New York State Library

Letters describing the Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg

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• Civil War Collections at the NYS Library

The Library's Manuscripts and Special Collections Unit has many collections related to the Civil War. In 2013, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of two major Civil War Battles, Gettysburg and Vicksburg, the Library digitized the letters below, which contain some descriptions of the battles.

There is much material in this site but we have chosen to present research on only the 93rd NYV.

From a letter from Waters Whipple Braman to his Uncle on July 5, 1863: (1.36 MB)

Camp of 93d N.Y.V. 
Near Gettysburg Pa.
July 5th, 1863

Dear Uncle,

… We have had an awful fight here, but thank the Lord, our Army has given the Rebels an ever-lasting thrashing. The heaviest fighting was yesterday, and to-day they are in full retreat, and our army entire is after them. This is the first time since the organization of the army of the Potomac that the rebels have met our men in open field, fight, and I don’t believe they would this time but that (as the prisoners say) their officers told them they were to fight the militia, but they found to their cost that the old army of the Potomac was around. We must have taken about 8,000 prisoners. The loss in killed and wounded on both sides must be 25,000, and some say the rebels alone have lost that number. Gen’l Lee tried to come the flag of truce game on Gen’l Meade, but it failed to work. Gen’l Meade sent back that he would bury their dead for them.

We are encamped about ½ a mile from Gettysburg, right on the Battlefield which is very large. I have seen but very little of it, as we have been momentarily under orders to be ready to move …

The 93rd's monument at Gen. Meade's HQ, which suffered badly during the big bombardment

The 93rd's location during the bombardment. Most artillery fire went over the troops on the main line, doing most damage near Taneytown Road and on the widow Leister's house and really ticking her off when she returned home. Dead soldiers and animals, no problem; it was just that her house was a mess. TD

Leister house. After the battle. Note the dead horses though the human casualties have been taken care of. This looks north along Taneytown Road towards Gettysburg.

Men now avoid women at work – another sign we're being punished for #MeToo

The Guardian; by Arwa Mahdawi

"It looks like Mike Pence is quite the trendsetter. The US vice-president famously refuses to have dinner alone with any woman who isn’t his wife – and now working men across corporate America appear to be following his lead.

NYT columnist quits Twitter after daring critic to 'call me a bedbug to my face'

 

Read more

"A new study, due to be published in the journal Organizational Dynamics, has found that, following the #MeToo movement, men are significantly more reluctant to interact with their female colleagues. A few highlights from the research include:

• 27% of men avoid one-on-one meetings with female co-workers. Yep, that’s right, almost a third of men are terrified to be alone in a room with a woman.

• 21% of men said they would be reluctant to hire women for a job that would require close interaction (such as business travel).

• 19% of men would be reluctant to hire an attractive woman.

"The data above was collected in early 2019 from workers across a wide range of industries. Researchers had asked the same questions (albeit to different people and with more of a focus on future expectations) in early 2018, just as #MeToo was in full swing, and depressingly, things appear to have got worse. In 2018, for example, 15% of men said they would be more reluctant to hire women for jobs that require close interpersonal interactions with women, compared to 21% in 2019." . . .

Beto O’Rourke’s Latest Goofy ‘Man Of The People’ Video Continues His Tone-Deaf Race To 2020 Obscurity

RedState

"Perhaps the worst thing a politician can do is pretend to be the opposite of what they are.

"That’s one thing I can appreciate about Donald Trump — like Ross Perot, he doesn’t apologize for being a billionaire. His message is, “Hey, I sit on a gold toilet. I know how to succeed. Vote for me and I’ll run America like a successful business.”

"So what’s multimillionaire Beto O’Rourke’s strategy? The man who inherited millions and married the sole child of William Sanders — worth $500 million — has seemed intent upon convincing us he’s just a regular tire-changin’, skateboardin’ dude.

" ‘Cause, you know — that’s who you want running the country: just some guy from the street.

"Therefore, the doofus has yelled into the political ether his vow to fight against the wealthy and privileged (here).

"Except himself, apparently.

"On the other hand, in a way, I guess he has fought against himself — by doing and saying things so ridiculous (like this) that no one would want to vote for him.

"The one-percenter’s now at 2% for 2020.

"A while back, Beto posted a video to prove he’s just like us. But the clip raised a whole lot of questions:" . . .

Beto’s Latest Presidential Move – By Way Of Video – Is Absolutely Hilarious & Enormously Pitiful

Joe Biden and the press: he's still our man

April Ryan Pins Attention for Biden’s Phony War Story on Trump’s ‘Climate of Lies’
"CNN analyst April Ryan on Thursday came to the defense of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden after the Washington Post said a war story of his was false in nearly every detail."   Watch how Host Jim Sciutto tees up the subject for Ryan:

"Biden completely makes things up? “Gaffe.” Anything Trump says they don’t like? "Lie.' ” Weasel Zippers

Joe Biden told moving military story at campaign stop – but it 'never happened,' report says
"Former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign has been dogged by gaffes -- but a new error could be his most damaging yet." . . .

“He is every bit as sharp as he was 31 years ago. I haven’t seen any change,” Dr. Neal Kassell said, according to Politico. Kassell previously treated Biden for brain aneurysms and has monitored him for brain damage since his surgeries.

RedState: "At least he didn’t claim to be dodging sniper fire like a certain past Democrat nominee, so he has that going for him."
. . . "Fox News delivers the details of this latest episode. It starts with Biden recounting that he flew into Afghanistan, through the teeth of danger, to honor a Navy Captain. The problem is that basically none of what he says is true." . . .

Overnight Open Thread: Mark Steyn Cracks Up Tucker Carlson On Joe Biden

Deploragranny  Bubba Grump • 11 minutes ago Joe Biden is always walter Mitty. The heroic captain, the inscrutable spy, the brilliant surgeon in the O R, the valiant pilot on the bombing raid--wherever he is, the fantasies are BIG.

Joe Biden unapologetic after reportedly mistelling military story  . . . "No one has accused Biden of lying or exploiting military sacrifice. For Democratic voters, the question may be is this a sign that more than Biden's memory is at fault or just that his facts are wrong but his passion is right."

A sympathetic press helps: Biden still polls on top

Biden on Detention Facilities: ‘We Don’t Need Them’  . . . "In May, images of migrant children sleeping on detention facility floors went viral on Twitter as viewers assumed the photos were recent and a result of  President Trump’s policies. The images were taken in 2014 during the Obama administration. Obama officials said the photos only depicted detained children that arrived in the U.S. unaccompanied by an adult. Criticism of the Trump administration's detention facilities continued, and in June, he signed an executive order to end family separation in detention facilities." . . .

Tony Branco

This Democrat Councilman Is Fed Up With His Party

"Mark Razzoli, Democrat Councilman for Old Bridge New Jersey exploded with an impassioned Pro-America, Anti-Socialism, Pro-Law Enforcement speech at a council meeting."

Or visit our website: https://www.dailycaller.com

Hat tip to Conservative Firing Line

How bad must MSNBC or CNN become before they feel shame?

Photosnark by Rich Terrell

How can O'Donnell keep his job?  . . . "So O'Donnell did not go through the "rigorous verification and standards process"?

"Imagine your airline saying the pilot did not go through the "rigorous verification and standards process" and crashed the plane that your family was in.  Or the doctor operating on your relative.  Or the lawyer writing your loan agreement.

"By any professional standard, MSNBC should dismiss O'Donnell and make an example of his reckless behavior.

"In fact, it could be the best thing that could happen to the media.  It would send a message that sources must be verified, especially if they are telling you something "too good to be true" about President Trump."

"MSNBC's problem is that it's trained its audience to expect something bizarre every night about Trump.  It's time for NBC to realize that this is not really a cable news network anymore."  (Emphasis mine, TD)

MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell Proves the Elite Media Have Zero Standards 

. . . "Do you want to know what’s changed so much since 2004?"The media no longer give a damn. They don’t care about public trust. They don’t care about truth or standards or moral authority. It’s all just s**t-posting now, trolling, venting hate, spreading lies, creating tension, and hoping enough voters blame how exhausting it all is on the Bad Orange Man so the Bad Orange Man goes away." . . .

MSNBC and its host Lawrence O'Donnell humiliated, forced to retract charges against President Trump
Welllll, maybe he didn't actually retract the statement, as you can read for yourself. The insertion of "if true" makes pure gossip seem like responsible journalism. The Tunnel Dweller

Even The Washington Post Cannot Defend MSNBC Host Peddling Nonsense Trump-Russia Story
. . . "There’s a two-word phrase that will stick with MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell for some time, if not his entire career. He invoked it over and over on his Tuesday night program in reference to Donald Trump’s dealings with Deutsche Bank. “I may have some information in this next hour which would add a great deal to their understanding of that, if true . . ."

Lies, Bias, and Twisted Facts: MSNBC and Media Bias

"Over my decades as a writer, I’ve seen the two faces of the media."

. . . "The reporters have their knives out for ET because of its support for the President. If you go the MSNBC site, you’ll find it nearly impossible to find any positive reporting on President Trump. Studies have shown that 92 percent of the coverage given the president by broadcast news media is negative." . . .

Bomb-y Weather

Stilton's Place

. . . "It is being reported that President Trump has, on more than one occasion, told his staffers to look into the possibility of dropping nuclear bombs on hurricanes to break them apart before reaching American shores. Trump, on the other hand, tweets: "This is so ridiculous, never happened. Fake news!"*

"Granted, the story is pretty suspicious, and bolstered only by statements like "there's reportedly a White House memo that proves it." On the other hand, can we imagine that Trump might have suggested bombing the living hell out of a weather phenomenon? Absolutely! And even though it would be a terrible, terrible idea, the 8-year-old that lives in our brain says: "yeah, but it would be so cool!"

"Frankly, we don't think Trump ever really planned to bomb hurricanes. Rather, he was simply taking a tough position in order to bring hurricanes to the bargaining table."

* We'll simply add the phrase "if true" to the report and all will be well; our journalism credentials will be preserved. It's all good. TD

University of Kansas Faculty Wants School to Boot ‘Bastion of Bigotry’ Chick-fil-A From Campus

Legal Insurrection
“The culture of Chick-fil-A fosters hate and discrimination on multiple levels.” So let's attack them with bike locks and fists!

Don't let the smile fool you.

. . . A bastion of bigotry. If the presence of a fast-food place hurts your feelings, you need to grow up.

"The faculty and students have tried for years to force the university to sever ties with Chick-fil-A. But in 2014, the university extended the contract until 2024.

"The students and faculty complained the University of Kansas had put profit over concerns of those at the school. Chick-fil-A leases space within the school for $60,000 a year.

"Did these people ever think that Chick-fil-A receives such prominence because it produces heavenly food with excellent service? You know, it sticks around because people enjoy the food? EVEN GAY PEOPLE.

"This company that supposedly fosters hate and discrimination has done a lot for its communities. Just because it does not actively support or campaign for gay rights does not mean it discriminates against you.

"I want these people to find me ONE time a Chick-fil-A restaurant discriminated against a gay person.

"I mean, look at this hateful company! You know the chicken sandwich war erupted this past week. Well, in Greensboro, NC, a Chick-fil-A employee saw stressed out Popeyes employees run out of its new chicken sandwiches.

"The hateful man gave the employees and some customers free sandwiches!! It turns out he has been friends with the Popeyes employees for a long time. They usually have breakfast at Chick-fil-A but haven’t been able to catch a break due to the demand for their sandwich.

"A Chick-fil-A manager in Maryland rushed out to help a WWII veteran change his tire. The 96-year-old man came to the counter in tears, and Daryl Howard happily helped.

In Mississippi, a homeless man went to the counter at a Chick-fil-A with only $5. The woman behind the counter told the man that breakfast was on her and took his order.

Such an evil and depraved company!" . . .

Let's see how MSNBC and CNN cover this story.

Winning: VA Rule Change Allows Bibles, Christmas Decorations

America's Marines Singing "Days of Elijah"

Legal Insurrection

VP Pence: “During the last Administration the VA was removing Bibles & even banning Christmas carols to be politically correct, but under President Trump, VA hospitals will NOT be religion-free zones”

"Under the Obama regime, the VA underwent major restrictive changes in terms of religion and Christmas, with various VA’s around the country instituting a range of bans.  Bibles, high school Christmas carolers, gifts in wrapping paper with the words “Merry Christmas” or “God Bless You,” Christmas trees and decorations, and even Christmas cards for hospitalized veterans were all banned.  

"It was an appalling overreach that is now, at long last, being corrected under the Trump administration.

"Vice President Mike Pence has announced changes in VA rules, and religious items, including those related to Christmas, are again allowed in our nation’s VA hospitals.

"The IJR reports:

Vice President Mike Pence announced that he would be scrapping some of the previous administration’s policies when it comes to religion in Veterans Affairs hospitals.

The vice president spoke before the American Legion National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Wednesday where he announced that the administration under President Donald Trump would be rolling back some of the policies put into place while President Barack Obama was in the Oval Office.

According to Pence, Obama-era rules prohibited the celebration of religious holidays in VA hospitals, including the display of Christmas trees and Bibles.

Pence promised the veterans in the crowd that those rules were a thing of the past. The Trump administration had overturned those decisions and would be fighting a lawsuit that aims to remove a WWII-era Bible from one VA hospital in New Hampshire.

. . .  

Will 2020 Democratic Platform Trash Israel?

Legal Insurrection

Trump has not made Israel a wedge issue in politics; the Democrats have been actively doing that themselves since Obama.

"In the aftermath of Israel barring entry of two far left-wing anti-Israel members of Congress, Democratic politicians began to worry that Israel was becoming a wedge issue rather than an issue with bipartisan support.

"Staunch pro-Israel Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY) said “refusing entry to members of Congress looks like Israel [is] closing itself off to criticism and dialogue. This decision will only strengthen the anti-Israel movements and arguments many of us find so troubling, further politicize support for Israel in the United States and ultimately play right into the hands of Israel’s enemies.” (Emphasis added.)

"Engel has been a member of Congress since 1989 and knows better. He has seen his own Democratic party moving away from Israel since President Barack Obama made deliberate efforts to create daylight between Israel and the United States in his outreach to the Muslim world.

"If one were to look at the 2008 Democratic Platform, it would be hard to see much of a difference from the Republican Platform regarding Israel. Both parties considered Israel a strong ally and backed Israeli positions.

"But Obama made a strategic pivot away from Israel running as an incumbent in 2012. With the blessing of left-wing groups like J Street, the Democratic Party officially changed courseon several key issues:" . . .

Good Riddance, Kirsten Gillibrand; She "packs it in"

National Review

The New York senator’s failed campaign was an increasingly transparent woker-than-thou contest.

"Yesterday evening, New York senator Kirsten Gillibrand ended her presidential bid after nine months of futile campaigning, failing ever to crest 3 percent in major polls. Her decision to bow out was precipitated by her failure to qualify for the third Democratic debate, slated for September 12. “Without it, I just didn’t see our path,” she said yesterday.

"The senator has a point. From the beginning, her upstart campaign was characterized by an enormous amount of virtue-mongering, insisting not only that her progressive bona fides made her superior to you, but that only she could help you comprehend exactly how backwards you are. In the last debate, for instance, she promised to traverse the suburbs explaining “institutional racism” and white privilege to white women.

"It was an interesting tactic from a candidate attempting to distinguish herself as a female candidate running for women, and it’s easy to see why the effort failed to gain much traction. The major policy centerpiece of her campaign was called “Fighting for women and families” and focused exclusively on issues like unlimited abortion rights, universal paid family leave, public education, and sexual harassment. Perhaps the most news attention she got all campaign came when she compared being pro-life to being racist. Light on substance, she needed a forum to peddle her platitudes, and without the debate stage, she had little hope of convincing Democrats to listen to her at all.

"The news that she had terminated her campaign came just a few days after a former Gillibrand staffer told the New York Post, “I don’t know that anyone even wants to see her on the debate stage. Everyone I have talked to finds her performative and obnoxious.' ” . . .

Monica Showalter: Gillibrand: Phony candidate for fake 'women's issue' problems packs it in   . . . "Good riddance, because never was there are more useless candidate.  She positioned herself as the candidate of women's issues, but she had no real foils to charge at.  Her yellings about abortion, women's workplace equality, and #MeToo only proved she was out of tune with the times.  Worse still, these issues tended to be problems of Democratic, not Republican, origin, which made her a nuisance to both sides."    
Even this pander looks contrived. What are "gay rights" anyway? TD

‘Sources Say’; The media’s hatred of Trump is destroying American journalism.

The American Spectator  "MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell lives a secret double life performing as a drag queen in New Jersey gay bars, a source tells me. While there have long been rumors that O’Donnell enjoys dressing up in women’s clothing, evidence of his transvestite fetish has been difficult to obtain. Yet my source assures me that such evidence exists, and as for gossip about O’Donnell’s addiction to the rare narcotic Ibogaine … Well, has O’Donnell ever denied it?

"You could justify reporting almost anything by the nonexistent “journalism ethics” of Lawrence O’Donnell. On live TV Tuesday night, the MSNBC host told his audience that Donald Trump had obtained loans from Deutsche Bank co-signed by “Russian billionaires with ties to Vladimir Putin.” The basis for this claim, according to O’Donnell, was “a single source close to Deutsche Bank.” O’Donnell then added an interesting caveat: “If true … ”

"Yes, of course. It would be a big scoop, if true. And my exclusive reporting that O’Donnell spends his Saturday nights in drag cabaret shows, wearing high heels and fishnet stockings while twerking to Lady Gaga songs? A major bombshell, if true. As it is, however, I hesitate to vouch for my source’s assertion that the MSNBC host is an Ibogaine-addicted transvestite.

" Excuse my sarcasm, but what O’Donnell did Tuesday night was the kind of amateur blunder that would have gotten any reporter thrown down the stairs by the late Wes Pruden. “Get it first, get it right” was Pruden’s motto as editor at the Washington Times, and woe be unto any reporter who got it wrong, especially on a big story. One of the basic rules of reporting is that you cannot base a major story on a single source, especially an anonymous source. If you can’t get your source to go on the record, by name, you’ve got to have some other factual basis — a court document, for example — to justify the story. Otherwise, you undermine the reader’s confidence in your reporting. Why should anyone believe a story based on something as flimsy as “sources say”?" . . .

CNN reports: Jeffrey Epstein has died by suicide, sources say