Thank you for the supportive response. And, thank everyone for your past contributions to this site and I do appreciate your recommendations and opinions.

I do not wish to restrict our discussions; however, I must ask that we stick to "history only". If you disagree with an authors position in a book, then identify the topic, source the book and offer your counter position with source materials to support your view. Just to call an author an "idiot", "a joke" or any other insult is NOT an historical discussion. The message boards are completely open to a high-level, scholarly and respectful discussion of any historical topic related to Missouri and Missourians in the Civil War. If you disagree with any author or other historians position, you may certainly discuss it here. I only ask that you argue the history and source your remarks, rather than, demean or insult the author or individual.

I hope each of you realize what a special site we have with these message boards. Their longevity, the quality of the discussions and the expertise of the participants is unsurpassed on the internet. I am the webmaster and owner of these sites and as such, I have a special relationship as a guardian and protector of the sites. I am not; however, the reason that these message boards are so special. The reason is you and your continued participation. But, just as Bruce Nichols stated in his posting, many sites for Missouri Civil War discussion have come and gone during the ten (10) years and over one million messages posted on the thirty-four (34) message boards that comprise History-Sites.Com. I have to believe that we're doing something right here in the way the message boards are presented and administered. I don't want to see this site go the way of its predecessors and alternative discussion sites.

Finally, many times I have to delete, relocate or offer comment on postings that, from a personal point of view, I agree with the posters position or statements. But, I attempt not to let my personal views or feelings dictate, which messages appear and which do not. I am simply, from years of experience in monitoring and managing these sites, attempting to maintain the health and historical integrity of these sites.

Please honor my request to respectfully and thoughtfully participate in our discussions here.

Jim Martin