Do you have a question for a historian? Is it related to the Battle of Gettysburg or the residents of town? The Adams County Historical Society has you covered!
Tim & Andrew, I published a book on Captain Bennett Munger of the 44th New York Infantry who was wounded on July 2nd, 1863 at Little Round Top (Soldier of Courage, Soldier of Compassion). You may find it of interest. I enjoy these segments greatly. Thank you for doing what you all do!
I went to Antietam within a few days of seeing Gettysburg and it's amazing how small the visitor center at Antietam is compared to Gettysburg, and the parking lot is very small there as well. I guess it's because it's out in the middle of nowhere, pretty close to West Virginia. I also went to Harpers Ferry that visit which is a treasure. Antietam is smaller and more intense so I don't know why there is such a difference in the visitor centers, I loved Antietam, and the Sharpsburg area is nice too, that area is going to grow in coming years.
Tim Smith, I'll watch him read the phonebook! Fan going back to the olden days when I got hooked on the photo ID books. Keep on looking into the camera and I'll keep looking into the screen! I loved the takes on some of the worn-out topics. Your vid on the PA Monument was so greatly appreciated. Can't wait until you can return to look down on the Den again and let us trail you and listen. On a totally other topic this morning I was reminded of climbing upwards and seeing the plaques/memorials along the stairwell of the Washington Monument. Stairs closed in '76 but the remembrances are visible through the windows on the elevator ride down. -Eldersburg-Free-Range-Kid
Excellent Q&A session. As a Civil War reenactor/living historian who portrays a civilian lady caring for the wounded in the field hospitals, I am especially interested in hearing more civilian accounts. Yes, it does seem the same civilian stories are told repeatedly, and I am always looking for more obscure civilian accounts. Thank you, Tim, for your incredible wealth of information. I could listen to you talk all things Gettysburg all day long. (and when you pair up with Garry Adelman, the wealth of information is multiplied......those are among my favorite videos). Thank you for all your amazing content.
Tim, if I could be in a tour given by you, I would not ask about Chamberlain, I want to know everything you know about the colonel of the 1st Minnesota. I live in his town.
That guy who died because he lost his leg and his fiancé should have been grateful, because she evidently was not a good companionate soul and his life would have been depressing with her. He should have married the nurse.
I saw one of your talks at the old place on seminary ridge, I loved the talk on the patio, it was dusk and gradually went to dark. Very soothing. You're doing this wrong here, it looks sterile and UNEXCITING. You have a nice view apparently, lets SEE it, why not back to the window and we can see the talk and that nice view. This isn't nearly as nice as the talk on the patio with the nice view of the outside behind you.
Here's a question that #REALLY does bear addressing Can somebody PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE create (finally) a "tour guide friendly" CLEAR accounting of the Wheatfield??? Hire an engineer if that what it takes, include flow down charts, whatever it takes. In 30 years of studying this battle. all I ever hear from anyone upon reaching that location is "...very confusing back and forth exchange..." followed by a ceaseless rundown of regiments, brigades, companies, etc. Just a mess. I know: make it a project. Hell, I'll fly back out there and support the effort--my whole life I have wanted to participate on site anyways, I'd be happy to start cleaning the bathrooms just to get a start with you. (But that's another story). Also...It's my understanding that Jennie Wade was in a relationship with someone else from the neighborhood at the time (Culp was it? I can't remember). I wonder if good old John Burns was speaking to that with regard to Jennie's supposed "lack of moral character".
Here's another: I realize the abbreviated lifespan of Buford following Gettysburg. That said...why is it that after 160 years...one of the most important figures of the battle is still so WOEFULLY under-biographed? I can't believe two things: 1. that there isn't someone among we GettysNERDS who hasn't chosen to take the time to do a PROPER deep-dive and interpret this long overdue labor of love, and 2. There "simply does not exist" any/enough/much information about his life and, more importantly, any supporting documents that he may have made concerning his part in the battle before his untimely passing. (Why don't # I # you ask?) Because I'm in aerospace manufacturing...and am NOT an historian. I SOO want to learn more about the "Clint Eastwood" of the 19th Century, or the fact that Miles Keogh (of Little Bighorn fame) was his aide. I mean...we better start boning up on him NOW, because as we all know...the fickle world of Gettysburg will have him featured as the latest fashion in ten years' time, and aren't we all thoroughly tired of Joshy Chamberlain by now...lol. (You know EXACTLY what I'm talking about--previous winners were Little Round Top, Dan Sickles, 1st Minnesota, Pickett's Charge, blah blah blah etc & etc. I hope I'm just misinformed. I hope hope hope that I will be put right by a re-direction to any literature that would discredit my assertions. Respectfully submitted! P.S.: ANDREW: how is it that you come to rest on "The path behind Big Round Top" as your favorite spot on the battlefield? P.P.S: GREAT ride at ACHS--I sat in the rocking chair, and, as the bullet holes would materialize throughout the presentation...I figured about four times I would have been shot.
