GDG- Family to get credit for Civil War artifacts

[Margaret D. Blough]

Jim,

I'd say that that's a pretty accurate summary.

Regards,

Margaret

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Jim Lamason" <jlamason at verizon.net> 

> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> 
> 
> HI Margaret, 
> 
> Ok Let me see if I have this correct. The reason for the whole argument is 
> that they were the ones who basically consolidated and oversaw the 
> collection of artifacts from the battlefield? 
> 
> Yet those who gave in some cases tens of thousands of dollars to purchase 
> land to be added to the park, are forgotten about? 
> 
> We cannot put a price tag on the collection. Surely its PRICELESS! And every 
> item in there has its own story to tell, and even in some cases is just 
> waiting to be discovered, which will lead to further research as to where it 
> was found, who is it tied to, and finally if possible what was its part in 
> this incredible time in our history. That's so true. And we should be 
> grateful. 
> 
> Both parts both groups of people, we a debt to. On an equal basis. 
> 
> If the NPS is going to hang a plaque to the Rosenthal's, they better hang a 
> plaque to every one who ever gave an amount to the purchase of property. And 
> go one further, there better be recognition for every person who has ever 
> used a paint brush on a building, helped put up fence, cared for a monument, 
> and volunteered. No this isn't just about the one family. If we do that, 
> then we have forgotten about why we seek to maintain the park. Its all about 
> those who gave that last full measure of devotion. That government of the 
> people, by the people and for the people shall not perish... And not 
> forgetting them........ 
> 
> Jim Lamason 
> 
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com [mailto:gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com] 
> On Behalf Of Margaret D. Blough 
> Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 6:42 PM 
> To: GDG 
> Subject: Re: GDG- Family to get credit for Civil War artifacts 
> 
> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> 
> 
> No one is advocating turning the Rosensteels into non-persons, but the story 
> of the park and the museum is one in which many people played critical 
> roles, including others who donated or provided the funding for purchases of 
> other parts of the collection or preservation of the battlefield, and the 
> Rosensteels have their place in that story whether or not the plaques ever 
> existed. The planned placement of the plaques is directly connected with 
> the collections and acknowledges the Rosensteels' critical role regarding 
> the collection rather than placing the plaque in such a way as to appear to 
> give them credit for the existence of the new museum/visitors center that 
> they did everything in their power to prevent from happening. 
> 
> >>The idea of picking up relics from a battlefield in my front yard left an 
> indelible impression on me that I still think of when I look at those 
> artifacts. << 
> 
> Timing is everything on that one. In 1863, including when people were 
> helping in burying the battle dead, and presumably up until the end of 
> hostilities, the US government considered it to be looting and theft of 
> federal property and the men stationed in Gettysburg under acting Provost 
> Marshal Capt. W. Willard Smith took action at his directions to prevent it, 
> recover what had already been taken, including searching local houses 
> (leading to locals christening them the "Forty Thieves" and punishing those 
> caught in the act. I feel sympathy for the farmers who had lost everything 
> or nearly everything in the battle and were trying to recoup their losses 
> but there were many with less laudable motives. Greg Coco has a great deal 
> on this aspect of the battle aftermath in a "Strange and Blighted Land" 
> including the story of a Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice who was caught 
> "collecting" on the battlefield by the Provost Marshal's men. When he copped 
> an attitude with them, they forceabl 
> y assigned him on the spot to burying horses as punishment. 
> 
> Of course, in modern times, the status of relics remaining on federally 
> owned land is governed by statute. 
> 
> 
> Regards, 
> 
> Margaret 
> 
> -------------- Original message -------------- 
> From: Dennis Lawrence 
> 
> > Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> > 
> > 
> > At 05:58 AM 10/22/2007, you wrote: 
> > >Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> > > 
> > > 
> > >I personally am very interested in the provenance of materials I see in 
> > >museums. 
> > 
> > 
> > Hello, 
> > 
> > I think this is the bottom line. A historic has to know the provenance 
> > of any article. Regardless of lawsuits or what is appropriate and not 
> > appropriate, the visitor needs to know the entire story. It is a unique 
> > story. And one that fascinated me when I first visited their as a 
> > child. The idea of picking up relics from a battlefield in my front yard 
> > left an indelible impression on me that I still think of when I look at 
> > those artifacts. 
> > 
> > Take Care 
> > 
> > Dennis 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
> > You may unsubscribe by going to 
> > http://mailman.arthes.com/mailman/listinfo/gettysburg 
> > 
> > You can add yourself to the GDG map at: 
> > http://www.frappr.com/gettysburgdiscussiongroup 
> > 
> > View archived posts from May 2004 - present at 
> > http://mailman.arthes.com/pipermail/gettysburg/ 
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
> You may unsubscribe by going to 
> http://mailman.arthes.com/mailman/listinfo/gettysburg 
> 
> You can add yourself to the GDG map at: 
> http://www.frappr.com/gettysburgdiscussiongroup 
> 
> View archived posts from May 2004 - present at 
> http://mailman.arthes.com/pipermail/gettysburg/ 
> 
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
> You may unsubscribe by going to 
> http://mailman.arthes.com/mailman/listinfo/gettysburg 
> 
> You can add yourself to the GDG map at: 
> http://www.frappr.com/gettysburgdiscussiongroup 
> 
> View archived posts from May 2004 - present at 
> http://mailman.arthes.com/pipermail/gettysburg/