Comments on: Is the Richard Kirkland Story True?

By: Kevin Levin

Kevin Levin — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:00:39 +0000

Paul,

I do not know of any plans to dedicate a new statue at Fredericksburg.

By: Paul Thornton

Paul Thornton — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:55:42 +0000

Hello,
I note from the essay the following;

In 1965, a group comprising among others the states of South Carolina and Virginia, Collateral Descendents of Richard Kirkland, and the Richard Rowland Kirkland Memorial Foundation, erected a statue at Fredericksburg to the memory of Sergeant Kirkland of the Second South Carolina Volunteers.

Do we know if any plans are underway for something similar, perhaps much smaller, during the sesquicentennial in Fredericksburg also? Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

By: Kirkland– a hero or bandwagon? Evidence, memory, and public history « Mysteries and Conundrums

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:25:45 +0000

[...] start with the evidence. Some have postulated (see Michael Schaffner’s thoughtful post over at Civil War Memory) that the Kirkland story may have had its origins in a conscious post-war attempt to forge a [...]

By: A guest post from Mac Wyckoff: What we really know about Richard Kirkland, the Angel of Marye’s Heights: Part 1–Origins « Mysteries and Conundrums

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:00:25 +0000

[...] online debate about the historical basis of the Kirkland story (for example, see the dialogue at Civil War Memory), Mac has assembled and assessed virtually all known primary references to the story of Richard [...]

By: Dick Stanley

Dick Stanley — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:59:29 +0000

In the meantime, don’t miss the movie that enshrines the myth: http://www.theangelmovie.com/

By: Kevin Levin

Kevin Levin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:23:32 +0000

Thanks for taking the time to comment. You said: “There is no doubt in my mind that the story is exact and true.” Do you care to provide an interpretation of the available evidence that would justify such a conclusion?

By: Fr. Jack Kirkland Bradberry

Fr. Jack Kirkland Bradberry — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 03:35:31 +0000

Years ago, while living in North Carolina I journeyed to Camden to learn about Richard Rowland Kirkland. The librarian there gave me a copy of a poem, “The Angel of Mary’es Heights” about the exploits of Sgt. Kirkland. She told me at that time that there was a time in the south when every child in school had to recite the poem. I lost my copy, but did visit his grave. There is no doubt in my mind that the story is exact and true. Just want to comment.

By: Kevin Levin

Kevin Levin — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 22:48:17 +0000

I don’t think anyone who has a serious interest in historical research would disagree with your final point. The author of the article in question also concedes the point. That said, however we proceed the fundamental problem is that the earliest account of Kirkland was written in 1880. I also don’t really care whether the standard story of Kirkland is true because that question doesn’t really explain why it continues to have such a profound hold on so many people.

By: Dick Stanley

Dick Stanley — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 22:43:55 +0000

I’m glad I don’t have a dog in this fight (I don’t care whether the Kirkland story is true or not), but I must agree with the commenter who says the official reports aren’t always reliable. The old master Sheby Foote wrote something silly years ago when he said of the stuff in the O.R. “there you hear the real men speak.”

What you actually “hear” is the way the real men were taught to write, with all the expected formalities and omissions. Few were the officers on either side who were brave enough to contradict their commanders or write things he wouldn’t approve—not more than once. And so much of the Confederate material was lost, who could know what of what remains is reliable and what isn’t?

I also would quarrel with the idea of relying only on what’s available on the Web. Much primary material in state archives and university libraries (not to mention county historical societies) has yet to be digitized.

By: Mystery undone (and some mythbusting too): Clara Barton’s Fredericksburg hospitals « Mysteries and Conundrums

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:33:59 +0000

[...] seeing her at the time (she of course appears in many memoirs–just like Martha Stephens and Richard Kirkland). Still, we know enough about her movements to identify with certainty five buildings in town that [...]

By: Is that Martha Stephens? « Mysteries and Conundrums

Is that Martha Stephens? « Mysteries and Conundrums — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:45:29 +0000

[...] discussion of the Kirkland story, see Kevin Levin’s post and follow-up comments over at Civil War Memory). Martha’s differs in one respect: unlike Kirkland, who died at Chickamauga, she herself [...]

By: Tony Ziebol

Tony Ziebol — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:11:51 +0000

Hi Wade, I’d like a chance to speak to the Kirkland family for a book I’m writing. If you read this, please contact me at ziebolaj@hotmail.com

Thank you!