Recently there have been some postings around the blogosphere about the pros and cons of academic historians blogging, as well as reports from some in the field who are participating in various seminars examining the study of the War Between the States. One blogger over at Civil Warriors even mentioned attending a weekend conference in New York City to discuss the “state of Civil War military history scholarship.” As one who is clearly not part of this demographic, I can’t help but wonder what exactly are these events and why do they hold them?

Please don’t misunderstand me, many of the attendees and speakers at these events have forgotten more about Civil War history than I’ll ever know. In fact, their works usually provide priceless reference to the rest of us ‘blue-collar’ historians who write books and articles for the normal, or casual, Civil War reader. (I am not, nor will I ever be in their league. Therefore do not take this as an attack on anyone personally. My point in this post is in regards to the ever-widening divide that exists between the ‘schooled’ and the ‘un-schooled’ historians.)

Many of these conferences and seminars can sometimes come off as being a bit elitist and arrogant. Sometimes people who participate in these events echo that sentiment in their comments. (Ironically, many of the best rangers, guides, speakers, authors and all around 'experts' that I know are anything but academics and have zero pedigrees to boot.)

I guess my confusion lies in why do these history teachers feel the need to hold these conventions and sit around discussing the state of anything? What has changed so drastically in the last 140+ years in the presentation of the War Between the States? And what exactly defines scholarship? To me it represents an expertise that is earned by the study and examination of a subject. So, do you have to be an academic to accomplish this? Is there any more (or less) expertise sitting at a roundtable in a symposium, or around a campfire at a re-enactment?

Perhaps questioning and challenging everything that has come before them gives this generation of professors the feeling that they too are contributing something to the legacy of the subject matter. Still, other teachers don't do this. I'm not aware of any Science or English instructors holding conferences to discuss the state of their subjects.

I guess my issue is that they always appear so negative to me, preaching the idea that everyone else is ignorant and wrong. I am also bothered by the tendency they have to try and tear people down. These are the people that say things like "Yeah Robert E. Lee was great, but not nearly as great as you think and here are the reasons why." What real purpose does that serve?

Adding to their distance, most of the individuals in the academic realm seem to research, author, and publish material solely for their peers. I say that as you could be fairly certain that John Q. Public walking into the history section at Borders, or bringing his wife and kids to a weekender at Gettysburg is probably not that interested in reading some 1000+-page dissertation on a long-neglected topic that challenges hundreds of years or so of historical memory. University press releases that require a degree to understand are not what these people read. Its teachers writing to impress other teachers in my opinion.

Most tourists and/or those with a passing fancy want to read something that is inspiring and exciting that will hold their short-attention-span and leave them feeling that they’ve learned something about a subject that they hadn’t thought about since they were in grade school. Unfortunately, these are also the people that are far too often ignored by the academics who criticize the rest of us for catering to them. It’s a shame too as I think John Q. Public could really benefit by the knowledge of these historical "brainiacks" if they could just come down to our level. I have heard some of these teachers use the terms ‘same old’ and ‘traditional tales’ to describe what the rest of us read and write. I for one say what is wrong with that? And why not?

I’ll put on my baseball cap for a moment and use this as an example. As one who has written 400+ studies on Major League Baseball history over the years for Baseball-Almanac I ask you, the reader this. Would you rather examine the Box Score for the game in which Babe Ruth supposedly called his shot, or would you prefer to read the exciting tale that tells the story of this amazing feat? Certainly some will want the statistics (and we always include them), but the majority of everyday people would rather read the tale. Those people are the ones that we need to write to. Those are the people that we need to keep interested so they will come visit our battlefields and museums and introduce their kids to the subject. Those people were us, and we are a direct descendant of them. They will keep history alive too, not just the academics.

Let the teachers hold their conferences to discuss the state of the union and write their titanic-tomes that can be used as booster seats. Let them criticize everything that has come before them and even the work that we are doing now. I’m banking on John Q. Public and John Q. Jr. to save our battlefields and make the susquentennial a success. To those of us (academic and non) who study this stuff all the time, don't forget Mr. Public and his son. They are the regular people that we need to reach and keep reaching if the stories of the Great Divide are to survive for generations to come.

UPDATE 4/2: Two of our fellow bloggers have responded to my post.
Regardless of our difference of opinion, I still appreciate their comments and am linking them here.

Civil War Memory: He Knows Not What He Speaks Of or Why Civil War Historians Should Blog (Part 2)

Civil Warriors: As I was saying … or, here we go again … (I explain the poorly planned genesis of this post in the Comments section.)

There is one reader response that I want to share from a man who knows what he is talking about: Read Here

Yesterday, I received a very important package in the mail from Ms. Vonita W. Foster, Ph.D., who is the Executive Director of the United States National Slavery Museum. Apparently, this organization was aware of my efforts for the Gettysburg Foundation and has petitioned me to also support their goal to fund and promote this truly original and most needed facility. It is an honor and privilege and I hope to assist in any way I can. I especially look forward to being a VIP member at their dedication ceremony. Unfortunately, I can’t help wonder when that will be as this project has been mired in red tape and controversy ever since it started. Frankly, our anticipation here in Fredericksburg has been worn thin. Until I received this package, I was convinced the project was at a complete standstill. Thankfully, it appears I was wrong.

The local city planners at times appear to have been anything but enthusiastic about the museum’s vision and it has been under close scrutiny due to issues ranging from their initial refusal to release certain financial records (which led to an investigative report in the local paper), to a building design that went against city codes (they want to have a slave ship as a centerpiece that’s mast exceeded height limits). Personally, I think that good ol’ fashioned politics has once again hurt this project as people are allowing their personal feelings on key individuals such as Doug Wilder and Bill Cosby to cloud the big picture. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Mr. Wilder’s political career, or Mr. Cosby’s comments on the state of black America, is not the issue. Whether or not we are able to meet the museums mission statement and tagline that simply says “Commemorating – Understanding – Overcoming” is.

As a result, the only ‘physical’ elements that the Slavery Museum has to show for itself are a great website and newsletter. There is ‘The Spirit of Freedom Exhibit Garden: In Honor of Those Who Risked Everything to Be Free,’ on the site, but no building construction yet started. The plans predict over 100,000 sq. ft. of permanent and temporary exhibit space and the initial sketches are wonderful. I do hope that this group intends to present the whole story as many Civil War museums are being taken to task for not doing nowadays. I would love to see a section on the Christian baptisms and slave Sunday schools that later led to African-American preachers, congregations, and revivals. Most of all I want to see the project come to fruition. It is a longtime coming and after several years it is a bit frustrating to see progress moving along so slowly. Hopefully these latest programs and petitions show that things are finally getting underway. I must admit a little selfishness on my part as it is entirely possible that in addition to the four major battlefields and multiple museums that are within a few minutes drive from my home, it is very possible that I will also have the Museum of the Confederacy and the National Slavery Museum in my ‘neighborhood’ too.

For more information, please visit the United States National Slavery Museum website.

PS. On a slightly related note, promotion has just started up for the upcoming 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Chancellorsville here in Fredericksburg. It is remarkable how many events will be going on from re-enactments, to relic shows and more. Ironically, I will be in Charlotte North Carolina that weekend touring my oldest son’s trade-school, the NASCAR Institute. As much as I would love to participate in the festivities, I think we all know what comes first. Also, I spoke to my editor at The Free Lance-Star yesterday and I have some great assignments coming up including a review of Eric and JD’s latest release “One Continuous Fight,” an article on Lee at Stratford Hall to coincide with a living history event featuring my friends from Lee’s Lts. AND a very special cover story (possibly the favorite of my career) on the newly restored Gettysburg Cyclorama. Stay tuned!

How many of you have ever been extensively quoted in an article about Victoria ‘Posh’ Beckham? It appears that my career has peaked and it's all down hill from here.

It gets better. I was just informed by a good friend at the local National Park Service that my blog has been blocked and is no longer accessible on their government computers. Perhaps their 'word-bot search' program disliked my post on voting. I am surprised, but in retrospect, I could not be prouder. It speaks to the hypocrisy that is our modern government. (Oops! That outta keep me blocked for a while. Sorry.)

Tonight I completed the draft for two chapters of the You Stink! project. The result was a good start, two long essays, complete statistics, additional fact tables, sidebar factoids, and even some of the complimentary photos. I sent them off to the birthday boy (Mr. Wittenberg) and hope that he will be pleased. The sections I wrote were for Worst Field: The Battlefield and Worst Ending: 2002 All-Star Game. I must say that it feels really good to be wearing my baseball writer’s cap again and getting back into the swing of things (that’s two puns folks). Tomorrow I hope to finish two more and I can't think of anything better to get me in the mood for Opening Day!

Yesterday I received a very nice comment on my St. Patrick’s Day ‘Father Corby’ post, which led to the exchange of some friendly emails with our friend and fellow blogger Jim Schmidt from Civil War Medicine. Jim has written some excellent articles that have appeared in many Civil War magazines and he has a new book coming out titled Lincoln's Labels: America's Best Known Brands and the Civil War. I for one cannot wait to read and review it. As I am somewhat of an authority on the Southern Protestant-chaplain representations during the war, Jim is equally well-versed in the North’s Catholic contingency, specifically Notre Dame’s contributions to the war effort. In fact he is working on some interesting projects dealing with this theme that I cannot wait to pillage for reference.

Anyway, this got me thinking about my own path from a casual Catholic to a passionate Protestant. You see, I was baptized and raised in the Roman Catholic Church in western PA. My mother was a Baptist, my father, a Lutheran, who both converted in order to attend a nearby Catholic church in our borough. My family was active in the church and attended service regularly (they still do). Growing up, I went to CCD and had my First Communion and Confirmation. When I graduated from High School I stopped going. My wife was an active Presbyterian and we were married and later had our children baptized into that denomination. After moving to Virginia in 1994, we felt a strong calling to return to the church. So we both took classes, I converted officially to Presbyterianism and we have been extremely active ever since.

We go on Sundays and Wednesdays and our church family has become an extended part of our own family. My oldest daughter is an Acolyte. My oldest son is in the Youth Group. My wife works in the nursery and counts offering, while I sometimes lead a Men’s Bible study and contribute articles to the newsletter. Both of us attend a couple’s class too. We love it more than anything and it is woven into every aspect of our life. The majority of people that we know also have a similar lifestyle. The opposite was true up north. As one who has worshipped in both of these worlds I would never say that one is better than the other. And I would never consider one to be more ‘Godly’ than the other. I respect both denominations and I understand their theological differences. I often watch Mass broadcast from the Vatican after returning from our services on holidays and I hope to visit St. Peter’s Basilica someday. Here is my point though in regards to the Civil War.

In our town of Fredericksburg, I pass no less than nine Protestant churches and four public schools that are used as Non-denominational churches on the way to my church, Spotsylvania Presbyterian. Here in the South, we have churches on every corner and now they are popping up in strip malls. Buildings everywhere from old movie theaters to motorcycle dealerships are being converted for use as houses of worship. There appears to be a great revival going on. However, there are a mere two Catholic churches in the entire tri-county area and zero synagogues. I would also like to add that there is an apparent distinction between black and white churches down here (denominational), but that the non-denominational and even ‘super-churches’ have no racial demographic. There are no minorities or majorities in regards to race there, but there is a distinct majority when it comes to citizens who attend church.

So what is my point? Well, there have been some discussions circulating among historians about the longstanding ‘slanted memory’ of the War Between the States painting the idea that the South was the only religious ones participating in the conflict. Our good friend Richard Williams recently posted on Gary Gallagher’s new book Causes Won, Lost, and Forgotten: How Hollywood and Popular Art Shape What We Know about the Civil War, and Kevin Levine has also commented on this tendency to narrow the scope of religious fervor to the Confederacy. (NOTE: I would like to give Kevin props for changing the imagery that he originally used and for acknowledging the potential insensitivity to Christians that it posed especially during the Easter holiday. As a Christian I do appreciate his compromise very much.)

This bias is reinforced by the paintings, movies, books, and other materials that routinely depict Confederate commanders kneeling in prayer and hardly ever picture those who wore the blue uniform. I will be the first to acknowledge the imbalance, but I personally don’t think that this is an intentional snub of the Union’s faith, rather I think that the South actually cares more about this representation, therefore the market favors them. Why? My opinion on the matter is quite simple. Historically speaking its a case of supply vs. demand.

Almost everyone I know from the North is a Catholic and virtually everyone I know from the South is a Protestant. None of the Catholics up there give a hoot about the Civil War, yet most of the Protestants that I know do. None of the Catholics I know up there would buy a Civil War painting, yet most of the Protestants down here do. So as one who has lived and worshipped in both of these camps I can understand exactly why the majority of Christian and/or religious studies and presentations of the war are biased towards the South (including my own work). Simply put, IMO, it means more to the people down here in the Bible-Belt to acknowledge, celebrate, and honor all things of faith because that’s how we look at every aspect of our lives, not just Civil War history. Now I am not saying that everyone above the Mason-Dixon Line is uninterested in the spiritual aspects of the Great Divide, but I am saying that the majority of them probably don’t obsess over it. Down here, it is a much different story.

For some reason people here in the South need to identify with these people on a spiritual level. (I'm guilty as charged.) We shape our lives after their examples and we need to feel a personal attachment to them. We are probably all guilty of practicing idolization as Lee and Jackson are held in the highest of regards, but it is this 'faithful memory of faith' that drives us to pursue the preservation and presentation of history. Frankly, I couldn't write a book on an atheist as it would be too difficult for me to pursue the subject matter. This is because I am a Christian first, and a historian second.

Please don’t misunderstand, I do not in any way question the sincerity or importance that religion held in the day-to-day lives of our northern brethren during the Civil War. I do question whether or not it means as much to their descendents to remember them specifically for their faith. It’s not that the Grants and Shermans of the world were not believers, in fact they were. It’s just that they wore the wrong colored uniform to be remembered for it today. At least that is my theory. And I should know, I’ve been on both sides.

[UPDATE 3/26: My post has generated some great comments and emails. I want to thank everyone who has communicated with me on it. I do want to add that this 'theory' represents my own personal observations based upon my own experiences. It is far from anything that I have formally researched or seriously looked into. My point is that I have witnessed a distinct difference in both the northern Catholic and southern Protestant churches in regards to Civil War memory and the commemoration of it, or lack thereof. To me, it appears to 'mean' a lot more here in the South to have that representation included.]

Get em’ while their hot folks. This batch went out today. Filled with stories that are both educational and enlightening, The Southern Cross: a Civil War Devotional recognizes the five virtues of the Christian soldier: Courage, Duty, Faith, Honor and Mercy. There are forty uplifting devotions, as well as ten encouraging essays. Also included is a special sermon that was presented to Confederate soldiers in the field. Six biographical tributes to the South's most pious commanders follow. As a bonus, a Bible reading plan for 365-days of daily bread has been added. At 196 pages, the text is complimented by 60 period-photographs and 8 illustrations.

For a limited-time, my publisher Patriot Press and I are offering a discount for personalized, autographed copies at ONLY $16 (+ $3.00 shipping. *Additional shipping charges may apply for multiple copies and/or books shipping outside of the U.S.). This book is a great gift for Christians, Church groups, as well as Civil War enthusiasts. Read three sample devotions from The Southern Cross: a Civil War Devotional (PDF).

Email ma@pinstripepress.net for billing information and where to send your check or money order. Please include the following information: Shipping address. Complete name of recipient (exactly as you would like their name to appear), Age (only if for a child as the author will personalize according to age group), Requested message (only if desired, the author can choose a special quote or scripture for you), and any other greeting that you would like added (i.e. "A gift from [blank]")

And speaking of autographed copies, my fellow Patriot Press author, and gifted novelist, Jessica James will be doing a book signing in Frederick MD area on April 5th. Jessica will be joined by 17 other regional authors who will sign at different locations in Frederick as part of the Frederick County Library System's Much Ado About Books Gallery Walk. The signings will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., giving shoppers a great opportunity to stop by and chat with authors. More info here.

There have been quite a few heated political discussions and debates going on all over the Blogosphere in recent weeks. I even got roped into one, but have since deleted my post taking the Rev. Wright to task. Actually, I am posting this one after reading about a very different idea, one that I have been hearing more frequently in the Independent realm. It appears to be gathering steam and could be a boycott of historical proportions if it could actually work. (I doubt it can.)

Now in the past, I have mentioned my affiliation with the Libertarian Party and my disgust with all things big-government. That is why I was fascinated after reading about the controversial programs ‘Don’t Vote in 2008,’ ‘Don’t Vote, Play the Lottery Instead,’ ‘Friends Don’t Let Friends Vote,’ and ‘Don’t Vote (Think).’ They all have great slogans for sure.

Apparently, these movements have been created to give people a logical alternative to choosing between the “lesser of the two evils” that will be presented by their respective parties. If you are like me and fail to find anything personally inspiring from any of these candidates, AND you can’t bring yourself to do what we all did in the last election, then these “Don’t Vote” organizations say simply, "DON'T!" One states, “Imagine the message that would send to Washington D.C. and the world if we didn’t elect one of these candidates?”

However, the problem with this is that we still have to get the current guy out, so what happens next I’m not sure. Still, it is an inviting alternative to voting for the current choices. Some experts stated early on that this election would bring out a record number of voters, but wouldn’t it be shocking if the opposite ends up being true. All I can say is that if the current campaign hostilities continue many people may bow out of participating in the charade that is becoming the 2008 presidential race. We just had 2 previous charades in 8 years, so it shouldn’t be too surprising.

Personally, I’m all for the spirit of this concept, but I don’t think it will have any impact on the election. Like it or not, we're stuck with one of these candidiates. Still, whoever thought that NOT voting would be a welcome alternative in America? I guess we can thank the U.S. Government for that. Maybe I'll go to church on election day. At least then I'll know I'm not wasting my time.

[Tip o' the hat to our friend Dimitri.]

The National Civil War Chaplain’s Museum website is finally up and running. This is a very exciting place indeed and I am blessed to know many of the members on the Board of Trustees and Advisors including Rev. Alan Farley, Al Stone and Richard Williams. I for one cannot wait to see the exhibits in person and I hope to aid this foundation in any way that I can. The museum has just begun to assemble its priceless collection and is in a temporary room at Liberty University. Watch Video from WDBJ7 News. They have expressed interest in my books and it will be an honor and a privilege to have my work carried in their shop. The mission of the National Civil War Chaplains Research Center and Museum Foundation is to educate the public about the role of chaplains, priests, and rabbis and religious organizations in the Civil War; to promote the continuing study of the many methods of dissemination of religious doctrine and moral teachings during the War; to preserve religious artifacts, and to present interpretive programs that show the influence of religion on the lives of political and military personnel. This is Civil War history that truly matters folks. Visit their new website today!

March 28-30 is the 12th Annual Civil War Seminar at Liberty University (Gettysburg is this year's topic.) and the Re-enactor's Missions For Jesus Christ will be selling copies of The Southern Cross. If you are there, please buy a copy and support the RMJC.

Tomorrow afternoon, I am meeting with the good folks over at 89.5/91.7 FM (Gospel/Bluegrass) to discuss my ‘Daily Devotional’ spots. My publisher, Patriot Press, generously donated 20 autographed copies of The Southern Cross and Shades of Gray to the station to use as a thank you gift for their pledge drives. I recorded 5 voice tracks (3 w/ a Fredericksburg theme and 2 with a Lexington theme). These will run for a couple months (to start) on both FM stations (WWED and WWEM) throughout the week and I am very anxious to hear the finished product after they mix in the background music and add their own opening and closing.

The devotions that I selected from my book to read are The Angel of Marye’s Heights (Sgt. Kirkland), The Good Shepherd (Rev. Tucker Lacy), Blood On The Battlefield (Clara Barton at Fredericksburg), Lee Chapel (Washington & Lee University), and Slave Sunday School (Jackson’s school for blacks). This is a great opportunity to promote my work and publisher, but more importantly, it is an opportunity to give back to an organization that blesses our area everyday by playing clean, uplifting, family music. (In other words = no Rap!)

[UPDATE 3/25: My meeting could not have gone better. What a great group of folks. Things are underway and BIG announcements are to come.] 

May God bless all of you on this Easter holiday. Believe the Good News!

Luke 24:1-12  (1) On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. (2) They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, (3) but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. (4) While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. (5) In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? (6) He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: (7) 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " (8) Then they remembered his words. (9) When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. (10) It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. (11) But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. (12) Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. (NIV)

Thank you Jesus. There is nothing that I have ever achieved in my personal or professional life without your grace and providence. All that I am, all that I will be, all that I have, all that I will ever have, all that I've done, and all that I will ever do is 100% due to you. I am nothing without your blessings and I don't even deserve any of them. Therefore I submit the following prayer of confession to you my Savior: My almighty God of grace and glory, I join your people all over the world today singing songs of praise and adoration to you. This glorious day of hope and victory for you has broken the powers of sin and death. I confess to you that I have walked in the ways of sin for too long. I have been weighed down by disappointments and despair. Forgive me for not living in the hope and power of the new life given to us by our Lord. Cleanse me and renew me. Finally, help those that have stood against our witness for you, who have attacked our faith and our ministry. Help those who publicly ridicule our works and the way we use them to share your glory with others. Help these lost individuals to discover your love and redemption as we have. I ask this in the name of our risen Savior Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

As promised, I just finished posting the complete transcripts and slide thumbnails from my talk on Wed. night to the Lee’s Hill ’55 Club. The overall theme of my presentation was significant events that transpired either inside, or in the vicinity of the Lee's Hill Community. This neighborhood sits within a 15 mile radius of 40+ historic roadside markers and witnessed a variety of important events from the Civil War. Through the use of diary transcripts and satellite maps, I was able to recall the experiences of the soldiers and citizens occupying the area during the war years. Topics include: The Battle of Fredericksburg, Lincoln’s letter to the troops, Gen. Robert E. Lee’s winter headquarters and special flag, Jackson, Stuart and Longstreet’s encampments, Hilton: the Alsop family estate, Belvoir: witness to the death of Maxcy Gregg, and more. READ HERE 

I also want to once again publicly thank Mark Jones who turned me on to a great satellite-mapping program that is available on the Internet called Flash Earth. This very cool program enabled me to give the audience a ‘birds-eye’ view of the points of interest and put things visually in perspective. I also want to thank John Hennessy from the National Park Service, who gave me some wonderful leads and copies of some rarely seen documentation on several of the topics that I covered. (He's been my 'go to guy' on many projects.) Without Mark and John's assistance, this presentation would simply not have been possible.