Video Discussion 51: Language and Rhetoric at Appomattox

Let's keep the momentum going...
9:30pm eastern, Monday in the chatroom,
I have just finished watching this, and I thank you for sharing it. The power of words is immense, as is the meaning with which they can be imbued. Dignity is the word that stood out for me at the end of this lecture...the dignity that we can all offer to one another in spite of our differences. I have been on another thread since I joined, and discussed the notion of magnanimity at the end of the war with the surrender at Appomatox. The notion didn't go undisputed, but gave rise to a whole new conversation around Reconstruction. I feel that sense of magnanimity was lost during the era of Reconstruction, and that Lincoln would have wished things to be otherwise if he had lived. Given the last reminder, during the talk, of his wish to hear 'Dixie' after the war came to an end, I sensed his desire to welcome home the 'Prodigal Son' of the South, and what a great shame it is that he never got the opportunity to do so fully.
 
I have just finished watching this, and I thank you for sharing it. The power of words is immense, as is the meaning with which they can be imbued. Dignity is the word that stood out for me at the end of this lecture...the dignity that we can all offer to one another in spite of our differences. I have been on another thread since I joined, and discussed the notion of magnanimity at the end of the war with the surrender at Appomatox. The notion didn't go undisputed, but gave rise to a whole new conversation around Reconstruction. I feel that sense of magnanimity was lost during the era of Reconstruction, and that Lincoln would have wished things to be otherwise if he had lived. Given the last reminder, during the talk, of his wish to hear 'Dixie' after the war came to an end, I sensed his desire to welcome home the 'Prodigal Son' of the South, and what a great shame it is that he never got the opportunity to do so fully.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video and learned something. Stop on into the chatroom on Monday at 9:30pm eastern.
 
There are 2 places in Civil war history where I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall. First one would be in the Leister house on the late evening of July 2nd, 1863. The other one is in the McLean parlor on April 9th, 1865.
I know what you mean. The place I really want to be is on the battlefield, with the Cavalry, somewhere between Black & White's and Nottoway CH in Virginia. This is where my 'adopted' Captain lost his life in the Wilson-Kautz Raid on June 23, 1864. I keep wishing there was someone there who could have whispered in his ear, the words he needed to hear, before he died on that terrible day...

This little clip is for you JohnW

https://gettysburgcompiler.com/2013/09/19/inside-the-leister-house-july-2nd-2013/
 
Last edited:
Than you @Cavalry Charger !!! I'm not sure a fly could have found room in there with all the generals. LOL:biggrin: I have never seen the inside before, although by just standing on the front porch I knew it just had to be tiny as heck. Thank you again:smile:
I was also wondering how a widow would have found room for herself and her six children here! 'Needs must', as the saying goes, and having a roof over your head is better than none at all. I wonder what happened to that family after the battle had raged? More questions...never enough answers.
 
I was also wondering how a widow would have found room for herself and her six children here! 'Needs must', as the saying goes, and having a roof over your head is better than none at all. I wonder what happened to that family after the battle had raged? More questions...never enough answers.
Lydia and her children did so well rebuilding the farm from the devastation resulting for the war, that they were able to purchase an additional seven acres in 1868. In 1874 they built a large two-story addition to the farmhouse.

Reaching the age of 79 in 1888, Lydia decided to sell her farm to the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association and move into the town of Gettysburg. She must have had a great affection for her home for she decided to take it with her. She purchased a lot near the Dobbin House on the Emmitsburg Road and here she moved the 1874 section of her home. After the move, she built a two-story addition to the rear of the home. Here Lydia lived until her death in 1893.
 
Lydia and her children did so well rebuilding the farm from the devastation resulting for the war, that they were able to purchase an additional seven acres in 1868. In 1874 they built a large two-story addition to the farmhouse.

Reaching the age of 79 in 1888, Lydia decided to sell her farm to the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association and move into the town of Gettysburg. She must have had a great affection for her home for she decided to take it with her. She purchased a lot near the Dobbin House on the Emmitsburg Road and here she moved the 1874 section of her home. After the move, she built a two-story addition to the rear of the home. Here Lydia lived until her death in 1893.
Wow! Thank you @JohnW. She must have been a truly incredible woman, and it's good to know that the family was able to overcome the devastating events that surrounded them at the time of the battle of Gettysburg. I had no idea, in that era, you could take a house with you when you moved...makes her even more fascinating to me :wink:
 
Wow! Thank you @JohnW. She must have been a truly incredible woman, and it's good to know that the family was able to overcome the devastating events that surrounded them at the time of the battle of Gettysburg. I had no idea, in that era, you could take a house with you when you moved...makes her even more fascinating to me :wink:
Maybe Lydia Leister was the inspiration for the mobile home of today??? :D
 
No problem at all. Hopefully we'll see you there.
Well, JerseyBart, somewhere, somehow, I get the feeling I missed the chat session...don't know how, unless it was cancelled :cry:, or I got the day/time wrong :unsure: Just as well I jumped on the thread to give my two cents worth :wink:
 
Last edited:
Well, JerseyBart, somewhere, somehow, I get the feeling I missed the chat session...don't know how, unless it was cancelled :cry:, or I got the day/time wrong :unsure: Just as well I jumped on the thread to give my two cents worth :wink:
It's tonight 9:30 eastern.
 
Back
Top