Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Halfway Out Of The Dark: Christmas 1863, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

A note received any day letting you know a son is gravely wounded is horrible. Receiving it on the first day of December is particularly horrible. In this month of gathering together, hearing your son is suffering can't be cheering. [excerpt]

And With The Sound The Carols Drowned: Captives In Bleak December, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

Christmas was coming, and a knot of officers of the 87th Pennsylvania suddenly found their December a bit brighter. Nine boxes had been sent along to the officers, packed to the brim with, "all kinds of necessaries and delicacies, such as will be conducive to our comfort and health while in our present condition." And the soldiers were pleased.

Any soldier would be pleased to have a pair of warm socks, a stack of stationary or a can of preserved vegetables from home. But these men were doubly pleased.

The letter of gratitude they wrote to the Gettysburg Compiler was …

“Home Again”: The Contrasting Experiences Of Richard D. Dunphy And Lewis A. Horton, S. Marianne Johnson, Kevin P. Lavery

The Gettysburg Compiler: On the Front Lines of History

Union veterans returning home from the war in 1865 faced a myriad of experiences and reacted to the return to civilian life in a variety of ways. Richard D. Dunphy and Lewis A. Horton, both double-arm amputee veterans of the Navy, ably demonstrate the differences in experience and reaction to the war and life afterwards. [excerpt]

Bryant, David Lee, 1923-2000 (Sc 2799), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan for Manuscripts Small Collection 2799. Typescripted personal history of David Lee Bryant (1923-2000) describing his upbringing in Todd County, Kentucky, his World War II military service, his capture by the Germans and liberation by the Russian Army, his subsequent work for a wholesale grocery firm, and his wife and three sons. Includes article about Bryant published 5 February 1986 in the (Greenville, Kentucky) Leader-News, and explanatory letter of his son Gary L. Bryant, 21 November 2013.

Allen, John G., 1837?-1863 (Sc 2795), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2795. Pocket diary of John G. Allen, containing a few brief notations made while Allen was serving in the Union Army in 1862 and was encamped near Nashville; letter to his sister from camp, 24 November 1862, assuring her that he has had enough to eat; two promissory notes of Allen’s; and a summons to Allen to appear in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Court to answer a claim for debt.

An Evening With David Blight, S. Marianne Johnson

The Gettysburg Compiler: On the Front Lines of History

Monday evening, November 18, students from Gettysburg College got to sit down and discuss memory with Dr. David Blight from Yale University, author of the renowned work Race and Reunion. The session was conducted as an informal panel with Dr. Blight and Gettysburg College’s own Dr. Isherwood and Dr. Jordan. Dr. Blight spoke about beginning his work when memory studies was not an official field and stumbling his way headlong into working with the memory of the American Civil War. When discussing whether or not memory studies were a fad that would pass away, Blight reassured the audience that people …

Richard D. Dunphy: To Him, A War Goes On, Kevin P. Lavery

The Gettysburg Compiler: On the Front Lines of History

Although I have so far treated Richard Dunphy as a man who achieved heroism through valor and suffered greatly for it, there is another side to his character that I have not yet explored. In 1899, his wife, Catherine, accused Richard of being too irresponsible to handle his own pension money. Furthermore, she accused him of abusing his family and failing to pay his bills. To resolve this conflict, the Bureau of Pensions sent Special Examiner E. G. Hursh to Vallejo to investigate. He collected about a dozen depositions in order to evaluate the validity of these claims. Richard Dunphy …

Spicker, Maxwell Pryse, Jr., 1920-1985 (Sc 2794), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2794. Letters of Maxwell P. Spicker, Jr., to his parents in Louisville, Kentucky, written during his U.S. Army service in World War II. He writes of his training and leisure activities at Fort Riley, Kansas, Seattle, Washington and Gainesville, Texas, and confidentially to his father of his request for an overseas assignment. Includes photographs of Spicker and fellow soldiers.

Johnston, Ira J. (Sc 2792), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2792. “Memories of a WWII Veteran,” by Ira J. Johnston. Johnston recalls the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, entering the U.S. Army, basic training, his service in France and Belgium, combat on the advance through Germany, the food he ate, interacting with German civilians, a surprise meeting with his brother-in-law, his return home, the Japanese surrender, and his discharge.

Obsessive Digging In Carolina Sand And Baltimore Asphalt, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

My parents moved to Wilmington, North Carolina a couple years ago. I have to admit, I am fascinated when I visit the South, for the sheer fact that it is such a vastly different environment than I'm used to. For one thing, the war happened there. For another, the war got very complex and interesting there. [excerpt]

Richard D. Dunphy: Under The Knife, Kevin P. Lavery

The Gettysburg Compiler: On the Front Lines of History

Within four hours of Richard Dunphy’s grievous wounding at the Battle of Mobile Bay, both of his arms had been amputated. In a medical survey, he described the “extraordinary pain” that lasted “for about three weeks.” There was “a great quantity of pus, and twelve pieces of bone or splinters came out” from the wound for months after the surgery. Though the pain was great, it faded in time. The psychological and social effects of the operation, however, never went away. [excerpt]

Artus, James (Sc 1274), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 1274. Letter, 18 January 1861, written by James Artus, a veteran of the War of 1812, to G.L Forman and H. Taylor, concerning procurement of medals from the state for himself and three other surviving Kentucky volunteers. He also expresses his hope that Kentucky supports the Union.

World War I, 1914-1918 (Sc 1250), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 1250. Welcoming message, April 1918, from King George V, sent to Thomas Asbury Napier Scottsville, Kentucky. Napier’s son, Linus Pitts Napier, was among the U.S. soldiers who had arrived in Great Britain to assist the English in the war effort.

Thompson, Douglas (Sc 1265), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1265. Paper, described as a report from “an average American Joe,” written by Douglas Thompson for a WKU history class. He writes about his interview with Joe Neil Blair, who recounted his experiences in the Vietnam War. Includes Blair’s service record and his Bronze Star citation.

Wooton, Thomas Pryor (Sc 1261), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1261. Paper, “Iceland in World War II as Experienced by Jim Wooton,” written by Thomas Wooton for a WKU history class early in the 1990s. He relates Hopkins Countian Jim Wooton’s experiences during the Depression and World War II.

Hoffman, Christopher (Sc 1269), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1269. Letters written to his mother in Tompkinsville, Kentucky by Christopher Hoffman during his service in the Persian Gulf War. He describes everyday military life away from the front lines.

Buckeye Blood Waters The Longleaf Pines, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

In the woods south of Wilmington, men in blue uniforms moved forward in a loose skirmish line. They were probing, trying to find General Hoke's last line of defense. Brig. General Charles Paine sent the men forward to develop the enemy. But in the pine thicket ahead, in a thin, ragged line, the bedraggled rebel troops likely had more to fear than bullets as those skirmishers probed and prodded on a February day in 1865. [excerpt]

Napoleon's Siege Of Acre: A Reevaluation Of The Historical And Archaeological Record, Morgan L. Breene

Senior Honors Projects

The modern port of Akko, Israel, has been essential to movement and trade in the eastern Mediterranean since the Hellenistic period, and used as a harbor since the Neolithic. Its many incarnations and occupations over the centuries are documented by the cultural material laying on and under the bed of the harbor, and it is an area of great fascination for historians and underwater archaeologists. One particular pivotal event in the modern history of the port, however, continues to beguile researchers.

Napoleon's failed siege of Acre (modern-day Akko), Israel in the spring of 1799 was a turning point in his …

Recruiting The All-Female Rani Of Jhansi Regiment: Subhas Chandra Bose And Dr Lakshmi Swaminadhan, Tobias Frederik Rettig

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

The recruitment of the all-female Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army in Japanese-controlled Singapore and Malaya, with a particular focus on the period between the first female guard of honour on 12 July 1943 through to the opening of the regiment's main camp in Singapore on 22 October 1943, has to date been insufficiently studied. Starting with the conception of the Regiment in an Axis submarine by the Indian nationalist leader Subhas CHANdra Bose (1897–1945), this paper examines the ideas and figures that inspired the regiment and the role of Bose and Dr Lakshmi Swaminadhan (1914–2012) in …

Ambivalent About Tragedy: David Blight On Bruce Catton, Brianna E. Kirk

The Gettysburg Compiler: On the Front Lines of History

November 19, 2013, marked a momentous day in the small Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg – the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The 272 worded speech given four months after the Battle of Gettysburg assigned meaning to the intense fighting and death that had besieged the nation for two years. With the war’s end nowhere in sight, Lincoln directed the American people on how to fathom the tragedy that surrounded them, both figuratively and literally, at the dedication of the National Cemetery in 1863. 150 years after this speech, thousands gathered to celebrate and commemorate those few appropriate remarks Lincoln …

Benedict, Harrison, 1813-1900 (Sc 2789), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid and full text of letter (click on "Additional Files") for Manuscripts Small Collection 2789. Letter, 30 March 1862 of Harrison Benedict, Scottsville, Kentucky, to his cousin David Selby in Jamestown, Kentucky. He reports on military activity in the area, including Confederate searches of his and his mother’s homes, the theft of guns, horses and wagons, and the destruction of bridges. He includes his wife Emily T. Benedict as a signatory to the letter.

Winfrey, Charlie Ray, 1896-1980 (Sc 2790), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2790. Materials relating to the World War I service of Charlie R. Winfrey, Esto, Russell County, Kentucky. Includes postcards to his family, service and discharge record, operations history of the 30^th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and newspaper articles and a photo of Russell County veterans of World War I.

Rhoton, Fred, B. 1946 (Sc 1198), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1198. Vietnam War letters, written by Fred Rhoton (of Clay County, Tennessee), to his aunt Ina Davis and family, Rockfield, Kentucky, describing his military experiences.

Civil War, 1861-1865 - Soldiers From - Tennessee (Sc 1203), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 1203. Applications for John Dill Paschal and Elisha Paschal for the Confederate States of America Roll of Honor and an application for Will J. Harris for the United Daughters of the Confederacy Cross of Honor.

Flying The U-2, Art Saboski

ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program

Learn what it was like to fly the famous U-2, one of history’s most secretive aircraft, from a pilot who has done just that. Art Saboski spent most of his Air Force career flying the U-2; commanding U-2 organizations as well as planning and conducting reconnaissance/intelligence operations. He will give his unique perspectives on the high altitude aircraft, its history, development and current uses today.

Rainey, Granville Phillip, 1890-1945 (Sc 1212), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 1212. World War I letters, 1918-1919, written by Granville Rainey to his sister Mrs. Samuel D. Parker and her family in Evansville, Indiana. He especially describes military actions in France.

Clark, Tim (Sc 1208), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1208. Desert Storm letters from Tim Clark to his cousin, Rebecca Louise Spencer, Bowling Green, Kentucky, which tell of his military experiences.

Chyle, Walter, Jr., B. 1918 (Sc 1210), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1210. World War II prisoner of war letter, 1943, from Walter Chyle, Jr. in Germany, to parents in Auburn, Kentucky, stating that he is fine; and newspaper article, 1984, about Chyle’s World War II experience and his many contributions to Butler County, Kentucky society.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 (Sc 1223), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1223. Civil War certificate signed by President Abraham Lincoln appointing Herbert M. Enos to the position of First Lieutenant in the regiment of mounted riflemen.

Oliver, Michael, B. 1959 (Sc 1194), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1194. Desert Storm letters (2) from Michael Oliver to his wife Peggy Oliver, Bowling Green, Kentucky. Also included is a poem by Oliver regarding his military experiences in Desert Storm and war photos (2).