Eyewitness Account of the Battle: ; Exclusive to Metro Putnam; Correspondent Recounts Civil War Sights in Hurricane

Summary

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EDITOR'S NOTE: After attending Civil War Weekend in Hurricane recently, Metro Putnam reporter Shelby Young chose to write about the activities of the re-enactors by becoming one himself, in a fashion, assuming the role of Irish-born William Howard Russell, whose objective coverage of both North and South is still worth reading today, one of the most famous newspapermen of his day, and one whose work is well worth remembering.

Russell was 39 when he came to report the U.S. Civil War for the ardently pro-Southern London Times - and, as it turned out, for his own famous missive, "My Diary North and South," which remains in print today. For 13 months, Russell toured North and South, talking with Senators and their critics, generals and their recruits, planters and their slaves. From his position overlooking both sides of the line, Russell attempted to predict how the war would turn out. He was impressed by Confederate nerve and hardiness, but he lamented their lack of equipment and their underestimating Northern industrial power and resolve.

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Extract

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Eyewitness Account of the Battle: ; Exclusive to Metro Putnam; Correspondent Recounts Civil War Sights in Hurricane

How would Russell, a 19th century journalist, have reported this year's Hurricane Civil War re-enactment if he were somehow transported into 21st Century Putnam County?

By William Howard Russell

As re-enacted by Shelby Young

DISPATCH XXIV

AWAKENING FROM SLEEP - TWILIGHT JOURNEY - RECEIVING AN ORDER OF BATTLE - A RUSHING ROAD - THE DIN OF GUNFIRE

FRIDAY - 'Ere sunset I was awakened by some noise in an adjoining room, and in half dreamy state, wondered whether I had been dozing for a mere afternoon yet dreamed that I had slept the sleep of the dead for a long span of years. Nor did I convince myself that it was...

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