Monthly Archives: October 2012

Dead Men

Posted on October 31, 2012 by

I am often accused of preferring dead men to those still living. It may be true. In this season when the veil between the living and the dead is rent in so many places, I especially think of our ghosts. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Battlefields & Historic Places, Common Soldier, Memory, Monuments, Ties to the War | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Long, Wild Ride of William Woods Averell

Posted on October 31, 2012 by

The young second lieutenant stepped out of General Winfield Scott’s office, having reported for duty and ready for his next assignment—whatever it may be.  He didn’t have to wait long.  That night, lounging in the lobby of the Willard Hotel … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War Events, Emerging Civil War, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Happy Anniversary & BOO!

Posted on October 30, 2012 by

It’s that time of year again, and it is my ECW Anniversary. A little over a year ago I found Emerging Civil War on line. I noticed they didn’t have much (nothing!) about Elmer Ellsworth, so I mentioned that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Emerging Civil War | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Telling History vs. Making Art: Killer Angels, real and fictional

Posted on October 30, 2012 by

Part five in a series. In my last post, I began to discuss Michael Shaara’s aesthetic choices for constructing The Killer Angels as he did, and how he adopted a Lost Cause-interpretation of Robert E. Lee as a central choice … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Authors, Memory, Personalities | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Question of the Week #6

Posted on October 29, 2012 by

“Which Confederate cavalry commander was more effective during the war, Jeb Stuart of Nathan Bedford Forrest?”

Posted in Leadership--Confederate, Question of the Week | Tagged , , , | 26 Comments

Clouds Gather Over Petersburg

Posted on October 28, 2012 by

See more photography from Kathleen Logothetis

Posted in Battlefields & Historic Places, Emerging Civil War, National Park Service, Photography | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Telling History vs. Making Art: Gods & Jacksons

Posted on October 26, 2012 by

Part four in a series. One of my favorite places to work at FSNMP is the Stonewall Jackson Shrine, the small plantation office building where the Confederate general died. It’s a story I love so much that I wrote a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Authors, Memory, Personalities | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Blood in front of the Angle

Posted on October 24, 2012 by

The swale in front of the Bloody Angle Spotsylvania Court House Battlefield Sunday, October 21, 2012

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Telling History vs. Making Art: “Frankly, my dear….”

Posted on October 23, 2012 by

Part three in a series As the horn section carries Max Steiner’s score from its overture into the sweeping, now-iconic strings of its main theme, Gone With the Wind opens with haggard-looking slaves returning from a hard day’s work set … Continue reading →

Posted in Emerging Civil War | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Question of the Week #5

Posted on October 22, 2012 by

“Which Valley Campaign had a larger impact on the war in the east, the 1862 Valley Campaign or the 1864 Valley Campaign?”

Posted in Battles, Campaigns, Question of the Week | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments