Here's a what if for ya!

[randy596]

First I dont really believe it. My 3xggrandfather is Oscar McMillan and owned a farm that got in the way of
the Gettysburg battle. According to the book below, p 359, 2nd paragraph, he was on Little Round Top watching
Pickett's Charge. No civilian could be that lucky. But if I could go back thats where I'd like to be. His grand
daughter Margaret is one of the locals the author spoke to according to the credits in the index.

 

[Chattahooch33]

I'd like to be in a helicopter watching the Texas Brigade and the 18th Georgia smash in the Federal left at 2nd Manassas.

 

[godofredus]

These are all nice thoughts, but has anyone who posted these "I'd like" ever been shot at? Or mugged? OK, I could be a fly on the wall, or a bird in the air, and understand what was going on, but I'd like to hear Jeff Davis give the order to fire on Sumter and ask: do you know you're starting a war that will end in defeat?

 

[BillO]

I'd walk out in the field, pick up those famous "Lost Orders" put them in my pocket and watch whatever comes next.

 

[tmh10]

I would like to have been with my ggg grandfather at Dry Creek, near White Sulphur Springs WV in 1862 when he signed up with the 14th Va Cavalry. He survived the war and made a living in the timber trade, near his home in Anthony, Wv. I still have family living in that home place though it has been rebuilt over the years. My mother was born and raised in that house as well as my aunt and uncle who lived there till he died. My aunt and cousin still live there. When I go to visit them it is like going back in time, although the old outhouse is now off limits.

 

[Stony]

If you're gonna fight, then fight. I'd like to be one of the survivors of the first and second day of the 26th NC and make the Pickett charge on the 3rd day of battle at Gettysburg.

 

[Billy Yank]

Would have especially liked to have been at Meade's & Lee's Hqtrs. on the night of 3 July 1963, just to watch the body language and facial expressions of the main characters in addition to the actual dialogue

 

[Drew]

Would have especially liked to have been at Meade's & Lee's Hqtrs. on the night of 3 July 1963, just to watch the body language and facial expressions of the main characters in addition to the actual dialogue

Arthur Freemantle was with Longstreet. His book, Three Months in the Southern States, will give you a taste of this. I don't know if there's a Union equivalent.

 

[Elennsar]

I would like to observe Meade in general (in the Gettysburg campaign), in regards to what Billy Yank said. Just listening and watching how he went about handling the biggest assignment of his life.

That was a tough job, and while we can fault details, Meade rose to the occasion. How he - the person - handled that would be fascinating.

 

[Bob Owen]

I would like to be an observer of the Battle of Mobile Bay!

 

[yankee blue]

I would want to be at the battle of Shiloh to see if grant was really drunk even though I do not believe he was.

 

[tmh10]

I would want to be at the battle of Shiloh to see if grant was really drunk even though I do not believe he was.

I will offer to be drunk in his place if that helps anybody.

 

[Elennsar]

I will offer to be drunk in his place if that helps anybody.

tmh10: "You go fight General, I'll do the drinking for both of us."
Grant: " . . ."

I wonder if Grant would find that amusing or insulting, once the "What the hell?" was cleared up.

 

[4th-MSM]

I'd like to have watched the Battle of Wilson's Creek/Oak Hills unfold from the front porch of the Ray House - just as Mr. Ray did himself. Especially to see the lines of the MSG and Confederate troops as they repeatedly charged up Bloody Hill to within 30 yards of the main Federal position, fire, and withdraw back down the hill just long enough to reload, reorganize, and do it again as they attempted to make every round count.