Civil War Thread

[krolik]

Shelby Foote is a good read as well.

[1.21GW]

The sites at Antietam, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, First Manassas & Second Manassas (worth exploring each individually, even though they're the same place) are all worth as much time as you can invest in exploring them.

Yeah, I think Bull Run (er, Manassas to you Rebs ) is my next stop.  I also meant to do Harper's Ferry while at Antietam (17 mi away), but it was raining when my tour ended and so I saved it for a brighter day.

If you're within a day or two of the central theater of the war you owe it to yourself (not to mention your kids) to explore the Civil War history that's all around you.

Agreed.  But at the same time, I found all of this sooooo boring when I was younger.  Didn't start getting into it until my late twenties and even now, in my mid-thirties, none of my friends/co-workers have any interest.  I think it comes when it comes and can't be forced.

[koko64]

What really struck me from documentaries down here was how battle tactics of the era were left behind by weapons technology, thus the massive casualties. This seemed to last into the Great War, with the cost borne by the foot soldier. A real eye opener for me down here.

[1.21GW]

As a side note, I have picked up sketching officers & soldiers whenever I need to pass the time.  Their faces are so distinct and their individual style so unique, it's really fun to try to capture it all.  When you know the officer and his story, makes it even more fun.  Some examples:

[koko64]

Wow, good work.

[1.21GW]

What really struck me from documentaries down here was how battle tactics of the era were left behind by weapons technology, thus the massive casualties. This seemed to last into the Great War, with the cost borne by the foot soldier. A real eye opener for me down here.

Yeah, civil war infantrymen were some of the ballsiest men in history.  To march in tight order through open fields into cannon fire and rifle volleys thick as bee swarms takes a level of courage few have.  Sure, romans and medieval soldiers and samurai and so on fought brutal battles, but like you said: the technology was wayyyyyy ahead of the fighting style by the mid-19th Century.  And after burying half their comrades in one battle, they marched 30 miles to some other field of death and did it again.  AND THEY SANG SONGS ALONG THE WAY.  Crazy.