I find the older I get, I must have adult attention deficit disorder… either that, or I just get bored doing the same thing too long; better to bounce between several different projects to keep the mind fresh. On that note, while conducting research for my Cole’s Cavalry unit history project, I’ve also been compiling several years of my newspaper articles. The end result of this compilation will be volumes 3, 4, and 5 of Short Historical Sketches of Page County, Virginia and Its People. On top of that, I’m determined to push another project ahead as soon as the compilation is complete. You will notice in my blog header, there is a reference to the First World War… that wasn’t an accident. I have several letters that I am transcribing for a volume (or two) focused on Page County men in the First World War. The most significant part of this is a volume focused on the men of the 116th Infantry, 29th Division, BUT… the series of letters that I am compiling actually runs from the Mexican Crisis of 1917 through the time when the troops started returning to the States in 1919. There is some really fascinating stuff in there… and I really enjoy doing it because the First World War is so under-served. On top of that, I have had the good fortune to come into a rather significant collection of photos taken by (and/or collected by) my great-granduncle. He served on the USS Tutuila from 1928-1934… in a real version of The Sand Pebbles. So, I’m looking into identifying several of the other sailors in the photos. One of the nicest photos in this collection is a colorized version of the Tutuila entering Hsin Tan Rapid (30 miles above Ichang). Take a look…
Cenantua's Blog 
brian
March 25, 2010
Beautiful photo, Robert. I trust you’ll get them all online eventually!
Robert Moore
March 26, 2010
Thanks, Brian. I’m trying to figure out what I want to do with the collection. Set-up nicely, the collection in the photo album, supplemented by the awesome scrapbook stuff he also had… and with info from the ship’s log, it might make for a cool book. On the other hand, doing something with it online would give it a little more life. Who knows, this might be an opportunity to do a little of both.
John A. Miller
March 26, 2010
Robert I couldn’t agree with you more. I do find myself getting bored of the same ol same ol when it comes down to researching. Lately, like you, I find myself going back and forth on topics to keep my mind going. I was talking to the Franklin County Visitor Center and telling them not only do we have the 150th of the American Civil War, but also the 200th Celebration of the War of 1812 as well as the 100th Celebration of the Great War and all three are happening in the same time frame. Great War history is where I go to get away from the American Civil War. Take care Robert.
Robert Moore
March 26, 2010
Yes, I’m big on the 100th anniversary of the Great War. As I mentioned, so sadly under-served. There are some excellent exhibits available if you are interested. One is at the Woodrow Wilson BP in Staunton. They just opened it… and I need to go again to see it. The other is at the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico. But, the best is in Kansas, which I hope to see soon. Best movie about the war, in my opinion, is The Lost Battalion.
John A. Miller
March 26, 2010
Robert on a side note and I forgot to mention this in my post, I am doing a few things up here at Fort Ritchie and I noticed you mentioned the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division in Wolrd War One. Well in World War Two after Camp Ritchie was over to the Feds, Company B, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division was stationed at Camp Ritchie for various trainings in Military Intelligence. Thought I would share this with you.
Robert Moore
March 26, 2010
I’m not far from a major historical hub of the 29th Div… Staunton. I think the 29th is best remembered for the Second World War, but I’m much more interested in the 1st… for some reason that I can’t quite figure out. Just strikes a chord.
John A. Miller
March 26, 2010
I hear you Robert. I have some great militaria from the German side of World War One. It has always been interest to me. It’s still traditional, but yet modern and your right, it is under served. Two years ago, I had the chance to go to a church service and talk about the Chirstmas Truce, a dream of mine and it came true. After the sermon, every member of the church came up to me and said they never heard that sotry nor never read about it. Sad isn’t it? Take care my friend.
Robert Moore
March 26, 2010
I can imagine how that truce situation has been forgotten. I think I’ve seen it come up on History from time to time, but rare. Come to think of it, wasn’t there even a WWI series at one point? Too bad that don’t run that stuff instead of the other silly stuff… sorry, it’s a soapbox issue for me regarding the decline of the channel formerly known as the History Channel. 🙂
John A. Miller
March 27, 2010
Robert. The Military Channel airs on Fridays the documentary on World War One. I’ve been watching this for the last several months. I am going to order the First World War Doc. sometime here soon. Amazon has all 36 episodes on for DVD’s for around $35.00. I don’t want to advertise on your site, but to let you.
Robert Moore
March 29, 2010
I tell you what I’d really like to see… a series focused specifically on the A.E.F.