First of all, my name is Donnie Chambers and im 18 years of age.
I first got interested in the civilwar in 7th grade when my school took me to gettysburg, since then I have, moved up and become a full civil war buff. But over the past year, I havent found as as much time as I would liked to, and sold off all of my Confederate re-enactment gear, to pay some things off. Just today I was going through some of my old books and posted them up here for sale. I am also heavily invloved in competition rock crawling, and posted them in one of my rock crawling forums as well. I got a respsonse from a guy in my area, and we began talking. Turns out he is in a unit based within an hour of me, and most events are within the state. So it looks as if I will be getting back into the game.
A brief history.
My grandfather (5 greats) Was taken prisoner at point look out where he later died of dysteria (sp?) I foudn this out my freshamn year in high school, and soon sought to join the SCV. I still havent gotten aroudn to that yet. Veterians day of that year I was removed from school for wearing a Republic of Dixie t-shirt, in honor fo my fallen father. The next day over 50% of the freshman class, which included its 3 African American students came to school displayign the Battle Flag, the school was also contacted by the SCV, and it was brought to an end before court. This is also the year I gathered the Confederate gear,and particpated in a few re-enactments, and local parades. then came my sophmore year, and the year of the 9-11 attacks. After the attacks, an opinion letter went into the local newspaper, calling me a Non-American, sent in by my English teacher. This lead to the normal big publicity debate, and ran for months in the local paper. I was also in the Sophmore Civil War class that year, where a few class members and I made a cutaway scale model of the CS Hunley, that is now dispalyed at the Stone Acadamy in Historic Putnam District in Zanesville Ohio. We also setup and participated in a civil war era Christmas carol where we visted all of the zanesville nursing homes, and walked the streets of Putnam, and organized a Civil war era school wide dance. And then the trouble returned, while riding in the forth of July Parade, alogn with my father, I dressed Confederate, he dressed Union, with our flags crossed, when from the croud, I hear WE OUGHTA STRING YOU UP WITH THAT FLAG. that was my last parade, I was tired of the hassle.
But I now am back, and joining a Union unit, to get the otehr sides of things.
I ams orry if a mispelled alot of words, My typing isnt of the best.
Well, Donnie... welcome to th site. I hope you enjoy what you experiance here. Please feel free to explore the site, you will literally find every opinion here. If you are seriously interested in the CSA look to Thea, Aphillbilly and Hal. If you are interested in the Union view of things look to myself, Neil and others... no matter what your interest you should be able to find it here.
Good Luck and welcome.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
Welcome to the board and I hope you enjoy your time here.
Sincerely,
Unionblue
__________________ "The American people and the Government at Washington may refuse to recognize it for a time but the inexorable logic of events will force it upon them in the end; that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery." Frederick Douglass
"Loyalty to our ancestors does not include loyalty to their mistakes." George Santayana
Thanks everyone. I've always been all about the Grey, and I still am. But, there are two sides to it, and I've learned some of both. And by joining a Union unit I hope I am able to learn both sides a little more.
Unionblue, I just looked at your designated unit. Congradulations you've just meet the newest recruit. 76th ovi is who I speak of joining.
Matt Francis will be sponsoring me. I'm going to be trying to attend the Veterians Day parade in Columbus to meet everyone. I was recently laid off, so I dont know if funds are going to allow it or not. If I do make it, I plan to bring a photoalbum, and a video, that some of my classmates from the Civil War class made. It aired down here in Zanesville at Muskingum College, you have seen it. I was originaly part of the film, but transfered schools and lost contact. Do you happen to know Mrs. Dale Curry? She was my civil war teacher, and I know shes gets around to alot of the stuff held in Ohio.
(Message edited by 4x4chevette on November 05, 2004)
(Message edited by 4x4chevette on November 05, 2004)
Welcome to the boards, Donnie. I'm sure you will find plenty to interest you here.
I'm sorry that you have had some unpleasant experiences in the past but it sounds as if your love of history will not suffer.
I commend you for wanting to try "the other side", it will give you a better view I'm sure of the WBTS.
I do hope that you won't ever give up your love of learning about this war though, just because of some unpleasantness. There are always a few who want to spoil it for others. Pity them instead, they don't know anything of the history or they would not act in such a manner. No one on these boards would ever dream of such conduct, no matter which side they represent.
Again, welcome aboard!
__________________ Thea
No one has permission to use any material from any of my posts on any CWT forum, the archives, or any other forum without my express written permission.
Concerning your t-shirt, a student wore a NRA summer shooting camp t-shirt and was compelled to leave. Suit was brought on the First Amendment "freedom of speech" and the school's policy was changed.
I am afraid I cannot give you much info concerning the present 76th OVI as I have not been attending unit functions for over two years now due to health issues. I do know some of the members from the past and you are getting into a dynamic group who wants to shine as reenactors. I'm sure you will enjoy your time with them. Hope to see you on the field.
Sincerely,
Unionblue
__________________ "The American people and the Government at Washington may refuse to recognize it for a time but the inexorable logic of events will force it upon them in the end; that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery." Frederick Douglass
"Loyalty to our ancestors does not include loyalty to their mistakes." George Santayana
Welcome aboard Donnie! I hope you can find the info you're looking here at Civilwartalk.com.
"After the attacks, an opinion letter went into the local newspaper, calling me a Non-American, sent in by my English teacher. This lead to the normal big publicity debate, and ran for months in the local paper. ----------And then the trouble returned, while riding in the forth of July Parade, along with my father, I dressed Confederate, he dressed Union, with our flags crossed, when from the croud, I hear "WE OUGHTA STRING YOU UP WITH THAT FLAG.". That was my last parade, I was tired of the hassle."
When people start trouble it's in the most unlikely places. Remember you have every right to express yourself in any way that you want, be it confederate or union. And also remember to ignore those that make remarks.
Quote from "Gettysburg" (my favorite): "The thing is Colonel, you can not judge a race. Any man who judges by the group is a peawit. You take men one at a time." - Buster Kilrain, 20th Maine.
(Message edited by wil_clark_iii on November 15, 2004)
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