The Lost Texts of Gettysburg
I meant to post this back in July, when user Shadow9216 over at CWT put up a series of posts (in sesquicentennial real-time!) of long-lost text-messages sent between military commanders during the Battle of Gettysburg. You can read the series here. Here’s the chatter between the Confederate high command on the evening of July 1:
BobLee: : -) Longstrt: srsly tho, how U fight in morning? BobLee: dunno, but best men scouting now Longstrt: Stuart back? Didn't kno that... BobLee: Not Stuart. Longstrt: cuz U sed best so I guess that wuz Stuart BobLee: Give it a rest dude Longstrt: U shud like totes courtmartial his srry @zz
BobLee: ZZZZ Longstrt: fine do wat u want. Picketts here Longstrt: later boss dude. BobLee: l8r P33T. C U in morning.
Salliesboy1863: PICKETT IN DA HOUSE! Salliesboy1863: Rollin up w/my boyz from viginia Lo: There's an R george. Salliesboy1863: do wut now? Lo: There's an R in Virginia Salliesboy1863: wut-evr dude. thats why i hav U. Lo: um hmm. btw, salliesboy1863= srsly lame jimkemper_spkr.va: srsly Lo, U tell him Salliesboy1863: riiiiight Jim URs is soooo better fremantle_a_mil.uk: I say what is the proper format for fremantle_a_mil.uk: one who wishes to have a decent, that is fremantle_a_mil.uk: an acceptable means of identifying oneself fremantle_a_mil.uk: on these devices? Salliesboy1863: OMFG! Lo: dude, R U ever a n00b! jimkemper_spkr.va: WTF? Who brought in this l00zr? Longstrt: dudes, chillax. he's a bro from the UK aight? BobLee: anyone seen my cavalry?
Dead Confederates, A Civil War Era Blog 
Very, very funny. You know, Andy, so much of this CW stuff is so damn serious. Or maybe it’s just that we make it serious. But it’s nice to have a good laugh once in a while. Thanks.
This is the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time–I’m going to check out the whole series now!
The “Real Confederate Housewives” is a scream.
I was just looking at that! Looks like the webpage is brand new; I’ve already favorited it–there’s sure to be more good stuff to come. Thanks for posting this, Andy, my sides are hurting now but it’s a good kind of hurt!
This and no review of 12 Years a Slave?…
Haven’t seen it yet. May or may not write about it then.
jimkemper_spkr.va: i feel fine. I dont want to go on the cart.
Thanks, Andy. I needed that.
Effin’ brilliant. As were the other posts on that site. I hope there will be more to follow.
Salliesboy! LMAO!
About a year ago we (the Battle of Galveston Sesqui Committee) toyed with the idea of doing a series of trash-talking tweets between Magruder and Renshaw, leading up the battle. It didn’t come off for a variety of reasons, but it still seems like a fun idea.
And of course, there was that other attempt at concise communication at Gettysburg, 1863:
http://norvig.com/Gettysburg/index.htm
It’s been around for a while, but seems appropriate for the day. Be sure to “Click here to start” or download the PPT presentation itself.
Very, very funny, especially AL’s introduction, thanking Wills, etc. Last week, I went to a RT in Zeeland (MI) and the program was delayed for about 30 minutes while they got the Power Point presentation working. Seems the professor from Michigan State had created it on a MAC and the equipment in the room would only work with Windows. Dr. Rosentretter was saying such as, “I’ve never had this problem before.” 3 or 4 members are trying to “help,” make suggestions, “try this,” etc. Finally, I suggested to one of them that they go find one of the librarians (the meeting was in the library) and that I bet she could figure it out in about 3 minutes. Actually it took her 5 (she had to go find the correct adapter). I know, I know — no CW content. LOL
My daughter is a fan of the “Real Housewives …” shows, and when I posted a link to that on Facebook, she was beside herself with giggles!