Blue & Gray’s 150th Issue

The publication of this issue not only completes our 25th year in business, but concurrently marks another milestone in the history of Blue & Gray—the publication of our 150th issue. We are very proud of this accomplishment. I have been blessed beyond all expectations in being able to serve you for the past 25 years.

I had just turned 30 when my late wife Robin and I decided that if we were ever going to do something crazy, and risk everything in attempting to turn a hobby into a living, that was the time to do it, while we were still young and could recover should disaster occur.

Because of you disaster did not occur, and I hereby raise my glass to you and the next 25 years. We get to do “Civil War” here all day, every day, so that we can deliver a quality publication to you, one that I like to think would make proud all of those who really did hear the guns of that war—the echoes of which we claim still to hear today.

I also think our philosophy of indepth treatments of battles and campaigns, as well as Civil War prisons, and historic events such as Lincoln’s visit to Gettysburg, came into its own during the last decade. The internet allows anyone to find brief descriptions of people, places and events with the touch of a button. Back in the ’80s, industry insiders considered “theme oriented” presentations to be the kiss of death.

Thanks to all of you who have joined the ranks of Blue & Gray readers and made it all possible, and a special Thank You to the charter subscribers who took a chance on us a quarter-century ago.

Because the cornerstone of Blue & Gray is battlefield exploring, it is fitting that the 150th issue is devoted to a preservation victory. Ten years ago the Richmond, Kentucky battlefield was little more than a few scattered state highway markers. Designated by Civil War Preservation Trust as one of the ten most endangered Civil War battlefields, it faced encroaching development.

The potential loss of this significant Civil War site caused a diverse group of local citizens to take on the common goal of preserving the battlefield, large parts of which are on U. S. Army property. Working in close cooperation with Madison County (Ky.) government officials and the Blue Grass Army Depot, and assisted by a donation from Civil War Preservation Trust, the group has preserved and interpreted large sections of the battlefield, created a first-class Visitor Center and Museum, and removed the site from the endangered list.

Apart from preserving and creating a superb tourism attraction, the efforts of Madison County are noteworthy. At a time when the prevailing trend is to rely upon Washington, DC to provide all the answers and solutions, the efforts of these local citizens to tackle a monumental project, and succeed, should serve as a shining example for other preservation groups.

editor