Ed Bearss, Mr. Civil War-- Part 1: From Montana

From Wikipedia.

I decided to do some of Mr. Bearss' background before writing about what he said December 7, 2018 in Arlington Heights.

Born June 26, 1923, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of WW II, military historian and author known for his work in the Civil War and World War II eras.  Served as Chief Historian of the National Park Service from 1981 to 1985 and currently is Chief Historian Emeritus.

Born in Montana and grew up on his family's cattle ranch.  His father was a Marine in WW I and used to read accounts of military campaigns to his son.

He graduated from high school in May 1941 and hitchhiked around the United States visiting and visited his first Civil War battlefields.

After that he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.

--Old Secesh