THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER

Just a historical marker two blocks south of the military crest of the ridge. I posted this on the novel’s Web site as well. Will post it here also to give the novel site a little boost. It is not yet attracting as many hits as the 13th MS one, which is understandable I suppose. [...]

Not having inherited any Civil War letters, and not knowing anyone who did, I found this cover of a new book on them pretty fascinating. I had no idea. Believe I’ll post this on my Knoxville 1863 novel’s site, as well, since one of the narrators of the story talks about having received a letter [...]

This Civil War unit, part of Wheeler’s Cavalry, plays a role in “Knoxville 1863.”

ACW reenactors are an interesting bunch, most often portraying Rebels. Their story is perhaps best told here–despite the author’s ignorance of history and regrettable air of liberal Yankee embarrassment. (It’s said that in Germany, where reenacting also is popular, you have to be Union for two years before you can be a Rebel. Elsewise they’d [...]

Here’s irony. As we approach the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, 2011-2015: Unconditional Surrender Grant is still buried in Grant’s tomb, as the old joke has it, in New York City. But his correspondence and other papers have journeyed from Southern Illinois University to Mississippi State University. At least  State has now put them on [...]

I’ve been a student of the Civil War all my life. Hence the new book. You can’t grow up the descendant of Confederates on both sides of your family and avoid knowing instantly what someone is referring to when they say “the war.” Yankees can ignore it. They won. The defeated never forget. But, much [...]

I bought this software because it was about a tenth the price of Adobe’s Photoshop and, supposedly, does most of the same things. Indeed, it’s been dandy for creating DIY book covers for POD efforts, though it takes patience and careful following of the User Guide. I’m just about ready to produce my Civil War [...]

Snoopy The Goon says he’s tagged me and I have to tag seven others in this venerable blogospheric game. It’s a new one for me, but I’m honored to try. I’ll try not to make it too, too sentimental. Inject a little humor here and there, if possible. Here goes. And, except for No. 1 [...]

Snoopy The Goon says he’s tagged me and I have to tag seven others in this venerable blogospheric game. It’s a new one for me, but I’m honored to try. I’ll try not to make it too, too sentimental. Inject a little humor here and there, if possible. Here goes. And, except for No. 1 [...]

I finished volume one, having learned a few things I didn’t know. I enjoyed Grant’s direct, detailed style, without the usual flowery to-do of the 1880s. No wonder the memoir is considered a classic. Hand grenades, for instance. I seem to remember a reference to them before, in one of the many books I’ve read [...]