Now, modern Major Generals. Some have commented about our use of the civil war and using 50 objects while the emotional history seen through objects takes in the totality of the context of the war, it doesnt really consider the military history or sequence of battle. Harold, what do you think about that . Well, its a fair enough comment mtd ogs k comment. Of course, the objects were discussing are all somewhat related to new yorks history. So its related to the soldiers who served, the leaders who helped or hindered the union war effort. The relics they brought back from battle. I think sort of along the way here over these last seven weeks we touched on battles. Those who have experienced them and certainly the battle for new york city because early on we dealt with the draft riots, which almost constituted a battle. Indeed, indeed. So were doing okay, i think. Thats a fair comment. I agree. And i thought we might as well air it. But tonights Program Features two objects. James reed l
The american war and most recently coedited. It is in the back. A beautiful book. His sense of the photograph. This is absolute treasury. With that, i would like to welcome gary gallagher. Thank you, we are on a very tight schedule. Just keep that in mind. I am delighted to be back for this years signature conference. I will start by saying thank you to carry and list for inviting me. He sees all the details seamlessly and with amazing good humor. I really appreciate that. Is also fun to see so many friends here. It is like a homecoming. That is very nice. Being is also reminded. I have been at the library for seven months. Getting off the plane reminded me that here in the east, you have what may be called weather. My feet are back on the ground. My job is to present an overview of theaters during the civil war. I have 30 minutes to accomplish that. Then 10 minutes for lectures. We will each reinforce those time constraints as we go along. I have divided knowledge into two parts. The
It is custers last stand that inspires americans to the conclusion weve got to eliminate native americans. So the settlement represents americas most shameful power. We went out and exterminate a race. We killed the buffalo to start them to death and those we didnt starve we shot until the west was open for settlement. You have to point a strong finger of guilt towards philip sherman. A great gentleman and the civil war but a man notorious for having said the only good indian is a dead indian. I devote a chapter to Wild Bill Hickok simply to show the absurdity of american mythmaking. These gunslingers so to speak were anything but gunslingers out in the west. They were mostly criminals who themselves had shot this year for something. They become share of a down and they are the judge, jury and executioner. They might catch or speak in the morning, and him that afternoon. That justice was swift. These guys were quick with guns because they were creating civilization out of a wild fronti
Warm introduction and thank you for hosting me. I am so happy to be here. They occupied the house just next door, formerly occupied by Jefferson Davis. It is a story that very few civil war buffs know. Ive given this talk all over the country and people are surprised, they have not heard of him before. Over the next hour i will tell you why he was chosen to enter richmond 150 years ago today. You may remember his name when you walk out of here. The book is actually on sale upstairs in the gift shop. I will be doing a book signing upstairs. If you have a copy of the book there is time to get one. Richmond was captured april 3, 1865. What an understatement that is, to capture the historic event that happened 150 years ago today. I got interested in this project 12 years ago when i was going through my grandfathers Family Archive and memoirs and came across this entry. My fathers uncle was a general in the civil war. My grandfather george weitzel. He was born in the United States in ohio.
You why he was chosen to enter richmond 150 years ago today. You may remember his name when you walk out of here. The book is actually on sale upstairs in the gift shop. I will be doing a book signing upstairs. If you have a copy of the book there is time to get one. Richmond was captured april 3, 1865. What an understatement that is, to capture the historic event that happened 150 years ago today. I got interested in this project 12 years ago when i was going through my grandfathers Family Archive and memoirs and came across this entry. My fathers uncle was a general in the civil war. My grandfather george weitzel. He was born in the United States in ohio. His parents were immigrants. His parents died at a young age when george was 18 months old. He was adopted, and the family name was changed to quatman. Im a blood weitzel. We have weitzels in the Confederate White House. We have some weitzels here today. Probably more than in 150 years. Welcome. This is Major General Godfrey Weitzel