GDG- Family to get credit for Civil War artifacts

[Margaret D. Blough]

I agree.

Regards,

Margaret

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Dennis Lawrence <denlaw at fone.net> 

> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> 
> 
> Hello, 
> 
> I think hanging the plaques in the research area is fine. Establishing 
> the provenance of any artifact is important, and that seems to be a good 
> way to do so. Plenty of information in the archives for anyone who wants 
> more details. 
> 
> As far as the place of the Rosensteels in the story or history, or 
> recent events, that is not the issue to determine this. Historical 
> documentation is the only issue - and the plaques in the research room 
> works for me. 
> 
> 
> Take Care 
> 
> Dennis 
> 
> At 04:41 PM 10/22/2007, you wrote: 
> >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 fo 
> > rceabl 
> >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 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
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