[October 11, 2023] The sun burned our skin, and the humidity made us feel like we were suffocating. I remember the relentless sun, incessant bugs, circling buzzards (lots of buzzards), people dragging their kids about, and some adults dressed up in old-fashioned military uniforms. At the time, I wondered why my Dad had taken this family trip, about two hours from home, if you don’t count the unplanned bathroom pit stop. We were visiting the Vicksburg Mississippi Battlefield, just across from our home state of Louisiana. We arrived late morning, 4th of July, 1963, ready to listen to my Dad talk about the important historical significance of the “War Between the States,” a name traditionally given by those from the American South for the U.S. Civil War. My brother and sister weren’t interested. I think my Mom was there under protest, tormented, but never complained. She was a wonderful Mom, packing a picnic lunch she had made for the five of us, mixing kool-aid drinks and keeping them in a cooler, cloth rags and bar soap for cleaning hands, a picnic cloth, and entertaining us when we whined or whimpered, usually about everything.
Dad was about to give us a lesson in history about a war in which many Satterfield’s had fought. Like so many families, our relatives fought on both sides of the war, and he told us how it was a source of pride that so many of our family members fought with bravery in a struggle of such epic proportions. Naturally, I didn’t understand any of it. But I do remember that day. The day we were at the battlefield was the 100th Anniversary of the surrender of Confederate forces located in Vicksburg. We saw some fortifications reconstructed in modern times, although we didn’t know it. Philip and I jumped down into the trenches and acted like soldiers — bam, bam, bam, we started having fun. Then Dad took us to see a long, wide ditch with water in it. He said it was called “Grant’s Canal,” dug by several thousands of men, civilians, slaves, and soldiers. “They dug this canal using only picks and shovels and in the hot and humid weather.” It took months to dig it. Why? I don’t remember anyone saying why. But it was big and obvious such a ditch took a lot of effort. I didn’t know it then, but hundreds died from harsh conditions and disease digging it.
For me, the most exciting part of our tour was at the “Battle of the Crater.” Actually, there are two craters, the first one being famous. As it was explained to me, Union troops dug a tunnel underneath Confederate defensive lines and blew it up. I could see the logic: blow up the defense, then charge through the gap with as many men as you could gather up. Dazed defenders would be less able to fight back. Okay, what could go wrong? The dynamite blew. Defending Confederates were killed or stunned. Union troops rushed into the crater. But, they failed to get out in time before the Confederates were able to regain their position and stop the attack. Good idea. Bad execution. Bad outcome. Union engineers were used to help extract the Infantry, the first time I’d heard of an Army engineer. That got my interest.
We mostly slept in our car on the way home later that day. Dad had to carry us from the car to bed one at a time. The heat, humidity, and walking about the battlefield drained us of all our energy and our Mom, too. Over the next few days, my brother and I became interested in the Civil War. That meant we played at fighting this war rather than our typical Cowboys and Indians fighting. Our enthusiasm infected our friends, and we split into blue versus gray Infantry units and fought it out. The following academic year in school, I asked my teacher what caused the Civil War. “States Rights” was her answer, and I believed that for decades until I decided to study the war myself. I still remember an old 8mm video of my brother and me on Christmas Day that year, playing with toy swords and wearing cheap kid Union and Confederate uniforms. Fifty years later, to this day, I toured the same battlefield as a federal U.S. Army Brigadier General, a Combat Engineer. That first day, five decades ago, had made an impression on me, thanks to my Mom and Dad.
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Another home run for Gen. Satterfield. This series is wonderful……
This series is the BEST. Gen. Doug Satterfield has hit onto some verbal gold here.
Great job my friend. Each young person needs to take a tour to a civil war battle field. The experience of doing this will teach trn more than the books. I heard an old wise man say. In order to appreciate the future, taking a look at your pass wilk give you a greater appreciation. What battle taught us, if we forget we be back in the same fix. Teach our children our history of the foundation our nation was built on. I like to leave this question. Is it still the same or if not what or who made the change.
Eddie, your regular comments are a treasure to us all.
Yep, Eddie is one of the bests.
My family is really enjoying your series. The more, the better.
Hi Gen. Satterfield, just a short note from me and my wife to first say “hello” and to wish you well, and second to say that we really are enjoying your trip through your boyhood. It does tell us a little about you. I hope that at some point you “connect the dots” to show how these experiences link up with what you did as an adult in the Army. Like you, I had similar experiences but I’m not yet convinced that our childhood pushed us toward being in the Army. Let me know what you think. Congrats on your newest series, “Letters to My Granddaughter.”
Woah, nicely said, Army Vet.
Army Vet, always a pleasure to hear from you. Yes, I will make these “dots” connect and clearly do so at a later date. I’m not yet sure I will make this into a book. That decision will require my wife’s okay. She is the editor.
Wow, great to hear that you are considering a book from this series, Gen. Satterfield. You did this before on both your books but didn’t put them into a series. I’m looking forward to it.
General Satterfield kicking butt again.
In short, i think gen. satterfield is saying that there are times when parents can make a big difference in their kids’ lives. this is one of them.
samuel, Yes, I do agree but it is also much more. Take a look at how his Dad and Mom are shaping his character by showing him (and his siblings) what right looks like. See an older article of his that I show.
Showing What “Right” Looks Like
https://www.theleadermaker.com/showing-right-looks-like/
There are several very specific ways good leaders ensure everyone knows what right looks like. They:
1. Ensure there are clear lines of communication.
2. Specify all levels of authority and responsibility.
3. Confirm that everyone is knowledgeable about all key aspects of the physical part of the organization. This is especially important in manufacturing.
4. Clarify all formalized licensing, certifying, and other qualification requirements.
5. Establish formal, written procedures.
6. Demonstrate the need for proper maintenance of physical and social entities.
Well said.
Good discussion today. I always rely upon this forum to get a better understanding. thanks.
If you are new to this leadership website, you will quickly see that it is eclectic. Gen. Satterfield sometimes seems like he has a stream of thought that runs through days or weeks or months and we must be on the look out for it. For him to do this, like in this series (others no so obvious) is there for us to pickup the breadcrumbs along the path he is laying out for us. So, be vigilant. Be careful how you read and understand. When in doubt, ask in the comments.
Gen. Satterfield is making us love his granddaughter and we’ve not even seen her.
Got that right False Idols. ❤❤❤❤❤ Hearts for his granddaughter.
Another loving, wonderful posted letter for your granddaughter. She is one very lucky girl.
Wonderful letter, shows how kids learn and how far into the future that learning lasts. So, be careful how you treat your kids, because they will be impacted by that for their life. Thank you, Gen. Satterfield for giving us this long series on “letters to my granddaughter” that makes me smile each time I read one of them. I have decided to start writing letters to my kids (holding onto them for now) so that they can get a better understanding of what made me who I am. I am doing pretty well in life with a wife and kids and a good job, Christian, volunteer for local soup kitchen, and doing God’s work. Thanks to all who follow my posts.
Well said, Jerome. I too try to ‘adopt responsibility’ as much as possible because that is how you overcome the tragedies in life. 😊😊😊😊
Great comments all around. Yes, wonderful series. I’m new here and this website is addictive (good addictive).
Welcome aboard, Saul.
Thanks Gen. Satterfield for another letter. I’ve been waiting this week for it and now I am not at all disappointed.
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Keep these letters coming our way.
Letters to my granddaughter, No. 28, !!!!!! Loving it. Thank you, Gen. Satterfield for your wonderful series. Now, up to 28 and going strong.
God, family, country. That is what Gen. Satterfield proudly advocates. All else is small and of low priority. If you want to live a “good life” like in his book (link below), then you must understand your priorities and stick to them and do not, ever ever ever, let someone else take over your responsibilities. For example too many allow public schools to “teach” their kids. that is wrong because they are propagandizing kids into being weirdos.
Lizzy, you go girl. Nailed it with your comment. Do not ever abdicate your responsibilities, otherwise, you are a sell out. 😎
Well said, love it.