Rich Condon
@richcondon.bsky.social
| Historian | Researcher | Writer | Yinzer |
| Civil War and Reconstruction Era |
*Opinions shared here are my own*
| Civil War and Reconstruction Era |
*Opinions shared here are my own*
There’s been no shortage of hardships and hostility endured by National Park Service staff and civil servants across the board. This year has been especially challenging, and has tested the limits of our emotional and mental health.
Reports revealed that National Park Service superintendents are being pressured to grade their staff lower during performance reviews. This policy could make staff layoffs easier after NPS has already been decimated by mass firings & pressured buyouts.
https://wapo.st/44qNWiy
https://wapo.st/44qNWiy
Park Service orders changes to staff ratings, a move experts call illegal
Lower performance ratings could be used as a factor in layoff decisions and will demoralize staff, advocates say.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:55 PM
There’s been no shortage of hardships and hostility endured by National Park Service staff and civil servants across the board. This year has been especially challenging, and has tested the limits of our emotional and mental health.
The remains of Fort Negley offer a panoramic view of the sprawling Nashville battlefield, including Peach Orchard Hill, which can be seen in the distance.
December 16, 2025 at 10:21 PM
The remains of Fort Negley offer a panoramic view of the sprawling Nashville battlefield, including Peach Orchard Hill, which can be seen in the distance.
One of my favorite Civil War-era photographs was taken shortly after the capture of Fort McAllister outside of Savannah in December 1864, as Union troops relieved the fort of its armaments and ammunition.
December 14, 2025 at 11:51 PM
One of my favorite Civil War-era photographs was taken shortly after the capture of Fort McAllister outside of Savannah in December 1864, as Union troops relieved the fort of its armaments and ammunition.
Receiving holiday ethics emails from the current administration:
a man in a red uniform and hat is smiling .
ALT: a man in a red uniform and hat is smiling .
media.tenor.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Receiving holiday ethics emails from the current administration:
If you’re cold, they’re cold. Bring a ranger inside.
December 9, 2025 at 9:29 PM
If you’re cold, they’re cold. Bring a ranger inside.
We’re in the home stretch of Autumn 2025 - wrapping up two term papers over the next three days.
This tallboy never tasted better.
This tallboy never tasted better.
December 8, 2025 at 10:23 PM
We’re in the home stretch of Autumn 2025 - wrapping up two term papers over the next three days.
This tallboy never tasted better.
This tallboy never tasted better.
Visiting Antietam National Battlefield on this 160th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment carries a weight not lost on the soldiers who fought here.
December 7, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Visiting Antietam National Battlefield on this 160th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment carries a weight not lost on the soldiers who fought here.
You know you’ve made it when eBay vendors are citing your work to sell related historical ephemera.
December 5, 2025 at 4:27 PM
You know you’ve made it when eBay vendors are citing your work to sell related historical ephemera.
The Cranberry Eagle caught me in some sort of ranting historical ministry moment.
www.cranberryeagle.com/2025/12/01/e...
www.cranberryeagle.com/2025/12/01/e...
December 2, 2025 at 11:57 PM
The Cranberry Eagle caught me in some sort of ranting historical ministry moment.
www.cranberryeagle.com/2025/12/01/e...
www.cranberryeagle.com/2025/12/01/e...
On December 2, 1859 John Brown was executed in Charles Town, Virginia for his role in leading an attack on the US Arsenal at Harpers Ferry in the name of Black liberation.
“Was John Brown simply an episode, or was he an eternal truth? And if a truth, how speaks that truth today?”
-W.E.B. Du Bois
“Was John Brown simply an episode, or was he an eternal truth? And if a truth, how speaks that truth today?”
-W.E.B. Du Bois
December 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
On December 2, 1859 John Brown was executed in Charles Town, Virginia for his role in leading an attack on the US Arsenal at Harpers Ferry in the name of Black liberation.
“Was John Brown simply an episode, or was he an eternal truth? And if a truth, how speaks that truth today?”
-W.E.B. Du Bois
“Was John Brown simply an episode, or was he an eternal truth? And if a truth, how speaks that truth today?”
-W.E.B. Du Bois
Me: *dramatically complains of sore throat*
Wife: “don’t worry, you can’t die of a sore throat”
Me: *gestures at casualty list*
Wife: “don’t worry, you can’t die of a sore throat”
Me: *gestures at casualty list*
November 28, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Me: *dramatically complains of sore throat*
Wife: “don’t worry, you can’t die of a sore throat”
Me: *gestures at casualty list*
Wife: “don’t worry, you can’t die of a sore throat”
Me: *gestures at casualty list*
It’s been a long year, but we’re thankful for many things today. Sending love to you and yours this holiday season.
Now go nap.
Now go nap.
November 28, 2025 at 12:09 AM
It’s been a long year, but we’re thankful for many things today. Sending love to you and yours this holiday season.
Now go nap.
Now go nap.
Home for the next two weeks. Here’s to the final stretch of the Fall 2025 semester.
November 27, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Home for the next two weeks. Here’s to the final stretch of the Fall 2025 semester.
How are we only 10 months in? 🤦🏻♂️
November 21, 2025 at 2:22 AM
How are we only 10 months in? 🤦🏻♂️
The annual @gettysburgcollege.bsky.social Fortenbaugh Lecture never fails to bring generations of historians together in one room.
Last night’s gathering was no different, presenting the opportunity to chat with some of those who have inspired my work thus far.
Last night’s gathering was no different, presenting the opportunity to chat with some of those who have inspired my work thus far.
November 20, 2025 at 10:28 PM
The annual @gettysburgcollege.bsky.social Fortenbaugh Lecture never fails to bring generations of historians together in one room.
Last night’s gathering was no different, presenting the opportunity to chat with some of those who have inspired my work thus far.
Last night’s gathering was no different, presenting the opportunity to chat with some of those who have inspired my work thus far.
Many thanks to my friends at the Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table for always being such gracious hosts
November 18, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Many thanks to my friends at the Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table for always being such gracious hosts
As we all watch Ken Burn’s American Revolution on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) this evening, remember that federal funding for this public programming has been cut by a president who aspires to be like the king patriots separated from nearly 250 years ago.
November 17, 2025 at 3:34 AM
As we all watch Ken Burn’s American Revolution on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) this evening, remember that federal funding for this public programming has been cut by a president who aspires to be like the king patriots separated from nearly 250 years ago.
Fife and drum echo through the streets while reenactors roam the town and pickup trucks zip to and fro. All the while our little section on the first day’s battlefield remains serene.
This is Remembrance Day weekend in Gettysburg.
This is Remembrance Day weekend in Gettysburg.
November 15, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Fife and drum echo through the streets while reenactors roam the town and pickup trucks zip to and fro. All the while our little section on the first day’s battlefield remains serene.
This is Remembrance Day weekend in Gettysburg.
This is Remembrance Day weekend in Gettysburg.
Same paper. Same bullshit. Different year.
The Baltimore Sun:
November 14, 2025 ➡️ April 17, 1857
The Baltimore Sun:
November 14, 2025 ➡️ April 17, 1857
November 15, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Same paper. Same bullshit. Different year.
The Baltimore Sun:
November 14, 2025 ➡️ April 17, 1857
The Baltimore Sun:
November 14, 2025 ➡️ April 17, 1857
Welcome back, my fellow formerly furloughed friends.
We just survived the longest government shutdown in United States history. Today marks our return to the places we belong, and to the mission which we took an oath to execute.
And remember - be kind to yourselves.
We just survived the longest government shutdown in United States history. Today marks our return to the places we belong, and to the mission which we took an oath to execute.
And remember - be kind to yourselves.
November 13, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Welcome back, my fellow formerly furloughed friends.
We just survived the longest government shutdown in United States history. Today marks our return to the places we belong, and to the mission which we took an oath to execute.
And remember - be kind to yourselves.
We just survived the longest government shutdown in United States history. Today marks our return to the places we belong, and to the mission which we took an oath to execute.
And remember - be kind to yourselves.
I’ve been called a lot of things throughout my life. “Your Local News Source” is not one of them.
November 13, 2025 at 3:56 AM
I’ve been called a lot of things throughout my life. “Your Local News Source” is not one of them.
In the first few episodes of the new James A. Garfield miniseries, Black Grand Army members are getting more screen time than they ever have in cinema, let alone any Grand Army veterans.
In exploring history, Death by Lightning is *making* history.
In exploring history, Death by Lightning is *making* history.
November 12, 2025 at 9:32 PM
In the first few episodes of the new James A. Garfield miniseries, Black Grand Army members are getting more screen time than they ever have in cinema, let alone any Grand Army veterans.
In exploring history, Death by Lightning is *making* history.
In exploring history, Death by Lightning is *making* history.
Furlough Day XLII:
Term papers are due in one month. Here’s to the home stretch.
Term papers are due in one month. Here’s to the home stretch.
November 12, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Furlough Day XLII:
Term papers are due in one month. Here’s to the home stretch.
Term papers are due in one month. Here’s to the home stretch.
Furlough Day XXXVII:
November 6, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Furlough Day XXXVII: