behind AotW

Ted Savas’ post on extending Brad Gottfried’s concept from The Maps of Gettysburg to other battles is exciting news.

So, who’ll do Sharpsburg? With a budget of over a hundred maps and just over two weeks of 1862 to cover? Dang, what a project that’ll be. Yee-hah!

I’d have to leave my job and family to have time to do it, but it might almost be worth it …

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Thanks to Dimitri for the pointer.

I’ve recently started work for a new client with a brand new team, and needed a far more capable phone than the old razr to help keep us all connected and me on track.

Verizon’s BlackBerry 8830 World Edition

After just a few days’ use, I recommend this lovely little unit. Small and light with beautifully integrated email (3 accounts and counting), always-there phone service, and a suite of PDA tools which easily synchs with my company’s contacts, calendar, and task list applications. Even has a fast web browser, though I don’t recommend casual surfing on a screen of 320 x 240 pixels, however high the quality.

I only had to add the data service to my current phone account, and the handset was discounted, rebate-ed, and part of Verizon’s “new every two” program, so they’re practically giving ’em away.

Yes, it’s a crackberry. Wanna make something of it?

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On a related note: my vocation is keeping me busy, but a real post about Sharpsburg is coming shortly. Look for the 12th Virginia Infantry in Maryland in a day or two. Really.

Your assignment: catch up with some new and fascinating online work about the Maryland Campaign of 1862.

Recent and ongoing now is an excellent discussion about who did what at Sharpsburg on TalkAntietam*. Beginning with fine-grain research Dean Essig is doing for his new wargame–with other genuine experts weighing in–the group is exploring the reality of the “numbers” of the battle. The unintentional but inescapable conclusion here may be that it’s impossible to acurately quantify the battle. See what you find …

from Harper’s Weekly, 24 October 1863 (Son of the South).

Be sure also to catch the two latest feature articles Larry Freiheit has contributed to AotW. At the top is his view of Military Intelligence in Maryland from both General’s perspectives. You’ll find a number of ‘hmmm’ moments in that piece. Larry’s also the author of an analysis of JEB Stuart’s cavalry at and before Sharpsburg, which was posted just before the anniversary last year. Mighty fine.

Also fresh is John David Hoptak’s masterful biographical sketch of Brigadier James Nagle. Ranger Hoptak is highly fluent on Nagle and the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry, as you probably know from his blog. Thanks to the Save Historic Antietam Foundation for sharing that work online. When you see (or visit) next, ask John how you can help restore the General’s sword, too.

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* Anyone can read the messages on TalkAntietam, but you’ll have to join the group and be approved to contribute. But that’s easy, trust me. I know the group moderator really well; I can get you in :)