08 April 2009

Back In The Saddle Again


It's been a month now since my last post. Sorry about that, folks. Louisiana came and went, and nearly took my life while I was at it: if you ever hear that hypothermia wasn't a killer in the war, you can call the offender out on their ignorance.

But I've recovered nicely and am prepping for my next authentic foray, off to participate in the
Race to Knoxville in two weeks. After holding off Longstreet in East Tennessee the campaign season will start up in earnest, beginning with the national-sized Battle of Resaca a few weeks after that. This summer looks to be a good one for the hobby here in Georgia, as it's the 145th aniversary of the Atlanta Campaign. This will culminate with Bummers this November, as we trek across Georgia on the March to the Sea. That, combined with an authentic living history Marvin Greer and I are planning on hosting in Jonesboro, makes this a very promising year.

As far as battlefield studies, I've pre-ordered J. David Petruzzi's very exciting new
Complete Gettysburg Guide (Savas Beatie, 2009), and also have Ezra Carmen's edited and compiled works on the Battle of Antietam on the way. Every review I've read on this work speaks of an indispensible volume for anyone studying that pivotal engagement, and since I plan on making Sharpsburg, MD a destination at least once this year, something tells me that this will be an invaluable asset.

Finally, the Military Channel is airing
two specials on Gettysburg, this Friday, April 10: The Battle That Saved America and The Speech That Saved America, at 9:00 and 10:00 pm EST, respectively. This happens concurrantly with Patton 360, the History Channel's much-anticipated follow up to last year's Battle 360. 9:00 pm on Friday looks to be a busy evening for those of you with Tivos or DVRs. As for me...I'll be catching re-runs next week, as an old friend is coming into town for that evening, and I would be remiss in my manners were I to blow that off for (albeit fascinating) television specials.

I hope this finds you in as good spirits as this day has found me. All the best, friends.

1 comment:

  1. Travel light, freeze at night... I recall one very cold evening at some event in central Tennessee around November one year. Reminded me of Korean winters.

    Carman's book is worth the money. Might be less polished than more recent historians, but in my view it is more complete. The only frustration I've had is the number of footnotes with "Carman's source for this has not been identified."

    Looking forward to the Complete GB Guide also.

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