The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Ben Stein's Civil Warriors

11.17.03 @ 12:01AM

CIVIL WAR QUESTIONS
Re: Ben Stein's Preserving the Civil War:

I wish to express my thanks to Ben Stein. To read his articles is one reason I purchase The American Spectator. As an amateur Civil War historian I really appreciate this current article.
-- William R. Parker
SSgt USMC Retired
Kenmore, New York

You are very kind. Best and thanks, Ben

*****

I have never shed a tear over the Civil War...until now.
-- Deborah Barton
Waxhaw, North Carolina

I am grateful, and by total coincidence, just met a whole bunch of young people from Waxhaw at UNC this week. Best, Ben

*****

Mr. Stein, I am an admirer of yours, especially when you appear on Fox News discussing the stock market. But, I came across your article "Preserving the Civil War" and I have a question for you. You mentioned Lee's Lieutenants and it caught my attention. I have a journal, written during the Civil War by a relative of mine. I have often wondered where I could put this journal to the best use, since it would be better in a museum or other place of importance than in my closet.

This relative was a 1st Lieutenant, and in 1865 was discharged, or so he wrote in his journal. The writing is very hard for me to read and/or difficult for me to translate due to the different words used during that time. I have not put the amount of time into reading the journals that is required, but hope to some day.

I am writing you because of your interest in this subject and I thought you might have some suggestions as to a few good places to donate these journals, not to mention what the value of them might be. Would appreciate it very much. Thank you
-- Pat A

This is a great letter. May I suggest Civil War Times, a great magazine about the Civil War, or else America's Civil War. Both have websites. They are always looking for journals of the day. Many, many thanks, Ben

*****

I thought your article was a brilliant précis of the dominant military, legal, and moral issues in the War.

It made me for the first time consider how my ancestors would have responded to some of the questions you raised.

One side of my family were major slave breeders, as Brown would describe it. Living ten miles upstream from Harper's Ferry, I am sure they were interested in his activities and trial.

Letter to the Editor

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