posted on February 22, 2001 01:07:12 PM
Femme - Thank you for the information. I know one of the principle people involved there. But, I did not know that they were open yet.
It has been a while since I was in Penn. But deep in the heart of the "Roll Call" thread is a photo of me at Gettysburg. (The only time I think my photo has ever been seen on the web - camera shy ya know?) Don't do reenactments much - never been to a big one. California has a few - but they are small compared to the hardcore's back east.
The next time I travel to the area - you can be sure of my plans to visit the museum. The great thing for me living today, is that their has been a explosion of information coming out and being shared over the past 5 years or so. As a researcher - it is amazing that so much is now being found that has never been seen. The history books will continue to be revised as new items come to light.
I have also enjoyed the PBS "A house divided" this last week. Pretty well done, but still sad - so much pain and anguish packed into just a few years of our history.
It is amazing that our nation survived it.
Love talking about this stuff. Thanks for the "heads up"
posted on February 22, 2001 04:33:38 PM
You're in California? I don't know why I thought you were on the East Coast.
If you recall, I asked you which battlefield you were visiting in that picture. I felt for sure it was Gettysburg.
I'm looking forward to visiting the museum, but will wait for the newness to wear off.
I'm always looking for a picture of my Great, Great Grandfather, who was a Colonel in the Civil War. I have a lot of information on him, but no pictures.
A lot of my fellow antique dealers specialize in the Civil War, so I am always scanning their merchandise looking for something.
I live very close to Gettysburg and was born in the only northern town burned during the Civil War.
Abe & Mary Lincoln, A House Divided, was wonderful. I mentioned it in another thread and Meya said she was watching it also.
I have a whole new respect for Mr. Lincoln and great empathy for Mrs. Lincoln. The President didn't have a moment's peace, both personally and professionaly, from the day of his first election. I admire his fortitude. He truly was amazing.
By the time the series reached the last 45 minutes, I was so sad and the tears really flowed.
I really enjoyed talking to you, Nutspec.
If I can be of any assistance in your research, please let me know.
posted on February 22, 2001 04:46:09 PM
Butterfields is auctioning a Civil War soldiers diary this week. I can't afford it but I would sure like to read it.
posted on February 23, 2001 02:37:53 PM
Thanks - I was stuck in trafic at LAX today. That particular picture was taken during my only visit to Gettysburg.
I Have one of those kinds of letters in my collection - Loving and heartbreaking at the same time.
I'll type out a few lines from it later if you are interested.
I focus Mostly on the Trans-Mississippi portions of the Civil War - (I was raised in Northern Arkansas and have relic hunted for years in the camps and hills in NW Arkansas)
Diary Account - Charles Porter - Oct 22, 1862 In NW Arkansas
"A Frosty morning. On arising from my slumbers, I found an unwelcome companion in my blanket. After careful survey of his proportions I found him to be an 18 year old rattlesnkae. I soon dissolved companionship with him by giving him sole possession of my bed. As soon as I regained my feet, I set to work doing some killing without any orders from a Major General. After dispaching his snakeship, I ate breakfast."
posted on February 23, 2001 05:28:18 PM
Lol - If it had been me - Liftoff would have been accompanied by a long and high pitched scream. No words needed.
It is exciting to hear that Femme has a Col in the family. What regiment? I imagine you have checked the US Civil War Center out of Baton Rouge LA - for him and his regiment. There is a wealth of information there.
I am now preparing for a major display at the Drum Barracks Museum in Wilmington CA. The Museum is in the last remaining wooden building from Camp Drum - which was the Union Army headquarters for Southern California and Arizona Territory from 1861-1871. We hope to gain some new interest in the subject in the LA Region and some of the local reenactors will also be there to help tell the stories.
Hard to believe that there is any Civil War history to Los Angeles - Especially since only one single soldier in the entire union army put down Los Angeles as his hometown. (At least we have only been able to find this one so far - and he claimed later in the 1880's that he WAS the only one)
There is going to be some awesome stuff on display. We are also going to have one room for the "Callifornia 100 and "California Battalion" who traveled to Mass. to sign up and fight as members of the 2nd Mass Cavalry.
Will type out some of my "dear mary" letter later.
posted on February 23, 2001 10:06:54 PM
Let me set the stage a bit. This letter is from a soldier from New Hampshire - by the end of the war only about 75 men - of the original 1000 in his original unit were left. The soldier is just getting past the disaster of Cold Harbor. The unit had been shattered. His wife Mary had been working to support herself and their children - as well as sending what she could to him. He had forgotten to thank her in the confusion, and she had sent him a letter that must have scorched his soul.
I have a series of 20 letters from this man - and knowing the unit - I just knew that there almost had to be one that said - "Dear Mary - we was with George when he died . . ."
"My Own Dear Wife.
I received a letter from you yesterday by Mr. Eaton. I was much grieved to hear that you was so hard up and it grieves me more to know that I am the cause of it. But, if you will forgive me this once it shall not occur again.
We have been expecting the paymaster for 10 days now When he does come I shall send you money to make you comfortable. You shall not have to live so poor anymore. You said you wanted to know if I loved you you ought to know that I love you the same as ever and always shall love you until I die. I don't blame you for feeling bad about my not writing to you and sending money But Dear Mary DON'T think that I have ceased to love you for if you do you do me a great injustice.
I think that I did not mention in my letter of the 23rd that I had received those things you sent me. I would much rather you would keep them yourself for I think you need them the most I am afraid I live better than you do But keep up good courage.
Give my love to all but keep the biggest share yourself
Yours ever true - George
P.S. I forgot to mention that I received your picture I am going to have mine taken soon."
As I read this set of letters which had been stored away for 50+ years - a faded CDV with an 1864 tax stamp on it fell out of an envelope - Beautiful dark hair and eyes - slim and amazingly beautiful - I think it's Mary.
He wrote that he lived better than her - The battle of Cold Harbor was a horror. 12,000 men on the Union side were killed or wounded in 3 days. Over Seven Thousand men in one nightmarish 45 minute span when the entrenched Confederate line was charged. The sounds of the battle were heard in Richmond - over 8 miles away.
And in the end - Despite the odds - George made it home to Mary - he was one of the 75.
posted on February 24, 2001 08:35:53 AM
Good Morning, Nutspec,
That letter gave me chills. Just so sad.
I do have all the info on my ancestor, thanks to my mother's painstaking research on our family pre computers and the Internet.
She did it all through the library and correspondence with close and distant relatives, most of whom are gone now.
She would have loved all of the available information on the Internet.
When I get a chance, I'll dig out my papers and and let you know which regiment. He was wounded in one of the battles. I want to say Fredericksburg (VA), but my memory may have failed me. It's all in my paperwork.
There is a street in my hometown named for him. It was the location of his family farm.
Since I've never really studied the Civil War, I was not aware that there had been a Union Army headquarters in CA. I never gave a thought that there would be Civil War interest in California.
