Greetings,
I am a 40 something male high school English teacher in Kansas. I teach British Literature to high school seniors. My earliest Civil War memory is of lying on the floor looking at those wonderful picture maps in the oversized American Heritage Civil War volume written by Bruce Catton. My interest in Gettysburg was rekindled with Frassanito's photographic study and Michael Sahara's Killer Angels.
For field guides I consider Pfanz the king of the second day and Coddington the overall master of the campaign. In first person accounts I like the two Bachelder volumes and the .... at Gettysburg books published by the states after the war. I also enjoy the Gettysburg Magazines.
My favorite spot is early morning on Little Round Top, especially Sunday mornings. There is a scene in _Gettysburg_ where the Chamberlain brothers share coffee on LRT. Brother Bob and I have done the same many times.
The Andrews' Sharpshooter monument is one of my favorites because when you come around the corner he looks real - well, almost. I also enjoy the Irish Wolfhound in that area on the Irish Brigade as well as the bronze effigy of the fallen young man atop the 116th. Pa. The rock carvings on the field affect me greatly, and I am always looking for new ones.
I am as interested in the development of the field as I am in the battle. I feel it reflects our nation's values for each succeding era. I appreciate the work of John Patterson of Penn State in this area as well as Park Historian, Kathy Georg-Harrrison's writing on this.
I get out to Gettysburg twice a year - early spring and mid-August. It's not as often as I like, but it keeps the magic and mystery alive to visit so rarely. My brother and I have beeN talking about starting this group for a long time, and finally just decided to take the plunge!
I am a Longstreet man through and through!
Dennis
I am a 42 year old CPA in private practice living in Texas. My interest in the Civil War began as a youth looking at all the books Brother Dennis bought home from the library. My interest was rekindled when I read Sahara's Killer Angels (I read a review once that said if you want to know what went on at the Battle of Gettysburg read Coddington, if you want to know how it felt to be at Gettysburg read "The Killer Angels").
I have been to the battlefield over 10 times - usually for a week at a time. My favorite place on the Battlefield is Little Round Top at dawn - hot coffee, first hand accounts and the company of my Brother Dennis-can't be beat - its almost a spiritual experience. My favorite monument is the bronze Alabama monument. I am interested in the Battle and the development of the battlefield -accordingly I condemn Siclkles for his actions on the second day, but he more than made up for it by his actions over the next 40 years - the battlefield remains because Sickles wanted it to. I also have a keen interest in the origins of war.
I'm a reenactor (he says hesitantly) of 11 years, always "doing" an impression of 94th NYV Chaplain Philos G Cook, a Buffalo Presbyterian. In addition to approx 30 school presentations per school year, PG Cook presents programs on the CW army chaplaincy (has been from Maine to Kentucky, Boston to Chicago) and Ben makes presentations on aspects of Gburg, Shiloh, Antietam, and the 1866 Fenian Raid. In '95, PG Cook will be speaking in Chicago during October and Ben is leading a seven-part seminar on "NY in the CW" July 5-8 at Cooperstown NY for the NY State Historical Assn. Not that it mattered to him, but PG Cook had lines in the ABC mini-series North-South Book Two (reading from Second Timothy at start of Gettysburg sequence) and was Father Corby's back as he blessed the Irish Brigade in Ted Turner's Gburg movie. During April of 1994, PG Cook was a keynote speaker for the Military Chaplains of America institute held at the Carlisle Barracks PA and led three busloads on a day-long Gburg tour which used Army of the Potomac chaplain accounts of the battle.
Gburg focus & Why interested - It started with my teenage puzzlement over what all the battlefield monuments signified. This lay dormant until a friend got me a copy of Frassanito's Gburg book, which put my addiction into full-tilt. I've done a great deal of research on Oak Ridge fighting during first day, and much on western NY units at the battle.
Favorite Gettysburg participants - Members of Baxter's & Paul's brigades versus Iverson on July 1, Genl Alexander Hays, Genl Sickles, Bayard Wilkeson & Alonzo Cushing (both western NY artillerists who bought it at Gburg).
Favorite monument at Gburg - The series of five for the 27th Connecticut in the Wheatfield & Rose Grove.
Greetings,
Since our gracious hosts have asked for a brief bio, I am going to try to comply.
I am a twenty nine year old unemployed English teacher. I just completed my Masters degree at Temple University. I am a native of Philadelphia, and live just around the corner from Meade street.
My interest in the Civil War started in Seventh grade, with a Social Studies teacher who had slides he had taken at ALL of the different sites that we discussed. (Manassas through Appomatoxx) I first visited Gettysburg eight years ago, and was hooked. Since then, I have spent more time than I care to think about reading and visiting the various sites in the East.
My favorite monuments are the Andrew's Sharpshooters (which glows in the dark when wet), The Irish Brigade (I had Irish Wolfhound growing up) and the Pennsylvania Regiment with Sally Ann (I can't find my listing of Battle field monuments, so I can't remember the exact regiment.)
My favorite part of the field is in the woods behind Devils Den (near the Irish Brigade, North of the Rose Farm) and the fields between Culps I mean around Little Round Top. (I hate not being able to return a line to edit). I am a Meade man through and through, and my favorite book about the battle is Pickett's Charge, followed closly by Stackpole's.
As a boy growing up in Atlanta, my dad and I used to visit battle markers spread around town (most battle sites in Atlanta...Peachtree Creek, Jonesboro, Ezra Church, Battle of Atlanta are just that---markers). Visits to Kennesaw Mtn and Chickamauga were also made. I lost interest for awhile, but have recently begun studying the War again. I confess it's been some years since I visited Gettysburg, but am learning about that battle again. Thanks for this newsgroup.
Last week I made a hurried three day trip to Virginia, visiting Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania CH, Wilderness/Chancellorsville, and Appomattox CH. It is an eerie feeling to stand where Stonewall was shot, Lee and Stonewall conferred, The Bloody Angle, Sedgewick was shot, and where Gordon Surrendered Lee's Army (Joshua Chamberlain in charge of surrender ceremonies). Soon I hope to re-visit Gettysburg, and perhaps vist Shiloh for the first time.
Pat Ellington
Sorry for taking so much time. Here's a brief sketch.
I'm a professor of mathematics at Rutgers, New Brunkswic, and have been for 25 years. My line of work, if anyone cares, is called "Topology of Manifolds", and has to do with certain abstract generalizations of geometry that are pursued using algebraic techniques ("algebraic topology"), although algebra, in this context, doesn't really mean what you learned in high-school algebra, but rather, yet another abstract generalization.
Lately, I've had another academic sideline, fighting off one new brand of academic idiocy that results in the widespread denigration of science among so-called scholars in literature, sociology, and cultural studies. This, believe it or not, has something to do with the ongoing "PC" controversy, and with the undue influence of mediocre philosophers like Rorty, Derrida, Feyerabend, and Foucault. If these names are unfamiliar to you, count yourself lucky. In any event, I'm in the position of havaing written a book (joint with PauleR. Gross) "Higher Superstition: The Academic Left and Its Quarrels with "Science".
Civil War history is a fairly recent interest; I find that it keeps me sane when I have to deal with assorted eccentrics and poseurs who insist that history, like science, is just a convenient social fiction and has nothing to do with "truth". Apparently, they weren't on Little Round Top on July 2, 1863, dodging socially-fictitious minie-balls.
As I say, my interest in the CW is late-blooming. I read a bit about it when I was a teenager, but not much more until the Ken Burns series, which, inadequate as it was, got the juices flowing again. Then, a couple of years ago, I was in the Gettysburg area and stopped off to see the battlefield for the first time in my life. I was amazed how moving and uncanny that experience was, particularly since none of my ancestors had anything to do with the CW. None of them were in this country until 1880 at the earliest. One of the things I'm curious about is why it was so affecting.
In any event, thanks to a flexible honors program at Rutgers, I've been able to teach a course on Gettysburg this semester. It included a trip to the battlefield last week. (Unfortunately, they place was overrun by Boy Scouts, and our tour guide was, surprisingly, rather inadequate).
My favorite places on the field are Little Round Top (when not too crowded) and the stretch of MacPherson's Ridge where the Iron Brigade made its stand.
Norm Levitt
I am a 37 yr old who works as a Computer Operations Center Manager for a private contractor working at the Naval Research Lab in Wash., D.C. I cannot remember when I first got interested in the Civil War, but have always been a History buff. My interest rekindled during my college days at Ashland Univ. in Ashland OH. My minor was History with empahsis on American History. One of my professors brought the war to life with his slides of all the battlefields that he had been to. My interest was mostly inreading about the war. That all changed about a year ago when I met some great folks at gettysburg during the Memorial Day weekend. Since then I have visited Gettysburg more times than I can remember, Antietam a couple of time, Frederickburg, Wilderness, etc. Basically I am hooked big time on this event of our past. At this point I have not found anyone in my family that fought during the war but ya never know. Originally I am from NW Pa, little place called Titusville. I now call Alexandria, VA home. I know more about Gettysburg than any other battle but I try to be a student of the whole war. My favortite spot on Gettysburg is Little Round Top, from there you can see almost the whole battlefield and the surrounding environs. I have no favorite monument, I enjoy them all.. Looking forward to more discussion here on this medium. Cul8r Jim Alex, VA
Its interesting that so often in a bio for folks interested in the Civil War you find a line like "I first got interested as a kid, then lost interest then had my interest rekindled by......." That applys to me. I was in my midteen years during the centennial of the ACW and I enjoyed reading Burce Catton. I lost interest until recently when my brother and I stood on one of the footpaths at Appomattox which overlooked the valley where federal troops approached the village. One of us wondered aloud to the other, "Wouldn't it be interesting to learn that our GGrandfather marched through this very spot." We had always known that my father's mother's father was a veteran of the rebellion but didn't know much about his service. I got curious and since I have relatively easy access to the major battle fields in and around Virginia (we live about an hour west of Appomattox), I decided to do some research. I have since learned that Pvt Eusebe Caddorette served with Co C, 5th Maine Vols, 2n Brigade, 1st Division, VI Corps Army of the Potomac from Sept 26 1862 until June 22, 1865.
The VI Corps under "Uncle John" Sedgwick arrived at Gettysburg on the second day of battle after a 35 mile march. The 5th Maine was placed just north of Little Round Top. That should answer the questions regarding my favorite spot on the battlefield and my favorite monument.
Other Civil War interests include reaching for an understanding of why Canadians fought in the war (Eusebe was from Quebec), the soldiers' life and motivations, andan under- standing of the "home front", especially in the north. I also hope to be able to trace with as much accuracy as possible the movements of the 5th Maine from Portland, where it was mustered in, through the end of the war.
On a more contemporary note, I'd also like to understand why the war dies so hard in the south, and why there is comparatively little interest in the war in the north. I also find it interesting that the States Rights issue seems to be raising its head again. Personally, I'm glad it is. I think the closer the government is to the people, the better.
I'm Director of Systems at the National Library of Australia (in charge of all automation, especially the Internet systems), 47 years old and have degrees in Computing and Librarianship.
I became interested in the Civil War by accident. I'm a fan of the Flashman books of George Macdonald Fraser and around 1986 read his "Flashman and the Redskins", in which Grant, Sheridan, Sherman, Crook and Custer appeared. I knew little of the War, but started to read just to find out more about Little Phil and the others. The rest is history B-)
Through some teaching opportunities I've been able to visit the US a number of times and have walked over a few of the battlefields in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. My visit to Gettysburg in 1992 concided with Ted Turner's, and they were shooting on Seminary Ridge on that day, so our tour missed quite a lot.
Both the Ken Burns series and the movie "Gettysburg" have screened here and been well accepted. There is a Round Table in Melbourne with fairly lively meetings, and I hope to get to one of them this year (it's an 8-hour drive away).
I'm fortunate that my library has around 1300 books on the War, and I'm reading as fast as I can. I became interested in Orders of Battle a couple of years ago, and have compiled six, down to regimental commander level. More will follow and will be posted on the Net when time permits.
Although I have no family link to the War (as far as I know) I still wonder at the courage of the men (and women) who fought, who charged across the Emmitsburg Road into a storm of lead, who stood up time after time to repel attackers in hopeless circumstances.
As for Gettysburg in particular, I'm interested in Lee as a leader, in what was going on in Longstreet's head on those two days, and whether there was any way that Cemetery Hill could have been taken on the first day.
Kerry Webb
Director, Systems National Library of Australia CANBERRA ACT 2
k.webb@nla.gov.au Phone: (+616) 2621535 Fax: (+616) 2733648
I guess I have Ted Turner to thank for my growing interest in the Civil War. My life (as I knew it) changed dramatically after viewing the movie, "Gettysburg". I've always been interested in history. But, growing up in Boston, my historical interests were centered more on the Revolutionary War.
As a Federal Government employee, I moved to Virginia early in my career, but still.....no great interest in the Civil War. I'm not quite sure what happened, but seeing that charge down Little Round Top in the Ted's movie, just sparked my interest. Ever since, I've been like a sponge soaking up everything I can on the War. Last year I visited Brandy Station, Ball's Bluff, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Chancellorsville, Harper's Ferry, Antietam, Richmond, and made SIX trips to Gettysburg.
I live in Manassas, Virginia and confess I spend a good portion of my spare time wandering around Henry Hill and the Brawner Farm. My love for my 'backyard battlefield' grew to the point where I am now a National Park Service volunteer at Manassas National Battlefield Park. I conduct tours of the Stone House and sometimes work the desk at the Visitors' Center. It's a very rewarding experience and a tremendous source for learning. As with most CW 'avocational historians', Gettysburg holds a certain fascination for me. Last Memorial Day weekend a group of us met on Little Round Top to share knowledge and explore the lesser known areas of the field. We've continued with our quest for knowledge and have become good friends. I'm sure we'll do the same with this discussion group.
I'm extremely interested in the Irish Brigade and have been conducting some in-depth research on a soldier from the 69th NY buried at the National Cemetery in Gettysburg.
Last weekend I was in the 'Burg (I, too, was wading in Boy Scouts, Norm!) and learned a good deal about the local farmsteads and the electric trolleys that used to take tourists through the battlefield during the turn of the century. It was all part of the Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg Spring weekend. They're a great organization and have been doing a tremendous job maintaining the integrity of the hallowed ground. Well, enough about me. I look forward to some good discussions from y'all and I'm sure we'll learn from one another.
THE MANASSAS BELLE
My interest in the Civil War started when I was very young. My first ACW book was the Am. Heritage Picture Hist. and at about 7 or 8 yrs. old. I read it over and over. During the Centennial years, we hit most of the sites in the east, and Gettysburg was a main stop. I hunted for my great grandfather's name on the Pennsylvania monument (I found most of his relatives, though I still do not know which one he is); we went over the entire field for several days, and I wanted to spend even more time there.
My interests have always been in military history, history in general and the relationships between history and other aspects of life. The focus of my studies has been on tactics, operations, logistics and the like. Learning about wars in all periods helps to understand why Civil War armies fought as they did and how various actions could have changed events.
I have also joined the ranks of the reenacting crowd, initially because of the chance to be in the Army as it was at various times, but also to further my research. To march, drill and fire weapons in real time, you learn why certain things happened as they did to the original soldiers. I started considering reenacting in the late 1960s, but it was not until the early 80s that I could find the time to do it.
My favorite battlefields for the ACW are Antietam, Gettysburg, the Wilderness (at least until the late 70s when it was destroyed), Spotsylvania and a few others. Each displays a distinct period of the war, and each has a timelessness to it. At Gettysburg, one can walk where some of the great ones did, and because of the thousands of documents and books, etc. on it, you can locate many important spots where your favorite commanders stood or fell. Of the entire battle, I am particularly interested in July 1, followed by the actions at Culp's Hill, and the Cavalry battlefield east of the main one. John Reynolds is one of my heros of the Army, along with Buford and Hancock.
Besides tactics and operations, I have spent most of my time researching the lives of individuals in the Army, and the collective experiences of the common soldiers, nurses and others. Again, you can find a lot of materials from those who were involved at Gettysburg. It is a great place to go and to absorb the atmosphere, taking in the relation between the land and the people who wrote of the time they spent on the battlefield.
I do have a life outside of the Civil War and other wars, but I thought I would stick with the relevant stuff. I began life as an artist, went on for degress and work in Professional Photography, then in Library Science (which now supports my historical research habits, and allows me to find some really neat collections and materials). I have edited several monographic works in history, and presently am compiling a comprehensive bibliography and special collection guide on William T. Sherman, hopefully to be published in late 1995 or early 1996, if I get the time. I look forward to the Gettysburg discussions.
I am a 34 year old marine ornithologist from Cape Town, South Africa. At present I'm working on a project on Antarctic seabirds, which has meant I've had the great priviledge of three summer seasons down south. However, my contract post is due to end fairly soon and, as I haven't been able to find work here, my wife and I are emigrating to Australia in a couple of months looking for greener pastures (which is a daunting prospect, to say the least!).
I've always had a keen interest in military history and wargaming, which I gained from my father, and the American Civil War has always been one of my "favourite" periods. My introduction to the ACW was some really beautiful models of my father's (which I still have), with which my father, brothers and I used to have wargames battles. My elder brother and I were staunch "Rebels" while my younger brother always had to be the "Yankee". I suppose growing up in the "rebellious colony" of Rhodesia during the 1960s and 1970s it was a foregone conclusion that we would be supporters of the Confederate cause. However, over time I've re-evaluated my position and now find that I identify equally with the troops of the northern states.
My father also had a couple of books on the ACW to spur our interest, such as "The Blue and the Grey" and "I Rode with Stonewall". I'm afraid I've never read a Bruce Catton book, although I see that we have them in our university library.
My particular interest in Gettysburg began in 1984 when a friend produced the board wargame of the battle called "Terrible Swift Sword" - which is really an excellent game. I fought this a number of times as Meade which has made me realize that, as Wellington would say, it was a damn close run thing!
Thanks very much for this service, I appreciate all the new and interesting information that this has opened up to me - particularly the detailed orders of battle.
Hello everyone!
My name is Bryan Meyer, I live in Pittsburgh, PA, and I am 16 years old. Perhaps many of you wouldn't expect to find someone my age in a discussion group like this, but I really enjoy learning from others and their experience about Gettysburg and what happened there in 1863.
My first experience with Gettysburg came in 1991 and 1992 when I went to Gettysburg and toured the battlefield. I originally went there for another reason. After watching the Gettysburg movie last June on television, I took a sudden interest in the battle. I've read The Killer Angels (my favorite book so far), A Stillness at Appomattox by Bruce Catton, An American Iliad by Charles P. Roland, and currently I am reading Trust in God and Fear Nothing by Wayne E. Motts, and The Passing of the Armies by Joshua L. Chamberlain.
My favorite officers of the battle are CSA Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Armistead, Fed. Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain, Fed. Col. William Gamble, Fed. Brig. Gen. John Buford, and many others. My favorite part of the battlefield is the area where Pickett's Charge took place, and my favorite monument is the one where Fed. Captain Henry Bingham assists CSA General Armistead where he was shot twice near one of Hancock's cannon.
I soon hope to initiate a discussion about Armistead's mysterious death. Currently, Bob and Dennis are letting me manage the reading list. I'm sure you all got my recent post. If not, let me know. You can send me your favorite books about the Civil War at any time.
Well where do I start? Maybe when I was eight or so and found a Time/Life book on the Civil War in the Library. Don't know what captured my fancy, maybe it was those maps, 3-D diarama types of soldiers and detailed terrain features. (Anyone know or seen this one? ) Anyway, history in general has been a passion of mine ever since, particularly the history of warfare. Interest in the Civil War is particularly close to home, both my parents being from the South (Kentucky and Texas), and they were raised on stories about the war and passed them ddown to me and my siblings.
Currently I am working on my BA in History here at Boise State University here in Idaho where in my non-student role I work for Hewlett-Packard. I will graduate in December, the next step hopefully after that would be graduate school (wishfully somewhere out of state), then from there who knows. Just want to basically say "I did IT!!!"
Never have been to an Eastern battlefield myself. The only one I have seen personally was in New Mexico, Glorieta Pass to be specific. Not much action here out West, especially in the backwater of Idaho. But hopefully I will get the opportunity to see for myself the actual terrain. Reading about it is one thing, to actually see it for myself would be another. At thirty-five there is still time left.-
I am a 33 year old career fireman working for the city of Ithaca. My wife and I also run a graphic design/desktop publishing business. Also on the side, I provide tech support and consulting services for the Macintosh community in my area.
Originally from the Buffalo, NY area, I now call Auburn, NY home (It was also the home of William Seward, and after the war, Harriet Tubman lived out the rest of her life here).
My interest in the Civil War began about 10 years ago. As a child, my wife had been to Gettysburg and alway wished to return. Well we went shortly after we were married, and now I'm hooked.
I am able to break away and get to Gettysburg about once a year. Wish it was more often.
I am a fan of the first day of the battle. Some of my favorite places are Oak Hill (great view overlooking the first days' ground), the (Un)finished railroad cut, and McPherson's Ridge.
I have no favorite monument...I like them all.
Looking forward to interesting comments and discussion.
Greetings All!
My apologies for taking some time on this. I was in Washington DC last week and did not get to my mail until I returned.
I am a 32 year old intelligence analyst for the US government and am employed at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. My job takes me to Washington on several occasions, but I never have the time to visit the enormous amount of history located around the DC area. Just the nature of the job.
Like most of you, my interest in the ACW began at a young age with the American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War. I believe I wore out the pages looking at and reading that book. And, like most of you, I have a profound interest in the battle of Gettysburg. Ted Turner's movie, though inaccurate in spots, once again peaked my childhood enthusiasm for this particular battle. Unfortunately, I have never been there, but am planning on taking care of that problem later this summer. I have enjoyed, however, reading about the experiences some of you have had at this battlefield.
I must admit, though my interest in the ACW goes back several years, I am not as well versed on the subject as I would like to be. I have greatly enjoyed the discussions all of you have had regarding Gettysburg and I am also involved in a Civil War bulletin board where I can pick up additional information. I have read "The Killer Angels" by Michael Scharra and have also read Bruce Catton's "Glory Road," "Mr. Lincoln's Army," and "A Stillness at Appomattax." I am currently reading Volume III of the Shelby Foote series on the Civil War and also subscribe to the magazines Civil War Times Illustrated and America's Civil War. I find them all very interesting and enjoy reading anything I can get my hands on. If any of you have a book on the ACW that you particualary enjoyed, found fascinating, let me know.
Now for a question to all of you. I am currently working on my Master's degree in Strategic Intelligence. I am considering doing my Master's thesis on aerial reconnaissance during the ACW (the use of ballons, cameras, Thaddeus Lowe, etc). The problem is, so much has been written on this subject that I am finding it difficult to find a new angle. If any of you have any ideas or book references, please let me know. I have also considered a thesis topic surrounding some aspect of Gettysburg, but it is hard to find an angle or a subject on that battle that has not been done. Any one have any ideas or suggestions?
Well, I've rambled long enough. Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions. I look forward to reading the on-going discussions on the turning point of the war.
I became interested in the War for Southern Independence at a very young age. My childhood playmate was my Great-grandfather who, as a boy, served for a few months in the Confederate army. His father was a private in Archer's Brigade of the ANVa and fought at Gettysburg.
I have read about the War literally since I was able to read and continue to do so now. Today I get paid to read about my favorite topic as I am professor of history at Motlow College in Tullahoma, TN. I have published several books on the War, especially local aspects of it, and I do quite a bit of speaking in the Tennessee-Alabama area.
I have visited Gettysburg on several occasions and have had a much nicer reception than Great-great-grandaddy did in July of '63.
Hello, fellow amateur civil war (Gettysburg) historians! I am 33 years old and am from Dunmore, Pennsylvania (the great Pocono Northeast). I work for faculty in the Social Sciences Department at Marywood College in Scranton. I first became interested in the civil war after visiting the Gettysburg battlefield about 7 years ago with my husband to be (who is now my husband). I then discovered that my brother did alot of reading on the subject and asked him for a short history to get me started. Along with the Ken Burns series, I was hooked. I began to read everything I could get my hands on. I have now accumulated quite a civil war library, specializing in Gettysburg of course.
Since I live only about 2 1/2 hours from Gettysburg, I am a frequent visitor, usually for weekends at a time. My husband's friend lives just outside of Gettysburg. He is a reenactor so we have attended a few July 4th weekend reenactments.
I absolutely enjoyed the movie "Gettysburg" and have seen it at least ten times. It was one of my Christmas presents from my husband (the video). I am interested in all aspects of the battle, all participants north and south, all monuments, just about everything. No matter how much you think you've seen and read, there's always more to learn.
I am looking forward to some great discussion on all aspects of Gettysburg. So please . . . someone start one!
Talk to you all soon........
Good Day All! My name is Jeff Fioravanti, and I know if I were to attack this as I do with most queries of this sort, I would write a multi-volume bio. So, I am going to try, try mind you, to keep this short.
I grew up in Saugus, Massachusetts, just down the street from the Saugus Iron Works an NPS site. Growing up so close to an NPS site, and having a family full of historians, namely college professors, and history majors, it was hard no to appreciate the world of history, and all that it has to offer.
My first attraction to America's Civil War, was when my mother bought those encyclopedias, that they gave out from some grocery chain, back in the 1960's. I remember looking at the paintings of the battles, the soldiers, included in those books, and just being enraptured with the volumes they spoke.
I always did well in history in school, but was never one to really read a book on my own. I was always painting, or playing sports. My extent of reading used to be the morning paper, and the back of cereal boxes. That's reading other than that assigned as school work.
Despite my love of the Civil War, my attraction faded in and out. I went to college for a degree in business, and luckily got one. -)
I've wallowed in this and that, with the only constant hobbies being my painting, and playing ice hockey. Then, I went to see the movie "Glory". I love that movie. Anyway, after that I was talking about trhe movie with someone I work with and he told me about Shaara's "Killer Angels". So, I bought me a copy, and the rest should we say, is history. I have been reading Civil War books constantly ever since, have joined several preservation societies/associations, inlcuding "The Friends of Gettysburg National Park" and have just recently signed up to try my hand at reenacting, with the 5th NH, who fought in the "Wheatfield" on the second day. I subscribe to enough magazines on the ACW and have enough books to start my own library. And, while I don't get to visit Gettysburg as often as some on this list, only twice in my 37 yrs, I can argue that I visit it everytime I pick up one of those books or magazines and read about this fascinating era, and battle.
Well, that's who I am. I kept it short, for me? Most of my posts come from my work, and thus, I don't always have the ability to get in on the conversations. But enjoy reading them, and hope to contribute as best I can as time rolls on.
Regards,
Jeff Fioravanti
Please excuse the tardiness of this biographical posting. I have been busy with my other life, the one that isn't glued to the computer. So I might as well tell you a little about that life and then go into why I have become interested specifically in the battle of Gettysburg. (This would make most of my English teachers from H.S. happy, following the proper composition form and all).
I am my third year (out of five) at Rowan College of New Jersey. I am a native resident of South Jersey, this is not to be confused with North Jersey...that is an entirely different country as far as we South Jersians are concerned. Recently the highlight of the local news was the killing of a police officer and a prosecutors office person in Haddon Heights. That is three towns away from my home town of Magnolia.
In Magnolia I am an active member of the volunteer fire company. At Rowan College I am in the teacher's certification program in the hopes of some day teaching at an elementary school. I am presently employed as a substitute teacher at a few local schools, and the work is steady.
But who really cares about all that? Let's get into the good stuff about why I got into the battle of Gettysburg. I was always interested in the Civil War. I had made a couple of trips out there with my family when I was a kid. But I had lost intrest in anything other than school in the last three years or so. Over the summer I had a US History course and my intrest was renewed. Then my girlfriend was accepted to Gettysburg College. That gave me an excuse to make a few trips to the battlefield. I have visited her and gone to the fields while she was in class. The stories are the best part of the battle. The high and mighty generals have earned their place in the history books. The tactics and wepons are interesting too, but it is the men (and in some cases women) that took the orders, performed the tactics and lived and died by the wepons are the forgotten and most interesting part of the whole war (but that's just one fellow's opinion).
Enough grandstanding. I am a 20 year old Elementary Ed major from a little town about 15 minutes away from Philadelphia (and 2 and a half hours away from Gettysburg), I post things when I can and usually after I have consulted the Official Records for some proof to what I am saying. That's about all I can think of...
Matt Tavener
Thanks for putting me on the mailing list. I live in Greenville, RI and have been in the insurance business since 1963. The big 50 in approaching rapidly (August) !!
Any interest I had in the Civil War was minor (to say the least) until a visit to Gettysburg in 1990. During the visit, my companion remembered that a geneolgy that my Grandmother (Mother's side) had done back when she was in high school said something about a relative that was killed at, you guessed it, Gettysburg. A review of the geneolgy showed that my GGGF's nephew, Elliott Leroy Fogg, had indeed been killed on 7/2/1863 on LRT. On my next trip to GB (6 months later) I confirmed that his name was on the monument to the 20th Maine.
He had enlisted at age 20 when the Reg. was formed in Portland. This was the end of August 1862. He survived the fighting at Fredericksburg and then a bout with smallpox during the battle of Chancellorsville. He died on LRT less than a year after enlisting. The main purpose for "going in" was the bounty. His father had been injured in a farm accident and he was the sole support of the family. I have copies of letters (from the archives) that mention sending money home on a regular basis. I don't know if he is buried at the National Cemetary since there is no grave with his name on it. He could be an UNKNOWN. I'm assuming this since the family was very poor and probably could not have brought his body back to Maine. I have picked out one of the UNKNOWNS and I consider it his.
Because he was unmarried and so young, I don't think much of "him" survived over the passage of time. It would be nice to have a picture of him. His name is never mentioned in anything I can find written on the 20th ME.
My GGGF, Issac D. Fuller (direct decendant of Dr. Samuel Fuller who arrived on the Mayflower), was with Co. A of the 30th ME. His Brother Edwin Fuller was with the 23rd ME.
Needless to say, this has made Gettysburg quite important to me. I have been there 4 times and have spent countless hours on every part of the battlefield. I must admit that I have neglected the portions relating to the 1st day.
I do have an acquaintance you might be interested in and that is Mark Dunkleman. He is the one responsible for the mural on the warehouse at the "brickyard". He is an official of the RICWRT. If anyone has questions regarding his area of expertise, I would be glad to "impose" upon him to answer them.
Sorry to carry on like this but most people I know are bored to death after the 1st 10 seconds.
Best Regards,
Roger
I am a 49 year old supervisor in a metal frabricating plant produces truck/auto frames for GM and FORD. I've had an interest in the Civil War since high school, although more so since the movie Gettysburg was released. Most of my interest lies in BG Lewis Armistead since the dedication of the Friend to Friend Monument in Gettysburg.
Since the beginning of this year I have been doing a Masonic talk as the General, in the first person. My involvement with living history has moved quite rapidly since doing my first talk. For years I felt I'd like to get into reenacting, but I have found I'm more suited for the area of First Person Living History.
This summer I joined a group called the General Staff of the Confederacy. The members all do first person living history on Confederate and Union Officers. We come over to Gettysburg reguarly, I myself at least once a month, sometimes more. Whenever I'm in town I make it a point to visit my friend Wayne Motts and get any new information that I can to better my impression.
We will be in Gettysburg, Sept 16 and 17th, at the McMillan House on Confederate Ave. We'll be setting up a HQ and talking to all who stop by. The people who do Maj Gen Pickett, BG Jimmmy Kemper, and myself are looking for someone to do BG Dick Garnett. This would round out the Divisional Staff, and we will expand from there.
I live in Reinholds, PA. with my wife and 3 children. I'm trying to get my 17 yr old interested in the War, and possibly become my aide.
I am currently involved with the Hancock Tomb Restoration and Preservation Committee working on the Oct 7th Rededication, parade, and Ball.
Addresses: Email JeffJ1863@AOL.com
Hello everyone,
I have been participating in the group for some time now and noticed I have never sent in a bio, well here it is.
I am a 44 year old Tax Partner in a local CPA firm in Selinsgrove, PA(90 miles from GB). My wife and I are both reenactors with Cooper's Battery B 1st Penna. Light Artillery (the unit has three monuments and one marker at GB). We have been history buffs 18th and 19th centuries for many years. My interest dates back as lad when my grandfather told me of my greatgrandfather in the 6th PA Cavalry (Rush's Lancers).
We visit GB at least once a month sometimes more. We are at the point where we study specific parts of the battle etc.
Our vacations now are planned according to CW battle sites and we both enjoy the reenacting and the study of GB and the CW very much. My wife is a civilian coordinator for our unit and is really studying the woman's role in the 19th century.
Keep up the good discussions.
Your obedient servant
Marc Riddell
My name is Justin Miller, and I am a freshman at RPI in Troy, NY. Although I now live in NY, I am originally from Pittsburgh and my first encounter with the significance of Gettysburg came at the age of 8. My family and I took a vacation to the Gettysburg area and spent most of our time at the battlefield (due mostly to my pleading.) There I had a most incredible feeling towards the place and what it represents, or at least as incredible a feeling as an 8 year old can experience.
My second visit came in my sophomore year during a band trip. We again visited the general area, but I had been looking forward to the Gettysburg tour more than anything else. As our tour group shuffled along, I often found myself left behind, gazing at a monument or perhaps a display in the museum. It was a deeply emotional experience for me. I could hear the cannons and the shouts, could see the smoke as it blanketed the fields.
In January of '94, I had the great fortune to see the movie produced by Ted Turner, which is in fact my favorite movie. I brought my mother along, mainly to try to introduce her to some history, and she reluctantly agreed to sit through a 4-hour film. Words cannot explain what I felt as the battle was played out before my eyes. What matters even more is the impression it made on my mom. Never before had she realized the raw fighting that was our Civil War.
Of course, eventually, I had to purchase the movie and the soundtrack. For anyone who hasn't heard this soundtrack, by all means check it out. It consists of two CD's, the first being all of the orchestral pieces of the movie (especially check out the last track - I couldn't listen to it without tears coming to my eyes as the images of the battle filled my mind.) The second disc is a collection of various band tunes and songs from the movie, including banjo, guitar, harmonica, and brass ensemble tunes. This disc is ended with a stirring rendition of Kathleen Mavourneen and lastly a reading of the Gettysburg Address, dictated by Jeff Daniels, who played Chamberlain in the movie. By all means, it is worth the price.
Well, that is my bio. I am always looking for fellow enthusiasts to chat with, so feel free to drop me a line. And thank you for reading this.
Justin
I'm very impressed at the amount of information that is being shared in our group. Since I'm new. I guess I should do a little bio. I'm a LAN administrator at a Phelps Dodge copper mine in Southern Arizona. I got interested in the civil war by a very strange route. I had visited an Aunt in California, and she had a painting of a union LT. on her wall. She said that the Lt. was a relative of ours, but was unsure of his history, other than his name, Eugene Dunham, and that he died at Gettysburg. A few weeks later, I had the pleasure of watching Turner's Gettysburg, and was amazed. This, of course, set off the spark. Through research, and digging in Grandma's attic, I was able to deduce that Lt. Eugene Dunham was the Company commander of Company D, 44th NY Infantry Regiment. He was shot under the left eye with a minnie ball at 5:30pm during the assault on Little Round Top. He was buried along with Capt. Larrabee under a peach tree on the property of someone named Brickest. I was able to find a leaf of the tree he was buried under, along with the letter addressed to his father telling of his death. The letter was written by O.C. Brown, one of the other Company commanders. Since then, I've been trying to get ahold of anything I could about the battle for Little Round Top. At some point, I hope to make it to Gettysburg, and see some of the monuments and sites. If any of you have any pictures of little round top, or of the 44th NY monument, I'd love to get ahold of some copies. Well, thats about it for this round....Thanks!
I have been a member for about a month now so I figured it was about time I sent in a Bio.
I am a 25 year old student at Radford University in Virginia. I am majoring in History and will graduate in the spring (finally!). Three months out of the year I am a historian at Manassas National Battlefield, home of RE Lee's greatest victory. Currently I am an intern at Appomattox Court House Historical Site, where I am putting together a list of Confederates that were captured during the retreat.
I blame my addiction to history and the Civil War in particular on my dad. When the family moved to the Washington D.C. area in the early 70's we were immediately dragged from battlefield to battlefield. We hit Gettysburg for the first time when I was six. About the only thing I remember from the trip is Devil's Den but it was enough. My interest waned until high school. My father gave me Catton's trilogy on the AOP for Christmas and the rest is history (feeble attempt for a laugh!).
I tend to study the AOP and its personalities and campaigns, especially Gettysburg and Second Manasssas (a battle that is finally getting its due). My favorite personalities are: Gibbon, Hancock, T.F. Meagher and Maj. Henry Livermore Abbott of the 20th Mass. I am a Second Corps man through and through. My favorite monuments are the Irish Brigade and the 53rd PA along Brooke Ave. My favorite part of the field has to be the Wheatfield and the Stony Hill.
Kevin Leahy
I am a displaced midwesterner, having been born in the small town of Osceola, Mo. I grew up in Kansas City, Mo. and went to college at the University of Missouri where I received a degree in Civil Engineering. After graduation I entered the construction field and, after moving around a lot, ended up in Hawaii where I spent 30 years running a building construction company. I am now working on a waterfront festival marketplace development project at the Aloha Tower in downtown Honolulu.
My interest in the Civil War stems from a book my grandfather had, The Pictorial History of the Civil War, which was published to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the war. I used to spend hours pouring over that book, looking at the pictures and reading about the momentous events that occurred during those years. I have that book now and consider it one of my most prized possessions.
The 100th anniversary of the Civil War really brought the war into focus for me. Bruce Catton's "A Stillness at Appomattox" and other of his books peaked my interest in that period of our history. U. S. Grant is a favorite study and his memoirs give a particular insight into the character of the man. Sherman, no less. Researching Captain Henry H. Bingham's life after acquiring his Henry rifle has been very rewarding and has led me down many interesting paths. The lives of Armistead and Hancock to mention but two.
Gettysburg and the other Civil War sites are a long way from Hawaii but I try to visit one as often as I can. A couple of years ago I followed the route of the Hancock's Second Army Corps (Captain Bingham was on Hancock's staff) as it pursued Lee from Petersburg to Appomattox. The roads are just as they were, only now they are paved. Visiting Gettysburg and Malvern Hill and standing at the Union center of each has caused me to question the balance of ego and judgment in Robert E. Lee. We should do all we can to preserve Civil War battlefields and our American heritage.
George F. Hutton
As some might discern from the "subject line", I am more farmiliar with
parliamentary terminology than with congressional. As I am a Canadian, I
hope you will not think I have little place in the discussion. However, I
have had an interest in the "CW" for a considerable time. Educated (?) in
NY and NJ (and Wisconsin - still a Braves fan). In high school I toured
Gettysburg, and several of the Va./ Md. battlefields. Interest grew out of
reading a juvenile a novel - name of which I can't remember - about a boy
from Gettysburg Pa. who enlists in the Union Army only days(?) before the
battle. After that I read Kantor, Catton, and anyone else I could get hold
of re CW and Gettysburg in particular. Recently finished Grant Moves South.
Just started Shelby Foote's 3 volume "narrative" and have picked up a volume
called Lords of the Loom - re the Cotton Whigs 1800- 1850's. It is very
difficult to get CW material from local libraries and expensive to obtain
quality work on this era from the bookstores. (The Louis Real rebellion is
more pressing to many Canadian historians.) Could someone suggest a good
bio of Longstreet. Is his autobio too "self serving"?
Thanks
Laurin Mair
I am a relatively new member to the group (although I have been reading and learning a lot of valuable information from the GDG for a number of months). It's great to be able to share so many resources.
I am a media specialist at a school for the deaf in Buffalo, NY and am a member of the Buffalo Civil War Round Table (Hi Ben!), the Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg, and the Civil War Veterans Historical Association. Interests include the GAR, Gettysburg reunions and collecting memorabilia related to the 31st National Encampment (GAR) held in Buffalo, NY 1897.
I know this sounds like a cliche BUT my interest in the CW was sparked by my first trip to Gettysburg in 1989. Although it was one of those "one day, just passing through" trips, I was fascinated by the collection at the GNMP Museum. As I became even more interested in the CW (due in part to the Ken Burns series & also Frassanito's GTB book) I was amazed at how much information, books, artifacts, etc. are out there once you start looking. I guess it's the "thrill of the hunt," but it is always exciting to come across new information.
I know other members have mentioned the profound effect their first (or subsequent visits) to Gettysburg have had on them & my feelings are exactly the same even though I have no ancestors who fought there. I have been to Gettysburg several times (I try to go at least once a year) and I must admit I do not have the extensive background on battlefield strategy but I am interested in the medical and civilian aspects . My favorite areas of the park are LRT and DD in the early morning (fog & all!).
For now I am mainly a spectator in this discussion group, but I really am learning a lot & have also been buying many of the books (including Frassanito's new book) that people have been refering to. Hopefully in the future I will have my share of information to depart to the group.
Hello everyone! I am finally getting around to posting a short bio of myself even though like new member Brenda Wells, I have been intently reading the postings for the last couple of weeks.
I am a 27 year old Systems Engineer living in Augusta, GA. Prior to living here, I lived in Philadelphia for 5 years and took that opportunity to travel with my wife to Gettysburg about twice a month. I enjoy hiking the battlefield with maps so that I can visualize the battle, and discuss strategy and tactics with friends. My favorite places are Culp's Hill, The Triangular Field leading up to Smith's Battery, and the Slaughter Pen area. I like to get off the beaten path at Gettysburg and get away from the tourists during the Summer.
I collect War Between the States Antiques. Some of my collection includes a CSA plate from Petersburg, 18 US belt, eagle, and cartridge box plates from various Eastern Theater battlefields, a canteen pierced by a bullet from Shiloh, artillery projectiles from Vicksburg, and 4 firearms, to include a 69 caliber Belgian/English import captured at the Battle of Antietam.
My grandmother got me and my sister started in the War when as children she would take us to Shiloh and Vicksburg during Summer Visits. I love to read on the military aspects of the war, love to read through the Official Records, and love to research my family history to pinpoint ancestors who fought in the War so that I can retrace their steps at the battlefields.
I am a member of APCWS and Sons of Confederate Veterans, and recently sent in my membership dues for The Civil War Trust and Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg.
I look forward to discussing this great battle with all of you!
Scott
My name is Craig Dunn. I have been a member of the group for about two months but I have primarily been an observor to the discussions. I am from Kokomo, Indiana and I am a financial consultant.
I have been an avid student of the Civil War for about 13 years. My area of most intense interest is collecting Indiana Civil War images, books and paper ephemeria. I currently own over 1,000 identified Indiana Civil War images, an almost complete Indiana reference library and over 400 documents, letters and diaries from Indiana soldiers. My long-term goal, God and wallet willing, is to establish an Indiana Civil War Museum and research library. I'd like to endow a permanent curator position at my death.
I recently wrote a book, published by Guild Press of Indiana, called Iron Men, Iron Will: The Nineteenth Indiana Regiment of the Iron Brigade. My proceeds from this book will be donated to the restoration of Indiana's Civil War battle flags.
If anyone in the group has an interest in any Hoosier soldier or unit and would like some research, let me know. I'd like to help. Just E- mail me.
Best Regards,
Craig Dunn
btmm58a@prodigy.com
My name is Dave Mercado and I have been following the discussions for a few months. I think it is one of the best groups around.
I am an Electrical Engineer, live in Southern California and have been studying the Battle of Gettysburg for about six years (mostly Day 2 battles). I have only had an opportunity to visit this sacred ground once, but it had a large impact on me. Besides Gettysburg my interest is in the Western Theatre with the Army of the Cumberland and its leader General George H. Thomas. My interest in the Civil War was started when as a kid I saw a TV program in the 50's called 'You are There' with Walter Cronkite as the host which reenacted Pickett's Charge. Best Regards, Dave
All of this web stuff is very new to me. So you can guess at my delight and surprise to find this site on my second day of surfing. I am a thirty-two year old CPA residing in Collierville, TN. My first recollections of having an interest in the ACW was on a field trip to Shiloh in the second grade. My interest came and went with the times, but you can thank (or curse according to my wife) Ted and that movie for starting the fire again. Since that movie, I have joined the Assoc. for the Preservation of CWS and the Friends of the Natl Parks at GB (even though I have never been to the battlefield). I suspect my first trip to GB is coming in 1997 when my old college football team will go to Happy Valley to get pounded by Penn St. Of paticular interest to me are the following subjects: Longstreet, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Chamberlin and GB. I will call again soon.
Mark T. Heath
I have just recently (November) joined the discussion group, so maybe I should indentify myself. I am an Associate Dean of Admissions at George Mason University, but as a frustrated undergraduate History major I have developed a very keen passion for 17th & 18th Century Virginia History (including the Indians) and for the Civil War (quite honestly, mainly the Virginia Theatre). My interest in Gettysburg started some years ago when I decided to look into the family stories of my great-great-grandfather at Gettysburg. They said he was 7 feet tall- the tallest man in the southern army- and that he was captured somewhere around Little Round Top and spent the rest of the war in prison. Well after a couple of years of investigation and many trips to Gettysburg I found out the horrible truth: he wasn't seven feet tall- maybe 6'5" when wearing shoes. And he wsn't captured...at least then. William Cowan McClellan was a private in the 9th Alabama Regiment and fought with the 9th from the earliest days before Manassas up until his capture at the Battle of Sayler's Creek two days before Appomattox (he spent the next two months in Point Lookout Prison in St. Mary's County, Maryland.
I have been fortunate enough to have collected over 300 of the McClellan family letters from around the Civil War time (letters to and from William McClellan and his family), so I started looking more and more into the background of the times and events around the Civil War to have a better perspective. I am thinking about publishing the letters, focusing on the letters themselves, but also on the family and the events and times associated with them. I would appreciate any advice on the matter. Also if any one has information on the 9th Alabama please give me a call.
The more I studied Gettysburg, the more fascinated I became with the people involved. I think I have formed many of my own opinions about things, but I am always willing to test them in light of others' opinions. Gettysburg seems to be one of those battles that has many shades of grey in it. Where the personalities of the leading officers and the unscripted nature of the battle itself leads to all sorts of finger-pointing by the participants and the observers. It's a lot easier to be a post-battle critic than to explain what you did wrong in that battle.
I admire Longstreet- but boy, was he having a bad-hair day; I adore the legend of Chamberlain and hope it never gets played-down; I think Buford was the heart-and-soul of the whole battle and his vision went one-move in advance of what was required; Coddington is the bible and Pfanz and Gallagher are required reading.
I look forward to participating in the future. John Carter
I have been interested in the war for over 30 years and have been a serious student of the eastern campaigns for 15 years. My library includes some 1200 volumes including complete OR and many out of print titles. Some of the most intersting reading to me are actuall Newspapers of the time. I lived in Frederick Maryland for 12 years and studied most of the land first hand.
I am currently on work detail in England (been here for two years) without my library and miss it much. Your discussion group is doing a great deal to fight the home sick blues, while keeping me in touch with the "war". So I thank you all for that
Stephen Clark I
In response to the moderator's gentle rebuke, I will come forward and admit that I have been lurking and learning with the Gettysburg discussion group.
I am a family historian with interest in the battles fought by the 47th and 53rd North Carolina regiments. Seven of my Tickel cousins were with Company K of the 47th in Gen. Pettigrew's brigade and three more were with Company A of the 53rd in Gen. Daniel's brigade. Our family's losses were heavy as a result of the fighting on July 1 at Oak Hill, and later in the afternoon at Willoughby Run. Pickett's charge on July 3, which we refer to as Pettigrew's assault, also resulted in heartbreaking losses.
I live near Baltimore, MD and find that I can easily slip away for a day on the battlefield. visiting relatives are often subjected to a Tickel tour of Gettysburg. They smile sweetly with bored faces as I explain where and how our Confederate cousins fought and died.
I would appreciate any suggested reading which might help me to better understand my family's involvement during those three days.
Judith Tickel Need
Since I have been following this group for about 6 months on WWW, I decided that I should finally get around to officially joining. Currently, I work at Bloomsburg University of PA. I became interested in the Civil War about 20 years ago. Since I live about 2 1/2 hours from Gettysburg, I get there 4-5 times yearly. It is my feeling that the 9 mile walk around the battlefield (originally set up for the Boy Scouts, but now available in a guide book at the visitor's center--very cheap) is by far the best way to get a feel for Day 2 & 3. There is also a 6 mile walk around Culp's Hill which makes that part of the battle more easily understood.
My favorite spots on the battlefield -- NPS tower on Culp's Hill for seeing almost the entire field from one spot, Barlow's Knoll (never crowded), 20th Maine lines on LRT and also BRT.
Probably the best time to view the battlefield for understanding movements is in the late fall, once the leaves have left the trees. Generally, I am interested in the war in VA. I have made 2 biking trips (93 - Fredericksburg to Gettysburg, 95 - Appotmatox to Antietam up the Valley).
Obviously, I really enjoy the discussions. I have had my eyes opened to different viewpoints. Keep up the interesting topics.
From: acameron@tcac.com (Alexander Cameron)
After the War College, I returned to Fort Ritchie, to command my brigade and was able to continue my studies of Gettysburg. By this time, I had a desire to write about it and published my first article in Gettysburg Magazine. I finished my second article as I was deploying to the Gulf War and did the final proof of the galleys on the plane going over.
I have now written a total of four articles for GM and am currently working on a fifth. Because I was a signal officer in the Army, I have had a fascination with the Union Signal Corps and a lot of my studies have be related to the it. I am also very interested in Little Round Top and have spent quite a bit of time studying that action. I also enjoy finding and collecting rare material relating to Gettysburg.
I have learned a lot in the past several months that I have been a member of this discussion group. I have belonged to others, but this is the most scholarly and polite group of which I have been associated. I look forward to continuing to learn about Gettysburg.
Hello GDG'ers,
Dennis' recent note re. the ethical requirement of a lurker letting the whole group in on a bio, aroused enough contrition in this Calvinist to prompt one. (As Garrison Keillor says, "Guilt, friends -- it's good for you; the gift that keeps on giving.")
I was born in 1946 -- the first wave of the baby-boomers and have always been in the vanguard of those demanding that my co- generationists and me receive more than our fair share of attention.
I became interested in the ACW as a pre-adolescent boy. I read a lot of those wonderful "R.E. Lee, Boy General" and "U.S. Grant, Young Horseman," books -- you know the ones with the orange covers? They rank right up there with "Big Red Indian Chief" writing tablets as the icons of my childhood.
As a high school kid I always went to the ACW or to the pioneer movements west when it came to assignments or book reports. I remember Bruce Catton's stuff got a fair amount of attention. His Appatomatox book particularly sticks out in my memory.
After a stint of high-school teaching right after college, I spent the next decade (the '70s) in the theatre serving as an actor and director in regional and rep companies, (mostly in the mid-west). The last three years of that time I toured the country as a single, performing as an actor/folk-singer/raconteur for School Assembly Services. (In some parts of the country, they are still called "Lyceums".) It was during that time, when I was constantly on the road, doing two 45 minute shows a day, that I had both the leisure and the travel opportunities to pursue my reading hobby and to tour battlefields.
On Nov 1 I celebrated the tenth anniversary of my ordination into Christian ministry. I now serve as pastor of a 450 member Christian Reformed Church (CRC) in Wheaton Illinois. For those of you interested in continuums, the CRC is conservative theologically while progressive with regard to social matters. We are quite close to some of the moderate but small Presbyterian outfits.
Military history, and particularly the ACW, is for me a great resource for illustrations in preaching and teaching.
Here is how my latest one went: The Bible teaches that the Christ event was the pivotal point of world history, (Col 1:15-17). All lines of history converge on the rocky hill outside of Jerusalem where matters truly hung in the balance. "Hmm, Rocky hill, Rocky hill ... pivotal point ... everything up for grabs ... enemy trying an end run ... selfless sacrifice ... to what may this be compared? AHA!!" And that is how Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain won the battle of Gettysburg and thus the Civil War and why twentieth century America is so peculiar.
My relative in the ACW was F.B. Doran who later became the Mayor of St. Paul, MN. He fought with the 95th Illinois. He was a POW at Libby prison and according to family lore, escaped twice, once by feigning small-pox by burning his body with coals. He was thrown onto the pile of the dead awaiting burial and thus escaped and won the Civil war, etc, etc.
My favorite generals are Stonewall, JLC, and Lee. From boyhood I have been fascinated by Custer.
Am currently reading *The Class of 1846*.
So there it is, I have a beautiful wife and two above average kids.
Shalom
John Schuurman
"I have had my television aerials removed. It's the moral
equivalent of a prostate operation."
Malcolm Muggeridge
I am a former Marine Captain and served (2) tours in Vietnam as a gunship pilot. I am presently working on my Ph.D.--finished course work and studying for PreLims--at Southern Illinois University. I hope to find a university position somewhere in Virginia next fall--great place to spend weekends visiting battlefields and universities.
I first became interested in the Civil War--War for Independence for my friends from the south--in 1954 while eating breakfast in the old Stuckies across form the Peach Orchard. Our placemats were of the battlefield and I asked my Dad if we could walk over to that place called Devils Den while my Mom and sister shopped. We did and also walked to the foot of LRT, and nothing for me has been the same sense. I earned my B.A. in History and have studied the War for many years, but still consider myself a student.
My interests lie beyond Gettysburg also and have had the good fortune to visit most of the major battlefields except for Cold Harbor and Vicksburg. I have been moved by walking the fields at Chickamauga, Shiloh, The Wilderness, Manassas, Fredricksburg, and Chancelorsville, but find the Peach Orchard, the Wheatfield, and LRT very moving. Like many of you I have read good literature and bad and have enjoyed hearing the opinions of the GDR on many of them. As a Educational Psychologist I especially enjoy studying the individual cognitive constructs of individuals in the war, especially at Gettysburg. I am a Longstreet, Chamberlin, Jackson, fan,--not because of movies--and have read as much as I can find on Lee. I have visited Lee Chapel several times and am moved by it each time.
Finally, I no longer have a side in the war although I have family who were with Conn. Arty. I feel a loss when thinking about deaths on either side and am moved by their heroic actions on both sides of the wall. It was the best of times and the worst of times...we have yet as a nation to recover from it or at best to understand why it happened, but much of what I believe about a nation and democracy has its roots in the mens who walked the dusty roads and at times muddy fields of our nation home. I study the Civil War because I am drawn to it by their faces and words, and by walking the battlefields I can be with them...
Don't recall if I sent one out. .. I live up here in the north (CT). I am obsessed by the battle of Gettysburg. I have visited the battlefield often and even now get a little shaky walking on that ground. I want to learn all that I can about the men that fought there.
I am a writer (hence, nosy as a kitten about everything!). I am new at it, but enjoy it immensely. :)
I am learning to play the flute..and I WILL learn to play the fife as soon as I can get my paws (umm...hands) on one.
I am very glad to have found this group!
Suzanne
I've been an amateur historian of the Civil War (oxymoron) since I was seven years old and made my first trip to Gettysburg - more years ago than I like to think about. Since I live about fifty miles from this hallowed ground, I spend quite a bit of time there. I think the most awe inspiring trip I made across the battlefield was the route of the men in Pickett's Charge.
My main interests in the War besides Gettysburg are the Army of Northern Virginia, the Confederacy, Southern officers and soldiers, and the War in Virginia. I have been to many places - Harpers Ferry, Manassas (Bull Run), Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania, The Wilderness, Winchester, Cedar Creek, Sharpsburg (Antietam), Kernsville, Appomattox, Lexington, New Market, Guiney Station, South Mountain, Benton Battleground and Averasboro to name a few. In October, I travelled to Florida on business and chose to drive taking some vacation time. It allowed me the chance to see some of Richmond, the Museum of the Confederacy, Petersburg, and by driving a few hundred miles out of my way, to visit Andersonville.
I used to travel quite a bit on my job, and that allowed me the chance to see much of what I have seen. While I have no known ancestors who were in the war, my children's great, great, great grandfathers (two of them) served in the 2nd PVC, and one was taken prisoner at Charles City Crossroads, VA by Wade Hampton's men. He was a prisoner at Libby, Salisbury, and Andersonville.
I am Coordinator of Technical and Installation Support for the Customer Service Center of a major flooring manufacturer and have done a lot of work on computers including building an expert system using artificial intelligence. I have been lurking for awhile, and find this group to be knowledgeable, friendly and helpful compared to another group I found. While I have not participated in discussions as yet, I do find it very interesting. I look forward to the chance to meet some of you someday.
Nikki (nikki@postoffice.ptd.net)
-- [ From: Rod Hardin * EMC.Ver #2.3 ] --
My name is Rod Hardin and I am a new member. I started following the Civil War when I was very young. I later found out that I had relatives on both sides of my family that fought for the southern side during the war. They were primarily from Mississippi, Texas, and South Carolina. Some were killed, wounded, and suprisingly many survived.
I am a computer manager for a Morgage Company in Denver Colorado and enjoy the outdoors. I have not been fortunate, like so many members of this group, , to visit the Gettysburg battlefield although I have visited several others in the Virginia area.
I really like the discussion group and particularly enjoyed the discussion about Heth's decision to enter Gettysburg for shoes. My great grandfather was a member of Heth's brigade (42nd Mississippi) and I have read many books about this issue.
Thank you, Lawrence brothers, for putting together this wonderful discussion group. I have been lurking in the shadows for a couple of months and guilt drives me forward at long last. Shelby Foote said about Pickett's soldiers that it was probably harder not to go than to go, on that dreadful, dreadful march.
Who could say no to General Lee? My motivation is certainly less profound but sufficient for the purpose.
I am a 51 year old recently retired junior high principal with a love of history, and a passion for the ACW. Military history fascinated me from my youth growing up in Montana near Custer Battlefield, now appropriately renamed the Battle of the Little Big Horn. I visited Gettysburg with my family in 1989, on the hottest July day in the history of man, and am most anxious to return. My goal is to sit on LRT in solitude on a cool fall day and re-read "Killer Angels". The thoughts and experiences shared in this discussion group inspire other ideas, like walking around the park or biking in from Fredricksburg.
I have approached the Civil War mainly through Lincoln biographies (Carl Sandburg, Nicolay and Hay, Shelby Foote), and through the Time-Life Civil War series. Many of you are mentioning wonderful new sources to me. I wonder how our country produced a man like Lincoln, at just that particular time in our history? He seems the only political leader of his day (or most other days) with a clear and simple vision of the war's purpose: to save the union. Lee, Jackson and, finally, Grant, had a similarly clear military purpose: to destroy the opposing army. No political leader on either side had Lincoln's clarity.
And the common soldiers, on both sides, fascinate and move me for their fortitude and bravery and lives of boredom and terror. I felt as if I had been on the field before, as I looked at the route of the approaching Armistead. Maybe a part of every American was there that July of 1863. Whatever we can do to preserve this field and to understand more fully what happened and why is a worthy endeavor. I look forward to the continuing discussions and thank the members for the quality and professionalism of their discourse.
One footnote from a northern sympathizer. I heard "Dixie" sung in a bar in underground Atlanta twenty years ago and it gave me a thrill that I remember today. Part of that must have been the spirit of the southern soldier.
Pat Feeley
patf@cyberport.net
Patrick Feeley
I am a frustrated history major originally from the Midwest who went back to school to get a second degree in computers in order to make a living. Currently I work for a govt. contracting firm in Southern Maryland. My interest in the CW was enkindled during my youth growing up in Ill. and living in Lincoln-land. However, I became a true historian when my father took us to Disneyworld via "Sherman's March to the Sea." While the rest of the family raved about Mickey Mouse I couldn't get Chicamauga off my mind.
After being a Navy wife for 13 yrs in such places as VA, MD, CA and HI (yes, there is some CW history in Hawaii, but that's another story!) my husband and I settle back in So. Md. within 3 hrs of Gburg.
We both joined the 20th ME Co. E reenactors about 5 yrs ago and now spend our free time researching our impressions. My specialty is women who served as nurses/relief agents during the war. Several of us women portray the Maine Camp Hospital Assn, (MCHA) a ME relief agency at reenactments and living histories. MCHA nurse Isabella Fogg (my nome de plume) was at Gburg July 5 to give aid and comfort to the soldiers and stayed for several weeks.
Additionally, I am involved in developing a research archive at Point Lookout State Park. Pt.Lookout was the location of the largest CSA POW camp as well as the location of Hammond Hospital for the Union wounded. Many of the CSA POWs were sent directly from Gburg to Pt. Lookout. I am currently researching Hammond Hosp. in hopes of publishing a book about the hospital and medical staff there. With the archives we hope to assist researchers and descendants in finding info about both Union and CSA men.
We get to Gburg 2-3 times per year and I gravitate to LRT and the hospital sites. I find the 1st days battle fascinating because of the Illinois troops under Buford.
I have a 5yr old daughter whose hero is "Josh" and who knows the terrain of Gburg better than most high schoolers. She even took JLC's photo to show and tell in Pre-K and described the fighting at LRT! Kind of unusual, but better than idolizing Ninja Turtles!
Sorry so long winded, but I really enjoy this group and its discussions. Thanks!
Susan Youhn
Hello all!
Another lurker comes out of the shadows.
First I must thank all of you for the opportunity to participate in a group that is so knowledgeable, insightful, and supportive. I have learned so much from my weeks as a lurker, and look forward to many more interesting discussions!
Now, about me. (I hope I don't wear out my welcome right away, 'cause I do tend to be a bit long-winded)
I am a 40-something native Southern Californian and work as a children's services librarian at a suburban public library. My husband of nearly 22 years and I share our home with our 6 feline furchildren. We enjoy traveling, particularly to England, and cruising. I also love reading, country line dancing, and needlepoint, and am also a Trekker.
I have always been a history nut; my particular interests include England up through the Tudors and the ACW. As have others, I read Bruce Catton's American Heritage while in Jr. High and remember having a jigsaw puzzle depicting the Crater. My interest in the Civil War seemed to wane after high school, but was rekindled by first Ken Burns' documentary and then the film Gettysburg. Although each have their flaws, I became entranced, especially with Gettysburg, and have watched the video countless times. This sent me off to read the Killer Angels, which I also loved. I have since re-read Catton, The Last Full Measure : The Life and Death of the 1st Minnesota, McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom, Days of Darkness : the Gettysburg Civilians, and am currently working my way through Coddington. I look forward to reading many more of the titles on the booklist.
Living in California, I have not yet visited the Burg (or indeed any other battlefields) :-( However, my brother and I have been talking about such a trip for many years, and it looks like we will finally make dreams reality in either Fall 96 or Spring 97. I was also able to attend my first re-enactment just a few weeks ago (fabulous) and look forward to many more (even perhaps becoming involved as a participant).
My particular interests at Gettysburg include Buford, Hancock, the defense of LRT (particulary JLC and the 20th Maine), the 1st Minn., Longstreet, Pickett's charge, Armistead, and expecially Garnett.
Thanks again to all members of the GDG. I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship.
Kathy Meacham
kidarcpl@ix.netcom.com
Hello all -
Since Bios seem to be the thing to do here, let me intoduce myself...
I'm Dave Powell. I've been studying the battle for about 20 years, ever since High School.I went to college at VMI - a suitable ACW connection - and have been in the civilian world ever since. I did design a board wargame on Gettysburg - Thunder At the Crossroads, by a company called The Gamers.
I just discovered this list, and subscribed immediately. So far, it looks excellent.
Dave Powell
Hello Everyone:
My name is Dick Rosol. I am a 45-year-old instructor of English at
UCONN and CCSU. My childhood interest in the Civil War was rekindled by
The Killer Angels and the subsequent film. Although my professional
interests are medieval, renaissance, and early American literature, I
focus most of my recreational reading on the Civil War--especially the
Gettysburg campaign.
When I complete my immediate projects I plan on researching the war in greater detail. I'm planning a book on the rhetorical qualities of the autobiographies written by Confederate officers after the war.
Oh yeah, I am a Longsteet man.
Keep up the impressive work!
I've been lurking about enjoying the discussions for a couple of months now, so I suppose I owe a bio . . .
I became interested in Civil War history around 1980 when I received some relics & papers of my great-great grandfather Darius Wetzel, a private in the 74th Ohio Inf. Having traveled with my father during long summer trips years beforehand to many of the parks, I was instantly bitten by the bug. (Professionally, I'm an editor at Astronomy magazine in Waukesha, Wisconsin; am 34 years old, married, with a 3-year-old son.) One of the most vivid memories I have as a young teenager was getting caught in a rainstorm on Culp's Hill, dashing down the summit road back to our car and bypassing a Confederate reenactor. It was highly surrealistic, and that burned an impression of Gettysburg into me that has never left.I'm mostly interested in book collecting and have collected about 2500 volumes.
Although I've always lived in the midwest, I've typically taken two long Civil War trips per year, making the rounds at Gettysburg and elsewhere. I've done a good bit of photography for Civil War Journeys, a wall calendar I've produced since 1990 (Tide-mark Press, Hartford), and for my first Civil War book, Civil War Battlefields: A Touring Guide (Taylor, Dallas, 1995). I've finished a lengthy bibliograpy of Civil War literature that will be published next September by the University of Illinois Press, and I'm working on a modern, comprehensive photographic biography ("pictobiography") of R. E. Lee.
Of the many battlefields I've explored, nothing attracts me like Gettysburg, despite the fact that my ancestor fought out west. The complexity of the battlefield, the terrain, and the stories of heroism and recklessness, never fail to inspire. (I've followed the discussion on Dan Sickles with a special interest, having in my collection one of his military commissions.)
I look forward with great alacrity the insightful messages to come . . .
Dave Eicher
Well, we are having a large run on biographies this week, so I might as
well toss mine into the pile.
I'm a 42 year-old mathematics professor with a life-long interest in
American history, especially the Civil War. I am a moderator for the
newsgroup soc.history.war.us-civil-war, and an active participant in the
unmoderated group alt.war.civil.usa. Although my main interests in the
War center around US Grant, I have an active interest in Gettysburg. I
first visited the park in 1962, as part of a family vacation. Since then
I have returned as often as possible, including several bicycling tours
made when I was in graduate school at Carnegie-Mellon, in Pittsburgh. (A
hint: Do not, under any circumstances, get talked into a race from
Spangler's Spring to the top of Culp's Hill, from a standing start, on a
July day, after spending the earlier part of the day riding all the way
from the Visitor's Center around to the Round Tops and up to the Buford
Monument. And watch out for the tour buses . . . ) As I now live in
Alabama, I do not get to the park as often as I would like.
Now that winter is upon us and I can put away the fly rod and canoe, I'll
have some time to devote to the discussion group although I've been lurking
since its creation.
I'm a 40something research associate in R&D with a major photographic company
in Rochester, NY. While devoted to the hard core sciences, I've always found
studying history a fascinating diversion. My interest in the Civil War stems
from the centennial celebrations of the early sixties although it took a
back seat to family and career.
I'm a member of the Rochester Civil War Round Table, and Ben might recognize
me as one of those crazy Rochester guys that drives out to Buffalo once a
month to attend the Buffalo CW Round Table to hear him poetical expound upon
the virtues of Billy McKinly's Antietam chuck wagon.
As to Gettysburg, I belive it to be one of the true critical moments in
history. Had the North lost the battle, the war would most definitely have
ended in a negotiated settlement shortly afterward. (Lee's army running
loose in the east certainly would dim Union victories in the west.) Just
imagine how world history in the 20th century would be different had there
been two (or three; N,S, West) countries instead of one the economic and
military giant that evolved after 1865.
There are two places on the battlefield that I find most captivating. One is
standing near Buford's statue and looking west toward Herr's ridge and trying
to image what it must have felt like seeing the first wave of Heth's
division forming their battle lines, not knowing just when Reynolds and his
gang would arrive; not knowing the magnitude of the struggle about to unfold.
The other battlefield "site" is standing in front of the North Carolina
monument and staring into the eyes of the "rookie" soldier as he looks
across the fields to Cemetery Ridge. The fear of personal harm secondary to
the fear of failing in his duty is overwhelming.
Jerry .........
Hello everyone.
I am 22 years old and I am a senior majoring in recreation resource
management and history (emphasis civil war). I am a year left of school
after this semester. I have been interested in history since before I was
born, ie my mother was carrying me during her senior year in college as a
history major. History has always been an important part of my life. I
have been to Gettysburg once and can not wait to go again.
I am now a civil war reenactor with Co. K, 2nd Wisconsin in Dane County
Wisconsin. I reenact with my parents, who have been to the Nashville, Tenn
and one outside of Appomatax Courthouse in Virigina.
My goal is to work at a historical park related to a civil war site. My
ulitimate goal is to work at Gettysburg as an interpreter.
Well, I've been lurking out here for about a week, so I guess its
time I introduced myself.
I am a senior history major at a small college in Vermont and a
library assistant at a large college in Vermont. My interest in the
Civil War began when I was about 12, and was laid up for five weeks
after an accident with nothing to do but read. I found Bruce
Catton's books to be the most entertaining ways to pass the time.
That summer, my parents took me to Gettysburg for the first time, and
I have been back at least once a year ever since.
First stop is always the High Water Mark route, walking from the
Cyclorama center to the Pennsylvania Monument with an obligatory
salute to the Vermont Brigade monument. Its a nice way to streach
the legs after 9 1/2 hours in a car, but it also encompasses the part
I am most interested in, the contribution of Vermonters during
Pickett's Charge. (I wish I could claim I had a relative there or
something, but all my ancestors seem to have bought their way out)
This spring, for the first time, I walked across the field from
the other direction, moving from the Virginia Monument to the Angle.
It gave me an entirely new perspective on the Charge, as well as
renewing my respect for any men who could actually make the same walk
under fire.
It is really a treat to be able to converse w/ people who
share my passion for the Civil War, and I look forward to getting to
know more of you. I would also like to extend an invitation to
anyone who wants to go off on a tangent and discuss non-Gettysburg
war issues privately. My private account is hpeake@sage.uvm.edu.
I am, most respectfully,
Heather K Peake
hello all! have been reading on the sidelines for the last two months and
thought i should jump in with a little background. i'm a longtime g'burg
fan and civil war buff...going back to around 1959. been to g'burg off and
on over the years..must be at least 25 times. most recent trip was july 123
this year. that was the first (maybe last) time i'm going around
7/123....what a riot...i had to go to the 1st days field just to get a
little peace. also went to the "real fury" and now understand how the rain
and mud of july 4th must have been to the troops...my van and hundreds of
cars were stuck in mud over the door frame...fun. i live in
ft.lauderdale...from philadelphia via atlanta. recent visit to hancocks
tomb in norristown,pa. very nice. i find the conversation interesting.
also agree that walking the field is the only way to get a real feel. has
anyone read "35 days to g'burg" by mark nesbitt. really a nice diary of
action up to and including july 2. i followed some of the route during the
last day of journal entry and visited the field where a life was lost...very
moving to stand in a small patch of woods/field and know this was the exact
spot according to the diary. oh yes!! my name is RICHARD GARNETT....and
yes the old folks come from orange cty virginia...but that is as far as we
go...maybe some distant link with r.b. garnett....regards.....dick garnett
Well, it's been a few weeks since I joined, so I'll put my bio in before people
start to wonder too much.
I am a 30-year-old (since Saturday) Systems Engineer and Scoutmaster from
Cherrydale, Virginia (Arlington, VA). I grew up in Michigan and studied
Political Science at Michigan State before trooping off to Virginia to study
Russian and East European Studies at Geo Washington U. Having watched Communism
collapse and graduates not find jobs, I stuck with computers as a career.
I became interested in Gettysburg specifically when my brother, Russ, and I
bought the '77 version of the Avalon Hill game. It took us 3 days of real time
to play the first day of the battle. After my undergraduate years, Russ was
going to help me move to DC, with a short stay in Gettysburg, except that my job
offer fell through.
As such, it wasn't until '94 that, having formed a new Scout Troop with a
75-year history (long story), I first visited Gettysburg - to plan a trip for
our boys. Since then I have read voraciously and visited 5 times. I plan to
return at least twice in '96 (including our Muster).
I've decided to be involved in this group in order to have a hobby that only
peripherally involves my Scouts - something that belongs to me. (hard to
articulate this....)
Thanks for listening and for sharing your knowledge,
Dave N
John A. Griffin
41 year old educator from Washington State. I have always had an
interest in the War Between the States (or War for Southern
Independance) having taken courses in HS and College. Having all my
dad's family from Ga, I was naturally interested in the Southern
perspective on the War.
Within the last two years I began doing genealogy research to aid my
children with elementary school projects. While researching family
ancestors in Georgia, ran across my Great-Great Grandfather, John
Jackson Griffin, member of Co "I" 50th Ga Vol Infantry, ANV, CSA. He
was wounded on 2 July 1863, was a captured by Federal forces. His wound
was a shattered femur just above the left knee. The federal surgeon
amputated this leg. GGF was at Seminary Hospital then sent to Camp
Letterman Hospital (both in GB), then later to West Bldg Hospital, then
to City Point POW camp hospitol. He was paroled in Nov and sent to Camp
Widner in Richmond and finally sent home in time for Christmas 1863. As
I am working on writing a family history, and learn more about what
faced my GGF at age 27, I am drawn to reading and learning as much about
the ANV and Gettysburg as possible.
If anyone else has any knowledge of the 50th Ga, of the hospitals
situtaions, the Nov 1863 exchange of prisoners from City Point, etc. I
would appreciate hearing from you. Email @
jgriffin@destiny.esd105.wednet.edu
I hope to spread the news about this great discussion group and the
resources here on the www page. This is the kind of educational
research our students need to be able to access.
Greetings my Most Learned Mentors....
In the words of the great figure in my life..my father..."Keep it short
sonny" I will do so...
Edwin Charles Abraham Richard Nordfors Jr
I am 39 years young...
2 children...16 ..Eddie III and 13..Kristyn Leigh Nordfors
Born and raised in Maine...parents first generation Portuguese Imigrants....
Thus I can not claim ancestry in defense of the Union..
PharmD in Pharmacy (Pharmacy Doctor) from the Mass College of Pharmacy 1979..
Always had a keen interest in Wartime Medicine in general and the CWA in
particular
as this was the first recorded War in which the wounded were declared
non-combatants
and this I believe served as a role model for the Red Cross, etc.
I have read numerous books on the CWA with particular interest to the most
famous
battle in the Eastern theatre...
Last year my family and I decided instead of lining the pockets of the
disneyland folks we would visit Lancaster County and Gettysburg...first and
foremost: I'll have you know so that my wife and daughter could buy their
long dreamed of Quilt...oh how expensive...hehe...and since I
had joined the 20th Maine Regimen Co B then surely Gettysburg would be on the
list..
With absolutely no knowledge aforehand (I have witnesses to this affect) I
planned the day and time to arrive that happenned to be 45 minutes before Tom
gave his Tour of LRT
well the hook was set....
Janet had to take the wheel in order to get me off the wheatfields...I spent
the day both reading stones
Alas my heart now desires to return to GB this summer...
Oh honey.....hehe
A feable but brutally honest bio...
Humbly Submitted,
Barry L. Summers
Husband
Father of 3 girl 8,9,10
4 years 82nd ABN
BBA Kennsaw College
MS in Mang. of Tech Southern Tech
My grandma got into the civil war. Her grandfather fought with Gen. Wright
and the 22nd GA. They made up Cemetery Ridge but as everybody found out
staying there is the problem. Me and my wife spent one of our best
battlefield walks at Gettysburg. We usally stick to Chickamauga.
"Short and sweet"
Social Studies teacher for the Harrisburg School District
since 1970. LBG at Gettysburg for the past 11 years. Avid
street rodder.
GGF fought for the Cause with the 10th Va. Co. E.
Captured at Gburg and again at Spottsylvania. 37 Bauserman's
fought for the South from Va. Interest stems from being a
little tyke growing up in Harrisonburg, Va. My fascination
for the War never seemed to diminish. GDG provides a
pleasant respit whenever time permits me to peruse the posts.
Great job.
Paul Bauserman
hr>
-------------------------------------
From: Anthony.Staunton@pcug.org.au (Anthony Staunton)
New year commenced less than 2 hours ago and I am fulfilling my first
resolution.
I am a 47 year old Australian Federal civil servant who has long
been interested in military history. I registered for the Australian
conscription lottery in 1968 but my birthdate was not selected.
I am ashamed to admit that my interest in Gettysburg stems
from reading, years ago, Ward Moore's book Bring The Jubilee.
I visited America in 1981 and hope to get back next August
and Gettysburg is definitely on the agenda.. My particular
interest is researching medals. I have co-authored or co-edited
two books on the Victoria Cross and have written many articles
on the Victoria Cross and the United States Medal of Honor.
_______________________________________________________________
Anthony.Staunton@pcug.org.au
Federal Secretary, Military Historical Society of Australia
co-author Victoria Cross Locator second edition 1996
Greetings from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
I'm uncertain how new members of the list provide an introduction, so
perhaps I will follow tradition from other lists I belong to.
Profession: Journalist/Government/Law Enforcement (Don't try to decipher)
Interests: Have joined the list hoping to see discussion and information
regarding the Masonic Fraternity w/respect to the Civil War. Hopefully there
mite be some Members of the list who share my interest.
Thanks you for the opportunity to be a member of this group. "Watching" a
little, I've discovered a harmony amongst the membership and a keen interest
to help one another pursue a most enjoyable passtime. Thanks for having me.
rtj/
hr>
From: Anne New
Finally found the courage to say,"Hi!" I have been reading (lurking) in this
discussion group almost from its beginning. I am a librarian at a small branch
of The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. I became interested in Gettysburg after
reading _The Killer Angels_ in 1974. That year I visited Gettysburg for the
first time. In 1991, I started on a family genealogy project and discovered
that my ggfather served in the 45th PA Vols. He was serving in the 9th Corps
down in Vicksburg while Gettysburg was being fought.
In August 1994 a local group of CW enthusiasts, myself included, started
a Civil War study group. We call ourselves The Three Rivers Civil War
Association and meet weekly at the library. Several times a year we take field
trips to CW sites. We have visited Gettysburg numerous times--reliving the 1st
Day battle (we are impressed with Dilger), walking Pickett's Charge (as you
step out of the low ground, chills crawl up your spine when you realize how
vulnerable you are), exploring Culp's Hill, Spangler's Spring, the East Cavalry
battlefield, the triangular field (all our pictures came out okay), and of
course, Devil's Den and Little Round Top (once the group asked me to sing,
"Taps," here at sunset. A truly mystical experience!)
Our weekly attendance varies between 15 - 25 persons. Each of us
studies an aspect of the war and presents our findings to the group. We have
been covering the battles of the Eastern Theatre and are currently up to July
1864 in Petersburg, Virginia. Next week I will present "The Crater." Together
we have visited a local GAR room, currently used and kept up by re-enactors, a
local photography museum that has many CW prints, and had various guest
speakers visit. We are open to anything that will help us to understand this
aspect of American history. I am the group's troubador and start each meeting
with a CW song that is pertinent to the day's topic.
To the group,
Thought I'd better get caught up with this bit of business...
First trip to Gettysburg was in 1961 (14 years old) with the family.
best place for breakfast In Gettysburg was the Dutch Pantry.
Number of trips since then...over 50.
Last trip was this past July.
Next trip will be on the 12th of this month (will be attending a cage crinoline
class with my wife). I will be playing hooky, too...the Needle and Thread is
out on the Fairfield road...perhaps it would be a good time to explore the route
of Longstreet's march on Day 2).
My wife, Glenna Jo, and I met at Gettysburg in July 1993 (gave her a ring at the
old movie site in 1994). She was part of the Minnesota contingent at that
year's reenactment.
CW interests include the 17th Michigan (have written a regimental history). They
were at Vicksburg in July '63. Works in progress...new history of 17th
Michigan, study of the battle of South Mountain, MD., bio of Pauline Cushmam,
study of men's clothing in 1860's using CVD's, and editing letters of a soldier
in the 4Oth Indiana (in Tennesse in July '63).
Been reenacting since 1977...17th Michigan, 1st Minnesota, 36th
Virginia...recently elected "Colonel" of the Western Brigade...got to work on
the "Gettysburg" movie for three weeks
Work (to support my hobbies) as an engineer for GM, have two grown children, and
live in Warren, Michigan.
JLC was a personal hero before "Killer Angels."
..and wish there was a list as good as this about the Maryland Campaign (1862).
I would like to introduce myself to the discussion group. My name is
Steve Hanzelman. I am a programmer/analyst that resides in Lancaster
County, PA. That puts me about a little over an hour from Gburg.
Needless to say, I spend countless days there when I have the free time.
I have been interested in the CW for years. I am a reenactor with the
reactivated 83rd PVI located here in central PA. I am also an avid
wargamer and a big fan of David Powell's Civil War series. (I just
happened to stick that in there since I noticed that he is a frequent
contributor to the group.)
I have been lurking for about a week and have enjoyed the messages.
Hopefully, I will contribute when I feel that I can add something of
substance.
Steve Hanzelman
hr>
FFrom: kgm@rci.rutgers.edu
Greetings to the Gettysburg Discussion Group! My name is Ken Miller and I
live in Milltown, NJ, a suburb of New Brunswick (home of the Rutgers
Scarlet Knights).
I am professor of Geological Sciences at Rutgers, The State University of
New Jersey. My specialty is the history of global sea level and
oceanographic changes over the last 65 million years. I was born in the
Jersey pines, was graduated from Rutgers College in 1978, and received my
Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Oceanography in 1982 and worked
as a Research Scientist at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia
University in Palisades New York until I joined Rutgers in 1988.
My three interests are science, my family, and history. My scientific
interests are obvious, and I am very thankful to have a job doing what I
love best: research and teaching. Rutgers is a great place to do both. My
family consists of my wonderful bride of 17 years, Karen, my two boys
Kenny Jr. (10 1/2) and Bobby (6) , and my newborn twin girls, Marion and
Michelle.
I first visited Gettysburg as a 5 year old and only returned last summer
for the anniversary on July 1 and July 2, 1995. Our family "studied" for
the trip by watching Gettysburg and the Burns series while reviewing maps
and books. We spent the first morning viewing the electric map and the
cemetery, finding them both extremely moving. We attended a reenactment
that didn't turn out as well as expected; monsoonal rains turned the fields
into Woodstock III. Soaked and discouraged, we almost returned home.
However, we trekked back from our York hotel room the next day and toured
the cyclorama and the fields. I found the experience at the angle on the
July morning to be very moving. You could almost see Pickett sitting on
his horse at Condori House. The only experience that I have had that was
close was a visit to Pearl Harbor, a place that I would rank with
Gettysburg as our most hallowed ground. I was hooked.
I am still a novice in my experiences with Gettysburg. I've begun by
reading the Killer Angels, Time-Life series, Stars in Their Courses, and
Old Pete's memoirs. I was drawn to the GDG for the quality of the
discussions. I needed some basic information, so I joined the discussion.
The rest is history.
Thanks to the Bros. Lawrence and to all of the GDG for their insights.
hr>
From: DavidM2521@aol.com
My name is David McKie,
age 32, from New Castle, Delaware. I'm married to a wonderful wife named
Barbara who has no intention of becoming a Gettysburg widow. I've been a
student of the Civil War, and Gettysburg particularily, since the age of
seven, when my dad took me to Gettysburg as a spur of the moment trip.
Little did he know then that I would add many return trips to his schedule!
I work as a mortgage processor in a local bank, but I have a BA in
History. My senior research project was on the role of the Second Corps,
AOP, at Gettysburg, although my professor (a dignified gentleman from the
great state of Virginia) tried to direct me to more "Southerly" topics!
I'm about 2 or 3 hours from Gettysburg, so I get up there as often as
possible. My wife usually prompts our visits, as she has become quite the
Civil War enthusiast. One of her ancestors fought and died on July 1 with
Pettigrew. Her interests are in the medical and nursing aspects of the war,
while I favor anything on the Second Corps, AOP, and its commanders.
However, she has become quite taken with JLC. Maybe this is just a passing
phase!?!
My thanks to the brothers Lawrence and all the other members who make
this group so interesting. Hopefully I'll be able to join in the discussions
soon, and maybe sooner if the snowplows don't show up soon!
hr>
From: BobHW@gnn.com (Bob Witt)
My name is Bob Witt and I live about 40 miles to the west of
Chicago. I am 37 years old, married and employed with a property
and casualty insurance trade association. I track and report on
legislation affecting all different kinds of insurance, working
with lobbyist, lawyers and other bottom dwellers.
I have my degree in Political Science but find military history
much more fascinating. I read just about anything, but have really
focused on the CW for the past few years. I enjoy visiting the
battlefields, and suggest that anyone thinging about it, to just
go. One of the best times I have ever had was when I spent two
days riding my bike around Gettysburg with the war college guide.
Anyway, I think the second half is about to start. Talk to
everyone soon!
My particular interest is cavalry operations. I am in the process
of writing a full-length biography of Maj. Gen. John Buford, and have
published three articles in various magazines, including one titled
"John Buford and the Gettysburg Campaign", which appeared in issue 11
of Gettysburg Magazine. I have also published an article on Joshua
Chamberlain which appeared in June 1992, and one on the Battle of
Monocacy, which appeared in October 1993. Perhaps some of you have
read my work.
My interest in cavalry operations tends to run to the more obscure.
I have just finished an article on the cavalry battle at Fairfield,
Pennsylvania on July 3, 1863, which is, in my humble opinion, the most
comprehensive study of this little-known fight attempted yet. I am
also working on what I believe will be the first article length
treatment of the fight on the South Cavalry Field which occurred late
in the afternoon on July 3. Finally, when the Buford bio is completed,
I intend to do a regimental history of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry,
also known as Rush's Lancers.
I am a past president of the Central Ohio Civil War Roundtable, and
currently serve as its program chairman. I am also the president of
the Ohio Civil War Association, an umbrella organization formed for all
Ohio organizations devoted to the study of the Civil War. I am a
member of APCWS, Brandy Station Foundation, The Friends of the National
Parks at Gettysburg, and the Friends of Monocacy. I typically visit
Gettysburg three times a year, and am well-known there.
I look forward to being a member of this forum.
My name is Paul Esposito. I was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in Biloxi
MS. I am married and have two small children (2 and 5 yrs) I cannot remember a time
that I was not interested in the Civil War. In 6th grade while on a cross country trip
with my family we passed north of Gettysburg during the first debate on the "Tower".
It was all over the radio. That was in '69. In high school ('76) my essay for the
local United Daughters of the Confederacy scholarship was rejected since I refused to
use the acceptable euphimisms for the War. I have also visited most of the
battlefields, east and west of the Mississippi. My two proud achivements with regard
to west of the Mississippi have been my visiting the Glorietta Pass marker in NM and
the Pichaco Peak marker in Arizona.
I have degrees in History, Political Science, and Computer Science. I make my
living designing computer networks for the Department of Defense in the Washington DC
area. My Civil War interests, like Bill Cameron's, are in the area of the Signal Corp,
and additionally the artillery, both USA and CSA and the Military Railroad under
Haupt.
I live about 45 minutes from Gettysburg in a small town on the old B&O Main
Line whose townfolks with the help of a Potomac Guard company "stoutly defended the
town in June 1863 from Stuart's raiders." (Town History)
I cannot count the number of times that I have been to Gettysburg. One of my
first dates with my wife was to Gettysburg. We have seen the battlefield in every way
possible except by horseback. Our two favorite ways have been cross country skiing
while the snow's deep and on our tandem (usually year round when the snow is not
deep). We have ridden the old Berry Bomber (our tandem) from Hagerstown though
Fairfield to Gettysburg and back via Thurmont on a few occasions. We have skiied not
only the horseback trail from the PA monument to Big Round Top, but to the Devil's Den
via Plum Rum from the Wheatfield. I can honestly say that Gettysburg in the winter
time is beautiful and not to be missed. (I sure don't miss the buses! ;-) )
My favorite monument is the Mississippi Monument. It striking pose and awe
inspiring view leave me breathless. (Not to mention that the history behind it is
shall we say interesting.)
I also have a large 15mm American Civil War solider collection. 99 44/100th
Confederates, with the stated purpose of being Longstreet Corps McLaws Division at
Gettysburg. (With more artillery mounted than the South ever had at Gettysburg.)
I have enjoyed being a lurker to the GDG for the past six months. And I look
forward to being a little more active participant.
From: JMatth9490@aol.com
My name is Jim Matthews(JMatth9490). I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado
and have been here for 16 years. I am originally for Santa Clara,
California. I am 50 years old, married to the same beautiful woman for 29
years an have 2 sons, 27 and 25. I am an Certified Environmental
Technologist Specializing in commercial ventilation systems.
My interest in the ACW began when I was a child. My interest in Gettysburg
began in 1963 when my mother gave me a 1929 picture book of the battlefied
and associated text. I have been a fan ever since. I even own one square
foot of the battlefield. It was purchased through a magazine offer in 1963
to raise funds to preserve the land against commercial development. I still
have the deed.
I finally got to visit Gettysburg in 1992. Although it was only for a day, I
tried to soak up every minute of time and try to put myself in the position
of the battle's major players and actually feel the history. It was a trip I
will never forget and want to make again for a longer stay.
I have visited other ACW battle sites(Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Glorietta and
Valverde). I have also been to Fort Point at the foot of the Golden Gate
Bridge, in San Francisco. Fort Point, as you know, was used to guard the bay
from Confederate ships that never came.
I am new to this Internert stuff. I like to read all the mail that is sent
to me. I may , at times ask some trivial questions. Please bear with me
until I feel more comfortable discussing the ACW and espically Gettysburg.
Thank you,
Jim Matthews
Cymru am Byth
I became interested in military history in junior high school when my a 30
min. Peanuts special showed my favoite cartoon character mixing it up with
the Red
Baron. The song came out (remeber Paul Revere and the Raiders--boy I'm dating
myself) and I got hooked on WWI. I took up the Civi War when I was 13 and my
family drove from Los Angeles to Atlanta. Relatives were okay, but, I really
enjoyed seeing Vicksburg, Kenessaw, etc. My history interest, a sense of
duty, and an ROTC scholarship lead me to join the Army after college. I was
airborne infantry and left after 4 years as a captain, having served in the
82d Abn
Div. and the XVIII Abn Corps. My wife, whom I met on active duty, is still in
the
reserves and is a major. As for what I do, see my .sig line.
At 40, I'm still a big history buff. My wife, our two boys (ages 8 & 9), and
I love to visit ACW battlefields, usually taking our bikes along. Since we
live in Warrenton, VA we're close to many of the battlefields. Each day to
work I drive thru the scene of the Buckland Races and through Manassas
Battlefield. My office sits on part of the site of the Battle of Chantilly,
aka,
the Battle of Ox Hill (shortly after 2nd Manassas)--an unfortunate fact of
northern Virginia's developement.
Since my wife and I don't like much of TV, we read a lot. More than half of
my reading this last year as been ACW and over have my wanted books list is
ACW. Peggy shares my love of history, if not my avid readership of it. Boys
have watched Gettysburg to the point of memorizing all the major players. The
younger one went as Buford last Halloween and got scores of ACW characters
for Christmas.
The family and I visit GB at least once a year--ride the train, pick peaches
in the Peach Orchard (41 lbs one year!), stroll LRT, and generally see all
the sites we can. As I do with most battlefields, I often find these visits
moving to the point of tears.
I hope to get to the muster or at least to meet up with y'all by noon--family
matters make it unlikely I can make the whole show.
Thad Humphries
I peeked into the member bios, hoping mine was'nt in there. Lucky for me, I
did not die of embarresment, so here is my updated bio:
I am a reenactor with the 69th NYSV, Co.C and 7th Virginia, Co.D . I will
admit, Southern California is not an ideal place for someone such as myself
to be in a group like this. Yet, when I made my first trip to G'burg. I was
amazed at how small it was. Especially, from LRT to the High Water Mark. Yet,
the
first time I crossed the field where so many southerners gave up their lives
on July 3, I could not help but sharing some of their anxiety as they marched
across the field. Sadly, I could not attend the 'Fury at G'burg event. I have
two friends though, that said nothing could have been as closer to the battle
than that. If money and time allows,(I'm booked solid until Auguast) I will
somehow make a trip back to the 'burg.
Everyone,
Colby Cowherd
My name is Jennifer Montfort, I'm 16(soon to be 17), and I've been "lurking" in
the shadows for about three months now getting to know all of you by reading
your posts. Let me say that this group has definately informed and enlightend
me on the subject of Gettysburg. You are all great, keep up the great
discussions!
My interest in the Civil War and GB began about two years ago in my freshman
year of high school. I had always loved history but I really started to want to
learn more and more about the War then. My family did a run-through tour of the
battlefeild the summer before and I didn't really apriciate the whole
thing.(Although I hate to admit it now!)
Last year we studied the Civil War in my U.S History Class. In the beginning
of the year I began to be more interested in the War itself, and my intrest was
feuled by the mini-series Scarlett (a great disapointment compared to the book)
and the numerous presentataions of Gone With The Wind (in my opinon, one of the
greatest movies of all time) And of course, how could I forget Gettysburg on
TNT? I began to read Civil War related books and didn't care what I read,
just as long as I could get more information on the War and the effects it had
on the people. My class also took a trip to GB that spring. I couldn't help
but feel overwelhmed by the feeling of standing on ground where so many men
fought and fell. It was amazing for me to stand in a place where one of my
ancestors once stood, looking out at the enemy before him, and not knowing if he
was to die or not.
So when I got the oppertunity to join the GB discussion group I jumped at the
chance. I have learned so much from this group and being a member has encoraged
me to find out as much as possible about the battle and the War itself. It has
also lead me to find the identities of my ancestors(4 in all, maybe more)who
fought in the War and two, John A. Crowl and Chief of Union Artillery Gen. Henry
Hunt, who fought at Gettysburg. Being more interested in the "personal" part of
the war, this was a great discovery for me. I am especially interested in the
effect the war has on the lives of the citizens of the CSA.
My ancestors bring up a question that I have. Do any of you know where on the
internet I can find information about my familly's ancestors? Or any other
places I might look? I've really started to get into the geaneology of my
family .
Thanks for the great discussions and keep up the good work
everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jennifer Montfort
Full Name - Victor Albert Vernon Jr.
Age 52
I am an Electronics Technician living in Lebanon, PA. Yes that's Pa
Dutch country and having a name with two V's was murder growing up. My
mom still calls me Wic.
I had a First Class FCC license, It's now called a General Class
License. I am fully proficient in Windows NT. and know enough about
Novell to be comfortable with it. Shucks I can even program a VCR, I can
repair them too.
My first interest in war probably began when I was told that my father
was "killed in the war" (WW II).
Since Gettysburg is close to Lebanon I naturally took an interest in
that battle, although not as deep then (5th Grade) as today. I did not
get to Gettysburg until I was 13, and that was with an uncle who knew
nothing about the battle. But we did take the tour. By the time I was in
Sr. High I could drive myself, so I did get there a few more times. The
only problem was by that time my interest had migrated to the Second
World War.
After graduating high school I joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in
Verdun sur Meuse, France. This was great for me. 2 years and 3 months at
the sight of the largest land battle in history, close to the Ardennes,
Germany, Luxemburg and Belgium.
After my discharge I finished my schooling in California. Not much Civil
war history there.
I returned to PA in 1980 and re-kindled my interest in the Civil War and
Gettysburg. In 1984 I joined a Re-enactment group (11th Va. Cav) and the
following year I joined the 4th Va. Infantry, Stonewall's Brigade. I
stayed with them until the summer of '88. Chancellorsville was the last
event I attended.
In 1987 I worked as one of the first VIP's at Antietam. I am pretty well
informed about that battle.
Since then I've confined myself to study of warfare and the Civil War.
Re-enacting is fun but I'm getting too old for that.
Major books on tactics and strategy that I have read:
On War - Andre Jomini
My email address is vicv@voicenet.com, feel free to email direct for any
discussions other than Gettysburg.
I've been eavesdropping for about a week, and am getting my
courage up to join the discussions. A bit about me. My name
is Bruce Wayne Fischer (no, I'm not named after batman). I like
to call myself a historian, holding a b.s. degree in history
from UMBC. I also have a real paying career as a computer
programmer (a second b.s.) doing computer modeling and simulation
for a government contractor in the defensive chemical/biological
warfare arena. I was first exposed to gettysburg by my mom, who
bought me the avalon hill boardgame gettysburg when I was a kid.
little did she know at the time that she had created in me a
passion for learning about the cw, and gettysburg in particular.
I reckon in some ways I'm just a 32 year old kid because I got
addicted to wargaming and still play as often as possible
( a pre-marital agreement allows me to go out one night a week to
play my games ). currently I'm playing the new '3 days of
gettysburg', by gmt games (the map is fantastic, prepared by
rick barber, and is accurate for wargaming and general use as far
as I've been able to determine).
Like most of y'all, i've done quite a bit of reading on the cw.
living in Harford county Maryland, I am fortunate enough to be
close enough to visit gettysburg a couple of times a year.
I own and have read the complete reprint of the 'campaigns of
the c.w.' 1881-1883, the time-life cw series, and just a bunch
of other cw books/documents.
Thanks for having me,
Bruce...
From: Terry Thomann SHWTT@ccmail.ceco.com
I am 47. I have a family consisting of a wife, 3 children 2 dogs and a
cat. I write interactive computer training programs for a utility. I
would like to write some museum information Kiosk programs. My
interest in the Civil War started in the seventh grade. My teacher,
Mr. Feneli, had a passion for history which he passed to several of
his students. My parents took me to Gettysburg in 1861 while on an
East Coast family vacation. While there, I purchased a handful of
bullets. This became the start of a collection which now includes over
a thousand artifacts and several hundred books. My parents were very
supportive of my hobby and encouraged me to continue and expand my
collection. My wife thinks I'm nuts, but she tolerates my obsession.
Two of my favorite items are an original carpet bag owned by Joseph
Dow, who was a member of the 2nd. US Sharp Shooters and a Colt Navy
revolver which was lost in the Wheatfield by a Union officer. My main
interest is in firearms and the technological advances of the Civil
War. One of my earliest books and still one of my favorites is 20th.
Maine. I think I like the Bull Run battlefield better because there
are a lot less tourist traps, but Gettysburg is a close second. My
favorite unit which fought at Gettysburg is the 5th. NH. Their
commander, Col. E.E. Cross, is a very interesting figure. I could
write an article on him. The story of him predicting his own death is
a myth. I know the secret. I got it from the Grand daughter of Col.
Cross's best friend. This is my bio so I will get back to that issue.
I am a big fan of Hancock. He did a great job of preventing a disaster
on the first day, also helped save the Union left on the 2nd day. We
all know where he was during Picket's charge. My pet peeve is people
who refer the Civil War as something other than the Civil War. The
Civil War was truly a war of brother against brother. The lesson we
must learn from Gettysburg is that when one is operating in hostile
country one is in a greatly weakened position. Longstreet understood
this. My life goal is to retire early and open a museum dedicated to
the common soldiers, both North & South. The museum will be located
near but not on any battlefield. I support Battlefield Preservation
and the expansion of battlefield holdings.
My name is Bob Hunter,and I live in Upstate New York. I'm 27 years
old,and have been interested in the Civil War,and generally Military
History ever since I was a small boy. My main interests are in the
ACW period,and the Air War in both theatres in WW2. These interests
have also driven my main hobby,computer gaming.
Recently I been playing alot of Talonsofts "Battleground:Gettysburg"
and I can wholeheartedly reccomend it to anyone here. The AI is "ok"
as far as using tactics and manuevers of the time. A New patch will
offer Play by E-Mail as an option. Can't wait for that...
Anyway,Been to the Battlefeild twice in my Youth,and all the talk
about it here has me wanting to go again soon. Now I can put some
real "faces" to the places.
Regards,
Bob
Hello all. I'm very glad to be here. My name is Virgina, but my friends
call me Pete (nickname since birth, I don't really know why). I am
approaching 30 and am an environmental chemist. I am married, no kids yet;
but lots of small animals. My husband was always saying that I needed a
hobby, then I got interested in the Civil War, and boy is he sorry now!
My interest in the war started about a year ago, I had never been too
interested in it before. My husband (Mitch) has been a "buff" since
childhood and had been to Gettysburg many times. I had never been there, so
when we moved to Frederick, MD I thought it would be nice to go to
Gettysburg. There was a certain feel to the battlefields, I'm sure some of
you know what I mean; it really grabbed me. We bought a copy of "The Killer
Angles" and I sat up reading it all night. I had never watched "Gettysburg",
but when we got home I did, and I was hooked. I have heard numerous people
trash the movie because it wasn't accurate enough, but it was the movie (and
the book) which kindled my interest and made me want to learn all that I
could about that battle, the men involved, and the war in general. I am now
addicted to shopping book stores, spent the best vacation I have ever had
this past summer tramping around Va battlefields, and am probably the only
wife alive who can be bribed with "I'll take you to Gettysburg."
Since I live only 30 minutes from Gettysburg, I can ususally be found
biking around the park whenever the temperature is above 40. I love riding
along Confederate Ave. especially the area around the Va monument down to
where the Washington Artillery was. There is a special feeling there, and it
is much calmer than the area around the visitors center.
My favorite monument hasn't been erected yet, but hopefully will be in
1998 (rabid and devoted Longstreet supporter).
My favorite place to nap is a group of rocks behind The Angle between the
scroll where Armistead fell and the "clump of trees"; or in the little
parking lot by the ampitheater.
My favorite time to visit the field is early evening, especially in the
fall.
Thanks for reading this far! P.S. I will send major kudos to anyone
who can tell me where I got my screen name! (Sultron)
My name is Josh Bennett, and I'm a senior at MIT. I'm four months away from a
degree in Materials Science and Engineering, with a minor in American History.
The American civil war has been an interest of mine for quite a while now. In
particular, I am interested in the technological innovations of the war, and
their impact on warfare.
I'm from a small town in Michigan called Bellaire - about an hour north of
Traverse City if anyone is familiar with the area. My father is a history
teacher who collects civil war firearms and other paraphenalia. I've been to
Gettysburg a couple of times now with him-- I guess that explains a lot of my
interest.
There was a posting earlier about members' ancestors in the battle-- I have a
couple. Two of my ancestors where there. One was in the 8th Michigan, under
Col. Ely in Reynold's 1st corps. Another was in the 24th Michigan, in the Iron
Brigade. After the battle, I believe both regiments were pulled back to defend
Washington
I've been in the group for a couple of months so heres my bio. I am a 46 year
old salesman living in Bucks County, PA (about three hours from Gettysburg).
I have always collected things: art, stamps, etc. About four years ago i
began to collect hand painted miniature toy soldiers made by the Trophy
Company. I chose the civil war figures and tried to finf information to build
a diorama for them. This led me to Gettysburg literature and I've been hooked
ever since.
At the same time my daughter began going to camp in Cascade Md. I had to drop
her off and had to stay overnite somewhere. And that somewhere was
Gettysburg. The first time I went I was blown away by the Battlefield. Now I
look foward to not only dropping my daughter off at camp but also picking her
up. Any reason to go to Gettysburg. I have read all the books (Coddington,
Bachelder, Pfanz, ORs etc) and subscribe to Gettysburg Magazine. I think the
group is great and thank the Lawrences for their work.
I am one of those long time lurkers who enjoys the free flow of
information, ideas and opinions that are exchanged in the GDG. I am
a former elementary school teacher who changed careers 12 years ago
to become a (horrors!) lawyer.
My great-great grandfather, Benjamin R. Wright, was killed in the
Battle of Gettysburg. He was a second lieutenant in the 26th
Pennsylvania Regiment. From the information I have been able to
gather, he was one of many casualties of his regiment, although the
only officer killed. His Commanding Officer's report of the events
of the Battle is frustratingly brief and I have been unable to find
any other firsthand letters, diaries, etc.
I have been interested in the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg
specifically since a child when my parents showed me my ancestor's
name on the Pennsylvania Monument and we tried, unsuccessfully, to
find his grave in the cemetery. (I have since learned that his body
was brought back to Philadelphia, his home, after the battle. The
regimental officers collected $50 to help his widow with these
expenses.) Like many others in this group, my interest was rekindled
by THE MOVIE.
I look forward to more interesting lurking.
Nancy Siegel
Maple Shade, NJ
Although I have been a member of the Gettysburg Newsgroup for some time
now I haven't taken the time to submit information about myself. My
name is Mike Griffiths, and I am 27 years of age. I have been very
interested in the battle of Gettysburg for some time and with my close
proximity to the battlefield I visit every chance I get. You might say
Gettysburg is a little special to me...or maybe sort of a family thing.
I say this because two of my ancestors fought there. The first--my
Great Great Grandfather Abram Carbaugh--was with the 121st Penna.
Also, my Great Great Uncle Richard Farrington--was with the 57th
Penna., and to the best of my knowledge was captured at the Sherfy farm late
in the afternoon of the second day.
At any rate...I enjoy reading many of the fine postings submitted to our
newsgroup. Keep up the good work!
Mike Griffiths
mg6448@ark.ship.edu
Since I've posted to the group a couple of times, I thought it was
time to forward a short bio.. I'm 44 years of age, born and raised in San
Diego. As a kid in the early 60's I was an avid CW fan, devouring American
Heritage books and dreaming of a chance to visit the battlefields in the
East. Alas, my family never made that trip.
Seeing the Ken Burns programs on PBS rekindled my interest and I
have been reading and collecting CW material ever since. Last year I took
my wife and then 17 year old son on the trip I always wanted to make.
Seeing Richmond, Washington D.C., Manassas, Fredricksburg, and Sharpsburg
was very exciting, but the day we spent at Gettysburg was the high point of
the entire visit.
My favorite location at the park is LRT, with the shafts of light
filtering in through the thick canopy of leaves and the eerie feeling of
being on ground hallowed by the deaths of so many brave and determined men.
If I have a special area of interest, it is in first hand accounts
of combatants. Having been an infantryman in Vietnam, I suppose I relate to
their experiences and trials on a personal level.
Since I live in California, I get very jealous when I read posts
from those of you fortunate enough to visit the Burg freqently. Perhaps I'm
make next year's muster.
David Clark
I have been around here a while and even doing some HTML coding for the
achives so I figure its about time I post a Bio.
My name is Mike VanHuss, I'm 33 years old and a claims adjuster with a
major Insurance compnay in the midwest, and have been longer than I care
to think about.
I have been interested in the war for Southern Independence since I was
a child. I can remember my Great-Grandmother telling me tales of my
Great-Great Grandfather fighting in the war for what she termed the
wrong side (6th Ky Cav Union) and how he couldn't raise a gun against
the Union. I can also remember my other Grandmother giving me the same
type of tales for one of my other G/G Grandfather's who rode with Joe
Shelby in the west and went on Price's Raid into Missouri. So I've been
around this stuff along time as a Son of a Confederate and Union
Veteran.
As far as battlefields visited I have been to most of the ones in the
eastern theatre of the war; many before urban sprawl had taken there
toll. My favorite by far is Gettysburg. For it more than any other
gives you a true picture of what it must have been like, the lay of the
land and the distances involved.
My favorite place on the field is the Angle at Dusk. It always seems so
peaceful there. The monument for me is the Mississippi Monument. Always
inspiring. Books, there are so many. Martins's July 1 for the first
day. A tough read but full of important info. Pfanz for the second
day. Enough Said. Coddington for everything else. The man is a
master.
Men in this war always interest me, not so much for what they did but
for what they endured and overcame to achieve extrodinary deeds. I look
forward to continuing my education in the war through this list and the
members there in.
Mike VanHuss
mvanhuss@tigernet.net
My name is Christy Venham and I've been lurking on the Gettysburg
discussion group for a long time. Since I don't have internet access at home,
I read this group at work. For the past ten years I have been employed at the
West Virginia and Regional History Collection at W.Va. University here in
Morgantown. Since West Virginia became a state because of the Civil War, I
work with Civil War archival material pretty much on a daily basis. While I
think I know a good deal about the Civil War in West Virginia, I had only
a limited knowledge of the battle of Gettysburg till I joined this group. I've
enjoyed the discussions so far and have learned a great deal about this battle.
I've been to Gettysburg quite a few times,(Gettysburg is only about 2 1/2 hours
from Morgantown) and the information I've gained from this group has given
me a new perspective when I visit the battlefield. I hope that when I have
acquired a little more knowledge about Gettysburg (and get internet access at
home) I'll be able to contribute to the discussions. In the mean time, I'll go
back to lurking.
Christy Venham
I am a 21 year old Visual Communications Major at Cecil Community College
with a minor in History concentrating on the American Civil War. I have
been studying the Civil War since the age of eight.
Although Gettysburg is one of my favorite battle sites to study about, I
also love to study the other parts in depth. My Favorite Movie is
Gettysburg which is based on my favorite book Michael Shaara's The Killer
Angels. I recently watched Andersonville on TNT and have the whole nine
part Ken Burn's Civil War Series on Tape. Another one of my favorite movies
is Glory the story of the first black regiment.
I drive my parents bananas with how much I study the Civil War. My father
said with how much I read about it and how many documentaries and movies I
watch that I must be a expert by now. My friends all think I am nuts to
study stuff outside of class for fun but I enjoy learning about the Civil
War and the people who fought in it. I have another friend who is also a
Civil War nut and we exchange notes, books, and movies together. We also
often go book hunting together.
I spend most of my extra time on the Internet researching information on the
Civil War and hope to one day have my own web page for information on the
Civil War, but that is in the future.
I have been a lurker for a month or two and really enjoy the discussion.
I am 13 and live on Long Island outside of NYC. I first got interested
in the civil war when We learned about sectional conflict in Social
studies and my Uncle took me to Gettysburg. I have a somewhat different
viewpoint from most Yankee's. My history day paper was about Jefferson
Davis and the CSA's stand for the rights of the states. My favorite
movie's are Gettysburg, I like the Civil War PBS series that I took out
from the library and the first part of Andersonville was good, (I didn't
get to see the second half because the VCR didn't work correctly.) I liked
Johhny Reb, and I also like to read the primary sources because they show
why the people who were actually there did what they did and not another
historians opinion.
Charles P. Wright
cpw@unix.asb.com
My interest in Gettysburg arose as a child from playing with Civil War toy
soldiers, which in turn led to reading about the Civil War, of which reading
about Gettysburg was my favorite. I spent many rainy day hours either by
myself or with a childhood buddy who shared my interest, dreaming of the vast
army of civil war soldiers, cannon and ships we would accumulate to recreate
great battles. As a young child, I believe I spent a week with my parents at
a campground near Gettysburg. My vague memory is that we only spent a day or
two at the battlefield or associated tourist type things.
As teenager, my interests turned to other things and the toy
soldiers,military miniatures and things civil war got packed away, not to be
unpacked until many years later. During my college years, I did take some
classes from Dr. Roy Stonesifer, who I believe is an authority on Fort
Donelson. In his class on American Military History, I seem to remember that
he spent an entire 3 hour class on Gettysburg, alone, which is quite amazing
when the entire couse covered from c. 1400 through and including Vietnam. I
also remember that during college I had the oppurtunity to spend the weekend
visiting the battlefield with the history club but chose not to do so.
(probably because I wanted to go to some party (the 70's-- what a waste)). My
loss.
I also remember reading Frassinito's photo essay on Gettysburg while in
college, although my reading was a more casual reading as oppsed to the more
intense re-read I did after I saw the book listed among the group's
discussions.
After college and getting settled into work my complementary interests of
civil war reading and toy soldier/military miniature collecting was
rekindled. When I statrted law school a few years later everything civil war
was reshelved again; I went to law school full time and worked full time, I
got married after my first year and had my first child during my final year
of law school.
It has only been during the last couple of years that I became interested in
things civil war again. Some of the re-rekindled interst was the movie,
"Gettysburg", but most of the renewed interset was a result of my on and off
again fascination. According to family history my great graet grandfather,
Hiram Beals, was wounded at Gettysburg. I have ordered his records from the
National Archive to determine how accurate the family history (grandma's
recollection) is.
As a subscriber to AOL, which has a CW forum and message board, I had been
becoming disenchanted with the message board postings which ranged from the
inane; eg. "what if Lee had tactical nuclear devices on the 3rd day", to the
out right mean spirited, eg. "If you are from the [pick North/South] your mother wears
combat boots". This group's goal of manners and courtesy is quite refreshing
and is to be applauded.
I must say that being a member of this group, and a "lurker" at that, has
challenged me to push my Gettysburg studies even further. I have gained a
wealth of ideas and sources or to re-read the things I have read before with
a new perspective. For that I thank the group. I hope that the group as a
whole remains steadfast in striving to realize that it is okay to agree to
disagree and still maintain a basic level of respect for the other
individual.
I also want to thank the women members. I have been sharing my Gettysburg
experiences with my son and had not really considered doing so with my
younger daughter. You have shown me the error of my ways with your excellent
postings.My daughter is still a bit wee young, but as she gets older I shall
not exclude her from any of the Gettysburg experience.
One last note, I will remain a "lurker" until I become more comfortable with
the subject with the exception of some ideas and questions I have on various
miscellany. In the meantime, I remain,
Very Truly Yours,
Michael Gallagher
I am a 45 year of professional reference librarian from New York Mills,
New York (yes, Mills, not THE CITY, which is Downstate from us). I
have a bachelor's in the Russian Language from SUNY Oswego, and a
Master's of Library Science from the University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor. I have worked in the reference and research field for
almost 20 years.
I became interested in the Civil War years ago. My father was a great
lover of history, and when we had vacations, he and my mother took
my brother and I not to the beach, but to historical locations. I
really don't remember my first trip to Gettysburg vividly, though
I do remember we were there when quite young. I distinctly remember
getting stuck behind a bus going up Little Round Top! The Civil War
bug stayed with both my brother and I, and he became a history
teacher, with a concentrate and specialization in the Civil War.
I currently belong to the Onondaga County Historical Association
Civil War Roundtable (in Syracuse, NY); the Friends of the National
Parks at Gettysburg, and the Pejepscot Historical Society, Brunswick,
Maine, which preserves the home of General Joshua Lawrence
Chamberlain...who just happens to be my favorite Civil War
personage.
In relation to JLC (as we call Chamberlain), I collect any books
dealing with him, as well as limited edition art prints. I
currently have a collection of seventeen prints, done by such
artists as Don Troiani, Dale Gallon, Mort Kunstler, Don Stivers,
Keith Rocco, etc. I also have an original 1867 poliltical
campaign handbill for JLC's second gubernatorial campaign.
My favorite corps is naturally the Fifth Corps, as Chamberlain's
regiment, the 20th Maine, was assigned to the third brigade, first
division, fifth corps, and was on Little Round Top on July 2. My
favorite part of the battlefield is Little Round Top at dusk
with a beautiful sunset, after most of the school buses have
departed, and you can hear the birds and crickets singing.
I have been interested in JLC since reading "Killer Angels" while
in school at Michigan. I had to read it for a literature course.
I also do slide programs at local libraries, schools and
organizations. I do three pertaining to the Civil War...one
on Joshua Chamberlain; one on the battle of Gettysburg, and one
on Civil War Battlefields.
My e-mail address is:
Cheryl Pula
WH_REF@midyork.lib.ny.us
PS...my brother has just finished writing a book on the
XII Corps in the Civil War...he has written several others,
including a biography of General Wladimir Krzyzanowski, who
was on Culp's Hill at Gettysburg.
My name is Paul Domer and I've been "listening " to the discussions of the
group for a number of months and enjoying it imensely. I'm very fortunate
that my wife Joanie is as interested in the Civil War and Getysburg as I am.
I am the technical supervisor of the clinical neurophysiology laboratory at
the University of Michigan and Joanie works at the Ann Arbor News. We both
hail from Massillon, Ohio with ancestors from Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Like many people we became interested, some say obsessed, with the Civil War
and Gettysburg after the Ken Burns series (an Ann Arbor boy), the movie
Gettysburg and reading "Killer Angels". After my wife finished the book she
said " You have to read this and we have to go to Gettysburg". In May we'll
make our third trip to Gettysburg ( in three years) , and second to
Sharpsburg with several days at Harpers Ferry and a trip to South Mountain.
We're sorry that our plans were made before we knew about the muster. We will
be leaving Gettysburg the previous Saturday.
We belong to the Ann Arbor Civil War Roundtable which recently adopted the
1st Michigan Sharpshooters flag for preservation. Our membership includes
John Gibney who wrote an article on the 16 th Michigan for Gettysburg
Magazine and Tom Nanzig who wrote a history of one of the Virginia Cavalry
regiments. This area is rich in civil war history. Harrison Jeffords, Colonel
of the 4th Michigan at Gettysburg is burried in nearby Dexter and Norvel
Welch of the 16th Michigan is burried here in Ann Arbor. Jeff "don't call me
Lawrence" Daniels lives just down the road in Chelsea.
Last year we spent an entire day walking the first days battlefield west of
town. I'm convinced that walking is the only way to really know and feel the
ground. This year our main focus will be the area of the Wheatfield. Joanie
has done a lot of local research on Harrison Jeffords and the 4th Michigan.
Another of my special interests is the 100th Ohio in which three Domer
relatives served.
I'd like to applaud the Lawrence brothers for the opportunity to
be a part of this terrific group.
Paul Domer
PaulD100@aol.com
pauldom@umich.edu
Hello. I'm new to the Gettysburg list and I thought I'd introduce
myself. I've read alot of the posts in the archives so I feel like I
know most of you already. My name is Philip S. Raisor. I currently live
in Athens Georgia. I graduated from West Georgia College back in
December with a BA in Mass Communication (radio/television) and a minor
in history. My love for history comes from all the vacationing my family
did while I was younger. We would stay at battlefield campgrounds all
across the country. I became intrested in Gettysburg after, like a lot
of you, I saw Ted's movie. Since then I have read everything I can get
my hands on about the battle andthe men fighting it. I wrote my last
history research paper on LRT (I got a B, which would have been an A had
I not had a bad case of Spanish class:) ). I have yet to visit the
battle ground, but I hope to in the next year (assuming I can get the
time off from the job I hope to get:) ). I am looking forward to all the
arguments we'll all get into.:)
Philip S. Raisor
itva@westga.edu
psrstu@westga.edu
philip.raisor@sid.net
One of my greatgrandfathers' brothers eldest son was Fred H. Daggett from
Pontotoc, MS. Fred (some sort of cousin of mine--I'm not a genealogist) was
2nd sergeant, Co. G, 2nd Ms Infantry. He was caprtured 7/1/63 in the
railroad cut and was held at Fort Delaware until 1865. I have a letter of
his that I'd be happy to share; if you're interested e-mail me and I'll send
a copy with info from Fred's CSR.
I'd like to be able to say that this family connection is the source for my
interest in our Civil War in general and Gettysburg in particular, but that
isn't the case. Some years ago my wife, her brother, and I were driving to
Washington D. C. from Marysville, PA where we'd been visiting some of my
wife's relatives. Noticing that G'burg was on the route, and being seasoned
travelers all, we decided we'd "do" the battlefield, probably needing no more
than a couple of hours. WELL! When I saw the field I realized that
something very big and very important in the history of my country and I
didn't know what or why. That was intolerable to me and I've been studying
the ACW as intensely as time permits for the last ten to fifteen years; the
effect of that effort has been to teach me how much I have yet to learn!
It was after embarking on this infinite journey that I learned of cousin
Fred, as well as another greatgrandfather who was a pvt. in the 23rd Ohio
VIV. There is, in the oral history of my family, a story of yet another
great grandfather coming from Scotland to New Orleans to take some part in
the War, but the story has holes big enough to drive a Mack through, so far I
can confirm none of the story, and won't bore anyone in this group with it.
As for myself, I'm in my late fifties, married, no children, one cat, and own
an a
deicher@astronomy.com
From: JMRobbins1@aol.com
hr>
From: empaul@students.wisc.edu (Beth Paul)
I want to thank you for the respones on my What if? question. I have seen
so many bios within the past few days that I thought I would put in my own.
From: "Heather Peake"
University of Vermont
From: richard <rgarnett@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: new member bio
From: Dave Navarre <73613.1150@compuserve.com>
Subject: My Bio
From: Stephen Ambruzs
I have always felt an attachment to Gettysburg... ever since the
centennial in the 1960s. Going on 44 years old now.... and still have to
stop everytime I'm in the vicinity.
Favorite Place: Little Roundtop at dusk on a warm spring/fall evening.
Favorite route: Bicycling throughout the park.
Favorite monument: Alabama
From: John Griffin
From: ENordfors@aol.com
From: phensel@epix.net
From: rtj@atcon.com (Dick James)
>
From: gwjchris@ix.netcom.com (Bill and Glenna Christen )
Bill Christen
gwjchris@ix.netcom.com
From: Steve Hanzelman
Eric.J.Wittenbergp>
I am a 35 year old attorney in solo practice in Columbus, Ohio. I
am a native of Reading, Pennsylvania who was educated at Dickinson
College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, visited by Richard Ewell on June 30,
1863. I became fascinated with the Civil War during a third-grade trip
to the battlefield, and have been hooked ever since.
From: Paul Esposito
From:Thad Humphries thumphri@nafis.fp.trw.com
From: "Douglas M Macomber"
From: Colby Allen Cowherd
I joined the group a couple days ago and having posted twice, I
believe I should introduce myself. I am a 18 year old college freshman
at St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland, home of the Great Books
program, where I study mostly philosophy. My home town is Culpeper,
Virginia. I've visited the field of the battle in question once last year,
but plan to visit the ones less than 30 min from my home before I
go back (I guess I'm spoiled). I currently extreemly interested in joining a
re-enactment group. Anyone with personal data concerning the 12th Ga.
(Doles, Rodes, Ewell, ANV) or the 20th Conn. (1st Brig. 1st div., XII Corps
AoP)
please contact me.
Hello all!
From: Victor Vernon
The Art of War - Clausewitz
On War - Sun Tzu
Strategy & Tactics - B.H. Liddle Hart.
My Favorite Battles (Not necessarily in any order)
Antietam
Gettysburg
Verdun
The Somme
Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana
Leyte Gulf
Guadalcanal (The Campaign)
Battlefileds I have Visited:
All Eastern Theater Battlefields of Civil War
All Battlefields in the Valley (Including Romney)
Shiloh
Waterloo, Belgium
Bastone, Belgium
Normandy - All American Beaches and St. Mar Eglise
Orleans - France (Joan of Arc's home town)
Verdun
The Alamo (Very disappointed with urban sprawl around the mission)
Valley Forge (not a battlefield)
Brandywine
From: Bruce Fischer
From: Terry Thomann
From: "Bob Hunter"
From: Virginia Markowitz (Sultron@aol.com)
From: Josh the semi-amazing
From: David Butchin LlDdd@aol.com
From: MS NANCY L SIEGEL ZHYB56A@prodigy.com
From: Michael Griffiths
From: David Clark curlew@cts.com
From: "Michael D. VanHuss"
From:Christy Venham
From: pmeadows@ed.cecil.cc.md.us
From: "Charles P. Wright"
From: Nancy Robinson bayonets@sun.tir.com
Hello everyone. My name is Nancy Robinson and I am a 34 year old
certifiable Civil War nut. I live in Michigan about 70 miles north of
Detroit and I work in the accounting department of Insight Recovery Centers,
Inc. My interest in the Civil War began almost 14 years ago when out of
boredom I read a "Reader's Digest" condensed book version of "Lee and Grant"
by Gene Smith. I enjoyed the condensed version so well that I obtained the
book so that I might enjoy it in it's entirety. From that moment on I was
hooked. My interest (obsession might be a better choice of words) still
amazes me in that I was a typical high school student that thought history
was about the most useless subject there was. I am most happy to say I was
wrong in that assumption. Gettysburg has been the most spiritual place for
me when it comes to visiting battlefields. No matter how often I go there
(at least once a year) I am in awe of the ground and the people who fought
and lived there. I've only had the opportunity to visit a few battlefields
(Manassas, Balls Bluff and Gettysburg) but I hope to visit more soon. The
best tour guide for Manassas is Eileen Murphy whom I had the pleasure of
meeting in person in May of 1994 at the first gathering of the cyberspace
Civil War nuts. I'm honored that Dennis and Bob have referred to me as the
founder of the original muster. Our first gathering two years ago was
purely by accident. I was planning a trip to Gettysburg over the Memorial
Day holiday in 1994 so I posted a note to my friends (who I had been
"talking" with and learning from for several months on Prodigy) inviting any
of them in the area over Memorial Day to get together. It blossomed into
what we have coming up this year. You can't ask for better guides around
Gettysburg than Dennis, Bob, Terry Moyer, Eileen Murphy, Jim Radmore and
Eileen O'Toole. I can't wait to see them all again. I am new to the
internet and am so grateful to be back with the original group from Prodigy
and from what I've read so far the Gettysburg Discussion Group is the place
to be if you really want to learn something. I anxiously await meeting you
all in June. Up until recently I had been focusing my studies on
particular people in the Civil War but my interest is turning toward
strategies and particular campaigns. I can see my work with this new group
is going to be cut out for me and no doubt I'll be learning alot. Glad to
make your acquaintenance. Nancy
From: Michael Gallagher Mikecivil@aol.com
By way of introduction, I am thirty something attorney who practices law in a
small city in S.W. Pennsylvania. I am married and have 2 small children.
From: Cheryl Pula
From: Paul Domer PaulD100@aol.com
From: Philip S. Raisor
From: Dennis C DTCLEM@aol.com