behind AotW

A quick Huzzah! for the fine folks at the US Army’s Military History Institute (USAMHI), Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. I’m sorry to say I’ve never visited in person, but they have been immensely helpful to me over several years by snail and email.

Most recently, I heard from Mr Richard Baker, a Technical Information Specialist at the Institute. I had asked for a copy of a standing portrait photograph of Major Edmund Rice, 19th Massachusetts Infantry. I’d also noticed some confusion in the caption in another picture of the Major–grouped with officers of the 17th Michigan Infantry–published in William C. Davis’ Touched by Fire. In addition to sending me the requested photo, Mr Baker went above and beyond by also finding the original image Mr Davis used, and identifying all the officers therein (Rice; Lt. Harrison Berdan, 5th Michigan Cavalry; Captains Delos Phillips and Benjamin Safford, 17th Michigan Infantry).

This kind of service is probably the norm at the USAMHI, but it knocked my socks off.
Huzzah! Huzzah!

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Here’s a scan, by the way, of that portrait of Rice. One tough customer.