Jim Scanlon (deceased)
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Apr 8, 2012 7:52:22 GMT 9
biggeekdad.com/2011/01/gettysburg/When I was a lad, I knew a couple of Civil War Veterans, and would see them in parades. They were all very old men. Jim Too :god_bless_usa
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Post by Mark O on Apr 8, 2012 8:49:12 GMT 9
When I was a lad, I knew a couple of Civil War Veterans, and would see them in parades. They were all very old men. Ooh, that is spooky because that's just how I describe you guys to all my friends! JUST KIDDING!!!
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Bullhunter
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Post by Bullhunter on Apr 8, 2012 13:30:36 GMT 9
Familytree has Civil War veterans in it. Four brothers enlisted and went to war. Only one survived the war. Two were killed in SC at the Battle of Honey Hill. One died in a POW camp from wounds received in battle. I've kept all the historical records, letters, and this photo. I enjoy civil war history. Attachments:
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Post by dude on Apr 13, 2012 7:45:49 GMT 9
I live about 30 minutes from Gettysburg. One of my favorite things to do is walk the battlefield. Best time to do it? Between Christmas and New Years. No buses, no tourists, no noise...just total silence. Stand in the woods where Pickett's troops waited to make their infamous mile-long "charge" and imagine what it must have felt like being well aware of the fact that you were about to do something incredibly stupid that would most certainly get you killed.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2012 10:28:12 GMT 9
I've been on many camping trips in the area, and another great time to visit is anytime when the fog is just laying about a foot off the ground, it almost looks like the smoke of battle. If the wind is blowing, you swear you can hear the noise of battle, the screams of the wounded, the orders being barked at both sides and the thunder of cannon, rifle and pistol fire.
For about an hour on one of those days, maybe around 5 or 6 in the morning, if you close your eyes, you can see the battle, and the incredible courage of men on both sides. Each fighting for their own cause, but resolute in laying down everything they had for their country.
If we could only rely on that courage now, when it's imperative that we stop the forces that are working to destroy us and this country.
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF NBA: Spurs NFL: Niners MLB: Giants NHL: Penguins
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Apr 13, 2012 10:51:52 GMT 9
Gettysburg is a fascinating place to visit.
I know there has been some work done of late, but wonder how much it enhanced the experience. Been 24 years since we were last there.
If you have not read "The Killer Angels", by Michael Shaara, you have missed one of the very best "historic fictions" about warfare.
It deals with the three days of battle at Gettysburg.
You might also be interested in the books by his son, Jeff Shaara.
"Gods and Generals" deals with the leadership of both sides, and gives a good picture of the character of both.
"Last Full Measure" deals with the events following Gettysburg.
Jeff also wrote books about the American Revolution (2), the Mexican War, WW1 and WW2 (4).
I have never read a body of work, from father and son, that so clearly depicts the events of our wars, and more importantly, the people involved in those wars.
If you are not familiar with the books, they are all in paper, and can be found in most used book stores.
So far, Jeff has not published anything about the Spanish American War, Korea or Nam. But, he probably will.
Happy reading.
Jim Too
:god_bless_usa
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Bullhunter
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Post by Bullhunter on Apr 13, 2012 11:21:55 GMT 9
Yes the last few years repair work has ben done. My Daughter :e7new and son-in-law : have both been on trips to the Battlefield to do repairs. About 2 times a year volunteers from Dover AFB have joined others in fixing and repairing things like fences. I've seen their pictures.
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Post by dude on Apr 14, 2012 10:31:45 GMT 9
Over the years the folliage on the battlefield had grown up and recently there has been a concerted effort by The Friends of Gettysburg and many others to clear it back to the way it was during the battle. Another good change was the removal of that godawful tower they had out in the middle of the field. The new visitor's center is absolutely stellar and high tech. In addition to the usual general civil war displays, there is one full room dedicated to each of the three days. I read and liked both Shara's works, but for me the definitive work on Gettysburg is "The Gettysburg Campaign - A Study in Command" by Edwin B. Coddington. I bought it years ago at the Visitor's Center bookstore and was told that it was required reading at the War College. Don't know if that's true or the guy just wanted to sell the book, but it is over 800 pages and very detailed.
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Post by Jim on Apr 15, 2012 7:20:03 GMT 9
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marv2
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Post by marv2 on Apr 18, 2012 9:44:17 GMT 9
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF NBA: Spurs NFL: Niners MLB: Giants NHL: Penguins
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Apr 25, 2012 4:57:14 GMT 9
We have a propensity in our nation to only celebrate the victors. This is true of the "Civil War/War between the States/War of Northern Aggression". We, those of us from non- Southern States, have been taught a lot of things about the "Brave boys in Blue", the tactics of U.S. Grant, and other things. However, we seldom, unless we make an effort to find them, see much information about the "Boys in Grey". Probably the best Generals of that War, were wearing Grey. They lost. End of story. They became losers. Such is history. I believe there were enough heroics on both sides to honor, and certainly enough graves to mourn. The below URL is for an article in to-day's Canada Free Press. It deals with the "First" Memorial Day. www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/print-friendly/46223Jim Too - Proud to call those of both sides my fellow Warriors. :god_bless_usa
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Post by Jim on Sept 28, 2012 2:27:37 GMT 9
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Post by Jim on Nov 3, 2012 0:47:38 GMT 9
I can not believe that we were once as young looking as the young soldier in this video. Why does it always take war to generate another "GREATEST GENERATION"
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