There are several notices on Civil War sites that the world’s finest Civil War historian, Ed Bearss, is now not able to give talks and is, at age 97, staying at home for the most part.
I spent an extremely-enjoyable day with Ed on the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin, November 30, 2014. First, we had a discussion at the Lotz House, where Ed was kind enough to accept a copy of my biography of Jacob Cox, the unsung hero of the Battle of Franklin. Then, we did a three hour tour of the battlefield, beginning at Winstead Hill and ending at the Carter House. During the tour he and I had an ongoing discussion about the ebb and flow of the battle, and at one point Ed joked that I was in effect channeling Jacob Cox. (He was right, of course). That evening there was a formal dinner at which all the participants took the opportunity to chat with Ed, who, as always, was voluble and friendly.
Below is a treasured photo of Ed and me outside the Carter House that day.
GENE SCHMIEL, CIVIL WAR HISTORIAN, AUTHOR, AND LECTURER 