New Book is Out!

Okay folks, the time has come.  My newest book has just arrived! You can purchase it here: Deeds Publishing    Amazon has the Kindle version.  Get'em while they last! ;)

Good News!!!

Well, I am just about finished compiling my research.  Other than the VA Pension records it is all in.  Turns out that Vickers was far more complex than I first thought-soldier, diplomat (with some renown), and businessman (both in Chile and in Idaho).  He blew at numerous inheritances and was married twice-at the same time, it turns out! His last years were quite rough as he was bedridden with heart and liver disease.

His rather bizarre actions for the rest of his life after the war are quite interesting.  The key question is how much did his time as a POW during the Civil War impact his post-war behavior?  I have yet to determine that to my satisfaction.

Hopefully in the next few weeks I can sort that all out.  I have almost none of his writings and no letters of his.  Quite a bit different that Robinett as his letters were a window into his soul.

Update of Vickers Research

Things are moving along but not as well as I would like.  I have been pouring through the records from the National Archives and can now paint of when/where picture of his Civil War experiences.  I am still waiting for the VA pension records to arrive; they sure are SLOW!

I am drawing a blank trying to locate any personal records/letters of his having received no response from anyone associated with any Vickers gemological groups.

Two very positive notes:  Clyde Tinklepaugh PMC '71 has agreed to help me by combing the records in Wilmington and Camden.  Clyde is very active in organizing and categorizing PMC artifacts for the PMC Museum and is on the Museum Committee as well.

I addition I will be working with Janet Burkitt a freelance writer, editor, and historical researcher who has access to the NARA archives at College Park, MD.  That is where the State Department records from the period reside.

That is about it for now.

Keep History Alive!
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David Vickers & the Army

Well I did a good bit of work on Vicker's military records this weekend.  Twice he seems to have a bit of conflict with his superiors and the War Department.  The first was before his capture, while a Captain when he attempted to resign.  His resignation was refused and his commanding officer recommended a dishonorable discharge.  That is all I have on found so far about his.  Hopefully I can find some family papers that will reveal more.

The second was after his release from captivity.  It appears as if he desired a promotion to Colonel and command of his regiment (4th NJ Vols.).  A series of telegrams and letters flowed about his exact condition upon promotion.  Was he an exchanged or paroled officer?  If he was exchanged then the promotion was valid, if not, it was not.  The War Department determined he was an exchanged prisoner not paroled and the promotion was denied.  I will look into this in greater detail in the upcoming weeks.

I am still on the lookout for any family geniological organizations nor any of his descendants yet.

Keep History Alive!
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Let the New Year Begin!

I just received word that AMU has, once again, approved my research grant for 2010!

So, David Vickers Jr. of Camden, NJ. Vickers is another interesting cadet from DMA, you are my project for this year! He was in the 3rd and 4th New Jersey Volunteers and was eventually captured at Spotsylvania Court House, take to Macon, GA and Camp Oglethorpe. When Sherman’s forces approached, he was moved to Camp Sorghum near Columbia, SC. He was brevetted to brigadier general in 1865 and after the war served as a diplomat in Cuba. During the Spanish American war he was an inspector general. Upon his death his will was contested by a second wife from Chile. He should make for a very interesting story.