Today, on the 189th anniversary of Ulysses S. Grant’s birthday, I bring you rare footage of Grant and Lee together at the Wilderness.
Category Archives: Historic Preservation
As The Smoke Clears: The Gettysburg Casino Controversy
By now you may have heard that last week the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board rejected a proposal to build a casino on the site of a convention center on US Route 15 (Emmitsburg Road) south of the Gettysburg battlefield. It had been a controversial proposal. Yes, the land was already a commercial property, but the convention center did not intrude on the battlefield, and its presence did not create traffic difficulties. A casino’s impact would have been far more significant and visible. That said, I believe that had property been identified east of the US 15 bypass, the casino proposal would have stood a far greater chance of success, in part because it would have weakened the arguments of battlefield preservationists.
It just might be time for the people of Adams County to take another look at issues of economic development. Continue reading
A Burning Question in Atlanta
It appears that the efforts of the Georgia Historical Society to commemorate an event in Civil War history that happened in Atlanta has met with opposition from the city’s chapter of the NAACP.
Only in this case it involves an effort to commemorate the burning (final burning, I may add) of Atlanta by William T. Sherman before he commenced his March to the Sea.
“It seems to be honoring something that reminds us of some tragic occurrences that happened to our people at the time. The whole war itself centered around the slave issue,” said R.L. White, president of the NAACP’s Atlanta branch. “We accept that it’s history but would like to see it done somewhere else than the heart of the civil rights historic district. It’s kind of tragic that the state is choosing that location.”
This is confusing on a number of levels. W. Todd Groce, who is president of the society, argues that the marker’s placement is historically accurate (down by the railroad yard). So that should mean that the SCV should support him, because that organization’s all about historical accuracy. The misgivings of Mr. White seem a bit curious. After all, Sherman’s occupation of Atlanta liberated black people, and I’d assume that’s not a painful memory. That it was Sherman who did that was ironic, given his lack of concern for the welfare of blacks or the destruction of slavery, but there were other Union generals, including Oliver O. Howard, who felt differently. That said, the “hurt feelings” defense has also been used when it comes to displays of the Confederate Battle Flag, and once you admit it’s a valid complaint in that instance, how can you contest its validity in another instance?
That said, I hope Dimitri Rotov smiles when he comes across this:
“It’s all about trying to capture heritage tourism dollars,” said Will Hanley, the marker coordinator for the Historical Society. “We feel there will be a lot of tourism dollars spent on the Civil War anniversary.”
Ah, so that’s what it’s all about. Set up markers so people will visit them and spend money.
Just another day in the life of the Civil War Sesquicentennial.
Two Thank Yous
I want to take the time to say thank you for the following:
I recently learned that the Scottsdale Civil War Round Table donated $100 in my name to the Civil War Trust. I’ve spoke before the Scottsdale CWRT several times, most recently in November 2009, and it is an honor to be recognized in this way.
I also want to thank Corey Meyer at The Blood of My Kindred for the kind words he had to say about me in relation to his decision to enter blogging some four years ago.
Thank you.
Some Good News: The Wilderness Battlefield and Walmart
It’s a pleasure to convey this morning’s news that Walmart has reconsidered its plans to build upon land adjacent to the Wilderness battlefield. The Civil War Trust issued a statement on the matter: newspaper reports shed some light on the reasons for Walmart’s decision.
Another battlefield preservation controversy seems to have reached an important point. Note that I did not say that it was over. Walmart will build in the area, along State Route 3.
