Do History: "Researching Civil War History through Letters of a Steele County Soldier"
Better than any novel ever written are the letters of a single Civil War soldier who hailed from Steele County, Minnesota. Research the American Civil War by reading between the lines of George’s letters to Helen. These classes give you the chance to be the historian. Put George’s letters into a bigger context. Try to figure out his commitment to the causes for which they fought. Decide for yourself what relationship he had with Helen (the recipient of the letters). Draw your own conclusions about his religious faith. Follow George from Fort Snelling, through the Battles of Bull Run, Antietam and Gettysburg. Bump into his friends and comrades from Steele County (he names quite a few). “DO HISTORY” will be a participatory class. Those attending will receive copies of George’s letters and be able to share their views about the matters George talks about. We will see where he goes, how he feels about soldiering, and how he experiences the heights and depths of war. Everyone will be surprised by unexpected twists and turns that unfold during George’s war experiences. Please note that a portion of your course fee will go to the Steele County Historical Society.
about your instructor...........Barry D. Adams recently retired from the history profession as a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military having given given more than 1,000 tours there. As every historian knows, the exploits of the First Regiment of Minnesota Volunteers at Gettysburg were a centerpiece to the story of the battle of Gettysburg and to American history. Barry has been a student of history since he was a youth and has focused on the American Civil War for over fifty years. Born and raised in eastern Pennsylvania, his research and writing on the Civil War has focused on the Battle of Gettysburg. For thirty five years his research ran parallel to his career as a public school teacher and school administrator. Two years ago, Barry Adams and his wife Joy moved from eastern Pennsylvania to Owatonna, Minnesota. Since then all of his research has focused on Steele County in the Civil War.