Rich Condon
@richcondon.bsky.social
| Historian | Researcher | Writer | Yinzer |
| Civil War and Reconstruction Era |
*Opinions shared here are my own*
| Civil War and Reconstruction Era |
*Opinions shared here are my own*
Many thanks to my friends at the Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table for always being such gracious hosts
November 18, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Many thanks to my friends at the Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table for always being such gracious hosts
As we all watch Ken Burn’s American Revolution on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) this evening, remember that federal funding for this public programming has been cut by a president who aspires to be like the king patriots separated from nearly 250 years ago.
November 17, 2025 at 3:34 AM
As we all watch Ken Burn’s American Revolution on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) this evening, remember that federal funding for this public programming has been cut by a president who aspires to be like the king patriots separated from nearly 250 years ago.
Fife and drum echo through the streets while reenactors roam the town and pickup trucks zip to and fro. All the while our little section on the first day’s battlefield remains serene.
This is Remembrance Day weekend in Gettysburg.
This is Remembrance Day weekend in Gettysburg.
November 15, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Fife and drum echo through the streets while reenactors roam the town and pickup trucks zip to and fro. All the while our little section on the first day’s battlefield remains serene.
This is Remembrance Day weekend in Gettysburg.
This is Remembrance Day weekend in Gettysburg.
Same paper. Same bullshit. Different year.
The Baltimore Sun:
November 14, 2025 ➡️ April 17, 1857
The Baltimore Sun:
November 14, 2025 ➡️ April 17, 1857
November 15, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Same paper. Same bullshit. Different year.
The Baltimore Sun:
November 14, 2025 ➡️ April 17, 1857
The Baltimore Sun:
November 14, 2025 ➡️ April 17, 1857
Welcome back, my fellow formerly furloughed friends.
We just survived the longest government shutdown in United States history. Today marks our return to the places we belong, and to the mission which we took an oath to execute.
And remember - be kind to yourselves.
We just survived the longest government shutdown in United States history. Today marks our return to the places we belong, and to the mission which we took an oath to execute.
And remember - be kind to yourselves.
November 13, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Welcome back, my fellow formerly furloughed friends.
We just survived the longest government shutdown in United States history. Today marks our return to the places we belong, and to the mission which we took an oath to execute.
And remember - be kind to yourselves.
We just survived the longest government shutdown in United States history. Today marks our return to the places we belong, and to the mission which we took an oath to execute.
And remember - be kind to yourselves.
I’ve been called a lot of things throughout my life. “Your Local News Source” is not one of them.
November 13, 2025 at 3:56 AM
I’ve been called a lot of things throughout my life. “Your Local News Source” is not one of them.
In the first few episodes of the new James A. Garfield miniseries, Black Grand Army members are getting more screen time than they ever have in cinema, let alone any Grand Army veterans.
In exploring history, Death by Lightning is *making* history.
In exploring history, Death by Lightning is *making* history.
November 12, 2025 at 9:32 PM
In the first few episodes of the new James A. Garfield miniseries, Black Grand Army members are getting more screen time than they ever have in cinema, let alone any Grand Army veterans.
In exploring history, Death by Lightning is *making* history.
In exploring history, Death by Lightning is *making* history.
Furlough Day XLII:
Term papers are due in one month. Here’s to the home stretch.
Term papers are due in one month. Here’s to the home stretch.
November 12, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Furlough Day XLII:
Term papers are due in one month. Here’s to the home stretch.
Term papers are due in one month. Here’s to the home stretch.
Furlough Day XXXVII:
November 6, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Furlough Day XXXVII:
He was found days later on the edge of town where “he had laid himself down to die. In his hands … was an ambrotype containing the portrait of three small children … two boys and a girl.”
November 5, 2025 at 11:40 PM
He was found days later on the edge of town where “he had laid himself down to die. In his hands … was an ambrotype containing the portrait of three small children … two boys and a girl.”
Thirty-three year old Sergeant Amos Humiston, 154th New York Infantry, carried a copy of this photograph into action on July 1, 1863. Within minutes of his arrival here, Humiston numbered with the dead of Gettysburg.
November 5, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Thirty-three year old Sergeant Amos Humiston, 154th New York Infantry, carried a copy of this photograph into action on July 1, 1863. Within minutes of his arrival here, Humiston numbered with the dead of Gettysburg.
As I’ve done countless times since the start of the shutdown, I stepped out of the house for a few minutes to walk my backyard battlefield; this time with a tangible piece of history, and a window into the human spirit.
November 5, 2025 at 11:40 PM
As I’ve done countless times since the start of the shutdown, I stepped out of the house for a few minutes to walk my backyard battlefield; this time with a tangible piece of history, and a window into the human spirit.
Furlough Day XXXVI:
November 5, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Furlough Day XXXVI:
Furlough Day XXXV:
This evening we cast our vote on the Gettysburg battlefield, where soldiers of the US Army’s 11th Corps fought for a “new birth of freedom.”
Everything currently sucks, but at least we have democracy (for now).
This evening we cast our vote on the Gettysburg battlefield, where soldiers of the US Army’s 11th Corps fought for a “new birth of freedom.”
Everything currently sucks, but at least we have democracy (for now).
November 5, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Furlough Day XXXV:
This evening we cast our vote on the Gettysburg battlefield, where soldiers of the US Army’s 11th Corps fought for a “new birth of freedom.”
Everything currently sucks, but at least we have democracy (for now).
This evening we cast our vote on the Gettysburg battlefield, where soldiers of the US Army’s 11th Corps fought for a “new birth of freedom.”
Everything currently sucks, but at least we have democracy (for now).
Furlough Day XXXIV:
When family is in town to Devil’s Den we go down.
When family is in town to Devil’s Den we go down.
November 4, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Furlough Day XXXIV:
When family is in town to Devil’s Den we go down.
When family is in town to Devil’s Den we go down.
1990-2025:
Different pumpkin onesie. Same anxiety.
Different pumpkin onesie. Same anxiety.
November 1, 2025 at 12:03 AM
1990-2025:
Different pumpkin onesie. Same anxiety.
Different pumpkin onesie. Same anxiety.
Furlough Day XXXI:
Happy Halloween, yinz. 🎃
Happy Halloween, yinz. 🎃
October 31, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Furlough Day XXXI:
Happy Halloween, yinz. 🎃
Happy Halloween, yinz. 🎃
Furlough Day XXX:
October 30, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Furlough Day XXX:
Walking the streets of Gettysburg in October:
October 25, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Walking the streets of Gettysburg in October:
Furlough Day XXIV:
The Catoctin Crew assembled for the first time since the start of the government shutdown.
An IC Light was in order.
The Catoctin Crew assembled for the first time since the start of the government shutdown.
An IC Light was in order.
October 25, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Furlough Day XXIV:
The Catoctin Crew assembled for the first time since the start of the government shutdown.
An IC Light was in order.
The Catoctin Crew assembled for the first time since the start of the government shutdown.
An IC Light was in order.
The stack is ever-growing.
October 22, 2025 at 11:17 PM
The stack is ever-growing.
Furlough Day XXII:
A morning battlefield walk, taking the farm lane less traveled.
A morning battlefield walk, taking the farm lane less traveled.
October 22, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Furlough Day XXII:
A morning battlefield walk, taking the farm lane less traveled.
A morning battlefield walk, taking the farm lane less traveled.
Furlough Day XXI:
A break from writing brings me back to the brickyard for a little reminder that things could always be worse.
A break from writing brings me back to the brickyard for a little reminder that things could always be worse.
October 21, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Furlough Day XXI:
A break from writing brings me back to the brickyard for a little reminder that things could always be worse.
A break from writing brings me back to the brickyard for a little reminder that things could always be worse.
Furlough Day XVI:
I was headed to Harper’s Ferry for the 166th anniversary observance of John Brown’s Raid.
An eight-point buck had other plans for me. 🤦🏻♂️
I was headed to Harper’s Ferry for the 166th anniversary observance of John Brown’s Raid.
An eight-point buck had other plans for me. 🤦🏻♂️
October 17, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Furlough Day XVI:
I was headed to Harper’s Ferry for the 166th anniversary observance of John Brown’s Raid.
An eight-point buck had other plans for me. 🤦🏻♂️
I was headed to Harper’s Ferry for the 166th anniversary observance of John Brown’s Raid.
An eight-point buck had other plans for me. 🤦🏻♂️