behind AotW

A little behind, as usual, I’ve just found Dale Cox’s Civil War Florida blog. He’s been at it since September 2007, and his latest post considers one of my Sharpsburg guys, Captain Harrison Tillinghast, Company F, Second Florida Infantry.

Mr Cox has introduced quite a number of Florida CW landmarks and individuals since he began blogging. I have much catching up to do: there’s a wealth of material in about 125 posts in the five months to date.

I’ve particularly enjoyed some of his accompanying personal photographs, like this one of Santa Rosa Island (related post).

Having been stationed at Pensacola briefly some years back, I can almost smell that beach …

The author also mentions his publications from time to time, and is proprietor of Explore Southern History - a project he identifies as his main website.

A belated welcome to the blogosphere and best wishes to Dale!

My favorite blog about the 18th Massachusetts Infantry is reanimated. Donald’s posting again on behalf of his team on Touch the Elbow. Give them a hearty Hurrah!, and Welcome Back, won’t you?  Elbow to elbow now, lads.

Today on Axis of Evel Knievel, David Noon marks the anniversary of South Carolina’s 1860 Ordinance of Secession from the United States. With his usual flair. Do go have a look.

Acknowledging his somewhat simplistic argument and the drama in his voice, I think it’s a succinct summation of how I fundamentally view the event, also.

I’d be interested to have nominations from either of my readers for other published commentaries of fewer than 500 words that do as well as Mr Noon’s. From any perspective, pro or con.

I’m especially interested in views in direct opposition to this one.

I was clued to a marvelous local history blog today. Sandusky History is …

… dedicated to the discussion of topics relating to the history of Sandusky and Erie County, Ohio; inspired by the collections of the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center and Follett House Museum. A service of the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center.

By way of example of the quality of the material here, a post about early German-language newspapers in Sandusky and connections to later Civil War soldiers caught my eye. Vis:

Sandusky Intelligenz-Blatt, 1851 (Sandusky Library Archives)

Apparently on the air since June 2006, the blog boasts a large collection of posts about the people, places, and things of the region. They feature snappy writing, widely ranging subject matter, and plenty of related photos and other artifacts.

The post authors are not identified, which would be my only complaint about the blog: somebody deserves more credit than they’re getting. Two thumbs up!

Thanks to Dorene Paul, Reference Assistant at the Library and blog contributor, for the email tip about their site this afternoon.

Or Google serendipity.

Simply watching the internets for Antietam references can yield surprising results. Today I stumbled over a gourmet fountain pen ink maker called Noodler’s. They’re known for durable “fraud proof” varieties. One of the many colors offered is “Antietam”, seen here.

Noodler’s owner Nathan Tardiff says of the ink:

Antietam has a certain burnt orangy red aspect to it that can be missed even if the batch is off only a fraction of a single percentage point! It also represents a copy of the oldest colored ink bottle in my vintage collection - a dip pen ink from the Civil War era that was rehydrated…the name was chosen for similar reasons as well as historic significance…

I think I’ve found something for my Christmas wish-list.

_________________
Notes

Color smudge, above, from Noodle’s vendor The Writing Desk’s website. Mr Tardiff is quoted on Pendemonium. The Boston Globe featured him in September 2005.

Google originally found me the Noodler’s reference in a soup-to-ink post from Ink Quest in which the Antietam color correlates with tomato soup. The Seinfeld Soup Nazi is invoked. How’s that for a far-ranging Antietam thread?

Noodling, after which the ink company is named, is an interesting way to catch catfish. Another wild ride if you’re pulling threads today.