Sometimes the most rewarding aspects of being a writer aren’t found in the things you publish, but in the things that you can help others produce. Most people that are familiar with my work know that I got my first big-break as a baseball historian for Baseball-Almanac. (Some may even think I should have stuck with that instead.) Over the years I wrote hundreds of studies for BA on our national pastime, as well as an e-Book on the history of the Yankees in the World Series. Civil War Historian magazine asked me to write a feature on the subject a couple years ago and that opened the door for other CW/baseball related pieces.

Most notably Eric Wittenberg and I have a large baseball book coming out in the not-so-distant future (publishing details to come) and I always seem to find myself with “one foot firmly planted on the pitcher’s mound” so to speak. Whether it’s organizing a period-baseball tourney for an 1859-themed county fair, or doing a radio show on the game during the war years, baseball always remains close to me no matter how much the Civil War dominates my focus.

A month ago I was contacted by a gentleman from MIT, who is also a member of SABR, the Society for American Baseball Research. He was interested in obtaining some new primary and secondary source material on baseball during the Civil War. As I have become somewhat known as an authority on this subject, the folks at SABR felt I could assist them in expanding their library. I was able to provide them with close to 40 additional primary sources, which they gladly accepted and are using to produce an updated, definitive study on the spread of the game during the war years from 1861-1865.

Until now, it appears that much of their reference material was taken from already published sources including George Kirsch’s excellent book Baseball in the Blue and Gray and Patricia Millen’s From Pastime to Passion. They also cited some of my previous work. I was able to help them more than double their CW collection with copies of my own unpublished transcripts that I have accumulated over the years from various archives and historical societies. SABR is in a much better position than I am to produce something that is truly definitive on a large-scale and I can’t wait to see what comes of it. I am scheduled to have a phone call with them this afternoon to discuss their vision in detail. Stay tuned.

On a side-note, I have a conference call this week with the film producers from our documentary project, which is slated to be partially shot on location here in July. I have also been asked to contribute to a new magazine put out by the former editor of Civil War Historian called Patriots of the American Revolution. Of course I am still plugging away at the Confederate camp book, working with the museum foundation, and I will be shooting Episode 8 of The Naked Historian this week (if the weather permits). This is on top of a full-time job, 4 kids, church, and a home improvement to-do list. There simply are not enough hours in the day to accomplish what I need to do. I either need to get an assistant, or the ability to say ‘no.’

Some folks in Orange County just don’t get it.

Lately I am becoming more and more irritated (and frankly alarmed) at how utterly ignorant many of the residents of Orange County are. I’m speaking specifically of those outspoken citizens that are rallying in the local press against preservationist groups who are trying to curb the construction of a Wal-Mart near The Wilderness Battlefield.

They write letters to the paper and accuse the CWPT and historians of spreading false information. They smugly turn their noses up at those from the quote: outside, who are attempting to save an important part of their county and refer to them as "carpetbaggers." Unfortunately their witty humor is totally overshadowed by their lack of understanding and respect for their own backyard. The bottom line is they don’t deserve to live near such hallowed ground.

If I had my way I would grab every one of these “activists” and lead them back to May of 1864 when Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Army of the Potomac went head-to-head against Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in some of the most horrific and savage fighting of the entire Civil War. Close to 10,000 men died at The Wilderness and over 12,000 were wounded. Most were scarred by the terror they experienced firsthand. Many wounded men burned to death as the trees caught fire around them. We can’t even begin to imagine the nightmarish scenes they witnessed. Maybe if these pro-Wal-Mart people realized the tragic cost of human life that this battle claimed and had a better sense of the gallons of blood that was spilled on their soil, they would finally get a clue.

The truth is ‘Orange County Wal-Mart supporters’, we “carpetbaggers” don’t care about your shopping convenience. We care about a priceless piece of the American landscape that is far more important than you, or me, or any of our children, or their children. This land was hallowed long before we were here and it will be here long after we are all dead and gone. Frankly, your (and our) quality of life is second to the conservation of our nation’s legacy. We that live in the adjacent counties know the price of urban sprawl firsthand as we allowed our own battlefields to fall victim to progress. Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg are examples of what NOT to do.

Message to Orange County: DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES WE DID. We’ve set the bar for ignorant when it comes to preservation and are still dealing with the error of our ways. The bottom line is that the individual’s wants and needs do not matter here. That battlefield is what matters and everything else that threatens the sanctity of it is a moot point. Stop thinking about yourself and start thinking about the thousands of men who fell on the land you want to pave near.

Their memory matters more than any of us.

Michael Aubrecht
Historian/CWPT member

This morning I recorded a short radio interview for Fredericksburg AM 1230 on The Naked Historian. I’ll post an audio file when it runs. This little side project has taken on a life of its own and I will be shooting a full-length “professional” episode courtesy of the movie production company that I am consulting for. That show will be shot in July right here in Fredericksburg. (Location TBD). Pre-production planning is also underway for a local TV spot showcasing colonial history in Stafford County with me as host. As I am so heavily involved in my latest book project it is nice to get away from the keyboard. Without these videos I’d never get any exercise or fresh air.

I see the video bug has bitten some other CW bloggers and I’m very glad to see this technology spreading. It’s an opportunity for people to get to know the real ‘us’ – as living and breathing people - rather than just a bunch of words on the screen. I'm looking forward to watching their contributions. Just remember fellas, I got dibs on the 'naked' thing. (Of course that still leaves The Partially-Clothed Historian available.)

PS. I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the anniversaries of the passing of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson (May 10, 1863) and Gen. JEB Stuart (May 12, 1864) this week.

Last month I posted how pleasantly surprised I was to discover several references to the African-American experience at Confederate encampments in our region. The subject of "Black-Confederates" remains one of the most controversial subjects in today's Civil War studies. I have intentionally setout to include them (in whatever capacity they served) in my latest book project. I have been diligently transcribing sources I obtained from the NPS collection and came upon two mentions today. I will be exploring these in further detail, but wanted to share a couple excerpts with you. The first quote refers to multiple “negro Balls” of which I am not that familiar with, and the second and third describe the services provided by slaves who went on campaign with their masters.

W. Johnson J. Webb: Co. I, 51st GA Vols:

Bill is as well pleased as any Negro you ever saw, he has been to three negro Balls since we arrived at these camps, but he would go off without first asking permission.

Robert Wallace Shand: Co. C, 2nd SC Vols:

John Clarkson of our mess had a negro man named Mander who cooked for us and served our mess. We chipped in and got a horse and wagon and foraging was easy, for the county around was rich in food stuffs. The beef was magnificent drawn largely from Loudon County, which was a garden spot. Chickens, ducks, butter, eggs, buttermilk etc. were easily obtained and we fared sumptuously every day. Meantime, we went diligently thro' all the routine of Camp-life. Reveille beat at dawn of day which comes sooner there than in Columbia in June--and later in December. After roll call the boys proceeded to cook their breakfast, but as our mess had a servant we went to sleep again.

During all the months of my service, what was camp life? I have mentioned guard mounting and our drills. At guard mounting (or troupe) every morning, the 2d Sergeant took the sick and ailing ones to the Surgeon at the hospital tent, who diagnosed and prescribed - the latter according to stock on hand. The noncommissioned officers and men had to get their own wood and water, do their own cooking and washing. and keep their guns clean. The officers had servants for these duties. Until after Sharpsburg, old Manders slave to John Clarkson, did most of these duties for us. He also was a good provider. When we stopped, he would go off and come back with chickens etc. for most of which we paid, but sometimes the old fellow (who was too honest to steal) would “impress” them, or, to use his own phrase, “pressed em.” But a disagreement broke up our mess and thereafter, Edwards, Bryce and I slept together, did our own cooking, toting etc.

(BTW: I have yet to encounter a single black soldier in our area fighting on behalf of secession. On a related side-note, this region was the site of the first recorded engagement between Confederates and U.S. Colored Troops.)