Home Run Derby Star Captain “Jack” Wildey–Part 1

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Meg Groeling

When John Hay and George Nicolay drove their rented buggy over to Camp Lincoln to say hello to their friend Colonel Elmer Ellsworth, they found him wearing his “blouzy red shirt” and enjoying that New York favorite: Base Ball. Most New York firefighters played the game, and among those involved was Ellsworth’s aide-de-camp, Captain John “Jack” Wildey. Continue reading →

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Question of the Week: July 16-22

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Emerging Civil War

In your opinion, what is the most overlooked part of Civil War history that needs to “emerge” into studies and discussions?

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The Trust’s Teacher Institute: Rethinking George Washington with Phill Greenwalt

Posted on July 15, 2018 by Chris Mackowski

Phill @ TIWhen he takes to the front of the room for his talk at the American Battlefield Trust’s Teacher Institute, Phill Greenwalt introduces himself as the co-founder of Emerging Revolutionary War and as the acting chief of interpretation at Morristown National Historic Site. “If I say anything you like, I’m that guy,” he says, pointing to his Morristown title; then he points to his ERW title. “If I mess up, I’m that guy,” he chuckles.

It’s Phill’s self-proclaimed tongue-in-cheek mission to see how many times he can work Morristown into any conversation while he’s at the Teacher Institute. “Washington spent more time in Morristown during the war than anywhere. It’s where America survived,” Phill points out. “I say that within a stone’s throw of Valley Forge, which says it was the place where the war was won.”

Phill is here to talk about rethinking George Washington. Teachers can explore what their students think they know versus what they don’t know. Washington offers a great study in mythology versus reality.  Continue reading →

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Week In Review: July 9-15, 2018

Posted on July 15, 2018 by Emerging Civil War

Hope you are all staying cool! Several of the Emerging Civil War members have been leading tours and lecturing this week.

Monday, July 9:

Question of the Week offered a chance to share what you’re reading this summer.

Guest author Kristen M. Pawlak shared about General John S. Bowen and the surrender at Vicksburg.

Ryan Quint wrote about the aftermath of the Battle of Monocacy.

Continue reading →

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The Trust’s Teacher Institute: Where’s “Waldo”

Posted on July 15, 2018 by Chris Mackowski

I’m not normally one for taking selfies, but I got to spend time with a lot of cool people and see a lot of cool stuff at the American Battlefield Trust’s Teacher Institute in Philadelphia this week, so I want to share some of those meetings and interactions. Everyone heads home today–although I’ll have more dispatches to share once I have the time to get my notes written up!–but I thought this would be a fun way to close out the conference. It feels a little like “Where’s Waldo” to pop up in photo to photo, though.

I’ll start with a pair of my ECW colleagues and good friends, Dan Davis and Phill Greenwalt as the three of us shared lunch at City Tavern:

Continue reading →

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ECW Pop-Up Tour: Hartsuff’s Brigade at Antietam

Posted on July 14, 2018 by Emerging Civil War

George Hartsuff

Get ready! Sunday, July 22, 2018, is the date for an ECW Pop-Up Tour at Antietam. Register and grab some water and walking shoes and come join Kevin Pawlak and Dan Welch for a special tour.

What: A caravan tour focusing on the actions of George Hartusff’s Union brigade in the Battle of Antietam. After walking through the brigade’s actions on September 17, 1862, participants will also visit the site of one of Antietam’s largest hospitals as well as Antietam National Cemetery, the final resting place of some of the members of Hartsuff’s brigade. Continue reading →

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The Trust’s Teacher Institute: Independence Forever!

Posted on July 14, 2018 by Chris Mackowski

TI Crossing the StreetWe’ve had a great couple of days at the American Battlefield Trust’s Teacher Institute. I have notes from some fantastic talks and workshops that I’ve attended, which I’ll get typed up when I have the chance. There’s so much going on, and so many great programs, it’s been hard to sit down and write!

Today, we’ve ventured away from the conference center in Valley Forge to walk in the footsteps of history. That first means we need to hop on some busses, though. Two rumble off to the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, led by Garry Adelman and Tim Smith. Another two, with Philll Greenwalt leading one and Dan Davis and me tag-teaming the other, roll off to downtown Philadelphia.  Continue reading →

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Preservation News: Stonewall Brigade Tract Gets Eagle Scout Attention

Posted on July 14, 2018 by Emerging Civil War

It’s so inspiring to see young folks involved in battlefield preservation work. Check-out this highlight from Central Virginia Battlefields Trust‘s Summer Newsletter: Continue reading →

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The Trust’s Teacher Institute: Dan Welch’s Music Lesson

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Chris Mackowski

ECW’s Dan Welch has joined us in Philadelphia for the American Battlefield Trust’s Teacher Institute. He’s offering a fun session this afternoon that takes advantage of our location: “At the Hop” to “Love Train”: The Philadelphia Sound & Philly Soul.

Dan Welch Philly Sound

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ECW Weekender: Camels at Vicksburg National Military Park!

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Emerging Civil War

Come on out and join the Texas Camel Corps on July 21, 2018! This special event is being held at Vicksburg National Military Park once again, highlighting a unique aspect of the western theater of the Civil War: camels! Continue reading →

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