US Grant in living history

09/20/2025

The new book will come following Christmas, but something ideal FOR Christmas to your history minded friends is a copy of my 2026 living history wall calendar.
The order form is below, so you can print it, fill it out and send payment by check. If you wish to pay by Venmo, reach out, and i will share that in a DM or by email - [email protected]
I expect to get it to the printer by Halloween and could make delivery by Thanksgiving.

09/14/2025

Today we close out the weekend in Darlington.

Roundhead Reunion
Sunday the 14th
Schedule
11:30am museum buildings open.
Breakfast available from Lions Club.
12PM non denominational church service .
1PM Wyatt Erchak speaking about a bottom-up exploration of the first Black Union Army regiment, formed in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida and whose ranks were ~98% formerly enslaved men, many months before the Emancipation Proclamation. One of the most astonishing findings was that the Roundheads supplied most/many of the white officers to the regiment, just months before arriving down in SC after mustering in right here in Pittsburgh.
2PM General Grant
3 PM Jay Paisley speaking about his book The Huffman Letters.
4PM event closes

09/11/2025

A reel from the recent event in Huntington Beach.
Those who donated to my experience, YOU made this happen.

Huntington Beach Central Park came alive with history during the annual Civil War Days event, featuring live battle reenactments, period encampments, and edu...

09/05/2025

Home!
I rolled into my yard about 930pm EST last night and needed to enjoy the reunion with my Lola pup and to rest.
This morning I must unload and return the rental.
The trip was a huge success, and I am grateful to all who support what I do.
This donor list was posted on my camp's fly and I want to say that without such help, this trip would not happen.

Financial Support Making this Road Trip
possible was provided by the kind and
generous donations of over 50 friends in
history and the following organizations:

Robert & Marlene Boguski, Argyl TX
Dizaster Horse, Band in Washington NJ
Flutes On The 4th-Gettysburg, Gettysburg PA
John Hay Ci**rs, In*******se PA
Kayla Kay’s Images, Photography, Hanover PA
Lovell Government Services, Inc., Navarre FL
Pat O' Brian Barber Shop, Abbottstown PA
Trinity United Church of Christ, Delmont PA
Zangroniz Photography, North Miami FL

09/04/2025

On my way home from the SO Cal experience, I made a stop today in Jackson TN to visit the Casey Jones museum.
They have a very nice civil war RR display and I was very happy to see the name of US Grant listed prominently on many panels.
I plan to make some contact about future visits here on my annual cross country trip that could lead to presentations.

09/03/2025

Some folks missed the first post, so I encourage them to catch it now. If you would like to share it, please feel free.
Our version of the Lee Surrender scenario was a big hit at the HB event, and many said we should do it annually.
Well, that would burn it out, but we are designing an ensemble skit like this for each year of the war, to present them in a four-year rotation.
Next year, it will be about the beginning for Grant, Belmont and Donelson. (1861-1862) Following that, it will be Pittsburg Landing. (1862) The third in the cycle will be all about Vicksburg (1863) and then the fourth year again.. Lee surrendering. (1865)

09/01/2025

Our performance of the Surrender at Appomattox during the Huntington Beach Civil War Days

08/31/2025

08/30/2025

Civil War in Huntington Beach Civil War Days begins today!

02/17/2025

The first major victory of the American Civil War is commemorated today with the capture of Fort Donelson in Tennessee and nearly 30,000 rebel soldiers commanded by Gen Simon Bolivar Buckner protecting the approach to Nashville on the Cumberland River, by the 6 division force commanded by BGen US Grant.
He captures most of the rebel force, offering no terms but an unconditional and immediate surrender, earning him among the newspapermen the nickname "unconditional surrender". I say "most" because two senior generals to Buckner, Tilghman and Pillow, elected to skedaddle, leaving him and their forces to Grant, and cavalry man, Nathan Bedford Forrest broke out of the siege line with his troopers to fight on. Of Gen. Pillow escaping, Grant said his escape would aid our cause far better than his capture. Pillow had been his division commander in Mexico in 1847, and never impressed him as a soldier. The surrender meeting was held in the Dover hotel, about a mile east/ up river from the fort.
Grant's letter to Julia is especially fascinating.