Rebel Spirit & Gettysburg 2013

Detailed excerpts from my first book with added information and research.

A collection of articles that chronicle my historic journey to the hallowed ground of the Battlefield that decided the fate of America July 1,2,3, 1863.

Previous12 Next

April '12

Letters from the Front

Here are full text versions of four letters written by Baillie during the American Civil war. Reading words that one has written in another life is just a plain miracle. They still give me goosebumps. I can hear myself writing them and see pictures in my head of me doing so; truly fascinating. I am indebted to Ian Lekus of Duke University, Durham NC, for his help and kindness in supplying copies of these and other original letters from the...

May '12

Accessing the Past

Accessing the Past On World Book day March 25, 1999 in a Folkestone bookshop situated on the Southern English coast, I discovered the photograph of a long dead Confederate soldier. The book coincidentally opened at the precise page, the name coincidentally was my name and the face coincidentally was my face, it was all far too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence! Gazing into the looking glass of time I spied a familiar reflection; for I...

June '12

SCV Service Award 2001

In 2001 I had the honour to receive a service award from The Sons of Confederate Veterans in my home State of Georgia, USA. This was in recognition for the discovery and research that led to my PhD. For me this was a wonderful achievement and means a lot to me. The 5th Georgia Volunteer Cavalry will not be forgotten and their illustrious service to the Confederate States of America will be remembered. BY CLICKING ON THE IMAGE YOU CAN SEE THE...

The Photograph

It was a cold March day with just the first glimmers of Spring. My daughter had passed her 11+ examination to the local grammar school and we had just returned from the school ski trip to the French Alps, which had been marvellous. I was feeling on top of the world, but not quite sure of which direction to go in. It was March 25 and it was World Book Day. The school had issued the children with book vouchers, which could be exchanged at any...

The Civil War 1861 to 1865

Caught up in the jingoistic military fervour of 1861, Baillie a gentleman and natural horseman joined the local McIntosh Light Dragoons as a 3rd Lieutenant. In a somewhat cavalier and picnic air, gallant home spun uniforms and high manners were the order of the day as the dashing troops reviewed in front of the town ladies. Those ladies most certainly included the beautiful blonde seventeen year old, Sarah Elizabeth Spalding. It was at this...

July '12

The General Pickett Letters 1

General Pickett Letters My close association with Paul Karabin and his remarkable past life case has been on going these past nine years. Paul is General George E Pickett CSA returned, of that I have no doubt in my mind whatsoever. His wife Diane Karabin was his wife La Salle in the Civil War and his brother and sister also turned up to be re-united during this period. George is a true Rebel Spirit and a man I am proud to call my brother in...

The General Pickett Letters 2

General Pickett's Letters 2 Baillie! Hey ! Here is the place to eat in Style! Almost across the street from the motel on Steinwehr! We have been there a few times and the food is EXCELLENTE! Now That's The Style! Baillie! Strangely enough I am visited by a lot of Southern Sympathizers. They come in and quietly tell me their true feelings. I let it out loud and clear about Lincoln and his war of Northern aggression. I sell a lot of flags & bumper...

The General Pickett Letters 3

The General Pickett Letters 3 Baillie! The men in the photos escorting my now deceased mother-in-law : one is a cousin to me and the other a brother-in-law. George died of what was referred to as a coming down with the chills. It must have been an influenza or our shared problem of excessive gas. A few pints of stout and I am a one man musician. He was like me loyal to the boys. I stood my ground for my pressman and labourers at The...

May '13

Gettysburg 2013 1.0

This summer July 1,2,3 sees the historic 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. The battle that decided the fate of America to this present day. I was not present in 1863 as I was engaged fighting the Union Army around Savannah, Georgia and South Carolina. In 1913 veterans of both Blue and Gray came together in an act if healing and stood once more on that hallowed ground sanctified by the blood of so many. Unfortunately I missed...

Gettysburg 2013 1.1

The journey to Gettysburg 2013 started with an invite out of the blue to stay with Cathe and Rick Fulton. My excitement knew no bounds as I squared the circle and booked the airline tickets. Next it was time to prepare and resurrect my reenactment kit made for Rebel Spirit and specifically echoing my past life as Alexander Baillie Kell 1828-1912 late of the 5th Georgia Volunteer Regiment of Cavalry, CSA. Created in 1999 to add a splash of...

Gettysburg 2013 1.2

Trichology Getting into Character Growing a beard is a sure fire way to get into character for an event. It is also an exploration into one's former incarnations as the once familiar feeling and appearance takes shape. It is a kinaesthetic experiment. In this article I shall keep a photographic log of my progress on a weekly basis. Week One: Week Two: Week Three: Week Four: Really pleased with the "grizzled Reb" look! Still one month to go...

June '13

Ghost in the Machine

Well OMG what a morning! Brent was here at 9 precisely and yes it's all true. Brothers definitely. Such emotion both ways and from the instant we met !!! Two brothers for sure. Dr William and Colonel Robert Magaw reunited June 28, 2013 Totally mind blowing experience! We talked for two hours. Then he went. They need to set up camp at the event. It was hot and sunny. He's with the 47th Virginia Infantry at the Blue and Gray Alliance event,...

July '13

Gettysburg 2013 1.3

Heathrow Terminal 5 was packed and busy as I sat waiting for my 16:45hrs flight. Looking around at the myriad of faces and a thousand life stories that surrounded me I mused on the wonder of travel in the 21st Century and the intricate weaver of technologies that we take for granted. All seamlessly interacting in a dance to produce an experiece unobtainable to our distant forebears. I arrived on Wednesday June 26 after a 7.5 hour flight from...

Gettysburg 2013 1.4

Day One: Thursday, June 27. Having been up for some 27 hours I was surprised to find that my 4 hours of sleep had recharged me! We would take it easy today and get to know my hosts Rick and Cathe Fulton. I wanted to return the car to Enterprise at the earliest possible time so that I could discharge my responsibilities in that matter and then relax. A little after 10am we left the house. Rick lead the way and I found that driving the familiar...

Gettysburg 2013 1.5

Day Two: Friday, June 28. Having slept well I awoke at 8am. My anticipation at meeting my past life brother had grown to breaking point. I knew that we would know for sure with in seconds of meeting if it was all true or just merely wishful thinking for the soul cannot lie. The vibration and emotion generated when two souls meet that have known and loved each other in the true sense is so powerful that no further proof is necessary. It is quite...

August '13

Gettysburg 2013 1.6

Day Three: Saturday June 29. This was the day that I was due to meet my past life buddy Paul Karabin who has the same face and same memory as General George E. Pickett CSA. I spent a quiet morning with Cathe and Rick Fulton as I waited expectantly. I have known Paul for ten years since his epic discover back in 2003. Now it was just a matter of a few moments longer before we met. Finally the door bell rang just after 1pm and Paul stepped in. It...

Gettysburg 2013 1.7

Day Four: Sunday June 30. The day was hot outside as I got my kit together for the first day of living history. For me the heat and humidity just made it more realistic as reenacting in the UK just doesn't have the authentic weather! So it was that after a leisurely breakfast of oat muesli and plenty of English tea General Pickett came to call. After chatting with Cathe as I got ready we made our way down to the Living History camp out front of...

Gettysburg 2013 1.8

Day Five: Monday July 1. The first day of the Battle of Gettysburg exactly 150 years ago. The morning started auspiciously with massed artillery fire from cannon posted just a few hundred yards away in the battlefield. The sound vibrated the house every time the cannon boomed. By all accounts the Blue and Gray Alliance reenactment weekend had been a great success and it was now over the the Federal Park Rangers to provide the back bone of the...

Gettysburg 2013 1.9

Day Six: Tuesday, July 2. The second day marking the 150th anniversary dawned and after writing up my article blog I had breakfast under the car porch. I had experienced my first real day reenacting and survived the heat, humidity and the wool!!! You know it's the genuine experience when you feel all those things and are surrounded by others dressed in the same fashion and sweating equally as much. Only General Lee seemed immune to the heat and...

Gettysburg 2013 2.0

Day Seven: Wednesday, July 3. This was the big one! The commemoration at the exact time 150 years on of Pickett's Charge. A last ditch attempt by 14 000 men to alter the course of history. In just under an hour 7 000 men were lost, killed or wounded. It was the Confederacy's High water mark and General Pickett would never speak to General Lee again. It was the price the South paid for having General Lee in charge. At 12:30pm we mustered outside...

Gettysburg 2013 2.1

Day Seven: Afternoon Wednesday, July 3. PICKETT'S CHARGE! At 1:30pm we formed up in two columns the Union Army in Blue on the far side of Steinwehr Avenue and the Confederate Army in Gray on the near side in Historically accurate positions. Together and in step we marched onto the battlefield along the busy road. The sense of occasion and the gravity of the anniversary weighed heavy on me. We moved in silence each man contemplating the enormous...

Gettysburg 2013 2.2

Day Seven: Early Evening Wednesday, July 3. The Aftermath. Finally succumbing to the heat and humidity I decided to lie down in the shade of the trees at the angle. Using my jacket as a pillow I made myself comfortable and drained the last drop of water from my canteen. I exchanged conversation with my fellow experiencers and was offered a tot of high proof Jamaican rum from a jocular Virginian dressed in a Irish kilt! Another Pennsylvanian...

Gettysburg 2013 2.3

Day Seven: What the press said with images taken by others. GETTYSBURG, Pa. Thousands took a mile-long commemorative march Wednesday across the Gettysburg field where the Confederate Army made its final, ill-fated charge 150 years ago in the last clash of the pivotal battle of the Civil War. A National Park Service spokeswoman said the Pickett's Charge walk was the most ambitious program ever planned to remember the South's failed assault,...

Gettysburg 2013 2.4

Day Eight: Thursday July 4. Independence Day! For me this was the most special July 4th ever! Not only was I in America but I also was consciously aware of having once been Robert Magaw and heavily involved in the Birth of the United States. As if to celebrate this the universe had lent a hand and diverted the US Army Field Band to come an play at the Carroll Valley celebrations and fireworks Cathe was really excited about it all so I decided...

Previous12 Next

Founded by Ian Ballie PHD