We’ve Lost One of the Giants of Civil War History

Like many of you out there I am sad to hear of the passing of Dr. James I. Robertson. He enjoyed a long and respectable career at Virginia Tech and touched many people with his passion for Civil War history in the classroom, on the radio, and on countless battlefield tours.

One of the first Civil War books I ever read was his biography of Stonewall Jackson. I was so impressed with the book at the time that I made it a point to meet him at a book signing at the Manassas battlefield.

In 2012 I was honored to have an essay of mine included in the Virginia at War series that he co-edited with William C. Davis.

I still love his response in this short video clip in which he is shown the Virginia textbook that included the claim that thousands of black men fought as soldiers with Jackson in 1862.

RIP, Dr. Robertson and thank you for enriching my understanding of American history.

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3 comments… add one
  • Carol Saldivar Nov 5, 2019 @ 9:24

    I feel the loss. The CW is my favorite era to learn as this area is full of CW history, and we have the Rock Island Arsenal to perpetuate that. This area was at one time considered Timbuktu as it was the farthest west outpost.

  • Neil Hamilton Nov 4, 2019 @ 18:36

    I enjoyed his lectures and the many informational videos he made on the Civil War and I trusted his facts completely. I will miss him and his wisdom.

  • John Kocher Nov 4, 2019 @ 8:23

    I have attended several of his lectures and he was terrific. Sad day!

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