2016 September to Remember Gettysburg

[Pat Young]

For some reason I could have sworn to have met Pat at the 2016 event. Unbelievable how the mind can deceive itself.

My mind is mush when it comes to dates nowadays.

 

[Pat Young]

It was 2017. You went on my Wright walk.

Ryan

That is correct, so I was not at 2016, only 2017.

 

[Blessmag]

Only one I have been to was 2016. Photos from those days

 

[JD Mayo]

I wish we have some groups like that down here.

 

[James N.]

I wish we have some groups like that down here.

Too bad you missed Chickamauga in 2018 - that would've probably been close enough for you to make:

Brass Napoleon Award - CWT Chickamauga 2018- We're going live | Traveler's Companion - Visit Historic Sites

@Buckeye Bill walking point at the Sherman Reservation on Missionary Ridge.

civilwartalk.com

 

[Gettysburg Guide #154]

I only joined the forum this past December, so I was not there in 2016. I had only been retired a few months and was still figuring out what to do with my time. Indeed, at that point, I was not yet a guide. Sounds like a missed one fun.

 

[James N.]

I only joined the forum this past December, so I was not there in 2016. I had only been retired a few months and was still figuring out what to do with my time. Indeed, at that point, I was not yet a guide. Sounds like a missed one fun.

There are other years - we went to Gettysburg the first two so haven't returned yet, but Antietam's still on for next year, so you should definitely be able to make that one!

 

[dlavin]

IIRC in 2017 Pat showed up toward the tail end of a morning talk out around LRT, given by the gentleman who is really into the VT Hokies. And I am really sorry for not remembering his name. (Al, maybe?) That's going to trouble me that I dont remember. I believe the talk was on the 20th Maine. Again I probably have that wrong too. LOL

 

[infomanpa]

It was 2017. You went on my Wright walk.

Ryan

Yep...I remember Pat being there.

 

[LostGettysburgAddress]

I was there, too! Have been to many CW conferences and events since then, but I must say, that one was my favorite. Made so many friends that I still keep in touch with, albeit outside of this forum. More than a handful have become very important to me as colleagues and advance readers, cheerleaders and critics, trying to make me a better historian. I am so grateful for the opportunity to know them. Don't want to mention names for fear I forget someone, but you know who you are.

The explosion of social media and of online events before and during the pandemic makes it very difficult to stay connected on so many platforms. I know I have gone from mere lurker to ghost on CW Talk, but it is not any reflection of the warmth and quality of the people I met through this portal. That "reunion" as it was called was really a great example of how people with widely differing views of the ACW (and other subjects) can come together with a shared interest, respect each other's differences of opinion, and become friends despite those differences. A good example for today. Stay well, everyone!

 

[LostGettysburgAddress]

Only one I have been to was 2016. Photos from those days

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Al holding court.

 

[James N.]

IIRC in 2017 Pat showed up toward the tail end of a morning talk out around LRT, given by the gentleman who is really into the VT Hokies. And I am really sorry for not remembering his name. (Al, maybe?) That's going to trouble me that I dont remember. I believe the talk was on the 20th Maine. Again I probably have that wrong too. LOL

You're thinking about the totally discredited and now banned - rightly so! - Al Maksey (sp?) better known as cash, an online bully who alienated and probably drove off good members due to his abuse. He has the distinction of having tried that with me and being one of only three members here I've put on IGNORE. (That feature works well in case you've ever wondered how to avoid someone.) In 2016 I avoided his walk and talk on Cemetery Hill but in 2017 I went along at Little Round Top, making a point to NOT listen to him but to wander off at a near distance to look at other monuments, etc. even managing to find the site of one of Alexander Gardner's famous wartime photos below. The one positive contribution I remember from his talk was taking the group down the path to the position above of Chamberlain's detached Company B off on the far left flank. Al did not deign to socialize with scarcely anybody during either event, confining himself to making his talk and leaving immediately afterwards and attending none of the other talks or activities, so it's no wonder very few members would have any reason to remember him at all - no loss!

 

[FarawayFriend]

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You're thinking about the totally discredited and banned - rightly so! - Al Maksey (sp?) better known as cash, an online bully who alienated and probably drove off good members due to his abuse. He has the distinction of having tried that with me and being one of only three members here I've put on IGNORE. (That feature works well in case you've ever wondered how to avoid someone.) In 2016 I avoided his walk and talk on Cemetery Hill but in 2017 I went along at Little Round Top, making a point to NOT listen to him but to wander off at a near distance to look at other monuments, etc. like the site of one of Alexander Gardner's photos below. The one positive contribution I remember from his talk was taking the group down the path to the position above of Chamberlain's detached Company B off on the far left flank. Al did not deign to socialize with scarcely anybody during either event, confining himself to making his talk and leaving immediately afterwards and attending none of the other talks or activities, so it's no wonder very few members would have any reason to remember him at all - no loss!

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I guess this had to be said by someone to give the complete picture. Although I must say, albeit his presentation was by far not the best one, as he only read from his sheet and almost never looked up, I was nonetheless impressed by his knowledge. There was one other member present I also don't miss a bit, although she seemed to be quite popular at that time, at least with some ... she had been pretty close to cash and was expelled also - and at least to me this site has become a better place since. But not even these two could ruin the overall great experience!

 

[unionblue]

I have to disagree that Al Mackey (cash) was anything but an overall loss to this forum. He had in depth knowledge, great sources and documentation, but he could not suffer those he considered ignorant or fools and said so with little attempt at polite discussion. But what he lacked in manners, in my view, was more than made up for in accurate information and an ability to present historical documentation when called upon.

I still visit his website and miss his participation here almost every day.

Student of the American Civil War.

Al Mackey

Retired Military Officer, Former HR Manager, Currently a Teacher, Student of the American Civil War

studycivilwar.wordpress.com

 

[FarawayFriend]

I was there, too! Have been to many CW conferences and events since then, but I must say, that one was my favorite. Made so many friends that I still keep in touch with, albeit outside of this forum. More than a handful have become very important to me as colleagues and advance readers, cheerleaders and critics, trying to make me a better historian. I am so grateful for the opportunity to know them. Don't want to mention names for fear I forget someone, but you know who you are.

The explosion of social media and of online events before and during the pandemic makes it very difficult to stay connected on so many platforms. I know I have gone from mere lurker to ghost on CW Talk, but it is not any reflection of the warmth and quality of the people I met through this portal. That "reunion" as it was called was really a great example of how people with widely differing views of the ACW (and other subjects) can come together with a shared interest, respect each other's differences of opinion, and become friends despite those differences. A good example for today. Stay well, everyone!

Hahaa, I will never forget the ride with you, the three of us trying desperately to follow Eric's lead in the car snake - he barrelled down the battlefield roads at 60mph in a 30 zone ... and you said we are probably safe to follow, because the man is a lawyer and would sure get us out of trouble should we be caught speeding!
Do you remember that this was the first time you told about your new book project, focusing on Union General August Willich - back then you were still toying with the thought - and now the book is about to be published!! Congratulations again!

 

[James N.]

I have to disagree that Al Macky (cash) was anything but an overall loss to this forum. He had in depth knowledge, great sources and documentation, but he could not suffer those he considered ignorant or fools and said so with little attempt at polite discussion. But what he lacked in manners, in my view, was more than made up for in accurate information and an ability to present historical documentation when called upon.

I still visit his website and miss his participation here almost every day.

Thanks for correcting my spelling! However I must respectfully disagree with you, after having consoled and encouraged one of our then-new ladies here who I vainly attempted to get to attend our 2017 Gathering after she had been attacked here by cash for one of his own foolish reasons or other. I've ever since considered his "loss" good riddance!

 

[James N.]

Hahaa, I will never forget the ride with you, the three of us trying desperately to follow Eric's lead in the car snake - he barrelled down the battlefield roads at 60mph in a 30 zone ... and you said we are probably safe to follow, because the man is a lawyer and would sure get us out of trouble should we be caught speeding!
Do you remember that this was the first time you told about your new book project, focusing on Union General August Willich - back then you were still toying with the thought - and now the book is about to be published!! Congratulations again!

Mike and I totally lost track of him - and everyone else too - after our very first stop at the Longstreet Tower I pictured above. Instead we put the time to good use and went to Devil's Den where I was able to locate other sites where Gardner had taken some of his photos of the dead and also of his friend Alfred Waud. Of course one reason for the confusion was Eric's forgetting just how the roads ran when he gave his directions!

 

[reading48]

You guys are talking about 20-16--17.....Who remembers the Great Meet of 2012....I have all the names in a folder...

 

[FarawayFriend]

Thanks for correcting my spelling! However I must respectfully disagree with you, after having consoled and encouraged one of our then-new ladies here who I vainly attempted to get to attend our 2017 Gathering after she had been attacked here by cash for one of his foolish reasons or other.

So to be 100% correct: his name spells Al Mackey and for all who are interested, this is his blog:

Student of the American Civil War

Reflections on learning about the Civil War--Copyright 2020

studycivilwar.wordpress.com

he could not suffer those he considered ignorant or fools

I guess that was the problem. He considered anyone with a different opinion an ignorant or fool. And like James I know some very nice members who left because of him. Or her.

Mike and I lost track of him - and everyone else too - after our very first stop at the Longstreet Tower I pictured above. Instead we put the time to good use and went to Devil's Den where I was able to locate other sites where Gardner had taken some of his photos of the dead and also of his friend Alfred Waud.

I know, at first you were in the car in front of us and while at least one in our three-people party in the car was always able to trace Eric a kilometer in front of us, at one crossing we noticed you two took the wrong turn...

 

[unionblue]

Thanks for correcting my spelling! However I must respectfully disagree with you, after having consoled and encouraged one of our then-new ladies here who I vainly attempted to get to attend our 2017 Gathering after she had been attacked here by cash for one of his foolish reasons or other.

James N. ,

I had to go back and correct my spelling as well! (Mackey, not Macky).

I respect your disagreement with me over Al, and as I stated, he had little time for those who he disagreed with and was, at times, very abrupt and caustic with his disagreements. He was not a dish to be consumed without caution. But he was more of an addition than a minus when one got past the discouraging defense he was famous for.

Perhaps it is best to leave the matter here and press on with more pleasant memories.

Sincerely,
Unionblue