My fingers are nervous, my first blog, my first presentation of my musings on the Civil War. This is exciting. For anyone who reads this, you are probably wondering who is this guy? Is he a reenactor about to spew forth tales of fake battles and living history programs? Is he a teacher about to share lesson plans on the Civil War? Is this a dude with modeler’s paint under his fingernails? Lastly, is he a guy who enjoys studying primary source materials looking for that fascinating glimpse into the world of the soldier? Yes, that and more.
My interest in the Civil War began when my grandmother, for Christmas, gave me the American Heritage Civil War. A young boy’s mind raced through pictures and maps, especially the battle maps. Small pencil marks still indicate where General Steve moved troops in the battle of Shiloh and Gettysburg. Sure I had toy soldiers, but Civil War was just one of the many military periods fought out on my twin bed. The next Civil War hook in the mouth was the movie Shenandoah and that kepi floating in the creek. Then came 1987 and a trip with my wife to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. On the green by the Eagle Tavern a company of confederate reenactors drilled; the 5th Texas Company E. They marched in their column of fours singing Eliza Jane, each step in perfect cadence.
“Hey Steve, doesn’t that look fun,” my wife quipped.
“Kind of.”
“You need a replacement for rugby. Go and talk to them,” she offered with a slight nudge.
I still reenact, although not as much. I tour battlefields and museums for fun. I spend at least ten days a year at the Wisconsin Historical Society reading original letters and journals. My reading pleasure revolves around Civil War. And more stuff that I’ll flesh out as I add to this blog.
So besides droning on about myself, what of interest will this blog give to the reader? Here is my first humble offering. David Coon was a soldier in the 36th Wisconsin Infantry (1st Brigade, 2nd division, 2nd corps) serving outside Petersburg Virginia. His letters are held at the Wisconsin Historical Society. The letter I was written during the Weldon Railroad battles of August 1864. The 36th was heavily engaged in those battles. Here is what Mr. Coon has to say:
“James River 10 miles from Richmond Aug 15th 1864 (second battle of deep bottom) We went aboard a boat in the afternoon of Saturday and Sunday morning was … where, we marched … we had been before and went through the same field where we was at the time I kee that dreaming of .. a from you that I wrote you about. The day was very hot we was marched out through the woods 2 or 3 miles from where we landed on the way I lightened my load by throwing away a big piece of woolen blanket and two shirts We was put into another charge which as usual amounted to get a lot of men wounded among whom was our acting Col. He who was captain warren a very first rate Christian man our squad from our neighborhood came near inlisting in his company his left arm was shattered. I helped him off from the field May of Hamilton was also wounded in the face he was our captain first and a good officer, our present captain name is Griffin and I cant say anything favorable for him. Say nothing. A few words bout the part I took in the charge when the line halted and fell back and some took shelter hind some old buildings I found a good position behind a hog pen where I could load and fire between the boards of the pen. The heads of the Rebs being in plain sight behind the works I would load and fire talking good aim until I had fired about 6 or 8 times in that way when an officer who was behind me with a lot of men laying low sent and ordered me to stop as he said there was danger of my shooting our own men. Last I know there was no danger no danger of that but I guess he was afraid that I would draw the Reb fire on them I then fell back and came across the Col. In time to help him off as he was very faint. We are now laying in the woods not knowing how soon or what the next order will be. I must therefore close so as to be ready for it whatever it may be I send Peck and Thomas letter and want you to present it Yours with affection and great haste David Coon”
For a summary of the battle see, http://74.125.67.100/imgres?imgurl=http://www.craterroad.com/02856v380.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.craterroad.com/fortphotos.html&usg=__C2iwpkyBdgiR2HmhE4GsUM9WS3I=&h=378&w=380&sz=71&hl=en&start=35&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=6puqJoydYwKuIM:&tbnh=122&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfort%2Bstedman%26start%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1T4ADSA_enUS396US396%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=f_dCTfz-I8T38Ab9-fS1DQ A Photo of a reunion of the 36th http://www.library.wisc.edu/etext/WIReader/Images/WER1290.html
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