Monday, July 1, 1861
DUBIOUS DEFENSE DISPATCH DEPLORED

The Department of War in Washington D.C. released an order today which in retrospect they might wish they had not. The order authorized the raising of troops in the “border states” of Kentucky and Tennessee. Both states, being border regions between north and south, were very close to evenly balanced in sympathies. Kentucky had pretty well decided to maintain a neutral stance, not leaving the Union but not sending men to fight against the South either. Tennessee, although more heavily Southern in sympathies in the powerful towns along the Mississippi River, was heavily Unionist in the mountainous eastern areas. The call for troops from the North was not accepted kindly in either state.

Tuesday, July 1, 1862
COMBAT CLIMAXES CONCUSSIVE CONCLUSION

The Seven Days Battle came to an end today, at a conflict generally agreed to be known as Malvern Hill. (Yesterday’s conflict can win you trivia games, having as many as eight names in use: Frayser’s Farm, White Oak Swamp, Glendale, Nelson’s Crossroads, Charles City Crossroads, New Market Road, Willis’ Church, and Turkey Bridge.) McClellan had been pushed back from Richmond every day of the fight, and now had his back up against the Potomac River. While this sounded desperate, he was in fact in a perfect defensive position and well dug-in. Lee, having failed again yesterday to split the Union forces in two, launched one last assault in hopes of a decisive conquest. Poor coordination of attacks doomed the effort. Lee’s only consolation was that Richmond was safe, or at least safer than it had been before the offensive started.

Wednesday, July 1, 1863
GETTYSBURG DAY 1

Was it random chance, overconfidence, or just a good road network that brought the two great armies of the Eastern Theater together in Pennsylvania today? Whatever the reason, skirmishers from A. P. Hill’s Confederate corps encountered what they first took to be Pennsylvania militia on Chambersburg Pike west of Gettysburg. The “militia” was in fact the crack cavalry of Gen. John Buford, fighting dismounted . As one group after another was unable to dislodge these “militia”, eventually Buford’s Co. E of the 9th New York Cavalry was standing off two brigades in one of the classic fighting withdrawals of this or any war. The delay was just long enough for Gen. John Reynold’s 1st Corps to get up to carry on the fight, although without Reynolds who was killed early on. O.O. Howard’s 11th Corps was right behind. The early efforts to fight north of town were quickly swamped, and chaos followed fleeing Union men and pursuing Confederates alike as they headed for the high ground of Cemetery and Culp’s Hills. That “lovely ground” was in Union hands at the end of this day.
 

Tuesday, July 2, 1861
CONSTITUTION CONTRACTS CONSIDERABLE CALAMITY

The right of habeas corpus is so basic to America that it is enshrined in the Constitution. Including such features as protection from arrest without specific charge, right to reasonable bail and the like, it went straight out the window today. President Lincoln, in what would become one of the most controversial actions of the war years, today authorized Winfield Scott, Commanding General of the US Army, to suspend this right as he saw fit anywhere between Washington and New York. Many saw the suspension of civil liberties as the first step down the road to tyranny and the failure of the American experiment in democracy.

Wednesday, July 2, 1862
MALVERN MARAUDERS MAKE MCCLELLAN MOPE

And on the eight day (after the series of battles which became known as the Seven Days) Gen. George McClellan would no doubt have liked to have rested, as would his men of the Army of the Potomac. Unfortunately although the battle was over the retreat was not. The army marched from Malvern Hill to Hampton Roads. The advantage of this position was that Union gunboats in the James River could provide covering fire for the entire force, both flanks. Lee’s forces were mostly too tired to attack anyway, except for cavalry attacks on infantrymen.

Thursday, July 2, 1863
DUAL DILEMMAS DETERMINE DESTINY

Hundreds of books have been written about the Battle of Gettysburg; dozens about various aspects of this, the Second Day, alone. Meanwhile, the end of the Siege of Vicksburg was drawing very near. Attempts by the Confederacy to break reinforcements through Grant’s lines had failed, and supplies were running low. Mule meat was beginning to seem tasty, considering that the alternative was to eat rats. Negotiations were proposed.

Saturday, July 2, 1864
HARPERS HAVEN HORRIBLY HARASSED

Harper’s Ferry, at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and at the bottom of steep bluffs, is also where Maryland, Virginia and the new state of West Virginia come together. It was fought over repeatedly and changed hands more than once. It was under threat again today from the forces of Jubal Early. The Confederate general, head of virtually the only remaining Rebel force able to move, was in Winchester today. There was skirmishing on Bolivar Heights.
 

   Thank you so much, Carla! My memories of Mrs. Forbes from that year are warm and wonderful. I especially recall the pride she felt in her daughter's accomplishments. Her face would simply shine when she mentioned her name - as well it should have!

http://nnhs65.com/teach-Forbes.html

   We are all delighting at being back in North Carolina again - thanks again!

I am so sorry that the Viagra Message was sent to all of you.  Don't know how I got it.  And have been bewildered as to how to get rid of it.  Recently send messages were the second round that went out  - so I HAD to find out what to do.
 
A Norton Virus Team Technician has been on my computer REMOTE CONTROL for over TWO HOURS this evening deleting the Virus and surveying my computer and cleaned it up.
 
He advised me to and I will let you know - PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME TO OPEN ANYMORE EMAILS.  I WILL NOT BE FORWARDING ANYMORE TO YOU.  I know I have said this in the past BUT now I HAVE to follow through.
 
If you get a virus - the first thing you need to do immediately is to Change Your Password!
 
I was told by Norton that CERTAIN viruses cannot be detected - and thereby have to be erased by their Virus Team.  With a Charge, by the way.  And if it happens again, I will have to pay AGAIN.  Soooooooo - I don't want that to happen.
 
Hopefully, you will not get anymore such stuff from me - but I would please ask you to let me know if you do.
 
Thank U for your patience.
 
So sorry, ev     :) One of my friends has been called already by the Viagra Company to discuss her Order!!  NOT

   Thank you, Ev! I'm so sorry for your troubles! These things would be amusing if they weren't so, you know, un-amusing (not to mention costly)! 

I believe she may have been God's gift to the U.S.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIo3ZfA9da0 - Sgt. Reckless - Korean War Horse Hero

   WOWZERONI! Thank you so much, Norris Sweetie!

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=22984504&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0
&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1&autoplay=1&loop=0

   This is delicious! I made three incorrect guesses; I doubt I ever would have guessed it! Thank you again, Norris Sweetie!

   But of course, Pretty Lady!