Touch the Elbow - Blogging the Civil War

While the number of men who died in the Civil War is estimated at around 640,00, more than twice that number, or a million and a half horses and mules, died during the same period. And while it cost the Federal the equivalent of $475,000 to outfit a regiment, the bill for horses alone nearly broke treasury.


Monument to the 1.5 million horses and mules that died during the Civil War erected outside the Virginia History Society in Richmond.

On a day when those turkeys that have been fortunate enough to have escaped the bloodletting gather together and give thanks for their survival and high school football rules in New England thoughts turn to the past.

More of Paul Philippoteaux's restored Cyclorama at the Gettysburg Vistor's Center. This version was originally on display in Boston where it was viewed by more than 200,000 people between 1884 and 1892.

For those of you who haven't had an opportunity to see the restored Cyclorama at the Gettysburg Visitor's Center as of yet, today and tomorrow will give you a hint of what to expect. Even after three visits it's still breathtaking and magnificent.

The second Saturday in November is designated as Fall cleanup day around the 18th Massachusetts monument at Gettysburg.

Note: Okay, some would call this cheating, but I decided to rerun a post that first ran three years ago, on November 13, 2006. If you read it you'll see that it's wholly appropriate for today, being that it's Friday the 13th, when superstitions run high and we all make a concerted effort to avoid cracks in sidewalk, refrain from walking under ladders, steer clear of black cats lying in wait, and throw salt over our right shoulders if we knock over the shaker.

Here's a promise though. Me and the "dead guys" will be back with a brand new post on Sunday, the day when our thoughts run deepest and usually get blown out of the water by depth charges.

Not only are Civil War battlefields in danger, but so too are the plans of re-enactors to encamp and stage their mock battles in Massachusetts. Click on this link to read about Bay State towns turning their backs on people dedicated to recreating the lives of Billy Yank and Johnny Reb, for one a weekend a year, at least.

A tip of the cap to the Twins, Angels, and Phillies for well played, hard fought, and gutsy post-season baseball. A bigger tip of the cap to my New York Yankees and in particular Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, "The Great" Mariano Rivera, and "The Captain," Number 2, Derek Jeter. Love those guys!