Friends,
Those of us that consider ourselves to be Civil War Addicts (or addicts of any other historical period for that matter) can frequently point to a certain time or event that gave birth to the addiction. Other times, it develops slowly over many years until we wake up one day and can't remember how we got to where we are. In my very first post I mentioned how I developed my Civil War Addiction. But I've been thinking on that lately.
Yes, I checked out that Civil War book from the library when I was 5 years old. It had a big red cover and no cover illustrations. But why did I pick that book? I could have just as easily picked up a book about a fire station or another Dick and Jane reader. Why did I pick up the Civil War book? Something must have drawn me to it. Since it did not have any cover art though, that seems unlikely.
Was it fate or destiny? Was it my ancestors drawing me towards them so that I might learn their stories and honor their memories? Or was is just pure blind luck that I grabbed that book? I don't know the answer. But I do know this. I don't believe in coincidences.
And believe me friends, there were plenty of times at reenactments as I lay shivering in my tent in wet clothes listening to the rain pound the canvas and hoping that the tent didn't collapse that I would have gladly gone back in time and left that book on the shelf! But the feeling passed quickly.
Do you know where your Civil War Addiction (or that to any other period) comes from?
My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.
(And Happy Father's Day to my dad, who always encouraged my love of history, no matter how odd he may have found it at times.)
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Civil War Games
Friends,
In true Civil War Addict form, I have several Civil War era games. When we visited Gettysburg in 1994, my brother and I purchased the Gettysburg board game. I believe it was an Avalon Hill game. Anyway, we got hours and hours of enjoyment out of it. I still have the game, sans most of the pieces. Otherwise, I'd still play it. (Though I would have to let my hot redheaded wife win. That is normally the smart thing to do when competing against a redheaded girl of German ancestry.)
I also have some games on the computer as well. I still play Civil War General II along with the Sid Meier's Civil War (it has Gettysburg and Antietam). I admit that I am old school when it comes to computer games.....and probably everything else. I still play the Red Baron (1991) using the DOS Box. It just seems like the modern games are so complex that it takes the enjoyment aspect out of them. If I still had my Nintendo, I'd play the North and South game. Anyone remember that one? Great fun!
So my question for you today is this: What is your favorite Civil War game? (Board game or computer game.)
My name is Lee Hutch and I am a technologically challenged Civil War Addict.
In true Civil War Addict form, I have several Civil War era games. When we visited Gettysburg in 1994, my brother and I purchased the Gettysburg board game. I believe it was an Avalon Hill game. Anyway, we got hours and hours of enjoyment out of it. I still have the game, sans most of the pieces. Otherwise, I'd still play it. (Though I would have to let my hot redheaded wife win. That is normally the smart thing to do when competing against a redheaded girl of German ancestry.)
I also have some games on the computer as well. I still play Civil War General II along with the Sid Meier's Civil War (it has Gettysburg and Antietam). I admit that I am old school when it comes to computer games.....and probably everything else. I still play the Red Baron (1991) using the DOS Box. It just seems like the modern games are so complex that it takes the enjoyment aspect out of them. If I still had my Nintendo, I'd play the North and South game. Anyone remember that one? Great fun!
So my question for you today is this: What is your favorite Civil War game? (Board game or computer game.)
My name is Lee Hutch and I am a technologically challenged Civil War Addict.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
D-Day
Friends,
Today marks the 69th Anniversary of D-Day. I know it has nothing to do with the Civil War, of course, but I thought it might be appropriate to mention it. Many of the soldiers who stormed the beaches at Normandy were descendants of brave Confederate and Federal troops who fought at places like Shiloh and Gettysburg. With that kind of blood in their veins, it is little wonder that they were able to take the beaches.
So take a minute today, if you haven't already, to remember our World War 2 veterans. We loose more of them each day. Soon there won't be any left. Those of us who knew them will become the keepers of their stories. Both of my grandfathers (along with great-uncles and cousins) served during the war. I had one grandfather in each theater. It is strange to think that if I have a grandchild, they will be as far removed from my grandfathers as I am from my Civil War ancestors.
As an update, the injection I got for my back didn't work. I'm back to the same pain levels as before, but never fear, there will be a Civil War post this weekend.
My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.
Today marks the 69th Anniversary of D-Day. I know it has nothing to do with the Civil War, of course, but I thought it might be appropriate to mention it. Many of the soldiers who stormed the beaches at Normandy were descendants of brave Confederate and Federal troops who fought at places like Shiloh and Gettysburg. With that kind of blood in their veins, it is little wonder that they were able to take the beaches.
So take a minute today, if you haven't already, to remember our World War 2 veterans. We loose more of them each day. Soon there won't be any left. Those of us who knew them will become the keepers of their stories. Both of my grandfathers (along with great-uncles and cousins) served during the war. I had one grandfather in each theater. It is strange to think that if I have a grandchild, they will be as far removed from my grandfathers as I am from my Civil War ancestors.
As an update, the injection I got for my back didn't work. I'm back to the same pain levels as before, but never fear, there will be a Civil War post this weekend.
My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Single Most Important Event
Friends,
First I would like to offer my apologies for not having a new post earlier in the week. I've been gearing up to have my cortisone injection in my back tomorrow. I am afraid of two things. Needles and Clowns. Hopefully a person dressed as a clown won't be giving me the injection.
That out of the way, I've been thinking about all of the major events that took place during the war years. Is one of them more important than another? If you change the outcome of one event, would that change the outcome of the war? If the North had not captured New Orleans, would that have made a difference? What about a Confederate victory at Shiloh? Or Antietam?
Is there a single event that is more important than all others? And if so, what is it?
See, when you are a Civil War Addict, you think about this kind of stuff.
My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.
First I would like to offer my apologies for not having a new post earlier in the week. I've been gearing up to have my cortisone injection in my back tomorrow. I am afraid of two things. Needles and Clowns. Hopefully a person dressed as a clown won't be giving me the injection.
That out of the way, I've been thinking about all of the major events that took place during the war years. Is one of them more important than another? If you change the outcome of one event, would that change the outcome of the war? If the North had not captured New Orleans, would that have made a difference? What about a Confederate victory at Shiloh? Or Antietam?
Is there a single event that is more important than all others? And if so, what is it?
See, when you are a Civil War Addict, you think about this kind of stuff.
My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Memorial Day
On this Memorial Day, I would like to remember a few of my Civil War ancestors who gave their lives for what they believed in.
1. Henderson Vestal, 1st TN Infantry, Killed at Perryville
2. David Martindale, 4th TX Infantry, Killed at Antietam
3. Thomas Godkin, 160th NY Infantry, Killed in a skirmish with Confederates in Louisiana, 1864
4. Edmund Fitzgerald, 24th TN Infantry, Killed at Shiloh
5. William Cincinnati Pearson, 43rd AL Infantry, Killed at the Battle of the Crater
This holiday has its origin in the post Civil War era where it was formerly known as Decoration Day. So as we remember veterans of more recent wars, please take a minute and remember veterans of more distant wars as well.
Fortes Creantur Fortibus
My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.
1. Henderson Vestal, 1st TN Infantry, Killed at Perryville
2. David Martindale, 4th TX Infantry, Killed at Antietam
3. Thomas Godkin, 160th NY Infantry, Killed in a skirmish with Confederates in Louisiana, 1864
4. Edmund Fitzgerald, 24th TN Infantry, Killed at Shiloh
5. William Cincinnati Pearson, 43rd AL Infantry, Killed at the Battle of the Crater
This holiday has its origin in the post Civil War era where it was formerly known as Decoration Day. So as we remember veterans of more recent wars, please take a minute and remember veterans of more distant wars as well.
Fortes Creantur Fortibus
My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Post War Life
Friends,
I have been suffering from a herniated lumbar disc for the past 6 months or so. It was brought on by years of mistreating my back. Having been a firefighter, patrol officer, and now an arson investigator is not something that is easy on the joints. The word suffering doesn't come close to describing the pain either. We all have our crosses to bear. This is mine.
Soldiering in any era is a difficult and demanding task. I've been wondering about how their service effected soldiers in the post Civil War era. How many of them spent a lifetime in pain brought on by long marches, carrying heavy loads, and sleeping outdoors in all sorts of weather. Today at least, we know ways that we can ease the pain associated with these conditions either through medication or exercise. Back then there wasn't a whole lot they could do. I can recall one particular line from the tune "Good Old Rebel" which states "I caught the rheumatism a-camping in the snow." I could not imagine dealing with what I am in a world that did not have NSAIDs and sleep aids. But our ancestors did just that.
So on this Memorial Day Weekend, let us not only remember those Civil War soldiers who gave their lives in combat, but also those who spent the rest of their lives in pain, both physical and mental, because of their service.
My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.
I have been suffering from a herniated lumbar disc for the past 6 months or so. It was brought on by years of mistreating my back. Having been a firefighter, patrol officer, and now an arson investigator is not something that is easy on the joints. The word suffering doesn't come close to describing the pain either. We all have our crosses to bear. This is mine.
Soldiering in any era is a difficult and demanding task. I've been wondering about how their service effected soldiers in the post Civil War era. How many of them spent a lifetime in pain brought on by long marches, carrying heavy loads, and sleeping outdoors in all sorts of weather. Today at least, we know ways that we can ease the pain associated with these conditions either through medication or exercise. Back then there wasn't a whole lot they could do. I can recall one particular line from the tune "Good Old Rebel" which states "I caught the rheumatism a-camping in the snow." I could not imagine dealing with what I am in a world that did not have NSAIDs and sleep aids. But our ancestors did just that.
So on this Memorial Day Weekend, let us not only remember those Civil War soldiers who gave their lives in combat, but also those who spent the rest of their lives in pain, both physical and mental, because of their service.
My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Best Brigade?
I previously pontificated about Civil War commanders. Today I've been thinking about those following the commanders. The question that I've been asking myself is simple to ask but hard to answer. If you could pick one and only one brigade from either side to either attack or defend, which brigade would that be?
On the Northern side, I immediately think of the Irish Brigade, the Iron Brigade, or the Gibraltar Brigade. Of course, those aren't the only options. On the Confederate side, the Texan in me immediately wants to yell out "Hood's Texas Brigade." But what about Granbury's Texans? Or the Stonewall Brigade? As I ponder the possibilities, my head feels like it is going to burst!
This is not to take away from all of the brave soldiers on both sides who did not serve in a "famous" brigade. But I am left to wonder which troops might be considered the "best" or to phrase it another way, "elite." I've thought about this all day and I have to confess that I am unable to narrow it down.
Can you?
My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.
On the Northern side, I immediately think of the Irish Brigade, the Iron Brigade, or the Gibraltar Brigade. Of course, those aren't the only options. On the Confederate side, the Texan in me immediately wants to yell out "Hood's Texas Brigade." But what about Granbury's Texans? Or the Stonewall Brigade? As I ponder the possibilities, my head feels like it is going to burst!
This is not to take away from all of the brave soldiers on both sides who did not serve in a "famous" brigade. But I am left to wonder which troops might be considered the "best" or to phrase it another way, "elite." I've thought about this all day and I have to confess that I am unable to narrow it down.
Can you?
My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.
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