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Post by fred on Dec 11, 2014 10:55:16 GMT -6
Chuck,
No... it was not unfair. Not at all. I know how you feel.
I also realize military terminology is not semantics... silly interpretations, however, devolve into semantics.
As for friends... life can turn into a series of mishaps and misunderstandings. I am not interested in holding grudges or disliking people. I wake up happy every day and I thank God for what I have... every day. I enjoy this topic immensely and can spend hours and days at a time discussing it. I would rather do that than hold a grudge.
I hope you are well... and Joan, too.
Very best wishes, Fred.
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Post by fred on Dec 11, 2014 11:07:12 GMT -6
Reference: Fred's book, page 156. Map of C Company charge. Fred's map illustrates my own view of the C Co charge.... and I suspect Harrington died in this area as well. Nice work, Fred. Thank you, Will. That is praise, indeed. Best wishes, Fred.
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Post by Yan Taylor on Dec 11, 2014 11:10:22 GMT -6
Hi Fred, what’s all this sudden interest with the other board? They are happy over yonder and we are happy here, most of the folks over there are there because they have a clash of interests with the folks here, imagine us all on one board together? In would be pandemonium, best leave things as they are and concentrate on our own board.
Ian.
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Post by Beth on Dec 11, 2014 14:27:53 GMT -6
Personally I learn from both this board and the other, even though I kind of feel like the other think of me as a bit of a fluff and not someone who is really interested in getting an objective view of the battle. I like getting multiple views of events so I can use all the information to form my own views--sort of like separating the wheat from the chaff.
Beth
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Post by chris on Dec 11, 2014 15:20:32 GMT -6
Beth, In my view that's what Fred has done - provided an objective view with back up. Think of you as fluff? Not to me. Please keep asking questions.
I don't know if you've had experience corresponding with authors before. I certainly haven't. Fred provides direct access.
At the risk of being crude, when I saw the large picture of the flowers, all I thought of was -- mowing! Best, c.
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Post by Beth on Dec 11, 2014 16:26:28 GMT -6
Beth, In my view that's what Fred has done - provided an objective view with back up. Think of you as fluff? Not to me. Please keep asking questions. I don't know if you've had experience corresponding with authors before. I certainly haven't. Fred provides direct access. At the risk of being crude, when I saw the large picture of the flowers, all I thought of was -- mowing! Best, c. I totally agree with you about Fred's book. It is probably the best balance book I have ever read on LBH and if I can be so bold, a more balanced presentation on any battle that I've ever taken an interest in. Now I know that it's easy to agree that a book is balanced when you agree with the author, but Fred's book goes beyond that. He has gathered as many versions of the events, appied a bit of science and came up with a time table that seems extremely sound. He also avoided all those buzz words that many authors use to slant opinions nor did he try to make his information into a narrative story. It reminds me of good old Joe Friday. "Just the facts, ma'am." Fred's information helped me to reasses all the opinions that I had previously formed about the battle and weight them against the facts. I found that I dropped those that I realized were developed because of personal prejudices and gained a much sounder view of the battle at LBH. The only main criticism I have for Fred's book is that it left me wanting so much more. You and my dad would have agreed about the bluebonnets. He was very much a flat green lawn person and would even remove trees, flowers and bushes so he didn't have to mow around them. When I moved to Texas 3 years ago and saw all the wildflowers in the Hill Country I finally understood Lady Bird Johnson's passion for wildflowers. Beth
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Post by fred on Dec 11, 2014 17:13:08 GMT -6
Chris and Beth,
Your comments are very kind. And yes, "access." I do this for the love of it. It was Diane Merkel who first suggested I should write and publish; that is why Diane's name will always pop up in my books. Without Diane's push that book would have never been written. If you notice, I also refer to my five friends, a couple of whom used to be posters on this board many years ago. Our discussions generate ideas and thoughts and they deserve a place in whatever I do, just because they are my friends and they provide additional passion.
I am not a writer, though I would like to be one: it would give me my third career; but regardless, I don't forget people I have corresponded with or laughed with or discussed things with, just because I have had a simple book published. To me, sharing whatever there is to share is 75% of the fun. And that is what this is: fun. To me, I have progressed from a hack to an author... but a writer is better than what I have done. I guess if I were fortunate enough to publish a novel-- something I have been thinking about-- I might then consider myself a writer, but until such time I am merely an author and an avocational historian: amateur.
And Beth... what more do you want? Tell me....
Here is what I am working on now: (1) a novel, driven by Strategy of Defeat; and (2) a monograph about the markers. Part of this latter subject is found in Strategy, Appendix C. It is a fascinating subject to me, however, and I would dearly love to expand upon it.
Again, thank for all your very kind comments.... I copy and paste all of them.
Very best wishes, Fred.
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Post by quincannon on Dec 11, 2014 18:09:06 GMT -6
Chris: If you have no appreciation for a Texas Bluebonnet you are a Philistine.
The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You flower mower. Watch your step.
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Post by chris on Dec 11, 2014 18:17:26 GMT -6
Chris: If you have no appreciation for a Texas Bluebonnet you are a Philistine. The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You flower mower. Watch your step. Chuck: I'd never dream of mowing such a beautiful field. Call off your dogs! Posted in humor only. Best, c.
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Post by Beth on Dec 11, 2014 18:21:43 GMT -6
Since you asked--I have always thought the Reno-Benteen fight was the more interesting part of that June and would love to see a well-balanced presentation of those events, especially if one could separate the truth from antidotal information.
I will be looking forward both of your other projects though, especially the monograph about the marker. I think that the markers are one of the things that adds to the interest of the battlefield but I really would love to know where the specious ones are, why there are very few markers at Reno-Benteen site as well as an educated guess about who the known are.
And just to put my other wants into the universe. I would love to see one of those people flow studies of the battlefield. (I know there is probably a scientific name for it but it would be interesting to show exactly how movement was dictated by the landscape as well as human behavior.
Also a space archeology picture or two because I suspect if nothing else you would see information about the movement of the Native Americans and possibly the village. It's the kind of work that Sarah Parcak is doing.
Beth
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Post by quincannon on Dec 11, 2014 18:35:32 GMT -6
Chris: Mowing a field of Texas Blue Bonnets is right up there with going to San Antonio and not paying appropriate homage to the Shrine of Liberty, or failing to take in the Sunday Brunch at the Menger or worse yet not having a drink or three at the Menger Bar, where the spirit of TR is alive and well, and the ghosts of the Rough Riders sit at table with you. Some things must be done to have a fulfilled life
Mowing a field of Blue Bonnets is right up there with dissing Santa Claus.
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Post by tubman13 on Dec 12, 2014 6:19:37 GMT -6
Since you asked--I have always thought the Reno-Benteen fight was the more interesting part of that June and would love to see a well-balanced presentation of those events, especially if one could separate the truth from antidotal information. I will be looking forward both of your other projects though, especially the monograph about the marker. I think that the markers are one of the things that adds to the interest of the battlefield but I really would love to know where the specious ones are, why there are very few markers at Reno-Benteen site as well as an educated guess about who the known are. And just to put my other wants into the universe. I would love to see one of those people flow studies of the battlefield. (I know there is probably a scientific name for it but it would be interesting to show exactly how movement was dictated by the landscape as well as human behavior. Also a space archeology picture or two because I suspect if nothing else you would see information about the movement of the Native Americans and possibly the village. It's the kind of work that Sarah Parcak is doing. Beth Beth, you will get far more from Fred others regarding the above. Regarding Benteen and Reno their misuse was the 3rd step in the Strategy of Defeat. Regarding Sarah Parkak, only 35, and what she has brought to her field is amazing. There was, in fact, a rerun on one of the Discovery channels, last night. I have seen it in the past so I passed. I don't know if here methods would work without solid structures to lock on to. Maybe the bodies in Deep Ravine? The NA mounds in the Midwest? Certainly the ruins in the southwest USA and Central America. All above good stuff.
Regards. Tom
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Post by Yan Taylor on Dec 12, 2014 7:59:01 GMT -6
My Copy arrived from the states a couple of days ago (Cheers Fred), I had just returned home and the missus was also due back, I opened the package and was knocked back on how handsome the book looked, the cover picture and the all-round colour of the book was amazing, I was reading Fred’s kind message in the opening leaves when my better half walked in, “she said is that Fred’s book” and I replied “yes” then it was taken out of my hands and place a way to be wrapped, so the bottom line is that I won’t be able to give my view until the new year.
Ian.
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Post by AZ Ranger on Dec 12, 2014 8:06:35 GMT -6
Hi Fred, what’s all this sudden interest with the other board? They are happy over yonder and we are happy here, most of the folks over there are there because they have a clash of interests with the folks here, imagine us all on one board together? In would be pandemonium, best leave things as they are and concentrate on our own board. Ian. Ian The other board certainly has different folks. That is not to say they are all of the same "mindset". I like Gerry and meet with him at the battlefield. A true gentleman with his own opinions some I agree and some I disagree. That some resort to name calling and suggesting that others don't understand is their defense mechanism. Doesn't bother me and we attempt to rise to the occasion and react to individuals in like manner. You don't try to convince them but others can read and form there own opinions. Certainly testing ones theories is looked at harder in particular areas depending on the forum. Without a doubt Benteen dawdling caused me to see for myself. It allowed me to form my own opinion. When it comes to military definitions this board hands down wins. Fred's information is good for everyone no matter where you are. Regards Steve
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Post by AZ Ranger on Dec 12, 2014 8:24:08 GMT -6
I think Fred has an obligation to remain as neutral as humanly possible and only defend what he has laid out. I don't want to see anyone discouraged from reading his book based upon forum disputes. He nailed one issue the Benteen speed regards to the actual battle. When I looked at Benteen's Scout to the left in the Darling book it was pointed out that Benteen arrived in Reno Creek between Custer and the pack train and that is all that mattered.
The sideline I was looking at was -- did Benteen make a reasonable effort that placed him in that location on June 25th. I believe he did based upon my own ride in the country. But as Fred pointed out that does not change when Benteen arrived in Reno Creek. My ride confirmed to me that Benteen was not to blame for arriving in Reno Creek later than could be expected if he wasn't dawdling.
As we all know the discussions on whom to blame are a major portion of discussion items.
Regards
AZ Ranger
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