Some of the current conversations, though interesting are not the topic of this message board. I personally, am a great fan of Winston Churchill as a leader, a Conservative, an historian and a father. I think a "few" postings, about the 4th of July without a Civil War context are acceptable, but after a limited number of responses, we need to go on to something else. As a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, I'm very interested in stories, such as the "smallpox blanket" tale, which may well have happened, but modern research cannot verify or deny this story. We do know, that if it did occur, it was probably an action taken by a British field officer without the official sanctioning of his superiors. However, the apathy and mixed-messages from the British leaders, regarding dealings with the Indians, specifically in this case the Shawnee, as I recall, may have led to this horrific deed, if it did occur. This story, also, is very interesting and if , at least, tenuously linked to a Civil War event is topical. This is not the case with this thread. Let's go on to something else. I don't want to eliminate, personal messages or allowing our posters to stray "a little" at times from the theme of this site, but after an off-topic posting and a couple of responses, we should drop the thread and not allow the off-topic or personal threads to dominate this site.

We currently have a marginal thread discussing the beloved South, some of us knew as children. I believe the footprint of the Civil War and its aftermath was clear to observe in 50's and 60's Mississippi and the South generally. This period by the general public in the U.S. is viewed as a time of upheaval and hatred between the races. I'm very confused by this, as so many of my most beautiful childhood and adolescent memories come from the Deep South during this period. Perhaps we can steer this thread to a recalling of precious memories and analyzing how the Civil War and Reconstruction made things the way they were or, argue how this period had no effect. Either way, we are connecting with the Civil War theme.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Jim