A ‘special interpretive event’ on Civil War Journalism will be held at the Battlefield Park on Saturday 21 April with a series of exhibits and speaker.

The press release:

The Washington County Free Library has partnered with Antietam National Battlefield [ANB], the Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau and other area organizations to produce a special interpretive event on April 21, 2007 at the Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center. This event will celebrate the completion of the Hagerstown Civil War Newspaper Index. These newspapers were thought to be long lost, but over the past several years have been located in several institutional collections. The Historic Newspaper Indexing Project is funded through grants from the Washington County Historical and Fine Arts Trust.

The on-line index provides a searchable database of subjects and names with corresponding references to newspaper issues on microfilm at the Washington County Free Library in Hagerstown, MD. The interpretive event and special exhibits will be held at the Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center [map] from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Exhibits will be provided by Washington County Rural Heritage Museum, the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, the Catoctin Center for Regional Studies, the Fashion Archives at Shippensburg University and the Washington County Free Library.

On Saturday April 21 at 2:00 PM, Mr. Brayton Harris will speak in the Visitor Center Theater on the subject of Civil War Journalism with special emphasis on the Battle of Antietam. Mr. Harris is a retired U.S. Navy Officer and author of eight books and numerous articles on naval and publishing related subjects. For additional information contact Carol Appenzellar, Washington County Free Library at 301-739-3250, ext. 151.

I stumbled upon another Civil War focused blog today in Hardtack and Hard Times by Kingsport (TN) Times-News photographer Ned Jilton II. He writes about his hobby of history with emphasis on the War, and features local places and events.

Photographer & blogger Ned Jilton firing repro 1853 Enfield (photo from Hardtack and Hard Times)

Ned’s been publishing since at least last August, so I have some catching up to do.

I hope you’ll all make him feel t’home.

A glorious Saint Patrick’s Day to you! Let me recommend to you the website of the Wild Geese for some topical reading today.

A somewhat dramatic presentation for General “Fighting Joe” Hooker, isn’t it? But I think it fits the way many of us think of him today.

This cigar box inner label was produced in 1896–more than 15 years after Hooker’s death, and more than 40 after the War–so that tells you something of how long his name remained a draw. It sold recently at auction among other “Tobacciana” for just over $500, and was made for “Schmidt & Co New Chambers, Cor. Williams St., N.Y.”.

It does make the General look good, though. Better than life.

The current owner of the Landon House, Urbana, Maryland, seeks money to help him restore the historic structure. The report in yesterday’s Frederick News Post suggests his chances of getting any are about zero, at least for this year. Owner Kevin Dolan seeks $250,000 to renovate 3000 square feet downstairs.

Sabers and Roses* refers to the ball held by General JEB Stuart and his officers during the 1862 Maryland Campaign. The romantic story of the event involves dashing cavalry, local belles, and gallant combat between dances til dawn.

Mr. Dolan, aka Johnny Reb, apparently has had a number of other ‘irons in the fire’ to help publicize/make money/fund the building

• Maryland Museum of Civil War History
• Landon Society
• Landon House Entertainment: web tv, reality show, radio, movie?
• Landon House Records: CD
• documentatary film on the “weird, thriving American Civil War subculture”
• haunted house tours
• law office tenants
• sponsor of Maryland South
• an almost-blog

The current focus seems to be on weddings.

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* Can a phrase like Sabers and Roses be a brand or trademark? Artist Dale Gallon liked it for his painting …