If I had a time machine...

[Becky Morgan]

Re: If I had a time machine...

Isn't that a neat thought? Eight hours a day in a cubicle or what have you, then a commute to 186-whatever every evening. It would do a lot for stress...except if the shooting got too close, that is. Also, knitting socks on the porch would be nice, but I'd best remember not to bring the bamboo needles and the ball of Lion Magic Stripes:)

[Silvana Siddali]

Re: If I had a time machine...

I'd really love to be able to go back and forth. That's kind of why I do this crazy hobby in the first place. I adore living the 19th century way of life but I enjoy my friends, family, and work, too. I don't think I could combine my modern job opportunities with the experience of living in the past. Though I agree that there wouldn't be much else I would miss -- not even the plumbing.

[VMurphy]

Re: If I had a time machine...

My thoughts would be to visit temporarily. But I also have questions as age...would I be the age I am now, or can I choose an age? If I have to be the age I am now, I'm pretty sure I would be dead...due to health issues. On the other hand, perhaps I wouldn't have had those health issues, because I would have been forced to do more physcial labor, walk much more and have perhaps a leaner diet.????

Would I be living in the same location...if so, I would most likely feel few effects of the war directly. My actions in helping with the cause would again depend on what age I would be :) most likely I would sitting on the porch knitting socks .

None the less, it's a great survey and fun to read others thoughts.

Regards
Vivian Murphy

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Re: If I had a time machine...

Not certain how the kind words of Mr. Beasley made it into this thread (one which I haven't followed), but it is just in luck that I happened to click on the last page of this thread and see his statement which Justin was kind enough to post.

Thanks to all those who have taken time out of their busy schedules to come visit Petersburg National Battlefield. I hope more of you will run into me, but more importantly, will hear about the acts of bravery, torture, courage, hatred, kindness and racism which all appeared in various actions during the 9.5 months (that's nearly 1/4 of the war, folks) of the campaign for Petersburg and Richmond.

[Justin Runyon]

Re: If I had a time machine...

Posted for Dale Beasly, He's having some posting issues.

"On the way back from Ft. Lee, Virginia the other day, my Unit and I stopped by Petersburg to see 'The Crater" Much to our plesent surprise Emmanuel Dabney was there leading the tour. How lucky we were. The Soldiers really enjoyed Emmanuels presentation very much."


Glenn D. Beasley, Jr. RN
LTC, USAR
S-4, 4010th US ARMY HOSPITAL

[JLHurst]

Re: If I had a time machine...

I see that along with my vote (temporarily in wartime) I am requested to include a reason. Well, It's rather personal, but my family has some unfinished business from the war that I have spent considerable time and money (hired reseachers etc.) trying to resolve. I would give anything to be able to go back then and look certain time and places up to ah, sort of straighten some things out.
I wasn't going to mention this but you asked.

Sic semper tyrannis? Just wondering. . .

[EVOC]

Re: If I had a time machine...

You know, the more I think about it, the more I feel that I'd probably need my modern medications back in the 19th century. I can make do without modern conveinences such as electricity, running water, modern indoor plumbing, modern foods, etc. but the general health situation in th 19th century was apalling in regard to infection and disease. Even a common, small cut could kill you if it got the wound infected badly enough.

I have a crappy stomach and all the salt in foods to preserve them would make my stomach go into jitters. I'd need some Maalox there (or at worse drink lots of milk, then I'd have to have a cow around due to no common refrigeration). Also, how about some modern Tylenol, because asprin or even period salycilic acid-based pain relievers would do the same to my stomach as the above salt situation.

I wear contacts, so I'd have to have a pair of glasses made for my prescription back then.

Other than the above considerations, I think I'd be fine in the 19th century... couldn't be worse living there than in Iraq. ;)

-Johnny Lloyd

If you could take some modern medicine with you, then you might get patents for it and make yourself a billionaire. And the FDA would not be around to make you wait 14 years to sell the drugs while people are dropping dead. Be sure to include penicillen to my Uncle Bill in the Princeton Hospital (AR). He died from lead posioning.

[Bummer]

Re: If I had a time machine...

I see that along with my vote (temporarily in wartime) I am requested to include a reason. Well, It's rather personal, but my family has some unfinished business from the war that I have spent considerable time and money (hired reseachers etc.) trying to resolve. I would give anything to be able to go back then and look certain time and places up to ah, sort of straighten some things out.
I wasn't going to mention this but you asked.

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: If I had a time machine...

You know, the more I think about it, the more I feel that I'd probably need my modern medications back in the 19th century. I can make do without modern conveinences such as electricity, running water, modern indoor plumbing, modern foods, etc. but the general health situation in th 19th century was apalling in regard to infection and disease. Even a common, small cut could kill you if it got the wound infected badly enough.

I have a crappy stomach and all the salt in foods to preserve them would make my stomach go into jitters. I'd need some Maalox there (or at worse drink lots of milk, then I'd have to have a cow around due to no common refrigeration). Also, how about some modern Tylenol, because asprin or even period salycilic acid-based pain relievers would do the same to my stomach as the above salt situation.

I wear contacts, so I'd have to have a pair of glasses made for my prescription back then.

Other than the above considerations, I think I'd be fine in the 19th century... couldn't be worse living there than in Iraq. ;)

-Johnny Lloyd

[JLHurst]

Re: If I had a time machine...

I think it would be fascinating also to go back and hear the different accents and dialects. Some things you just can't completely get from studying the past.

Come to Louisiana, they haven't changed much at all.
Where's my coona** Jamie Barr when I need him.

[DougCooper]

Re: If I had a time machine...

True, but if you could use what you know about the period now and show the people of the period the horrible consequences of their actions, then they might listen... or still might not...

What's the hurt in trying? ;)

-Johnny

As Winston Churchill said, the "American Civil War was the least avoidable conflict ever fought up to that time in history."

[Dale Beasley]

Re: If I had a time machine...

I did not have a time mahcine yesterday, but I did stand in the room where General Jackson died, listening to the same clock tick, I was there. The country between Fredricksburg and Bowling Green Virginia is a very beautiful place.

[MoKan]

Re: If I had a time machine...

I think it would be fascinating also to go back and hear the different accents and dialects. Some things you just can't completely get from studying the past.

Scott M. Bryant

[Dale Beasley]

Re: If I had a time machine...

On a Staff Ride to Marys Heights yesterday, this thread popped into my brain.

From: Ft A.P. Hill,... have a good day.

[Parault]

Re: If I had a time machine...

Minutae like this fascinates me when it comes to history. I'm still fully-convinced George Washington had a British-sounding accent.

-Johnny Lloyd

Johnny I have always felt that way. The fledging United States was not far removed from the British Empire.