Book finished!

I finished General Lee's Army by J.T.Glatthaar. It has great insight in the day-to-day activities of the common soldier in the Army of Northern Virginia. It also delves into the command structure, logistics, and problems that confronted Lee continuously.
His administrative capabilities were excellent but perhaps he could have used a bit more help with the logistical problems of running an army of such magnitude. His staff was good, but the author gave plenty of examples of how Lee was forced to micromanage at times. That was unfortunate because it diverted his attention from matters that were more important in the long run.
This is a very fine book on the inner-workings of one of the most powerful armies of its time. A definite recommendation, for sure. It's very readable and organized in a logical and informative way. His research is meticulous and relevant. You can find many sources that are begging to be researched for further interest. Scholarly yet very readable for the amateur (it took him many years to complete).
It lays to rest many "legends" and gives solid research to support his points. As I was reading this I heard many inaccurate statements made by lay people (in certain circles) about the mythology of Lee's army and of southerners in general. The author refutes many of these myths with solid evidence and superior research.
As stated, his style is readable and your interest never wavers. I'm very glad the author sacrificed so many years in the making of this fine volume that will enhance and compliment my CW library.
A good time will be had by reading this book!

Gettysburg '09 Itinerary

Dan sent me the itinerary of our summer trip! This is the last entry for '08. We are almost in the year of our trip. Six months and a few days.
We'll have a good combination of standard activities with many new things to do, too. A good mix.
With my new responsibilities with the AP classes, I was unable to reach my goal of reading 52 books this year. Only 38. My reading time has been cut drastically. That means many of my CW books on my shelf are going unread for the time being. I have numerous titles to catch up on. I still am unfinished with a book I started last summer! (General Lee's Army) It's a great read. Looking forward to finishing it in the coming weeks (months?).
My time is also consumed with more writing this year. In addition to all the new stuff I'm doing with the AP's, I'm trying to write more, vis., this blog and journaling. Other activities as exercising, cooking, etc., are also time consuming.
It seems that there is not enough time anymore. As a 51 year old my time has become more and more filled with day-to-day regimen. I used to have the perception of lots of time...even being bored sometimes. Ha, that's a joke now.
Anyway, I wanted this blog to concern itself with CW material only. I've gone off and journaled a bit. I guess I'm waxing poetic because of New Year's Eve. Oh well, Happy New Year and a good year ahead is anticipated by this writer!

New CW Books!

I bought two books at Booked-Up today (Larry McMurtry's bookstore in Archer City).
They are :
In War Time by J.G. Whittier, published in 1864 in Boston-a collection of poems and inscribed "...from you Pa, A New Year's Token, Jan. 1.1864."
And The Blue and the Gray Or War is Hell revised by C. Morley from an old script by Judson Kilpatrick and J. Owen Moore, 1st ed., published in 1930-a play.
I'm excited to obtain these two antiquated books. They were worth the effort to procure them (and the money paid). These are two different kinds of books for my CW library that will add to its variety.

Tennessee Veterans Civil War Questionnaires

I finally got the Ten. Vets. Questionnaire books. The set has 5 books and I only have 3 but that's a start.
I started this journey last July by ordering them through Amazon. I then went through several delays and postponements. Finally, they canceled the order...just like that. "Oh well, I guess we can't do it" after wasting several months of my time.
By a flash of inspiration, I called the publishers. They had 3 of the volumes. I'm such an idiot. I should have attempted this a lot sooner and would have saved myself my grief.
I got them last week and waited for the family Xmas to open them. They were $50 each which was a bit more than their price online and at Amazon's. I now have the other 2 volumes to look for to complete the set.
I have many hours to enjoy perusing them. A good buy, those.
I'm still very busy and don't have much time to blog lately. I'm almost through with the Lee's Army book. It's very good, and I will comment on it later. I can't believe how much teaching AP classes has changed my life. Now there's very little time for pleasure reading. Life's too short to not include CW literature frequently.
Dan will email me the first itinerary of our summer '09 trip soon. Looking forward to that. I'm not sure how many days that is from now...Dan would know. One thing's for sure, it will be here before you know it!

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.

George Thomas

Heroes.
I have only a few from the CW. I admire many, but only revere one or two. Lincoln, for sure. Sam Houston (although he did not fight, he tried unsuccessfully to keep Texas in the Union). Then there's George Thomas, the Rock of Chickamauga.
He is a hero to me because he sacrificed so much for what he believed in. I often wonder what I'd done during that crisis. Would I have sided with what would have been most of my family, friends, and community? Probably. I probably would have been a product of the time like everyone else. Or...would I have been the same person I am now and no lover of slavery or prejudice of color? Would I have had the guts to do what George Thomas did, that is go against my heritage, family, and culture?
Wow, what a man he was. He stood up for what he believed in and sacrificed all for it. Family, friends, community, church. His sisters didn't even attend his funeral years after the war. It was attended by presidents, present, past, and future.
He probably wasn't fully trusted by his contemporaries because of his ties to the South. Yet, he was a hero. He was my kind of hero. I love non-conformists. He was one in spades!
He also was one of the best generals the North had. Admired by Lincoln and even mentioned specifically by him in praise of his actions at Chickamauga. No markers at his birthplace. No statues in his home state. The only statue of him is in Washington, DC.
I hope to visit that statue this summer.
I admire his stand against the norm. I admire his convictions. I admire his sacrifices.
I plan to get several books about him and his exploits so I can elaborate more on what I've discussed here!