Editor, The Herald:

Greetings from Seattle, WA. I have been enjoying your articles by Dr. Ray Gaskins on “In Their Own Words.”

My sister-in-law lives in Cumberland and forwards all your articles on Civil War items. I have been a buff since 1938 after visiting the 75th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg when I was 12 years old and met and talked to some of the veterans of that battle. Being a re-enactor since 1960 I fought in over 40 battles from first Bull Run to Appomattox, including Farmville in 65. On the actual battlefields starting as an artilleryman corporal and ending up as a general when John Spelling and Walter Williams, with their children, formed “The Confederate High Command” in an attempt to keep the spirit of the Confederacy alive. It has been a great experience over the years and am still active out here where I learned that many veterans of both sides came out here to work in the mines. I have spoken to several descendants of Confederate vets.

Just thought you might like knowing that your articles are being enjoyed this far away as I do pass the articles on to my fellow buffs.

Brigadier General Francis L. Adams

Seattle, WA