Letters To The Editor

Originally published August 2016 · p. 3

TO THE EDITOR: I just finished reading your July issue and was very pleased with your fine publication. I was impressed with two articles, both by the same writer, John Punola. Frankly, of all the Civil War material I have read over the years, I have never read anything about German POWs at Gettysburg Battlefield and the First Emancipation of April 1862. I went on the computer and spent the evening looking for these events. I found both of them. Mr. Punola was very accurate with both of his splendid articles. I liked the idea of finding something new to read about instead of the same stories about battles and generals, etc. I hope that we see more of Mr. Punola in future issues of the Civil War News. Gene Henderson Waymart, Pa.

TO THE EDITOR: Thanks for publishing the nicely-researched and well-written article by high school senior Wade Hisiro about the Rev. William Corby, his celebrated actions on July 2, 1863 at Gettysburg, and his career as a chaplain assigned to the Irish Brigade and as President of the University of Notre Dame (Father Corby and the Irish Brigade). I have one small correction and a quick anecdote to add. The order to which Father Corby belonged and which still operates the university is the Congregation of Holy Cross, not the Congregation of “the” Holy Cross. The order was founded in 1837 by the Rev. (now Blessed) Basil Moreau in the Sainte-Croix (“Holy Cross’) district of Le Mans, France. Hence the name. Father Moreau dispatched the Rev. Edward Sorin and assistants to the United States on a mission and Father Sorin founded the school in 1842. The replica statue to which Wade refers, which memorializes Father Corby’s actions at Gettysburg, and which is part of the Notre Dame campus has been known to generations of students as “Fair Catch” Corby in recognition of the school’s legendary football program. Father Corby was not singled out in this regard. As most sports fans know, “Touchdown Jesus” dominates the 13-story library building, and “First Down” Moses is featured outside the library. Well done, Wade. Here’s hoping that as you pursue your mechanical engineering and business interests you also find time for more Civil War research and writing. John Foskett Boston, Mass.

TO THE EDITOR: I am not one to sit around and write “letters to the editor”. Any way I wanted to send a “Yankee attaboy”. You and your folks have made marked improvements in Civil War News! It is reaching back into interests of collectors and while including a balance of reenacting and preservation the collector now has reason to pick up his copy and read it. Content and quality will be the mark of your tenure. The printing is especially good and as you know quality color printing can be difficult in news print type publications. You have taken the CWN and made it into a quality publication in news print format. I don’t know any other. Anyway I wanted to express my appreciation. Hope the word is getting out to the collectors. I am sure it will and will show up in distribution growth. Bedford Hayes Standish, ME

TO THE EDITOR: I continue to be maximally impressed by the Civil War News. Your articles become more insightful, informative and educational with each successive issue! Yours is one of the publications that I literally read from front to back, and I eagerly await each issue’s arrival. I just came into my cabin on the lake in Maine after reading, on the dock, fascinating articles such as the always great “Black Powder, White Smoke”, “The Watchdog” and the recently added “Ask the Appraiser” and engrossing articles in the Gettysburg supplement on Farnsworth House, Garry Adelman’s & Bob Zeller’s fine discussions on CW photography, Andersonville, Farnsworth House, Falling Waters, Father William Corby, etc., etc. I can’t bear to even discard any issues after completely perusing them! Thanks much for continuing and even improving an invaluable resource for us “Civil War fanatics”, and keep up the good work. Bob Carlson Danielson, CT