11th Mississippi Infantry

Guywayne Taylor, my first cousin, emailed about reading his dad's book on the 11th Mississippi. I remember that book. Uncle Roger and I discussed that book quite a bit. When he was first considering buying it he was undecided whether or not it was worth the $75.
I remember telling him that if I had a book on my ancestor's regiment that at any price it'd be worth it. He did buy the book and later he and I perused it together. I enjoyed the time we spent together with it. It would be the last time we saw each other.
Although we did correspond after that, we never saw each other in person. We corresponded that next summer when our Gettysburg group did a dedication to Uncle Roger's ancestor, R.N. Taylor, at his grave site in Hagerstown, Maryland.
We even taped it. Regretfully, I never got it to him before he died. I told him what we did; I could tell he was very appreciative and moved by our honoring his ancestor. I'm just so sorry that I did not get the video to him in time.
Who knew? We think we have forever in this world. Boy, are we deceived.
Anyway, he knew we took the time to do the grave dedication and I'm glad that it pleased him. I'm very in dept to Dan, Jim, and Randy for taking the time to do this.
Back to the book. I was half-way hoping that Aunt Jane would give the book to me because of my connection with Roger and all that. Of course, it belongs to the family. I'm glad that Guy has an interest in his ancestors. The book will mean a lot to Guy because of what it meant to his father.
It's funny about the things we cherish. Quite often it's those little things. Sometimes quite insignificant things. Although the regimental history book is not insignificant, it's value by the owner and shared joy it brought to others give it great meaning.
I hope to get a copy one of these days, if I ever run across it.

Lincoln and Douglass

I went to several bookstores yesterday and bought a couple of CW books. Although I don't have the time right now to read them, I'll enjoy them soon.
I got Tony another Gettysburg book for his bookshelf. Another Phanz book to go with one I got him before.
I bought a book at Half Price on paintings of CW participants that are in the National Gallery. How cool it would be to spend some time there! Anyway, it's a neat book with many very famous paintings. I've seen most. The text is Smithsonian published so it is well done. Cheap price, couldn't pass it up. I also picked up a book at Borders about Lincoln and Douglass. Those two are several of my favorites of the CW era. Both excellent speakers and orators. I've studied Frederick Douglass some. As well as Lincoln. My Lincoln library is a bit short, but I'm working on it. I saw the author on Book TV and it seemed an interesting read.
CSPAN's series each weekend is dangerous. I see all these authors on it and want to buy lots of books! I also saw Trudeau speak on his recent book on Sherman's March to the Sea. It looks good. I liked his book on Gettysburg so I'll be looking for it at Half Price sometime in the next year.
Book TV always have lots of CW stuff on. Cool stuff, that.