Withdrawl!!

I don't know about anyone else, but my entire summer has been Civil War....BCoF all during June was one thing, but now all of July has been the same way....the trip was AMAZING, and when I came home, all I have wanted to do and read has been having to do with the Civil War. I'm not sure how many times my boys have put in Gods and Generals or Gettysburg....it's kind of like those little kids watching the same episode of Barney over and over again EXCEPT I actually don't mind these.....I have read some great little books that I am excited to use in my classroom and I have found some great sites and video clips to use with my unit this year. I so enjoyed being around all of the great teachers that were in our group! Wow, how was I lucky enough to be able to be chosen for this experience. I am so much more knowledgeable, but also realized how much I still don't know (even more than before)....like the old idea of : "The more you know, the more you realize you don't know". The difference now however, is I have a whole different perspective and excitement about this part of America's history. I can't wait to share with my students and with my colleagues!

THANK YOU so much to the the L H Miller Foundation and to Zions Bank for this great opportunity. If the goal is to get teachers more excited to learn and share history with their students, success has been had by you.....I certainly have a renewed excitement and love that was not quite this grand before July 7th. :)

Battle Cry of Freedom - Music's Influence

I can't help but think of the tune to Battle Cry of Freedom almost every time I say those words. Most people would agree that words set to music can provide a powerful experience to the listener. I'm sure soldiers and civilians alike drew great strength from the music of this time. While Battle Cry of Freedom was uniquely inspiring for both sides, I'm sure that the Union and Confederacy each had their own songs to rally behind or express their sadness and anxiety. I can't say that I'm too familiar with the few songs named in the book, but I'm excited to learn more about Civil War music from Paula and Sharon B. I hope two of my favorites, When Johnny Comes Marching Home and Battle Hymn of the Republic are among those we discuss.

A Soldier's Heaven

"Sometimes he believed in a Heaven, mostly he believed in a heaven; there ought to be a Heaven for young soldiers, especially for young soldiers, but just as surely for the old soldier, there ought to be more than just that metallic end, and then silence, then the worms, and sometimes he believed, mostly he believed, but just this moment he did not believe at all, knew Kilrain was dead and gone forever, that the grin had died and would not reappear, ever, there was nothing beyond the sound of the guns but the vast dark, the huge nothing, not even silence, just an end..." (p.327)

Chamberlain showed how much he would miss his dear friend Kilrain in these words. He felt an extreme sense of loss. I've never lost anyone really close to me, and therefore can't understand the amount of pain involved. For Chamberlain it was enough for him to deny his belief in an afterlife, at least for this moment. Whether for better or worse, cannon fire broke him from his quiet suffering.

Killer Angels 3

My heart went out to Longstreet as he sat on the rail fence and watched his ragged and weary men retreat. He had just been involved in a nightmare that left him empty. He couldn't even pray. He was in the depth of despair. He felt like his men had died for nothing and he had sent them to their deaths. It seemed like he was going to end his life when Lee showed up. Lee approached him and said it was all his fault, but Longstreet could only feel remorse. When he took his horse and turned into the line of fire I think he couldn't take any more. He wanted to end his pain.

This book has presented the human side to the Civil War. It has left me with a sad reverence for the pain that our country experienced during a time when the South was fighting for its culture and state rights and the North sought to unionize the nation and free the slaves. The book was very powerful.

Killer Angels 2

I was interested in Chamberlain's section. There was a part when Chamberlain felt odd about his reaction to the black man that was hurt. He explained it as a "crawly sensation." He closely examined how different he was up close: very black, white palms, brute jaw-line, etc. It seemed to stir in him emotions that he hadn't expected. He felt ashamed. He was startled by some of the differences this man had, yet realized how similar he was to the man. He was kind to him, fed him and tried to help him.

I wonder if hate and prejudice begins by blowing subtle differences out of proportion and then focusing on the unusual feelings you might experience and the fear of those feelings? When I take the time to know people from all different walks of life, I always find how similar we are.

The Killer Angels Part 1

Wow...I am really glad I read BCoF first. Killer Angels is almost like a beach book in comparison!
I am enjoying getting to know the characters that played such a role in the Civil War. I like how the book switches perspectives. It really gives the reader a feel for how each side approached the war. I didn't know that Lee had heart problems and was weak during Gettysburg. I am amazed that he could lead an army, live in a tent, ride a horse, endure the heat, and have health issues. On page 88 he had a tightening of the chest and then he grabbed his arm. I wonder if he was having a small heart attack. He must have had a lot of pain tolerance and determination to continue. He was an amazing man.

McClellan

I am totally amazed that McClellan had so little respect for authority. His disrespect in following orders, etc. never seized to amaze me as I read this book.