About Me

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I am a lifelong student of military history with particular interest in the Battle of Antietam. I work for the federal government in Washington DC and have two young adult children who I love very much. I currently volunteer at Antietam and devote much time to the study of this battle and the Maryland Campaign. I enjoy collecting notable contemporary quotations by and about the men of Antietam. Since 2013 I have been conducting in depth research on the regular artillery companies of the Union Army and their leaders. I hope to turn this into a book on this subject in the future. My perspective comes from a 28-year career in the U.S. Army. Travels took me to World War II battlefields in Europe and the Pacific where American valor ended the tyranny of Nazism and Empire. But our country faced its own greatest challenge 80 years earlier during the Civil War. And it was the critical late summer of 1862, when Robert E. Lee launched the Maryland Campaign. It is an incredible story of drama, carnage, bravery, and missed opportunities that culminated around the fields and woodlots of peaceful Sharpsburg MD. So join me as I make this journey South from the North Woods.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Well Here Goes!

I volunteer at Antietam Battlefield on Sunday afternoons. We have a program called battlefield ambassadors where volunteers go out on the battlefield and answer questions and tell the story of the battle. Today was way to cold to be outside so I got the chance to work at the information desk inside the Visitor Center. I told my friend Mannie Gentile author of several wonderful blogs about my own plans for a blog and he suggested that I dive right in! What makes mine worth your attention? I am a collector of quotes. As I read books, I highlight the quotes and add the quotes to a database. For example, after reading Walter H. Hebert's autobiography of Joseph Hooker, I collected 21 quotes, mostly about Hooker, but also for some others like George Meade and Oliver Otis Howard. I use the quotes for some other leadership programs that I have developed in my real job with the federal government. But I thought that I would share some of these quotes here on my blog. As I get into this blogging thing more and more, I will add other features but for now, I will start with the quotes. I hope that I can make this a product that some of you out there will find interesting.

10 comments:

  1. Jim. . .
    Welcome to the Civil War blogosphere!

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  2. I love quotes too! I always think they show the true meaning of events and people. Understanding why people do things is what I consider the most important part of history.

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  3. John
    Thanks so much. I am really looking forward to getting into this. See you soon.

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  4. Budd. Thanks for your comment. I hope you enjoy the blog.

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  5. Jim,

    Great idea. I'm adding your blog to my morning cup of coffee reads.

    Craig.

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  6. Thanks Mark
    I hope you find this interesting. I am just getting started and welcome your input.
    Regards
    Jim

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  7. Jim,

    I just found your blog through This Mighty Scourge. I'd also like to welcome you to the Civil War blogosphere. It looks like you've got an interesting topic for a blog going. The 1862 Maryland Campaign is full of good stories!

    Brett

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  8. Brett,
    My thanks to you for mentioning my blog on TOCWOC. I am excited about my entry into the Civil War blogosphere. Look forward to your comments and feedback
    Regards
    Jim

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  9. Great idea to use quotes. This is great work!

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  10. Thanks. I am really encouraged by the many comments I am hearing about my blog. Your feedback is truly welcomed and encouraged.
    Jim

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