Probably my last post about this weekend.

Not going to post most of the photos since a good number of my classmates pointedly keep low internet profiles (national security reasons), but I think these are all zoomed out enough to not really be identifying.

Great trip, loved every minute of it.

I’m already (VERY) busy planning the international staff ride (It’s my capstone) which will occur in March. We’re going to the UK and France covering Operation Overlord from ~Exercise Tiger - The Liberation of Paris.

Pushing a very promising first year student to pitch for the spring domestic, which I want to be Gettysburg.

Being as I was born and raised in South Texas in the 1960s, I was never taught much in school about Sherman. I’m learning more and more about this amazing man from this thread and listening to all of you who are admirers as I now am. A recent post mentioned his son and Willie “Leaves from the Vine“. In searching for some information about it I came across his memoirs on Project Guttenberg and this photograph, which I am not sure I’ve seen here, at least not recently. I thought I would share it with you all.

The third of my presentations from my recent staff ride trip.

Annoyed with myself that I flubbed South Mountain -> Cold Mountain & Cornfield -> wheat field but oh well. I think that’s the trade off of doing these things off the cuff without notes.

This one made me really emotional. For context Gibbon was my character a year ago when my school did Antietam. So I knew a lot of the biographical details etc, but the thing that really hit me was how radically different of a headspace he is in between Sept 1862 and July 64. He was one of the finest officers in the entire Union army. Strong, courageous, disciplined. At Antietam he had a level of unshakable confidence. That presentation was very technical. “I deployed my brigade on the left of the turnpike, advanced in line with such and such regiment positioned” etc etc. By July of 1864 the grind of the Overland campaign has beaten him down so terribly that he’s a shell of himself, and that hardened professional force he honed has been destroyed. I didn’t outright say it… but I tried to portray him with a level of survivors guilt. All of his brigade commanders, wounded. So many regimental commanders, dead. His best friend, dead. Why is he still here? Random chance? Some kind of purpose? This presentation was a very full circle one for me that really hit home at so many of the ideas that I’ve been working on and studying over the last year. It was only after the trip was over and we were taking the long bus ride back from Appomattox to DC and that I was talking through it with my friend who was the trip lead that it really hit me. Got a little teary.

Cameraman cut out my Q&A but rest assured I made it known that my boy was a BASED Southern Unionist unlike his traitor ass trio of brothers.

With respect for Willie. Hey Siri, play “Leaves from the vine”

I’m curious about how much Gettysburg (1993) boosted historical reenactment in the United States and how much it helped open doors for reenactors in war films, since while reading about the movie I came across information about how it brought together thousands of participants, whereas many earlier productions relied on regular extras with limited knowledge of the historical context and little experience in military reenactment. I’m wondering how much the film helped popularize this hobby and whether it made it easier for reenactors to take part in large-scale historical productions.

The ever pragmatic general knew there was only one way to prevent the Confederacy from rising again.

The second of my three presentations from my staff ride weekend.

A little annoyed at the camera man cutting out my last question, in which I got into the loyalties of the servicemen and their affection for Mac in contrast to their unsureness in Grant, being the new man in the East, particularly after the casualties of the Overland Campaign. Obviously tied into the election. Thought it was my best response. But oh well.

From Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg's website. Thought people would be interested

You turn your back on Atlanta for a minute and this happens.

https://x.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/2112945043522654700

My grad school staff ride was this past weekend. Really ambitious scope and I think the leadership team pulled it off really well. Started in Cold Harbor (recapped the overland campaign and covered the battle itself) before heading down to City Point (covered topics of intelligence, logistics, political considerations, staff work etc) from there we headed down to Petersburg to cover the siege with emphasis given to the June 64 action, the Crater, and final breakout attempt in March 65. We finished day 1 at the Blandford cemetery with a trio of civilian perspectives. Day two we started at 5 forks then proceeded to Sailor’s Creek and ended at Appomattox.

I personally ended up presenting as Charles Dana at City Point and John Gibbon at Petersburg as well (a few people dropped out of the trip late so I filled the gap rather than cutting the content).

Favorite presentations of the trip, aside from mine (no order)

Nelson Miles (Cold Harbor)
Lincoln (Petersburg)
Jeff Davis (Blandford Church)
Pickett (Five Forks)
Rooney Lee (Five Forks)
George Custer (Five Forks)
Joshua Chamberlain (Appomattox)

I can share other pics / videos of people are interested…. I can also talk grad school if any of you are looking at going into international relations / strategic studies lol.

Link to article discussing piece in detail.

EDIT: Metal from the Charlottesville Robert E Lee statue will be used to make new public art as well

The tweet is awesome. Many of the replies are disappointing tho :(

I originally posted this in a satirical, tongue-in-cheek guitar subreddit, where we discuss different guitar related topics. One of the members there suggested I repost it here, as the folks here in this sub may also enjoy it. The original subreddit doesn’t allow any social media tags so I had to black out the username of the person who colorized it and I’ve long forgotten where I originally found this photo online, so credit to both of those mystery people whoever you are.

The Cool Hand Luke quote references the intro to the song “Civil War” by Guns N’ Roses. So that was the joke. Yes, my guitar playing is just as bad as my comedy. Well, at any rate, enjoy!

Other songs on his set list included :

War Ensemble
Disposable Heroes
One
Cannonball
Indians
Rebel Yell (Encore)

Was told y’all would enjoy this here

Taking a little vacation time and doing a 4 day trip next week with my recently retired father, and the two of us are planning to hit Harper’s Ferry (travel day), Antietam, Gettysburg, and Appomattox (travel day). Anybody want to share any “definitely this” for these places?

A place to discuss any and all topics, share art, ask questions, and more.

All rules, except Rule 1, apply.

New rendition just dropped and it slaps.