know Gettysburg? and see how it changes your visit.
Update on Grierson Days
About three years ago, I posted my visit to Grierson Days, which is held each June in Jacksonville, IL. Jacksonville is where I attended college before journeying to North Dakota to begin graduate school, so I stop there every so often when I come home to visit the folks. Well, after that post, Mr. Ron Gray, who coordinated the event, commented on the post, which resulted in a second post on the subject due to the passage of time. My main issue in the first post was the announcing during the battle reenactment, which amplified the weaponry used and, according to my father, historically inaccurate. I conceded that I wrote the first post in the heat of the moment, but was looking forward to see how they did this year when I went up on June 19.
Well, I was pleased, as there was no announcing during the battle. Rather, one of the reenactors announced before the battle, briefly explaining the three main branches of the army that would be seen that day. Though simpler than three years ago, I will say it was better than having the weapons amplified through a public address system. I also took many photos that I will upload later this week. Having been to my first reenacting event in May, I came to this event with a greater appreciation for what the guys participating go through (especially since a line of strong storms went through the area around midnight and did a bit of damage to some of their tents). Overall, I commend the Grierson Society for their work and improving the event. Had it not been so hot that weekend and had their not been (as I heard) competing events, I believe the event would have had even better attendance and participation.
On a side note to my readers, I want to apologize for the lack of content lately. I am sure this is evidenced by a drop in stats. I thank you for your support and want to let you know that I expect some new content in the coming months, as I will be finishing several book reviews for publication and freelance to this site. In addition, I also put my name into consideration to write a sesquicentennial history of one of the campaigns of the US Army in the war for the US Army Center of Military History, so wish me luck and I will keep you updated on that.
Shelby Foote’s wit and commentary
Thanks to Kevin Levin at Civil War Memory for finding this unique video featuring various segments from the late Shelby Foote, featured in Ken Burns’ The Civil War. Having watched the series a couple of times and planning to use it in my own classes in the future, I enjoy the unique presentation by Foote, including his deep, calming voice. Enjoy.
Recording of the Gettysburg webcast
As I stated earlier, I missed the live Gettysburg webcast, hosted by American Military University. Well, here is the link to the webcast, so you can listen to it and enjoy. Overall, the series was a good first time at hosting webcasts on the war. I hope there will be many more in the future.
Back from the battle!
Well, I returned late last night from my first adventure in reenacting. We were at the Old Bradford Pioneer Village and Museum, near Nashua, IA, which has the notoriety of being next to the well-known Little Brown Church in the Vale, which is was a popular hymn and later country song. I served in the ranks of the First South Carolina Infantry along with my friend and fellow graduate student Stuart Lawrence. Here is a Google Earth image of where we were:
The two-day event was awesome and we prevailed against the Union on the first day, while valiantly fighting hard against them the next day, only to fall due to several of us being killed (myself included). Sunday morning was quite cool, as we were treated to a pancake and sausage breakfast by members of the Little Brown Church, and later to a special Sunday service. Being in a church built during the war, wearing period clothing was really something.
In closing, I hope everyone interested in getting into reenacting gives it a try, as it is fun. I will leave you with some pictures from this weekend.
Cooking breakfast in camp
Pvt. Stuart Lawrence on the left.
Yours truly in front of our tent.
Hanging out in camp before battle.
The Little Brown Church in the Vale
Inside the Little Brown Church from the back
The Little Brown Church from the front
Stuart on the second day
Wearing my new vest and shirt on day two. I am wearing a neck wrap to protect my neck and ears from the sun at the time.
Our camp
Getting some extra drilling in (I am second from right).
More drilling
Still drilling
Ready to take down some Yankees.
On a side note, I will be presenting tomorrow evening at 7:00 PM at the E. Grand Forks, MN VFW for the second meeting of the Northern Plains Civil War Round Table on the subject of The Camp of Instruction and the Union Soldier. I hope you can make it out to this talk if you are in the Grand Forks area.
Missed the Gettysburg Webcast
Well, I meant to participate in the final American Military University webcast on Gettysburg this morning, but was out and about with Stuart getting ready for our reenactment weekend in Nashua, Iowa. We ended up running out to my grandfather’s farm and firing some blanks from the 1861 Springfield, which was fun. I also received my Confederate uniform yesterday and am pleased with the quality, so I am making a huge, but quick plug for Blockade Runner.
A side note on this weekend. While I would love to blog about the event soon after each day, I will be unable to do so, but will attempt to write about it and post pictures. This will be my first foray into reenacting, so I appreciate any who are involved with reenacting sharing their first experiences with the hobby, so I can have a fun comparison for others.
When I do get the link to the webcast, I will post it up here for all to enjoy, including myself.
Indiana University Press is once again offering a great sale on many of their titles, including the Civil War. Their Spring Sale offers some titles, even hardcovers, up to 80% off. The sale will end on June 30, so get on over there and expand your library. Enter the code WWEZXX to receive the sale prices.
The University of North Dakota’s Chester Fritz Library received a cool gift recently. Their website reported it today that Robert Henry, UND alum from the Class of 1960 donated several rare Civil War books to the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections. I had the opportunity to see them a few weeks back, while up in the department doing research and they were really something. One book was an original work of George B. McClellan from 1864. Needless to say, it was hard not to drool over such unique finds. Thank you Mr. Henry for your gift to UND. We appreciate it.
New blog on a new book
Thanks to fellow blogger Kevin Levin for noting this new blog by Dr. Tom Clemens, called The Maryland Campaign of September 1862, which focuses on the book of the same name written by Ezra Carman, a veteran of the Civil War, and edited by Dr. Clemens. I am going to look into getting a review copy of it, as it looks interesting, but wanted to make you aware of this recent blogging development.
Happy 3rd Birthday to Civil War History!
Well, today marks the 3rd anniversary of the founding of this blog. Much has happened since May of 2007. I have changed themes a few times, created and joined a few web rings, gotten a few folks to help write with me, started a Twitter feed, and the blog is closing in on 100,000 hits. As we enter our fourth year, I hope to get a few more folks writing, see about getting a domain, and will begin covering the happenings of the Northern Plains Civil War Round Table, a project of a colleague and myself. I want to thank everyone for your support and encouragement and look forward to continuing blogging with you.
Listen to webcast on the Battle of Shiloh
Last week, I participated in a webcast hosted by American Military University. If you were unable to take part, you can listen to the webcast, download the Q & A, and find the link to the last webcast, which will be on Tuesday, May 18, and will be on the Battle of Gettysburg. Click here to listen and join the Gettysburg webcast.
Latest webcast on the Battle of Shiloh
Thursday, I participated in another American Military University webcast, this one dealing with my area of interest in the war, the Western Theater, specifically the Battle of Shiloh. This battle occurred on April 6-7, 1862 in southwestern Tennessee. The participants were Dr. Steven E. Woodworth, professor of history at Texas Christian University, and Dana Shoaf, editor of Civil War Times. Despite a few technical glitches, the webcast was very good, as Dr. Woodworth discussed some good details on the battle.
On a personal note, I had the opportunity several years ago to meet and interact with Dr. Woodworth, as he visited my alma mater Illinois College. He is a well-known scholar, and is an authority on the Western Theater. This program went over an hour and a half and several questions, including one I submitted, were answered during the live webcast. This was the second in the series of three webcasts, with the last one scheduled for May 18 at 10:00 AM Central Time. The topic will be on Gettysburg, with information found here. Once the link to the recording of this webcast is made available to me, I will post it here.
Update on Civil War soldiers webcast
As posted last week, I participated in a webcast on Civil War soldiers, sponsored by the American Military University. Well, the program is now available to listen online, and you can also access the materials relating to the webcast.
First meeting of the Northern Plains Civil War Roundtable
Tonight was the first meeting of the Northern Plains Civil War Roundtable, held at the VFW Post in East Grand Forks, MN. Fellow graduate student, and the founder of the group, Stuart Lawrence gave a presentation, including slide show and soldier equipment, on the Zouaves in the Union Army. The presentation was quite detailed, as Stuart talked about several regiments of Zouaves, providing a great introduction to the subject of Zouaves in the Civil War. Nine of us gathered together for this first meeting. I will post pictures of the first meeting in the next day or so. We will begin creating a newsletter, which will be available via email and in print. We will also be setting up a Youtube account and hope to begin posting meetings online for those interested that are unable to attend to take part in the group. The next meeting of the Northern Plains Civil War Roundtable will be May 25 at 7:00 PM at the East Grand Forks, MN VFW Club. More information will be forthcoming.
Here is a link to Stuart’s Power Point presentation.
More information about the roundtable can be found at its website.
A new Civil War Roundtable
I would like to take this opportunity to announce that a colleague and I have decided to form a physical Civil War Round Table. I have mentioned in the past my wish to create a virtual one, due to our remote location in North Dakota. Well, fellow doctoral student Stuart Lawrence put together the organizational materials, with me helping plug the group and offer moral support, and we have created the Northern Plains Civil War Roundtable. We are constructing a web-based home (will link that very soon). Anyway, if you live in the Grand Forks area and read this blog, please consider joining us at the E. Grand Forks, MN VFW Club this Tuesday, April 27 at 7:00 PM. Stuart will present the first paper, which will deal with the Zuoves in the Union Army. This blog will give coverage of the first meeting and I will explore how to put presentations on Youtube. I hope you will support us through encouragement and suggestions of ways we can reach those physically unable to join us at our meetings.
Click here to download an info. sheet on the group.
