Friday, June 25, 2010
BCOF THE END!
Because of school, family and life, I really struggled to find time to read more than a page or two a day from BCOF, so it really felt to me like I'd never finish. I want to share a few of my feelings as I read the final chapters of this book. Maybe I'm a bit more emotional than most, but some authors seem to stir my deepest emotions. I really struggled to keep track of the various battles, the endless amounts of geographical information, battle tactics and who was who. But in the end, I can honestly say that I might have felt a tiny bit of what it must have been like to experience the war's end. As Lee told us that he "would rather die a thousand deaths" than go see General Grant. I felt sorry for this wise, loyal, honest man. I felt relief in the sentence,"The bleeding and dying were over..." And I felt proud to be an American in Ely Parker's statement, "We are all Americans." And, in the merciful behavior of Grant as he sent food to the 35,000 starving men across the line and watched in my head as the Union soldiers allowed them to carry arms and receive "the salute of honor," allowing them to end the war with a "soldier's mutual salutation and farewell." "National victory was at last secured!" A great ending for me. A great learning experience, that I hope to extend and better understand on location!
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Congratulations on finishing the book. I've had the same problem getting through it. I'm one of those perfectionists who feels like he has to sit down and read the entire thing at one -- noting all dates, names, and places. It's been tough just allowing myself to read and accept that there's no way I'm going to remember 90% of this. :) Thanks for your comments, I look forward to reaching the end of the book and how my emotions will compare.
ReplyDeleteIn February of this year, my wife and I visited Appomattox Court House (the town) and went to the house where the surrender took place. In the visitor's center they had a couple of films that I thought were magnificent about the respect shown by both sides. It is unfortunate that we will not be going there (time and distance). It was a moment that I shall never forget due to the emotions which I felt. Slaughter so senseless, struggle so long, yet in the end all were Americans. If you get the chance to go there I would take it.
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