Greetings from the rawest of the raw. I have just recently begun to read, more in depth than previously, about the American Civil War. I have been, both intimidated and impressed, by the breadth and depth of knowledge at this site. If I had three lifetimes, I could not begin to evaluage and reflect upon what I have already read here; and I have just started.
I am a native of Fort Madison, Iowa. History has always intrigued and frustrated me, but, only lately has the Civil War called out to me. I now consider my self "hooked". As usual, it takes direct experiences to peak my interest. Two of those experiences that stand out most strongly are; standing on the bluffs on the Tennessee River at Fort Donnelson and standing at Gettysburg facing Cemetary Ridge. At the latter, my soul mate said softly, "How could they think that they would make it? Why did they even try?" That was my ignition moment.
Thanks, in advance, for the help and direction that you will give to me. I will, no doubt, re-trace well worn ground. Thanks for your patience as I learn.
(By the way, at Ft. Donelson, you were looking at the Cumberland River.)
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Nothing like having a good Iowa boy in the mix. Welcome!
My folks are spending a couple days in Fort Madison in a week or so. My father's best friend lives there.
__________________ "There must be more historians of the Civil War than there were generals figthing in it... Of the two groups, the historians are the more belligerent." David Donald, Lincoln Reconsidered (1961)
If you should see **** it is the software on the site that catches 'dirty words/naughty words.' Sometimes the words aren't dirty--just go back to your original post and hit the edit button and add hyphens to separate the word as to pass the ****; if it is an innocent word. For example General Cu-mm-ings name had to be cleaverly respelled and fu-rther is another word that seems snagged a lot.
Moderators can't with this...its just a feature. Don't want you to think you are being 'picked on.'
Go at your own pace and if you have links or references; please do include them. It helps others research the same thing and bring thoughts to the future posts.
Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf
I know the feeling when one looks out at a battlefield and wonders at what those men were thinking just before they stepped off. Amazing, isn't it?
I have never lost my sense of wonder at those simple acts of courage. Glad to know there is someone else who has that same sense of wonder.
Welcome.
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
I know the feeling when one looks out at a battlefield and wonders at what those men were thinking just before they stepped off.
Much agreed, Unionblue, one can know the names of every lieutenant and every which way they went, but you can't really know it until you can see what they saw and wonder what they were thinking.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
I have been, both intimidated and impressed, by the breadth and depth of knowledge at this site. If I had three lifetimes, I could not begin to evaluage and reflect upon what I have already read here; and I have just started.
A very, very eloquent introduction. Your sentences above more than superbly express what my thoughts were upon joining this board, but I didn't have your words. As Blue and probably everyone else here wonders... What went through the minds of the boys as the officers rode down the line shouting the command to move! (step off)
This board is the best venue you could be on to learn about the US Civil War. Welcome.
Respectfully,
Leland
__________________ "What armies and how much of war I have seen, what thousands of marching troops, what fields of slain, what prisons, what hospitals, what ruins, what cities in ashes, what hunger and nakedness, what orphanages, what widowhood, what wrongs and what vengeance."
I could not begin to evaluage and reflect upon what I have already read here; and I have just started.
And it will take a goodly part of your lifetime to read everything that has been argued almost forever on this board. I do hope your soul mate shares your passion. (If not, at least tolerates it and pats you on the head now and then.)
You've happened upon what I consider to be the finest CW discussion board on the web. There are interesting others, but we have some outstanding scholars on this board who never fail to teach me something almost every day. New questions, new discussions every day. It can be overwhelming.
And never fail to ask a question. There are no dumb questions. Just ask, it's good for the board and chances are you will get more discussion than you bargained for -- that makes everyone happy.
Pull up a log. We'll start another pot of coffee, unless you're carrying something a bit more interesting?
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Thanks for your welcomes. Makes a body feel at home. Ole, see what I mean? I have made one post and I mispelled the fort and had the wrong river. Well, I guess I already learned something today.
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