CWW: Do you have any projects in the works for the future that
you can share with the readers?
Brian: I have several projects in various stages of completion.
I am editing the diary of a young woman who visited Custer's 7th Cavalry
in Kansas in 1870, and later married one of the officers, who died at Little
Bighorn. This was published in a limited edition some years ago, and I am
reworking it. I also have a Civil War diary of an officer of the US Regulars, that I am editing. And my longterm project, nearly 20 years now, a "new" regimental history of the 5th NY -- about a third written, the rest in detailed outline form -- I work on it a little every day.
CWW: What is the accomplishment, honor or award that you have
received that you are most proud of?
Brian: I think that to be able to pass on something of an interest
and passion for the past, for the lives of those 19th century people who
risked and suffered and gave so much, is the greatest honor, as it is born
of a devotion to their memories. To be able to work on documentaries -- which I think for better or worse reach more people today than books do -- has
been a rewarding experience for me. But any personal honors that I might
receive are secondary to being able to do what I can to inspire the people
of today -- especially young people -- so that they realize how fascinating
History is -- how much it is biography -- that it is not at all boring or
dull, but is about life, and lives. And I would put battlefield preservation,
and my efforts in that cause, right up there with the educational aspect.
CWW: Who are your favorite Civil War authors?
Brian: I really enjoy reading the words of the soldiers themselves
more than any modern-day authors, though certainly there are many fine examples
of the latter, with Harry Pfanz's books on Gettysburg my personal favorites.
But I keep coming back to the words of those who lived through that epic
and tragic time. The people of the Civil War era were among the most literate
in our country's history -- I would contend the most literate, actually --
and there is an inexhaustible literature of the War, by those who experienced
it. And much of it is in archival or private collections, waiting to be explored.
Among the published works I value are Chamberlain's "Passing of the Armies,"
Livermore's "Days and Events," Carter's "Four Brothers in Blue," Lyman's
"Meade's Headquarters." Wainwright's "Diary of Battle," Alexander's "Fighting
for the Confederacy," Howard's "Recollections of a Maryland Confederate Soldier"
and Wise's "The End of an Era" -- just to mention a few off the top of my
head. My interest is primarily centered on the Army of the Potomac and its
campaigns -- thus Eastern Theater --- and with something of a Federal bias,
I admit (though I do believe the Army of Northern Virginia was the finest
army this country has ever seen).
Of course the Western Theater also produced many fine diarists and authors
of memoirs. I would also note that wonderful book, "Corporal Si Klegg and
his Pard," by Colonel Wilbur F. Hinman. I put it right up there with Billings'
"Hardtack and Coffee" for soldier life content.
CWW: Who is your favorite illustrator, or favorite three if
one is too difficult to choose?
Brian: Well, of the modern day artists I would say Don Troiani
-- of course I worked with him on his book of Civil War art. I also have
assisted in research for Keith Rocco, Rick Reeves and sculptor Ron Tunison,
among others. Of the period artists, I would say Waud, Homer and Sheppard
are among my favorites.
CWW: I understand you are the commander of the 5th New York
Volunteer Infantry "Duryee's Zouaves," do you prefer living histories over
battle reenactments or vice versa and why?
Brian: Having been involved in living history on a regular basis
since 1978, I have come to value the encampments, drills, camp demonstrations
and interfacing with the public -- in order to educate -- more than the battle
reenactments. That is not to say that the epic scale of some of the latter
is not awe-inspiring -- it truly is. But the historical lessons of company
and battalion drill are invaluable when it comes to getting some sense of
what the soldiers were writing about in their letters, or the commanders
in their reports. Thus it is a vital ingredient, that sense of soldier experience
and tactics, when it comes to reading or writing about the Civil War. And
I really enjoy doing company drill, the bayonet exercise, and that complex
choreography of battalion drill --- a real education for me.
CWW: What reenactment stands out most in your mind and why?
Brian: I would have to say that among many memories over the
last 21 years, the 125th Gettysburg event was the one that had the most awesome,
spine-tingling sensations --- especially watching the Confederate lines advance
during the July 3rd scenario. None of us had ever seen anything like that
before -- hence its power.
CWW: Of Civil War personalties, whom do you admire the most
that fought for the South? North?
Brian: Oh, there were so many, it is hard to place one above
the other -- so many heroes, they are an inspiration. Even as a kid I admired
Hancock, and still do. On the Confederate side, I think Cleburne was exceptional.
While Joshua Chamberlain has become something of a cliche, since "Killer
Angels" and the Movie -- and now some authors are busily trying to "debunk"
him -- he remains a great hero of mine. I first read of Chamberlain when
I was about 11 or 12 years old, in Pullen's history of the 20th Maine, and
then read "Passing of the Armies" -- and I consider him a truly great figure
of timeless example and worth -- far beyond that one day at Little Round
Top. His postwar view of the War and its lessons are deeply profound -- while
it may seem florid or overwrought to some, I find his words almost Biblical
in their spiritual value. Over time, though, I find it difficult to place
anyone above the other. The humble soldier in the ranks, pack on his back
and musket in hand, fighting for beliefs born of idealism -- those were the
greatest heroes.
CWW: Do you have any advice for future Civil War authors?
Brian: The more research the better, of course. Don't start
writing until you have done your best to exhaust the sources -- and make
good use of letters and diaries -- the closer to the War the better -- in
addition to the memoirs, the regimentals, the ORs, and so forth. And don't
neglect to delve into the service, pension and regimental files at the National
Archives. One could spend a lifetime there and never tap out the material.
Vivid personal accounts are a must, and a knowledge of the weaponry and tactics
is also vital. There are so many great stories waiting to be told -- one
need not be an academic or a published author to undertake an article, monograph
or book. All that matters is an interest, a zeal, and a willingness to do
the research, the detective work, that is so much a part of historical inquiry.
CWW: What battle or Civil War topic would you most like to see
a movie or film made of?
Brian: Here again there are many possibilities. I think something
on the Irish Brigade would be good -- colorful, personality oriented, lots
of battle content, a spiritual and patriotic complexity, and so on. I would
very much like to see a "Saving Pvt. Ryan" type of grit and realism to the
battle scenes in future CW films. Another good topic would be a film on John
S. Mosby and his Partisan Rangers. It would be eminently do-able without
a cast of thousands, and would be a great story.
The