Ed Bearss Lecture

We just received an exciting piece of news from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Maryland!

National Museum of Civil War Medicine to Host Renowned Historian Ed Bearss

Frederick, MD – The National Museum of Civil War Medicine (NMCWM) is proud to welcome world renown historian and author Ed Bearss to the museum on Thursday, July 31at 7:30 p.m. A gifted speaker and one of the most well respected historians on the Civil War. Mr. Bearss will be talking about his own sever wounding in WWII and relating his experience to that of both Civil War and modern soldiers.

Mr. Bearss is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II, a military historian and author known for his work on the American Civil War and World War II eras and is a popular tour guide of historic battlefields. He served as Chief Historian of the National Park Service from 1981 to 1994 and provided commentary for The Civil War, PBS Series by Ken Burns and Civil War Journal on A&E Network.
The National Museum of Civil War Medicine is the premiere repository of exhibits and artifacts devoted to the technological and procedural advances made in the medical field between 1861-1865. These changes occurred in the midst of tremendous social and economic upheaval. The Museum is committed to effectively weaving the narrative of suffering soldiers, caregivers, their families and the dramatic and innovative developments in medical treatment. The Museum utilizes its collection to heighten public awareness of the modern medical practices that originated on the battlefields and in the hospitals of this once divided country. Interactive educational programs, exhibits, seminars and lectures provide the knowledge that Civil War medicine connects us not only to our past, but is the scientific and historical link to our present and our future.
Ed Bearss’ talk is one in a series of lectures that is running throughout the summer at NMCWM. While the weekly lecture series has averaged 50 attendees, Mr. Bearss’ lecture has already hit capacity with advanced reservations in excess of 80 individuals.

For more information call 695-1864 or visit us online at www.civilwarmed.org

Contributor Spotlight--Wayne Rowe

Hello, loyal readers!

I thought you all may be interested to hear about the background of some of our talented authors! This interview will also be on the website!

INTRODUCING: WAYNE ROWE!

1) Describe how you became interested in the Civil War. What do you consider your favorite area for study and research?

Seems like I’ve always been interested in the Civil War, but I guess it all began when I received the American Heritage book “The Civil War” as a Christmas present when I was eleven years old. I was taken by the very unique diorama-type battle maps and pictures.

For the last seven years I have participated in reenactments and have researched the First Company, Richmond Howitzers, a Confederate Artillery unit.

2) When did you begin writing? What has that journey been like?

I have written books as a Research Fellow when I was in the Navy. Only recently have I written Civil War articles, and have given speeches at ceremonies and to Civil War Round Tables.

The journey has been more exciting then I could ever have imagined. Jeff Shaara said in the introduction to his book on Civil War battlefields: “. . . the research is the energy behind the story, and the energy behind the research has come from walking in the footsteps of the characters.”

I’ve walked in the footsteps of the Richmond Howitzers over many battlefields. I’ve visited dozens of museums, historical societies and libraries up and down the East coast. I’ve held and read the diaries, letters and memoirs of Richmond Howitzers and yet only now after about nine years of research am I getting to know who these men were.

3) Are you a full time writer? If not, what else do you do?

I am not a full time writer. Wish that I were. I am a retired Naval Officer who is currently the Head Reference Librarian at the Naval War College in Newport, RI.

4) Do you have a specific writing or researching technique or tip you'd like to share?

Do your homework. What I mean by that is do thorough research. Use primary sources when possible. Know your audience. Have at least one or more people read, critique and edit your draft. Keep it simple. Do not use twenty words to say something when two words will do.

5) What are some of the next projects you are working on?

I am currently working on the transcription and compiling of two works (diary & a reflection) of a Richmond Howitzers for a book.

Other books are in the works on several key men of the Richmond Howitzers. I have not yet decided if there is enough material to write one book or several books, but I am keeping my options open.

6) Any advice for beginning writers you would like to give?

Keep a narrow focus on your topic or subject. This will help with both doing research and writing your papers, articles, and books. Keep track of the resources you use so you can build a good bibliography and footnotes. Always give credit to an author whose work you have used to avoid being accused of plagiarism. Research is the fun part, but start early on in the process by doing some writing. In today’s world of computers, you can always cut, paste and edit later. The art of actually putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard is always the toughest part of the process. And most importantly, pick a topic you are passionate about as you will be spending many hours working on it.

Lincoln Signature on Display!

HAPPY 4th of JULY EVERYONE!!!

On the eve of Independence Day, and in honor of the 145th anniversary of the conclusion of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, the National Constitution Center announces that it has acquired for display the only known signature made by President Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg when he gave his historic Gettysburg Address. While almost every American is familiar with the Address, many do not know that President Abraham Lincoln’s famous opening words – “Four score and seven years ago” – were a reference to July 4, 1776, in acknowledgment of the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence.
The signature is on the first page of an autograph book from the dedication of the Gettysburg Cemetery . Acquired at auction by businessman and philanthropist Lewis Katz on behalf of a Trust for his grandchildren, the signature will be on loan to the Center for ten years and displayed in the Center’s permanent exhibition, The Story of We the People.
The autograph book was purchased amid intense public and media interest at Sotheby’s on April 8, 2008, among twenty other Lincoln documents, and was the second highest purchase at the auction.

“We are extremely grateful to Lewis Katz for bringing this important treasure to our museum and understanding the role it can play in the story we tell,” said Joseph M. Torsella, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center . “It is an honor to obtain such a rare piece of history to include in our permanent exhibition. Lincoln ’s role at Gettysburg signaled a major turning point in American constitutional history, and this treasure will connect visitors in a unique and tangible way to that defining moment.”

” Pennsylvania is known for its rich historical legacy, and I am thrilled that this rare artifact has returned,” said Edward G. Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania. “I am not surprised that Lewis Katz understood that this important piece of our past belongs at the National Constitution Center .”

“In making this loan, we hope to achieve two important objectives,” said Lewis Katz. “First, we want visitors to the Center to connect to history in a personal way. Signatures offer a unique opportunity for visitors to imagine the moment the pen touched the paper. Second, it is our sincere hope that others share great treasures with the National Constitution Center – through loan and purchase – so that the American story can be told, in part, through documents and objects.”

Signatures of Simon Cameron, Lincoln ’s Secretary of War; William H. Seward, Lincoln ’s Secretary of State; and the Governor of Pennsylvania, A.G. Curtin, share the first page with Lincoln ’s signature, A. Lincoln. All three of these men were seated on the main platform with Lincoln at the dedication ceremony. The remaining pages of the autograph book include signatures from John Hay, one of Lincoln’s secretaries; Henry Mercier, the American-born Minister from France; Reynaud, the Admiral commanding the French Naval Division of the Gulf and North America; Ulissa Isola, an Italian Army captain; Joseph Bertinatti, the Minister from Italy; Abner Doubleday, a Union General who fought at Gettysburg; A.W. Bradford, the Governor of Maryland; John. G. Nicolay, Lincoln ’s private secretary; and George Sykes, a second Union general at Gettysburg .

The signatures, all gathered on the day of Lincoln’s unforgettable address, were obtained either at the main platform at the dedication ceremony, or at the Gettysburg railroad station following the dedication, and were probably gathered by a member of the President’s traveling party. No one else would have had access to so many people of prominence.

Beginning in February 2007 with the acquisition of a rare copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln, and continuing with the Lincoln signature, the Center is working to build a collection of treasures through long-term loans and permanent acquisitions, including rare and important documents and items with iconic status that uniquely capture crucial moments in American history.

The autograph book is a significant addition to the icons of American history that have been displayed at the National Constitution Center . Over the years, these have included treasures such as Benjamin Franklin’s copy of the Constitution, Thomas Jefferson’s manuscript draft of the Declaration of Independence, FDR's leg braces, and tools used by the Watergate burglars.

Admission to the National Constitution Center is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors ages 65 and up and $8 for children ages 4-12. Active military personnel and children ages 3 and under are free. Group rates are also available. For ticket information, call 215.409.6700 or visit http://www.constitutioncenter.org/.

The National Constitution Center, located at 525 Arch St. on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the ideas and values it represents. The Center serves as a museum, an education center, and a forum for debate on constitutional issues. The museum dramatically tells the story of the Constitution from Revolutionary times to the present through more than 100 interactive, multimedia exhibits, film, photographs, text, sculpture and artifacts, and features a powerful, award-winning theatrical performance, “Freedom Rising”. The Center also houses the Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, which serves as the hub for national constitutional education. Also, as a nonpartisan forum for constitutional discourse, the Center presents – without endorsement – programs that contain diverse viewpoints on a broad range of issues. For more information, call 215.409.6700 or visit http://www.constitutioncenter.org/enter.org/.