Greetings Cosmic Americans!
Well, I finally made it - the much anticipated Civil War Institute conference begins tomorrow...and I got here a little early just to have a look around.
I love Gettysburg - for a CIvil War historian who specializes in both history and memory, this is the place. Gettysburg is sort of like an epicenter for CIvil War remembrance and commemoration - and you meet all sorts
of characters here. Check out these guys. I ran into them right next to the "High Water Mark" marker. We talked about all kinds of fun stuff, including why a WWII reenactor was hanging around Gettysburg (apparently - he really likes Ike, who retired here after his presidency) - and I got their trivia question correct (Who was the first president to graduate from West Point...hint: it is a trick question)Anyway - the entire economy of this town is centered on Civil War commemoration, so you run across all kinds of interesting little tidbits - like this painting of Abraham Lincoln, for example. Now who wouldn't want
this framed and hanging over their bed? I know I would. So stay tuned. I will be posting updates here and on Facebook and Twitter fr the rest of the week - keeping you all up to date on the goings on at Gettysburg!Peace,
Keith
PS - mission accomplished.
In all honesty...I am going to go and find out how much that Lincoln painting is tomorrow. I really want it.
ReplyDeleteTrick question like who's buried in Grant's tomb? Hmmmmmmmm. If it's not the obvious you're going to make me google this, aren't you.
ReplyDeleteTrick question you say? OK - without googling, my official answer is Jeff Davis. Now my luck will be he went to VMI!
ReplyDeleteI'm getting ready to head down there right now myself.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting ready to head down there right now. Be there in less than an hour.
ReplyDeleteWell, Kurt - I suppose technically no one is buried in Grant's tomb. Julia and Ulysses Grant's sarcophagi are elevated in the lower level of the tomb...for all to see. The stone coffins are surrounded by busts of Union generals. It is a sight to see - next time you are in New York...take a trip way uptown and have a look. And congratulations! You are correct. President of the Confederate States of America Jefferson Davis graduated the United States military Academy at West Point in in 1828...23rd in his class. Do you know who was the most recent president to graduate from West Point?
ReplyDeleteGreat Al!! see you there!
ReplyDeleteIke?
ReplyDeleteYes indeed - correct you are!
ReplyDelete