[carlo3b]

When I visited Antietam, I got goosebumps. There is a sacred air about the place where so much blood was shed. It was truly moving.

I had exactly the same chills when walking through the cemeteries in Vicksburg especially, and throughout the southern sites. Strangely I didn't get to any of the sites on the eastern seaboard.

I am an avid collector of vintage historical memorabilia, Victorian, and pre and Early American, and first edition Civil War books and documents, signed when possible.. Just holding the works of eyewitness accounts of the battles, written in real time, signed in hand is a sobering experience indeed.

I know there are many collectors that are Freepers, that have similar experiences, and sometimes will share their knowledge with us on threads.. anyone listening???  LOLOL

[EllaMinnow]

I'm listening!

I buy, sell, and collect carte de visites from the Civil War. I feel such a connection to them - I can't explain.

I've been to all of the eastern battlefields, and to Shiloh and Vicksburg.
I'll never forget my first trip to Gettysburg. We were at Devil's Den, at high noon, on a hot June day. There was honeysuckle blooming, and the air was full of the fragrance. All of a sudden, I couldn't smell the flowers anymore, but I could smell blood so strongly that it almost made me sick. I felt like I was going backwards through a tunnel.
I've never had that experience at any other site, but Devil's Den still effects me.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the ping Carlo3b.

Good job on covering the Antietam Campaign.

The FReeper Foxhole will be covering the Battle of Antietam on the 17th. We found an interesting article that presents the battle in a different perspective.

[Little Bill]

I know how you feel. In Lynn, Mass I discovered an archive in the old GAR hall, Loads of letters and diaries. Most people don't even know this place exists.