It is sad that in 1888 men who had been physically, psychologically and financially drained by the Civil War could piece together the money for the monument, while 112 years later the only thing that the entire populace of the Richmond area could add to it was a tiny plastic Confederate battle flag hidden out of view.

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Please do me the favor of mentioning, when you are among Civil War reenactors and others who might care, that such has become the state of this monument erected by men who made sacrifices for the South from 1861-65 and again in 1888. It is not right that, because their cause was lost, their sacrifices should be construed as politically incorrect and meaningless. Their sacrifice is an honorable part of our heritage.

Charles Bly
Charlottesville, Va.

Editor’s note: Often the battlefields and monuments that commemorate the Civil War are ignored, abused, misunderstood or lost to “progress.” The editors of America’s Civil War are avid preservationists and belong to several preservation organizations. Hopefully, our new “Preservation” department will alert readers to the potential destruction that endangers Civil War sites.

Chancellorsville Reenactment

Just a quick note to tell you how much my wife and I enjoyed the reenactment of Chancellorsville at Fort Pickett this past weekend. I have been to many reenactments but none that was as organized and eventful as this one. All of the sutlers were gracious and polite, and the reenactors were the best as a group of any I have ever watched. All in all, it was the best reenactment I have attended. I look forward to your staging more.

This was my wife’s first event, and she learned so much! Ed Bearss was as always the most entertaining historian I have ever listened to. Once again, my hat is off to you and your staff. Job well done!

Marvin Goin
via e-mail

Editor’s note: Primedia History Group sponsored this event, which took place September 22-24 at Fort Pickett, near Blackstone, Va. While the weather did not cooperate as we had hoped, plenty of folks still came out to see close to 5,000 reenactors in action. A particularly bright note was that more than $9,000 was raised for the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, a non-profit organization that buys endangered battlefield land in the Rappahannock River valley. Look for information about future Primedia-sponsored reenactments in upcoming issues.

Send letters to America’s Civil War Editor, Primedia History Group, 741 Miller Dr., SE, Suite D-2, Leesburg, VA 20175, or e-mail to AmericasCivilWar@thehistorynet.com. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Letters may be edited.

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