Legendary Civil War historian Ed Bearss would love to get letters from those touched by his dedication to history, publisher says

Bearrs with former Georgia football coach Vince Dooley in 2009 (Georgia Battlefields Assn.)

[Sept. 17 update: Ed Bearss dies at 97]

Well into his 90s, Ed Bearss roamed Civil War battlefields, a stream of devotees hanging on to every word as the expert described what happened on that particular piece of hallowed ground.

As "History's Pied Piper," Edwin Cole Bearss has more than lived up to the title of Jack Waugh’s 2003 biography of the decorated Marine Corps veteran and National Park Service chief historian emeritus.

But Bearss now is no longer physically able to participate in tours, according to his publisher. Nearing 97, the gravel-voiced legend spends his time at his Virginia residence, according to Tom Broadfoot, whose publishing company has published numerous works written or edited by Bearss.  

[Updated Jan. 18 and 20: The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, said it wanted to tamp down concerns about Bearss' health, saying the historian this week spoke with CEO Keven Walker. "He was great; preparing for a trip and in good spirits," says the group. "The two are looking forward to getting together in a couple of weeks for their annual winter meeting, so things are business as usual. Ed appreciates the concern but would want everyone to know that he is just as ornery as ever and doing fine." Broadfoot later said he stands by his message.] 

In a message this week, Broadfoot asked fans of Bearss to send him letters, which Bearss’ caregiving daughter says “make his day.” Her father is hard of hearing, so phone calls and visits are not beneficial. Memories and photographs are.

“If your interest is the Civil War, Ed has contributed greatly to your interest,” the publisher wrote.

Broadfoot asked people to write to Bearss about books he authored, or a tour or speech he gave, or just to thank him for his service to his country and the NPS. Among his accomplishments with the agency was the discovery and raising of the USS Cairo in the 1960s, when Bearss was historian at Vicksburg National Military Park. The majority of the public came to know him from his appearance in Ken Burns' 1990 “The Civil War” series on PBS.

The historian is “the man whom people follow to learn about history in a way that no person or book or map or video or other medium can emulate,” says Charlie Crawford, president of the Georgia Battlefields Association.

Several Facebook pages devoted to the Civil War included fond remarks this week about his remarkable memory and presentations, with a touch of wistfulness as Bearrs steps back.

One commenter on Civil War Pittsburgh’s page wrote: "The man never used notes! He remembers everything! If you were on any of his tours you were lucky. We've been blessed with his wisdom, character and good humor."

Author and historian Eric J. Wittenberg posted Broadfoot's email on Wednesday.

"Rarely has one person who was not an emperor or entertainer touched the lives of so many people, one Facebook commenter on that page posted. "A true national treasure."

Another person wrote: "About 15 years ago, Ed gave me the best advice about the best way to learn about CW battles. He told me, 'Walk the ground little lady, walk the ground!’ That has served me well for many years."

In Athens, Ga., in March 2019 (GBA)

A 2005 Smithsonian Magazine article captured part of his spirit and panache:

"As he talks, Bearss marches back and forth, brandishing a silver-headed swagger stick, tucking it from time to time under his withered left arm -- a casualty of a bullet at a battlefield on the other side of the world in 1944. He keeps his eyes tightly closed while he lectures, and he later tells me that way he can see the events of 1863 unfolding before him."

Crawford told the Picket that Bearrs, known for his booming voice, led GBA’s March 2019 tour. The guide cut back on such appearances later in the year because of limitations, Crawford said.

In 2014, Crawford was interviewed for the documentary, “American Journey: The Life and Times of Ed Bearss.” The program concluded with this statement: Ed Bearss is sui generis -- one of a kind.

Letters, in 12 to 14 point or equivalent, can be sent to Bearss, who probably will not reply or sign books. Send them to Ed Bearss, 1126 17^th St. S, Arlington, Va. 22202

PBS show in a 'race against time' to find the exact location of Civil War prison

Chelsea Rose with artifact (Ann McGarry, Oregon Public Broadcasting)

PBS’ “Time Team America” wants viewers to feel like they are right alongside archaeologists bent over in trenches, dabbing sweat while digging for historical treasure.

Viewers better be prepared to move quickly.

Tuesday night’s one-hour episode on a Civil War prison in Georgia will adhere to the show’s format of a “race against time” – 72 hours to unearth “secrets” and structures that give context to what occurred at a site.

The six-member team’s aim is to find the original site of Camp Lawton, which housed 10,000 Union prisoners near the small railroad town of Millen. At least 750 of them died.

“What artifacts are buried beneath the ground and what do they tell us of the hellish experiences of the prisoners once held captive here?” a promotional release asks.

Archaeologists look for stockade wall evidence (Georgia Southern U,)

The “Time Team America” crew was on site for three days in October 2012, but the episode is being broadcast only now because of a delay in season two of the series, which also has a strong online audience.

To some degree, the cat is largely out of the bag on what’s been confirmed at Camp Lawton. While the Civil War Picket and other outlets have written about more recent discoveries and research, most Americans likely know very little, if anything, about the prison. And I saw several artifacts for the first time while watching the episode.

The show’s quick pace, of course, is not typical of most archaeological digs.

But the quest for discovery, combined with solid storytelling and compelling characters, does create drama as the team deals with successes, setbacks and a deadline.

"Time Team America" crew (Ann McGarry, Oregon Public Broadcasting)

The “Time Team America” team splits up to concentrate on certain aspects of the large, 42-acre site that straddles a Georgia state park and a former federal fish hatchery.

Their goals: To confirm the location of at least one stockade wall and a corner, excavate Confederate guard and Union prisoner artifacts, and to find a powder magazine and the compound’s front gate. They also want to determine the age of timbers found in a stream, possibly associated with the stockade. One member even built a replica prisoner shelter, or shebang, and spent the night on site.

Among the discoveries is a Union soldier’s brass frame to hold a photograph.

“It was such a profound artifact,” archaeologist Chelsea Rose says in one segment. “That picture frame could have been somebody’s kids or wife. Someone they thought they may never see again … It would be hope, it would be freedom, it would be everything that was sacred to you.”

Excavation in the prisoner area. (Ann McGarry, Oregon Public Broadcasting)

The episode includes animation of the wall and historical context about the prison, which was built to relieve overcrowding at Andersonville prison. Camp Lawton was quickly evacuated in late November 1864 when the March to the Sea from Atlanta to Savannah would mean certain liberation.

Archaeology students at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro for several years have conducted digs on the site. The findings of one, Kevin Chapman, contributed to further research and the 2010 announcement of significant finds at the site.

Lance Greene, an assistant professor overseeing the work, said GSU since the filming has since done a lot of work inside and outside the stockade. “In particular, we have done more excavations on two prisoners' huts and on one of the brick ovens inside the stockade.”

(Georgia Southern University)

The Camp Lawton Facebook page on Sunday said the school will soon begin updating its website with 3-D scans of artifacts.

“The scans and other information will begin appearing on the website soon. This is part of our effort to make information about Camp Lawton available to the public, not only in the region, but around the world."

Death, through 19th century eyes

Ric Burns' grim, gripping documentary "Death and the Civil War," which premieres on PBS on Sept.18, strongly suggests that the war's great charnel house not only changed society's view of war and death but helped create a new kind of nation as well. • Article

Burns' 'Civil War' reissued on DVD

Ken Burns’ 11-hour epic documentary “The Civil War” (PBS/Paramount, 1990, $99.99) is being reissued in a special edition commemorating the 150th anniversary of the mighty conflict that almost tore America apart forever. • Article

Special on Robert E. Lee airs Monday

According to the Los Angeles Times, PBS' "Robert E. Lee" sidesteps the myths of the Confederate general created by his hero-worshipers, instead finding an ambitious, tormented man reluctant to go to war who went on to cause and sustain major casualties. The 90-minute program airs Monday. A portrait of Ulysses S. Grant comes the following Monday. • Article

Ken Burns to lead Civil War tour

Filmmaker Ken Burns is partnering with the Tauck tour company to offer 2011 trips to national parks, Civil War sites and other destinations. Burns said his favorite Civil War sites are places where history is "not just excavating dry dates and facts ... but also listening to ghosts and echoes." • Article | Previous Burns article

Series looks at science of Crater tunnel

The tunnel that Union soldiers dug to blow a crater under Confederates at Petersburg, Va., is not usually juxtaposed with, say, the Great Wall of China. But the Battle of the Crater makes the cut in the new PBS series "Ground War," thanks to a professor who examines it from the perspective of a physicist. • Article

Missouri battle subject of PBS documentary

A Civil War battefield in Newtonia, Mo., will be the subject of a PBS documentary, with most of the filming taking place this week. About 100 reenactors will be in the town starting Thursday to film a documentary about a battle in 1862. • Article