Author Archives: Terry Rensel

Recruiting The Regiment: The Erie Regiment

Posted on June 5, 2021 by Terry Rensel

On April 21, 1861 John W. McLane of Erie issued a call for volunteers, for a term of service of three months. In 1859 he had formed the Wayne Guard, a company of volunteers that served as a mostly ceremonial … Continue reading →

Posted in 160th Anniversary, Regiments | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Harris Farm: The 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery’s Baptism of Fire

Posted on May 19, 2021 by Terry Rensel

General Ulysses S. Grant had decided to move around Gen. Robert E. Lee’s right once again in another flanking maneuver in the Overland Campaign. On the night of May 18, 1864, the Union’s Army of the Potomac started shifting away … Continue reading →

Posted in Battles | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Elizabeth Vincent After Gettysburg

Posted on March 26, 2021 by Terry Rensel

On July 3, 1863, as he lay dying from his wounds inflicted upon Little Round Top, Col. Strong Vincent asked for his wife. Elizabeth Vincent was home in Erie, Pennsylvania, seven months pregnant and in no condition to travel, thus … Continue reading →

Posted in Civilian, Personalities | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Franklin’s Crossing at Fredericksburg

Posted on December 12, 2020 by Terry Rensel

Earlier this year I had a rare opportunity to visit the site of Franklin’s Crossing (also known at the Lower Crossing) at Fredericksburg. The site sits on land owned by Spotsylvania County and isn’t currently accessible to the public. These … Continue reading →

Posted in Battlefields & Historic Places, Photography | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Home Libraries: Across Time and Place

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Terry Rensel

I have loved reading from an early age, and as I get older reading has become the main thing that I do to relax and fill my free time. I started out reading sports biographies, and the discovered Stephen King … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Authors | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

ECW Weekender: Erie History, Lost and Found

Posted on September 18, 2020 by Terry Rensel

I recently made a road trip to Pennsylvania to look in on family and friends, as I needed to check in on a few things in person. Since I was going to be in Erie, I decided to spend part … Continue reading →

Posted in ECW Weekender, Memory | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Getting Un-lost in the Wilderness

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Terry Rensel

As I have gotten older, I have become a much more tactile person when it comes to understanding history. I still greatly enjoy a good book, and sometimes that’s the only way that you can experience it, but it has … Continue reading →

Posted in Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, National Park Service | Tagged , | 5 Comments

ECW Weekender – Fort Clinch

Posted on February 21, 2020 by Terry Rensel

I’ve been coming to Ameila Island and Fernadina Beach, Florida on and off for near 20 years. I always try to make Fort Clinch, at the mouth of the Amelia River, a stop.

Posted in Battlefields & Historic Places, ECW Weekender | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

CW & Pop Culture: Civil War Media—Ken Burns’ The Civil War

Posted on January 11, 2020 by Terry Rensel

Ken Burns’ The Civil War changed my life. I was a college senior in September of 1990 when the series premiered on PBS. I was a double major, History/Political Science and Broadcast Communication, and was way too busy with my … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War in Pop Culture | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Holiday History Tour

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Terry Rensel

I traveled home from Fredericksburg to Erie Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving this year. It was my first trip back since arriving here in late June. As I have an serious allergy to the commercialism of Black Friday, I decided to make … Continue reading →

Posted in Battlefields & Historic Places, Memory | Tagged , , | 2 Comments