Located off of Georgia Highway 255 in Sautee Nacoochee, GA is the 38-foot-long Stovall Mill Covered Bridge. The graffiti covered bridge dates to before the turn of the 20th century. As would be expected, parking is free and there is no admission charge to view or walk across the bridge. Picnic tables are on site so you can enjoy the views and sounds of Chickamauga Creek.
Do you remember the family road trip? Dad, mom, the kids, and luggage all piled in the family truckster headed down the interstate on vacation. Dad wanting to “make time.” Remember stopping at Stuckey’s on the way? Now, straight from Wrens, Georgia, relive those times with a pecan log roll just like you remember. Click the photo or THIS LINK to place your order and to see other delicious candies you have forgotten about.
Text for the Georgia Historic Marker reads:
Stovall Mill Covered Bridge
Fred Dover constructed a bridge and nearby grist, saw and shingle mill complex here in the late 1800s. The original bridge washed away in the early 1890s and Will Pardue replaced it in 1895 with the present 38-foot structure. Dover sold the operation to Fred Stovall, Sr. in 1917. The mill and dam washed away in 1964. Constructed as a modification of the queen post truss design, the bridge’s trusses have two vertical posts (with iron rods) separated by a horizontal crosspiece. The bridge was featured in the movie I’d Climb the Highest Mountain starring Susan Hayward.
Erected by the Georgia Historical Society, Georgia Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.
Georgia Historic Marker recognizing the Stovall Mill Covered Bridge. The marker dates from 2000.Stovall Mill Covered Bridge and Georgia Historic Marker
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I’d Climb the Highest Mountain, starring Susan Hayward and William Lundigan is available on DVD. This simple story directed by Henry King, follows a Methodist minister called to a rural Georgia mountain community. There he and his city-bred wife use their love to help a small town find God. The film has limited reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.
Thank you for taking time to read my book review of Shiloh National Military Park. Here, two experts will take you on a visual tour of the important battlefield and modern day military park.
When armies under the commands of Ulysses S. Grant and Albert Sidney Johnston faced off on April 6 and 7, 1862, they could not have realized the carnage that would be left on the Tennessee battlefield. The Battle of Shiloh left almost 24,000 soldiers dead, wounded, missing, or captured, a staggering sum that included Confederate General Johnston.
In 1866, Pittsburg National Cemetery was established by the War Department; a name later changed to Shiloh National Cemetery in 1889.
Established on December 27, 1894, Shiloh National Military Parknow serves as a reminder of those terrible two days of fighting that helped set in motion the events of the next three years. The park first operated under the guidance of the War Department but was moved to the National Park Service in 1933.
This 1894 legislation allowed for participating states to place monuments and memorials on the park grounds. The park as we know it today was beginning to take shape.
The Images of America series of books does an excellent job of providing access to usually older photos that the general public may not otherwise have the opportunity to view. In Shiloh National Military Park, authors Brian K. McCutchen and Timothy B. Smith achieve this standard, using images from the park collection.
McCutchen is a former park ranger at Shiloh and has served at other national parks. Timothy B. Smith is a professor of history at the University of Tennessee, Martin. He is a leading scholar on the Battle of Shiloh and has authored what many consider the definitive volume on the battle, Shiloh: Conquer or Perish.
In this Images of America title, the authors showcase just over 200 images, broken into seven chapters. As might be expected in a collection spanning longer than 150 years, some images have reproduced much better than others. Occasionally there are images that seem a bit fuzzy and hazy. This is not a major distraction however. Each image contains a caption with most being around fifty words. The captions are easy to read and bring additional life to the images.
I particularly enjoyed the chapter titled, “Memories in Stone and Bronze: Monuments of Shiloh.” This chapter highlights just a few of the more than 150 monuments that are located throughout the 4,000+ acres of the park. As McCutchen and Smith state, “To the veterans of America’s first monster battle…the statuary was much more. It embodied full representations of the brave solders of North and South and thus told the stories that they wished to convey to future generations.: (p.57)
A little-known aspect of the battlefield that the authors cover is the cyclone of October 14, 1909. This storm, that appears to have been building throughout the day, killed seven and injured thirty-three. Damage to the park and cemetery were considerable with Congress ultimately allocating $8,000 for the national cemetery and almost $20,000 for repairs and reconstruction at the park. In just over a dozen photos, the damage to the park is shown, with trees uprooted, buildings destroyed, and monuments smashed.
The beauty of a book such as this is its simplicity. A reader can know nothing of the battle and still enjoy the rich history on the pages, the book serving as a potential gateway to further study. For those knowledgeable on the battle and the terrain of the battlefield there is still plenty to learn here. Chances are good that many of the images will be new, even to seasoned students of the battle.
This is not a new release, and the reality is, an expert such as Smith could probably release several similar volumes. Recommended for anybody studying the battle or planning to visit the Shiloh National Military Park.
Thank you for reading my book review of Shiloh National Military Park. I invite you to read more of my book reviews of Arcadia Publishing titles by using THIS LINK.
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Civil War Monitor is one of the leading magazines covering the war from all perspectives. With some of the best practicing historians regularly contributing articles, this is a must read for any student of the war. Click the link above of the photo to the left for exclusive subscription pricing!
Blind Willie McTell of Thomson, Georgia Image courtesy Library of Congress
William Samuel McTier (McTear) was born in Thomson, Georgia on May 5, 1898, though some researchers contend that he was born in 1903, and his headstone gives the year of 1901. I have yet to find a source on how he became known as McTell.It is also unclear if young Willie was born blind or lost his sight during childhood. The New Georgia Encyclopedia indicates McTell attended schools for the blind in Georgia, New York, and Michigan. Whatever the origins of his name, Blind Willie McTell of Thomson, Georgia is a legendary blues guitarist with a deep influence in the genre.
While in his teens, McTell and his mother moved to Statesboro, GA, and it was here where Willie learned to play the six-string guitar.
By the 1920s, McTell had left the family home, taking to the road as a traveling musician, playing carnivals, bars, parties, churches, and street corners to earn a living.
Young and talented, McTell became popular in Atlanta, regularly playing at house parties and similar events. By this time, he had upped his game to the twelve-string guitar, an instrument that helped him project his music better in the crowded areas he often played.
By 1927, recording companies had noticed McTell and other blues musicians and he cut his first tracks for Victor Records, following that with a 1928 session for Columbia. The New Georgia Encyclopedia lists multiple studios that McTell recorded for, often under different names. Musicians of the era would often record under similar, but different, names in order to avoid contract conflicts.
McTell was wed to Ruth Kate Williams in 1934. They were to later record several tracks together.
John A. Lomax recorded McTell as a part of the Archive of American Folk Song in 1940. These recordings, held by the Library of Congress, have been released under the title The Complete Library of Congress Recordings.
Commercially, McTell’s sales were declining during the 40s, and he found himself playing more on the streets. He did record for Atlantic Records in 1949 and Regal Records the same year. Atlanta record store owner Edward Rhodes made McTell’s final known recordings in 1956.
Starting in 1957, McTell served as the preacher at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Atlanta and devoted himself to religious music. Blind Willie was to only live a short time longer and passed away on August 19, 1959, due to a cerebral hemorrhage. McTell is buried in Jones Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Thomson, Georgia.
McTell’s 12-String Strut
Located in the downtown Thomson, GA area is a public art exhibit titled McTell’s 12-String Strut, honoring the locally born Blind Willie McTell. There are twelve, seven-foot-tall Stella guitars in the installation, each painted by a different artist. The guitar models were created by Icon Poly Studio and are made of polyurethane.
The installation was presented to the public in 2016 after a Georgia Department of Economic Development report suggested a public art component and providing additional exposure for one of McDuffie Counties most recognized citizens as part of the county’s tourism marketing efforts.
Below, find images of 6 of the 12 guitars that are located throughout Thomson. 11 of these are very easy to find. The 12th however took a bit more digging. It is located outside the McDuffie County Government complex.
Georgia Historic Marker in honor of Blind Willie McTell, located in Thomson, GA
A Georgia Historic Marker was unveiled in Thomson, GA, in 1993, near the old railroad station. The marker honors McTell and his legacy. The text (including a few small grammatical errors) reads as follows
Willie Samuel McTear (1901-1959) was born between Big and Little Briar Creeks in the Happy Valley Community. In 1911, he and his mother moved to Statesboro, where he began his life of traveling and performing. Although blind from infancy, Willie developed a lifelong independence based on his acute sense of hearing., remarkable memory and versatile musical genius.
Willie performed and recorded under many names but favored “Blind Willie” McTell. Best remembered for his blues, McTell, had a remarkable repertoire of blues, spirituals, gospels, rags, fold ballads and popular music. McTell played from “Maine to Mobile Bay”, and at theaters, taverns, road houses, churches, medicine shows, train stations, barbecue joints, house parties, and on the streets.
His blues feature his trademark twelve-string guitar played in rapid and intricate patterns of jagged, shifting rhythms accompanying his clear tenor voice. He started recording in 1927 for RCA Victor Atlantic and the Library of Congress. He last recorded in 1956 and returned to McDuffie County shortly before his death. Blind Willie McTell is buried in Jones Grove Cemetery. The Georgia Music Hall of Fame inducted Blind Willie in 1990.
McTell has also played a considerable influence on musicians after him. Performers as diverse as Taj Mahal, the Allman Brothers Band, Ry Cooder, Jack White, and Bob Dylan have covered his songs or singled out the blind guitar player for his influence on their careers.
Blind Willie McTell Music Festival
Blind Willie McTell mural located in downtown Thomson, GA
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The Rough Guide to Blind Willie McTell is an excellent introduction to the genius that poured from his fingers. It contains 25 key tracks including some of his best known such as Statesboro Blues. There is no full length biography on the life of Blind Willie McTell.
In his acknowledgements and introduction, author Dr. Carl E. Kramer, states that this book has been an off and on-again project for more than sixty years having started it while a freshman in high school in 1961. As with any student new to Civil War studies, the term “General” can be confusing at best, thus Kramer’s long-term quest for clarity.
What Classifies a General for this Book
Let’s count down the opportunities for use of the title along with Dr. Kramer. There are those who receive appointment to the rank of general (brigadier and higher). Of course, during the Civil War that could mean in the regular army or as a general of volunteers. The President of the United States nominates a soldier to the rank of general. The Senate confirms nominations.
Second, you have Brevet Generals, those receiving a sort of temporary promotion to the rank but no real promotion. These brevets were often handed out based upon some noteworthy battle achievement most often made by a colonel or maybe even lieutenant colonel. A private or corporal would not be made a brevet general from the rank of sergeant. Brevets to lower officer positions were also possible during the war.
The third opportunity for using the rank of general is from State Troops. State Troops were most often militia groups and their appointment was made by the state governor.
Finally, you have those men who were just called general. They may have received the nickname for being a local leader, maybe it was sarcastic, or perhaps they gave themselves the moniker and it stuck for whatever reason. Needless to say, these men were not generals in the way Kramer is using the term.
How Did Kramer Decide Who is a Hoosier
Andrew Wagenhoffer points out that the issue of determining who is a Hoosier and who isn’t, is a tricky one. Then, as now, people moved around. Family members often followed each other, at times following perceived economic or educational opportunities.
In determining if a “general” was eligible for inclusion, Kramer relied heavily on the standard work in the field, Generals in Blue written by Ezra Kramer. For state level generals, he relied upon Indiana in the War of the Rebellion, a multi volume report issued in 1869 and available in a reprint edition.
Determining a tie to Indiana became more difficult for Dr. Kramer as this can mean differing things to different people. Kramer settled on three criteria for inclusion in his book. The first is birth; anyone born in Indiana who met the other criteria is included. The second qualifying criteria is for men who were born elsewhere but relocated to Indiana and spent a significant part of their lives in the state. The term “significant” is not defined and so this criterion remains vague. The final criteria that merits inclusion is for men “who arrived in Indiana early in the war, played an important role in organizing the state’s military operations and maintained a significant presence after the war.” This criterion is again vague and open to interpretation as the terms important and significant are not defined.
The Book Itself
Ultimately, Dr. Kramer has decided upon 121 men; including 44 full United States generals, 1 Confederate general (Francis Asbury Shoup), 62 Union brevet generals, and 14 state service generals. Twenty-one generals were born in Indiana as were 24 brevet generals.
Major General Robert Huston Milroy Image courtesy Library of Congress
Most of the biographies are one page long. A large number of the entries contain a photo, the majority of which are from the Library of Congress. The short length of each entry makes this book appropriate to pick up and put down at your leisure. Each biography can be read in a matter of a few minutes allowing readers the flexibility to read multiple titles without worries of being bogged down. Biographies can be read in any order with no concern about being confused.
One drawback I did note is that the book does not contain end/foot notes. There is a two-page bibliography however. For me, I would have found it helpful, or at least interesting, if Dr. Kramer had listed a recommended biography (if available) for each of the entries. Brief introductions to these interesting men could leave some readers wanting more. Overall, for a book of this nature these are minor quibbles. It is also possible that the author reached his word count limit. Arcadia/History Press try to stick to specific word counts in order to keep their titles within a page limit and thus helping control price.
Readers interested in the role of Indiana in the Civil War should consider this book. Available at a budget friendly price it allows for a handy reference rather than trying to find Indiana generals at random in Warner.
Arcadia Publishing has generously provided a complimentary review copy of this book. Arcadia Publishing has also published five titles I have written as of the date of this post. My relationship with Arcadia Publishing does not influence my reviews of their titles.
If you would like to read book reviews of other Arcadia/History Press titles, please click HERE.
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For some of the best in Civil War writing, I invite you to click the photo or link to subscribe to Civil War Monitor. In each issue leading scholars tackle the Civil War head on. Every issue contains book reviews helping you decide on what to read next. Beautifully laid out, this is a bi-monthly magazine you will want to keep for future reference.
Where to Plan your Golf Vacation in Volusia County, Florida
Are you planning your vacation to Volusia County? Maybe you will be visiting for one of the NASCAR races or motorcycle event. You or your children might be attending a convention at the Ocean Center. Perhaps you or a family member attend Stetson University or Bethune Cookman University. Maybe you are looking for the opportunity to drive on the “World’s Most Famous Beach.” Find the best spot for your game and make time to play golf in Volusia County, Florida.
Whatever your reason for being in Volusia County we welcome you. Now, what do you do if you are a golfer. If you have a few hours there are multiple options available for you to consider so be sure to pack your clubs!
Below is a listing of golf courses located in Volusia County. I have chosen to make this list alphabetical by city and then by course. Here you’ll find an address, website information, and a brief bit on the course/s.
This list should help you find the right course and help you get the most out of your golf game in Volusia County.
Daytona Beach
Play Golf in Volusia County at one of the courses at the Daytona Beach Golf Club
The North course was designed be Slim Deathridge in 1946. Mr. Deathridge served as Head Professional at the time. The course was rebuilt in 1997. This is a par 72 course with the longest tees being 6,413 yards. This is considered to be the tougher of the two Daytona Beach Golf Club courses.
Book your tee time online, take advantage of the putting green and driving range, sign up for individual instruction, or shop at the pro shop for all your golfing needs or for club repair. Grab a meal at the Sand Trap Bar and Grill.
Ever wonder what it would be like to play the same golf courses as celebrities such as Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Mark O’Meara, and even Babe Ruth? A celebrity in his own right, Donald Ross created many of the best golf courses ever designed. Here is the definitive collection of golf courses in the United States created by Ross, the most prolific and renowned golf course designer of all time. Paul and B. J. Dunn have collected all the information you need in order to find and play the more than one-hundred public, semi-private, and resort golf courses in the United States, all designed by Ross.
Playing just under 7,000 yards, the Arthur Hills designed course is a par 72 that has been rated 4 stars by Golf Digest. Hills designed this course around nature. As such it features wetlands, pine trees, and water hazards.
Memberships are available at multiple levels. Practice with ten target pins or on the six putting greens, several with sand bunkers allowing for additional practice opportunities. Book your tee time online and enjoy a delicious meal at Malcolm’s Bar and Grill.
The Rees Jones designed course is considered a favorite among touring professionals. This 7,100-yard, par 72 course is challenging enough to have earned a 4 star distinction from Golf Digest who also named it number six in its 2010 listing of top 50 American courses for women.
Bill Amick designed this 6,800-yard, par 72 course. This course has served as host to two Senior PGA Tour events.
Book tee times online. The practice facility includes target greens, a pitching complex, a practice bunker, driving range and two putting/chipping greens. After a round of golf enjoy lunch at The Pub.
Daytona Beach Shores
Oceans Golf Club, a par 3 course in Daytona Beach Shores
This semi–private course has been rated 4 stars by Golf Digest. At almost 6,800 yards at its longest, this par 72 features water on the 9th and 18th holes. The course is a past US Open qualifying site.
Book your tee time online or sign up for private instructions. A restaurant with an extensive menu is available. You can make restaurant reservations online if you wish.
This 7,150-yard course was designed by Ron Garl is located on over 200 acres. The course features both water and sand hazards. Golfweek has called this course among Florida’s top 15 public courses.
Book your tee time online or over the phone. Lessons and personalized instruction are available. Do you have a big event coming up? Consider hosting it onsite. Multiple locations with scenic views are available. Be sure to grab a bite to eat at the Sparrow’s Grille Restaurant.
Playing at almost 5,900 yards at its longest, this par 69 is a favorite of the many snowbirds who arrive each winter in New Smyrna Beach. Despite the somewhat short distance the course features three, par five holes.
Book your tee time online, lessons are available for golfers of all ages and abilities, and when you are finished stop in to the 19th Hole Restaurant for a full assortment of foods that will leave you satisfied.
Play golf in Volusia County at the New Smyrna Golf Club
This public course was designed by Donald Ross and opened to the public in 1953. The course was renovated in 2016. This is a par 72 course with a distance of slightly over 6,500 yards. Reasonable rates and large numbers of snowbirds make early tee times difficult during the winter months. Be sure to grab lunch and a beer at Tiano’s.
Book your tee time online (this course gets very busy in the winter) and be sure to stop in to the pro shop for all your equipment needs. Amenities include a driving range, putting green, practice bunker, chipping green, and professional lessons. Stop in at Tianos for delicious Italian themed food after your round.
Are you in New Smyrna Beach and looking for pizza? Tiano’s is a great option. Take a look at my NSBpizza recommendations and find the perfect dinner for your family! You won’t find any of the big chains on this list. Be sure to support your local restaurant owner.
This 6,600-yard, par 72 course, designed by Gary Wintz, runs through the Turnbull Bay nature preserve. Water is to be found throughout the course.
Book your tee time online for this beautiful course. Stop in to the Pro Shop for all your last minute needs: clothes, balls, bags, shoes, gloves, and any other golf supply you can think of. The club features a snack bar with a basic lineup of quick foods. Beer and wine are available.
Venetian Bay, one of the premier places to play golf in Volusia County, FL.
Designed by CEC Design, Venetian Bay, considered by many the premiere course in New Smyrna Beach, Venetian Bay measures almost 7,100 yards from the back tees and shoots a par 72. You start right out of the gate with an incredible 500+ yard par 5.
Book your tee time online then show up to the well stocked Pro Shop. Here you will find all the top names in golf equipment and apparel. They can even regrip your clubs for you. Private lessons are available at varying price points. Dining is available in the Champions Grille Restaurant. Members have access to the swim club and other amenities.
This Bill Amick designed course plays at 7,100 yards at its longest with a par of 72. The course is noted for its picturesque views and rolling terrain. New grass in 2021 has increased the quality of play.
Reserve your tee time online. A PGA certified instructor is on staff to help you improve your game with private lessons. The Tavern Restaurant offers golfers and excellent meal option. The restaurant has varied hours by day.
Expanded to 18-holes in 1954, this course has been updated several times by golf architects including Mark Mahana, Dave Wallace, and Lloyd Clifton. The course measures 6,250 yards and is a par 71. This family owned course is part of the Florida Historic Golf Trail.
Call to reserve your tee time. Once there, get a bucket of range balls and warm up on the driving range. Most greens fees include cart rental. Stop in at the Pro Shop for all your golfing needs from top manufacturers. Breakfast and lunch year round, and it appears there is a dinner buffet during the winter months.
This is a semi-private 18-hole course designed to challenge any skill level. Rates depend upon season and time of day. Par 66 course that measures 5,186 yards from the furthest tees.
Reserve a tee time online then head over to the Golf Shop for any items you may need for your bag: clubs, balls, gloves, you name it. Practice facilities include a driving range, chipping green, and a putting green. Crane’s Roost Bar & Grill offer golfers a place to rest and unwind after playing 18.
Designed by architects Arthur Hills and Mike Dasher in 1992 this is a public course owned by the City of Port Orange. This course measures in at just under 6,800 yards from the longest tees with a par of 72.
Book your tee time online. Improve your game by signing up for one of the many clinics offered onsite. After shooting 18, finish your day at Flagsticks at Cypress Head.
This semi-private course was designed by Bill Amick. The back tees are slightly over 6,800 yards with a par of 72. You may encounter arriving or departing planes as the course is adjacent to the fly-in. Trees and water hazards highlight the course.
Reserve your tee time online. Call to reserve you table at the Prop n’ Fore Bar and Grille with salads, sandwiches, and full entrees. After playing and eating, you may want to look into a membership which is available at different levels and perks.
Thank you for reading my round up of golf courses in Volusia County. Now you should be able to find the best course to match your skills and be ready to play golf in Volusia County during your next vacation.
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Every professional baseball player is going to have a run in with an umpire at some point. Umpires are human and are going to make bad calls. Calling balls and strikes at 95+ miles per hour is subjective no matter what the official baseball rule book might say. Bang-bang plays at a base can be just as difficult as an umpire may be partially shielded and at times, they just make a bad call. Modern replay and the challenge system are helping to lessen the impact of these calls but in years past, player or manager confrontations with umpires were more commonplace. In 2012, a sensitive umpire ejected a Daytona Cubs intern for playing the song Three Blind Mice.
Usually not a lot comes of it. The player may argue for a bit while walking away. When a call appears to be particularly egregious the manager may come bolting out of the dugout. Usually, he already knows he is going to get tossed but these actions are not meant to change calls but to support and fire up his team and their fans.
Some managers have been known for their tantrums. Bobby Cox holds the all-time record for most ejections with a whopping 162, equal to the number of games played in a complete season. Others well known for arguing calls and being ejected are Tony La Russa,Lou Pinella, and Bruce Bochy.
You can review career ejection numbers on this page.
For players, coaches, and umpires, life in the minor leagues can be a drag with long bus rides, low pay, and the reality that very few of them will ever make it to the majors. Umpires have an approximatelythree percent chance of making it to the “show.” It’s a dream though that dozens chase every year. In fact, Daytona Beach is home to one of the most famous umpiring schools; the Wendelstedt Umpire School.
For fans, these minor league games can be quite entertaining. Teams run fun promotions, there’s a chance to see legitimate major leaguers on a rehab assignment, and prices are usually very reasonable, especially in comparison to major league prices.
Late Innings August 1, 2012
Fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark were treated to some unexpected entertainment on August 1, 2012. That night during a close game between the home team Daytona Cubs and visiting Fort Myers Miracle in a Florida State League game, fans witnessed an ejection that could not have been predicted.
To learn more about historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark, click HERE.
With the game hanging in the balance during the top of the eighth inning, Miracle batter Andy Leer grounded a pitch to Cubs shortstop Tim Saunders, who threw low to first base. Field umpire Ramon Hernandez ruled that first baseman Taylor Davis bobbled the throw and called Leer safe.
Brian Harper of the Chicago Cubs poses during Photo Day on Monday, February 27, 2012 at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Derek Dye is the Daytona Cubs intern ejected for playing Three Blind Mice Photo courtesy Nigel Cook/Daytona Beach News Journal
The Daytona Cubs Intern is Ejected
Seated in the press box was twenty-one-year-old intern Derek Dye, who attempted to poke some home-team humor at the umpires and over the public address system played the children’s song “Three Blind Mice.”
Seneca was in no mood for humor and turned to the press box, picked out the culprit, and yelled out, “You’re gone,” motioning the ejection. Seneca took his ire even further, silencing the sound system for the remainder of the game. That’s right. No announcing of batters, no music, no between innings sound system. Nothing but silence.
At first there was a bit of confusion. Those in the press box through that Harper had been ejected despite not vociferously arguing. They quickly realized it was University of Illinois senior, intern, Dye that had been given the boot.
The small crowd of less than 1,000 reacted as would be expected, showering the umpiring crew (all two of them) with boos. Cubs staff was quick to improvise however and a staffer in the grandstand took to shouting the names of each batter in turn. The tired crowd played along clapping and stomping their feet, showing support for their beloved Cubs.
When the final batter struck out in the top of the ninth inning, the Cubs were 2-1 winners over the Miracle and fans left Jackie Robinson Ballpark with a story that almost had to be seen to be believed. Want to see it? Watch below!
The Cubs and Miracle took to the field the next evening with the same umpiring crew. Intern Derek Dye was not in the press box however. Feeling lighter in the wallet thanks to a $25 fine from the Florida State League, Dye was handing out wristbands, helping identify fans as being 21 years or older in order to participate in the “Thirsty Thursday” promotion that evening.
Dye, and some fans in attendance, questioned the authority of Seneca to eject a non-participant in the game. Dye was quoted afterward, “I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t think the umpire had that sort of jurisdiction. I haven’t seen the flow chart of who has what power.”
While Dye may have questioned Seneca’s judgement, it appears that the umpire was well within his authority, and was not the first to do such. In an article in Bleacher Report they cited three rules Seneca invoked.
Paraphrased:
Rule 4.06(a)—participants should not incite or try to incite a demonstration by spectators
Rule 9.01 (b)—umpires have the duty to order a player, and others, to do or refrain from doing anything that impacts the administration of these rules and to enforce penalties
Rule 9.01(c)—umpires have authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules
So, while Seneca may have seemed thin-skinned and quick on the trigger, Dye’s actions were considered worthy of ejection by the league who handed down the token fine. For Dye, he received an immediate, if short lived, burst of fame. It was reported that interview requests were submitted by ESPN and the “Good Morning America” show and the young intern signed several autographs for knowing fans.
Neither Mario Seneca or Ramon Hernandez was able to beat the odds. Neither umpired in the major leagues. Their having ejected Daytona Cubs intern Derek Dye for a game is the reason they are remembered in baseball today.
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Photo is a reprint of a small detail of a photo showing the crowd gathered for the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Penn., where President Abraham Lincoln gave his now famous speech, the Gettysburg Address. Lincoln is visible facing the crowd, not wearing a hat, about an inch below the third flag from the left. Josephine Cobb first found Lincoln’s face while working with a glass plate negative at the National Archives in 1952. (Source: NARA, Rare Photo of Lincoln at Gettysburg, http://blogs.archives.gov/prologue/?p=2564)
In a speech of just over 250 words, and only two minutes long, President Abraham Lincoln provided a “few appropriate remarks” summarizing the national situation and reminding those in attendance that the work started must be completed. Union forces must continue to fight in order to preserve the nation.
While Lincoln was in Gettysburg, he stayed at the David Wills House, located in downtown Gettysburg at Lincoln Square. The house is operated by the National Park Service and admission is free. It is recommended to check the website before visiting as hours do change throughout the year. Here, you can visit the room where President Lincoln put the final touches on what might be his most famous speech.
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The text below is quoted from the Bliss Copy of the address as provided by the National Park Service. To learn about the five differing versions of the Gettysburg Address please visit Abraham Lincoln Online.
Gettysburg Address
Delivered at Gettysburg, PA
Nov. 19th 1863
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow –this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Lincoln’s speech, which is often quoted, has been analyzed and interpreted since it was given. There are several worthwhile books on the subject of the address and the creation of the Gettysburg National Cemetery. Below are several I recommend.
The Emerging Civil War Series is highly respected for the continual high level of scholarship these books include. Dr. Brad Gottfried is a respected academic who has served as a professor, college president, and author. His book Lincoln Comes to Gettysburg is a perfect introduction to the topic. At less than 200 pages and around $15 this is an amazing value for anybody interested in the Civil War, Gettysburg in particular, or Abraham Lincoln.
Perhaps the standard work on the topic is that of Gary Wills and his masterful Lincoln at Gettysburg.
By examining both the address and Lincoln in their historical moment and cultural frame, Wills breathes new life into words we thought we knew, and reveals much about a president so mythologized but often misunderstood. Wills shows how Lincoln came to change the world and to effect an intellectual revolution, how his words had to and did complete the work of the guns, and how Lincoln wove a spell that has not yet been broken.
For those a bit more advanced in your studies, I recommend seeking out The Gettysburg Gospelby Gabor Boritt.
The words Abraham Lincoln spoke at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery at Gettysburg comprise perhaps the most famous speech in history. Many books have been written about the Gettysburg Address and yet, as Lincoln scholar Gabor Boritt shows, there is much that we don’t know about the speech. In The Gettysburg Gospel he tears away a century of myths, lies, and legends to give us a clear understanding of the greatest American’s greatest speech.
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Thank you to my good friends at Arcadia Publishing for providing a complimentary review copy. A more detailed review will be forthcoming.
Although war was traditionally the purview of men, the realities of America’s Civil War often brought women into the conflict. They served as nurses, sutlers, and washerwomen. Some even disguised themselves as men and joined the fight on the battlefield. In the border state of Missouri, where Southern sympathies ran deep, women sometimes clashed with occupying Union forces because of illegal, covert activities like spying, smuggling, and delivering mail. When caught and arrested, the women were often imprisoned or banished from the state. In at least a couple of cases, they were even sentenced to death. Join award-winning author Larry Wood as he chronicles the misadventures and ordeals of the lady rebels of Missouri.
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To keep up with some of the best current writing on the Civil War, I strongly recommend a subscription to Civil War Monitor I have subscribed for several years and the content is always top notch. Every other month you will get articles written by some of the most knowledgeable historians in the field. These articles are not written for academics but rather for a broader audience. The book reviews will guide you to some of the best in Civil War scholarship from a variety of academic and trade publishers. Click the link or image below for exclusive savings.
When the Civil War erupted, the Union and the Confederacy faced the challenge of organizing huge armies of volunteers with little or no military experience. Crucial to this task was finding generals, and Indiana answered this call with approximately 120 of them. Though a competent division and corps commander, Ambrose E. Burnside’s leadership of the Army of the Potomac at Fredericksburg proved disastrous. Jefferson Columbus was a relentless commander but murdering his superior in a Louisville hotel halted his probable rise to major general. As commander of the Louisville Legion, Lovell H. Rousseau was the only Civil War general commissioned by a city.
Compiling years of research, historian Carl E. Kramer provides biographical sketches of every identifiable Indiana general who attained full-rank, brevet, and state-service status in the tragic struggle.
You may find more information on Dr. Kramer by using this link.
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I’d Climb the Highest Mountain, starring Susan Hayward and William Lundigan is available on DVD. This simple story directed by Henry King, follows a Methodist minister called to a rural Georgia mountain community. There he and his city-bred wife use their love to help a small town find God. The film has limited reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.
Kramer, Carl E. 
The Emerging Civil War Series is highly respected for the continual high level of scholarship these books include. 
Perhaps the standard work on the topic is that of Gary Wills and his masterful
For those a bit more advanced in your studies, I recommend seeking out 
Wood, Larry, 
