Introduction to my “Wonderful Obsession”

Hi folks,

Welcome to our blog.

What follows is my ice breaker. Or how I got started and where my interests are with the “Late Unpleasantness” as people in the southern part of the USA still refer to the American Civil War.

When I was 9 years old, my sister decided she was going to do her US History project on the opening act of the Civil War the shelling of Fort Sumter. This included building a model, ( I helped to build the Fort Model) and also the surrounding forts and the waterfront of Charleston. Once that was done, we had to visit the historical site. So the 5 of us loaded into the family station wagon, and off to Charleston. I still can remember walking onto the parade ground. It seemed so HUGE!

I was hooked. My very first book on the war was a “proof readers copy” which I still have by the way, of “This Hallowed Ground” by Bruce Catton. From there my library began to grow. Slowly at first, to where it is now.

I cut my CW baby teeth on Catton’s Civil Centennial Trilogy series which is The Coming Fury, Terrible Swift Sword, And Never Call Retreat. It was my priviledge to meet Mr Catton in 1964.

So thats how I got started.

My interests now have focused on basically two major campaigns of the War. The Maryland Campaign of 1862 which leads to the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg) and then the Gettysburg Campaign. In both of these campaigns, I have even narrowed it down further to the Troops from New Jersey. So much so that I am in the process of writing a book on the New Jersey boys in the Gettysburg action.

I will also be sharing some thoughts on some of the unknown Generals of the ACW. Men I have come to know I think very well, to the point where I had my opinion changed on one of them and another I have come to deeply admire.

I am looking forward to sharing what I have learned during this 40 plus years of reading, studying, researching and walking the hallowed ground of both of these battles along with the other ones that I have visited over the years.

I am also looking forward to learning more from my colleagues here.

So welcome aboard.

Lets go!

Jim Lamason