Battle of Shiloh/Pittsburg Landing April 6 – 7, 1862

[mlynn]

Jun 16, 2017 4:30:12 GMT mlynn said:

Jun 16, 2017 4:13:00 GMT quincannon said:

Best battlefield tour of them all for me ever was Chickamauga. I was TDY for about 6 weeks at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama (a real sucko town). I stopped by the battlefield on the way to McClellan, but did not stay more than an hour. What I did though was buy three books on the battle and a good map at the museum bookstore. Then during those six weeks consumed them. On the way back I took a whole day and roamed by myself armed with battle field maps and the knowledge gained from my reading.

My lesson from Vicksburg is to make sure the Madam has a good mystery along with her. At LBH we took the mandatory tour road so she could say I've been there. Then I parked her on that nice little shaded veranda beside the museum, with a cold drink and her mystery and off I went.So

Sometimes the best travel spots are those less traveled and/or little known places.  I also find them less touristy.  There is nothing worse than a historical location that has been ruined by touristy crap.  What you end up with in these places is a bunch of people that are more interested in finding just the right t-shirt than actually appreciating the site for what it represents.   The first time I went to Gettysburg, it was kinda like that in parts of the town.  They have started reversing that now and it is getting better.  

[dave]

"Last time I was at Vicksburg, scene of the infamous comment, that will remain long in the annals of mankind's less than illustrious history - "Don't know why you and John (my brother in law) have to make so many stops. One damned cannon looks like another" - "

I did not know you went to Vicksburg with Sue Ellen? Sounds just like my wife almost word for word, except the important part, "Where is the Lady's Room?" coupled with "Are we through yet?"

Mary, November would be a great time for the battlefield visit as it will be much cooler with fewer insects and tourists. Hopefully by then Beth will be feeling better and able to travel.

Chuck, while at Chickamauga did you have the chance to visit the Fuller Gun Collection? I spent 2 years at the University of Chattanooga and went to all the battlefields near by including Chickamauga of course, where I saw the collection many times. I have always been amazed not only by the collection but also at the various weapons developed and produced. I immediately thought about the poor quartermasters attempting to supply their commands with all the various caliber ammunition needed. .58, .69, .32, .36, .42, .44 and that does not even address the artillery needs!
Regards
Dave

[quincannon]

Dave: If it was in the museum, I probably did, but I have no real interest in guns. I'm sure that would be considered heresy in my former profession, but that is the way it is.

I look at them as a carpenter would look at a saw, hammer or screwdriver, mere tools, nothing more. Although I have used all three of these implements many times, I have no real affection for them.

Chickamauga is probably the best of the bunch for a visitor with my interests. It was a U S Army training area for Fort Oglethorp, and is as close as a 21st century battlefield an be to what existed in 1863.

There are no such things as poor Quartermasters. They deserve every nail that is driven into their cross.

[deadwoodgultch]

I do not understand your lack of interest in guns/weapons and their advancement throughout history. Some advancements were good, some were tossed aside. I have a collection of tools 14 different hammers for different jobs, saws with different teeth for different uses/cuts and these saws must be tuned up ever so often. I even have several hand driven drills of different sizes.

[yanmacca]

I agree Tom, these weapons are tools of the trade and just studying their development through the ages is fascinating, but if I would place the invention of the breech loading canon, the belt-fed machine gun and magazine fed rifle as the main game breakers.
Amoured vehicles and aircraft were just the icing on the cake.

[quincannon]

As I said, my opinions about firearms would be considered heresy in my former profession.

My interests lay in organization for battle, and the tactics and techniques of battle itself.

I am quite familiar with weaponry of all types, and their capabilities and limitations. I never failed to qualify as expert in any weapon I was ever assigned, and with every crew served weapon assigned to a rifle company, including the mortar and recoilless rifle. I recognize the need for them but, I have no particular affection for them, and despise their intended purpose.

[dave]

I have a morbid fascination with the weapons man has made to take the life of other men. I have seen examples of Viking swords, Japanese swords, swords used in executions in China and Saudi Arabia, stone and bronze age weapons and early matchlock weapons. When I was a student at the University of Chattanooga I usually visited the Chickamauga National Park and the Fuller Gun Collection about once a month.

The Fuller Gun Collection of over 300 weapons is well worth the visit if you find yourself in the Chattanooga area. The progression of the lethality of the firearms shown there is impressive almost as impressive as the realization that Mr. Fuller collected over 2,000 weapons. The dedication he and his wife had in amassing this collection of weapons  which range from the 1500's to WW I is beyond my understanding as well as the amount spent to secure these jewels.
Regards
Dave