I can’t seem to keep up with all of the articles and blog postings that are going around in regards to the Spotsylvania Civil War Museum. We have a mandatory board meeting on December 13th. I promise to update the FLS, everyone here, and post an announcement on the NCWLF’s website once I have something significant to share. I have already promised reporter Dan Telvok an exclusive follow-up interview and between the two of us, you'll be well-informed. Our mission at the National Civil War Life Foundation remains. Our approach is another story. (Believe it or not, I envision a day when I will welcome Kevin Levin and his class to our museum and he will have nothing left to criticize because we did it right.)

The Civil War in Spotsylvania: Confederate Campfires at the Crossroads features published memoirs, diaries, letters and testimonials from those who were there to give a fascinating look into the day-to-day experiences of camp life in the Confederate army. 

Historic Churches of Fredericksburg: Houses of the Holy recalls stories of rebellion, racism and reconstruction as experienced by Secessionists, Unionists and the African American population in Fredericksburg's landmark churches during the Civil War. 

The Southern Cross: A Civil War Devotional shares forty uplifting devotions, ten encouraging essays, a special sermon that was presented to the soldiers in the field and a short biographical tribute to six of the South's most pious commanders. 

Christian Cavalier: The Spiritual Legacy of J.E.B. Stuart presents an intimate portrait of the flamboyant Confederate Cavalry General J.E.B. Stuart and a testament to his devout service to both God and country. 

Onward Christian Soldier: The Spiritual Journey Of Stonewall presents a historical account of the military, personal, and spiritual life of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson who rose from the pains of a tragic childhood to become one of the South’s most celebrated soldiers.

If there is something good to say about my new three-hour commute, it is that I now have a daily-dedicated time for reading on the train. Yesterday I finished the Pulitzer Prize winner The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed and today I started reading Shenandoah 1862: Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign by Peter Cozzens. I would like to say that both books are simply for pleasure, but in all honesty, I am writing an article for the magazine Patriots of the American Revolution on how slavery is being interpreted at the new Monticello Visitor’s Center and researching material for a banquet speech I am doing next summer in Lexington on Stonewall's Valley Campaign. Regardless, I am experiencing great pleasure while reading both of these extraordinary titles.

The Hemings book is an exhaustively researched and incredibly thought-provoking (albeit infuriating at times) portrait of an African-American family and I plan on reading the counter-argument In Defense of Thomas Jefferson: The Sally Hemings Sex Scandal by William G. Hyland Jr. as well. This year I read four books on Thomas Jefferson and although I had intended to keep that streak alive for the remainder of 2009, I think I need a break from TJ, hence the Stonewall Jackson book. That title looks be a great one to finish out the year as it intentionally sets out to present BOTH the Confederate and Union impressions of that military affair (the first study on the subject to do so). I may post some impressions on this one as I progress.

As this will be my last post before the holiday I want to wish each and every one of you a blessed Thanksgiving.

Reporter Dan Telvok posted a reaction to my last post on his blog. I would like to address that by saying that I am collectively commenting on BOTH articles that were written by Dan (and are linked below). The first article that generated the critical comments on the FLS site was the primary one that caught my attention. I in no way meant to say that Dan’s reporting was inaccurate. I was merely trying to say that Terry's comments at the time were in regards to his own economic situation and did not reflect the foundation’s feelings. He was obviously angry in the first interview and it was reflected in the piece. The second article was an addition to that and I included it in my post as it has also generated some comments on other blogs.

I stand by my statements that the National Civil War Life Foundation is still interested in our original mission and Spotsylvania as a location. I apologize if my post came off as being critical of Dan or the Free Lance-Star. He wrote what he was told. What he was told however, was stated out of frustration by an individual who regrets saying it.

I have a longstanding relationship with the Fredericksburg newspaper and nothing but respect for the FLS's staff. The ‘assumptions’ that I am alluding to in my post are taken from the tone of the comments and Mr. Thomann’s emotions at the time, not by the pen of Mr. Telvok. My apologies if this was implied in my post below. My goal is simply to reinforce the notion that the NCWLF’s mission carries on. If I offended Mr. Telvok in the process I apologize.

ADDED: Dan and I have chatted, all is well, and he is planning on doing a follow-up article w/ me after our Dec. 13 board meeting. Stay tuned.