Thanks for the clarifications. Unfortunately, the Atlanta Campaign has never been one of my strong points, and hence I am not terribly sure about a lot of it. I’ve not been to about the sites associated with the campaign, and the ones I have visited, I was only there once.

One site I do recall was a country club with trenches running right through the middle of fairways. At least they haven’t been dug up, but I can’t imagine that having people hacking away at the earthworks with golf clubs is terribly good for their long-term prospects. It saddens me a great deal.

Congratulations on the pending publication of your articles. It’s always a big thrill to see yourself in print, especially for the first time. Good luck wtih them.

Eric

I’m a lawyer in Atlanta and a lifelong resident of North Georgia. Your point about battlefield preservation is a good one–the Battle of Atlanta, for all practical purposes, has been paved over entirely. To the north, the boundaries of Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park are increasingly being squeezed by country clubs and townhomes. The house at Kolb Farm (west of Marietta) now has townhouses within spitting distance. Apart from a few “buffs,” no one seems to care.

As for Lieut. Gen. Polk, fortunately, the site of his death is indeed on private property, but fortunately the owner (Fred Bentley–not surprisingly a lawyer!) not only preserves the site but welcomes visitors. Melvin Dishong, a neighbor across the street, gives tours of the mountain (really more of a little knoll), free for the asking.

Finally, let me thank you for your blog–it’s tremendously informative and enjoyable. I am inspired by your success in Civil War history while maintaining an active law practice. I am now in the beginning stages of trying the same thing–I’ve had two articles accepted for publication (one on Polk, supra, and one on young Lieutenant William Tecumseh Sherman), and am well underway with a book manuscript. I would love to e-mail you with a couple of questions if it’s not too much trouble.

Thanks again.

Russ

They’re really fascinating structures, and it’s really a damned shame that only two of them survive.

I remember that article. I shall have to look it up if I ever get home.

Eric

I’ve always been interested in the Shoupades. Some of your readers might be interested to know that a great article on Johnston’s Chattachoochee River line (containing the shoupades) is in one of the very first North & South issues, though the exact issue escapes me at the moment.

Brett S.