700,000 … and the hits just keep on rolling

September 28, 2011. Barry Cauchon

700,000 hits and climbing!

Ed Isaacs has once again reminded me that this blog is supported by so many wonderful people. Last week, the visitor counter rolled over the 700,000 mark. Although my current workload had not allowed me to write very much over the last few months, you continue to visit and read the articles and interviews previously posted. Thank you for your continued support and interest in A Little Touch of History. It is been a pleasure bringing it to you.

By the way, if you have bought or rented a copy of The Conspirator, you can see Ed Isaacs talking about his great great grandfather, George E. Dixon and his diary, in the special features section of the DVD. Enjoy.

Edwin Isaacs holding the diary of his great great grandfather George E Dixon.

Best

Barry

600,000 HITS – Another Milestone

May 06, 2011: Barry Cauchon

Well, here we go again. A Little Touch of History has just passed 600,000 hits in just under 3 years of going up live. Thanks to everyone who have been so supportive of my blog.

I don’t know where I found this little gem on the web last year but I thought I’d share the laugh. Kudos to whatever creative person came up with this one.

If you have a hard time reading this, Abe says: “Going to the theater tonight with the missus…got private box seats baby”!

John Wilkes Booth: likes this.
 

Best

Barry

outreach@awesometalks.com

THANK YOU TO ALL MY SUPPORTERS

March 07, 2011: Barry Cauchon

Hi folks: It’s less than two weeks before John Elliott and I present our work at the Surratt Society and Surratt House Museum 2011 Conference: Lincoln Assassination: New Perspectives. We have been told that this is the largest attendance they have ever had in the 12 years that the conference has been run. Congratulations to all the wonderful people who have had a hand at pulling this together.

I am really looking forward to meeting old friends there as well as making a whole bunch of new ones. More than a few attendees who have written me have mentioned that they are going there just to see me speak. I am honored by their comments, thankful for their support and very happy that I have something that people want to hear. I will say that I am also very humbled by their response. I feel that I just “do what I do” and hope everyone enjoys it. But thank you for the support. I will try hard not to disappoint.

I am a team player and love working with others. Other than this blog that I do maintain on my own, the book, my research activities and conference talk have all been a collaboration. I always learn from the experiences and love sharing the information with you. 

Researching and pulling a book together is no easy task. Preparing for a conference might seem easier but in fact can be just as difficult. The main reason for this posting is to acknowledge all of the people who have supported me during my time in the limelight…even if this limelight was created by myself…LOL. Everyone listed below (and forgive me for missing any of you) has directly or indirectly supported me with their friendship, kindness, encouragement and valuable information and assistance. It was about time that I really said thank you to each and every one of them.

THANK YOU ALL

• Andy Jampoler (author)
• Angela Smythe
• Arlene Berry
• Ben Rizzuto
• Betty Ownsbey (author)
• Bill Richter (author)
• Blaine V. Houmes, MD (book contributor)
• Cal Johnson (stuntman)
• Charlene Henderson
• Christine Jackson
• Clint Ross (documentarian)
• Colleen MacDougall
• Cynthia Stormcaller (Andersonville Guild)
• Dan Grossman (Dan@airships.net)
• Daniel Weinberg (author)
• Donna Stewart
• Ed & Mary Beth Isaacs (two of my greatest supporters)
• Ed Steers, Jr. (author)
• Eileen Reilly
• Frank Crawford
• Frank J. Williams (retired Chief Justice of Rhode Island)
• George Hauck
• George Rivera
• Gloria Swift (former curator of Ford’s Theatre)
• Gregg Mastriforte
• Harold Holzer (author)
• Jim Cauchon
• Jim Solomon (writer “The Conspirator”)
• Joan Chaconas (Surratt Society)
• John L. Howard, MS (pathologist)
• Julia Cowdery (Surratt Society)
• Karen Needles
• Kathryn Coombs (in memoriam)
• Kurt Graver (American Film Co.)
• Laura F. Keyes
• Laurie Verge (Surratt Society)
• Melissa Jacobson (researcher)
• Marty Cauchon
• Michael Albrecht (historian/documentarian)
• Michael Kauffman (author)
• Mary Kauffman
• Michael Todd Willoughby (Lord Willoughby)
• Nikaela Zimmerman (Kansas State Historical Society)
• Pamila Tift (in memoriam)
• Pat Toms (President – Shannon Ulster Titanic Society, Ireland)
• Randal Berry (www.Lincoln-Assassination.com) Lincoln-Assassination website
• Richard Sloan (historian & researcher)
• Rick Smith
• Robert Krauss (historian/author)
• Robert Redford (Director – “The Conspirator” – thanks for letting me visit your set)
• Roger Norton (http://rogerjnorton.com/) Abraham Lincoln Research Site
• Ronald Rietveld (historian)
• Sandra Walia (Surratt Society)
• Sebastiao Albano (Brazil)
• Steven G. Miller (researcher / historian / author)
• Susan K. Lemke (National Defense University)
• Susan Proctor (Surratt Society)
• Terry L. Alford, PhD (historian/author)
• Tim Miller (President – Big Chief Entertainment)
• Tom Schwartz, PhD (Illinois State Historian)
• Web and Rob Stone (Producers – “The Conspirator”, American Film Co.)
• All the great folks at the Library of Congress, National Archives, University of Chicago The Joseph Regenstein Library Special Collections, National Defense University Library, Ford’s Theatre, Andersonville Guild Drummer Boy Civil War Museum and the Surratt Society and Surratt House Museum.

Special thanks go out to my writing partner and friend, John E. Elliott, without whose help and support, none of this would have been possible.

And finally, to all the students, followers and readers of my blog who have added so much to make it shine. I can never thank you enough.

Best

Barry

outreach@awesometalks.com

500,000 HITS … WOW … My readers are AWESOME!

January 29, 2011: Barry Cauchon

My good friends Ed and Mary Beth Isaacs have been tracking the progress of my blog hit counter over the past few days as they anxiously waited for it to reach the 500,000 hit mark. Because I have been so busy at work, I haven’t been able to keep an eye on it myself and they were gracious enough to offer. I can’t thank them enough.  At 8:59 p.m. last night on Friday, January 28, 2011, the momentous occasion occurred.

Half a million people have clicked their mouses at least once on this blog since May of  2008 and all I can say is “Wow. I’m touched. I’m amazed. I’m humbled.

For those of you who personally know me, you will understand that I speak from the heart when I say, “I really am overwhelmed”! I started writing this little blog about three years ago just to share my love of history with others. I had no motive other than to see if I could connect with similar-minded individuals and students who were interested in the same subjects as I. I had no idea where this would take me. Yes folks, this is the “feel good” story of the year, so read on…lol.

In the course of this blog’s life, I have met researchers, writers, scholars, historians, museum curators, war veterans, authors, film makers, directors, actors, legislators, politicians, history buffs, teachers and students… just to name a few. However, I have also met, and have been befriended by, many wonderful people just wanting to offer their personal family stories to me. Some have become good friends. My life has been enriched by them and the experiences they’ve allowed me to share in. Their persistent and unfaltering encouragement has also kept me moving forward on my projects when there were days I felt like I didn’t have anything left to give. For that, I am truly blessed.

This year, two important things will occur for me. John Elliott (my writing partner) and I will complete and publish our book on the Arsenal Penitentiary called “Inside the Walls: The Final Days of the Lincoln Conspirators. As well, we will present our work publicly for the first time to our peers and conference attendees at the Surratt Society 12th Annual Assassination Conference in March. I will meet many of my new-found friends at the conference (some of whom I’ve never had the pleasure to meet in person). I am truly looking forward to it.

After those two milestones are met, I have other goals that I hope to begin working on in the latter half of 2011.

The first will be to get back to posting new articles on this blog. As many of you have noticed, 2010 and 2011 really saw a decline in my output. That is because writing a book, and working for a living, took a lot of my limited time. So expect to see new articles, and perhaps, even a change in how I present the work, sometime after March when things should start to free up a bit. I may even refresh the look of the blog…just thinking out loud here.

The second will be to start working with students and educational institutions again. I love speaking to students and sharing historically based information that is not always found in the curriculum. This year I want to visit more schools and meet more students and their teachers. I suppose it is my way of ‘giving back’ but I also enjoy the experience very much. Education is very important to me. If I can play a small part in helping even one student succeed, then I plan to make that a priority in my goals of the future.

Again, thank you all for your support and friendship. I look forward to moving ahead in the coming months and sharing more interesting history with you.

Best

Barry

outreach@awesometalks.com

A Little Touch of History hits 400,000

July 19, 2010: Barry Cauchon

Barry celebrates the 400,000th hit to his blog "A Little Touch of History".

Hi all: On February 16, 2010, I posted a big  thank you to all my supporters for A Little Touch of History as it had just reached 300,000 visitors. Well, here we are 5 months later and now this little blog has topped the 400,000 mark. Awesome! I can’t thank you all enough. I am truly proud to have been able to bring you this blog over the past 2 years and 2 months. And the tremendous encouragement from my friends, colleagues, readers and supporters has been nothing short of outstanding. I will always be grateful.

As A Little Touch of History moves towards its next big milestone (the 500,000 mark) I am thinking about what features you would like to see here. So please drop me a note and tell me what you like, what you don’t like and suggestions on what you’d like to see. Maybe something local, or someone who has a connection to history. You never know who has an interesting story to tell.

Traditionally, I reduce the number of features and articles I post during the summer as schools are out and my readership is lower. This gives me a chance to catch up on my own research so that I can present it to you during the rest of the year. 

But as a bonus for my dedicated summertime followers, I have a SUPER DELUXE SUMMER SPECIAL to help celebrate A Little Touch of History‘s 400,000 hits, I am announcing that I will be posting a couple of brand new interviews in the few weeks.

The first was recorded on July 17 with Steven G. Miller. Steven is considered to be one of the most knowledgable experts on Boston Corbett & the men of 16th NY Cavalry (the men who tracked down and captured/killed John Wilkes Booth). The piece is just going into editing but I suspect that the final version will be published in less than two weeks from now.

The other interview is currently being scheduled for recording with Cynthia StormCaller, the curator of the Drummer Boy Civil War Museum in Andersonville, Georgia. Cynthia will walk us through the museum’s collection. If you plan on being in the Andersonville, Georgia area later this summer or fall, this will be a good primer for visiting the museum. I am hopeful that this interview will be completed and published by early August at latest.

And just a reminder for those of you who are going to be in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area this weekend. On Saturday, July 24, 2010 “The Angel of Marye’s Heights” documentary will premiere at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library from 6-9 pm. It’s open to the public with only a small donation requested. For more info, go to their blog and website at:

http://theangelmovie.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=14&Itemid=74

Not long ago I interviewed the director, Clint Ross. He and historian Michael Aubrecht, have created this documentary to tell the uplifting story of Confederate soldier Richard Kirkland, who at personal risk to his own life, stepped into the open battlefield at Fredericksburg to give aid to fallen wounded Union soldiers. It’s a great story of humanity. To hear the interview, go to the following link:

https://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2010/06/25/an-awesometalk-with-clint-ross-director-of-the-documentary-the-angel-of-maryes-heights/

Again, thank you all for your continued support and let me know what you’d like to see in the upcoming months.

Best

Barry

outreach@awesometalks.com

————————————————————————

July 20, 2010: I just received this great email from Ed Isaacs and his wife Mary Beth. Two weeks ago, they sent me an identical bottle of Johnny Walker Blue Label scotch to celebrate the 400,000th hit. It took a little longer than we expected to reach this plateau, but it was well worth it. Cheers to both of you my good friends! Barry

CONGRATULATIONS, BARRY 

400,022 + HITS TODAY (July 19, 2010)

                             

CHEERS………….

I’ll Drink to That!!!

UPCOMING POSTINGS FOR ‘A LITTLE TOUCH OF HISTORY’

April 25, 2010: Barry Cauchon

Here is my proposed schedule for the next few weeks on “A Little Touch of History”.  Enjoy.

• April 26 to 30 — STATE YOUR CASE (No. 2) – John Elliott: “When did Booth break his leg”?
• May 1 — May birthdays for Lincoln Friends and Foes
• May 2 to 8 — AN AWESOMETALK WITH Betty Ownsbey, author “Alias Paine”, the Lewis Powell biography 
• May 9 — Open
• May 10 to 14 — STATE YOUR CASE (No. 3) – Angela Smythe “Has He Been Hiding in Plain Sight? John Wilkes Booth and the Richmond Grays”
• May 15 — Open
• May 16 to 22 — AN AWESOMETALK WITH G.C. Rivera, the Unique and Surprising Mr. P.

Note: Schedule may change without notice.

On a separate note, I had planned to interview Gloria Swift, the museum curator at Ford’s Theatre. However, Laurie Verge has informed me that Gloria has now taken a position with Fort Pulaski in Savannah, Georgia. I met Gloria back in March and she is a wonderful person. I truly wish her well in her new posting at Fort Pulaski.

Best

Barry

outreach@awesometalks.com

THANK YOU TO MY 300,000+ VISITORS TO ‘A LITTLE TOUCH OF HISTORY’

Feb 16, 2010: Barry Cauchon

A LITTLE TOUCH OF HISTORY breaks the 300,000 visitor mark!

From the bottom of my heart I want to thank everyone who has visited my site over the past two years.  Since May, 2008, A Little Touch of History has had a steady following of wonderful viewers. As of sometime last night we just went over 300,000 visitors to this site. That honestly blows me away and I’ve very grateful to all of you.

I’ve met some great people thanks to this little blog of mine and made some long lasting friendships.

So to my friends, colleagues, research buddies and most importantly, my readers who find this information interesting, I say thank you for your tremendous support. You’ve applauded, challenged and even respectfully criticized my work, and that has made this a better blog… and me, a better person.

I hope 2010 allows me to share more interesting history with you and that we reach 500,000 visitors in no time at all.

Here’s hoping!

Best

Barry

outreach@awesometalks.com

HAPPY 1ST ANNIVERSARY FOR ‘A LITTLE TOUCH OF HISTORY’

May 22, 2009: Barry Cauchon

It's a celebration. A Little Touch of History is 1 year old.

On Friday, May 22 my blog “A Little Touch of History: An Awesometalks Program” celebrated its 1 year anniversary. And what an amazing year it has been for me. What started out as a simple outlet for me to share my varying interests in history with others, blossomed into something that I never expected. Not only was I able to share these interests with everyone, but in due course, I learned an incredible amount as well. Researchers (amateurs and professionals), experts , hobbyists and students were approaching me and offering ‘private’ history lessons that sped up my learning curve immensely. And where appropriate, I shared that information with you in hopes that you would benefit from it in the same way as I did. I cannot even begin to express how wonderful an experience this has been for me.

In the past year I have found myself quietly being accepted and nutured by members of the Lincoln research community and treated like a peer. That fact still astounds me. For years I put many of these ‘giants’ on pedestals because I truly respected the work they did and presented to the world. Yet, every one of them have been kind to me and have always willingly shared their time and information openly. To each of you I say, “Thank you”.

This year also brought me new friends and aquaintances. For me, that was one of the best benefits of all. I truly cherish those that have written, chatted, exchanged ideas and even corrected my historical mistakes (you know I hate inaccurate history and can’t stand promoting it myself). Best of all, I made a few really close friends and hope to have them in my life for years to come. So again, thank you all.

Finally, I’ve had some pretty big highlights this year. Not all were related to this blog but I truly believe in serendipity so they are connected in some way. For this reason, all the planets must have aligned and things have just been “happening”.  For instance, I met President Clinton last November. That was a proud moment for me. I’ve interviewed some awesome people who either work with history, discovered history or amazingly even lived history. And yesterday, on the eve of this one year anniversary, I finally met my friend, the mysterious Mr. P. (you’ll have to find his name in my blog if you want to know more about him). In my opinion, Mr. P. is really the person who helped put this blog on the map and kick start it into the direction it currently follows. He is a unique person and one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. He’s now a good friend and someone who I spiritually connect with. I believe things happen for a reason. It isn’t coincidence that both our schedules fell into place at the same time, that I would be in his hometown on business and then end up meeting with him exactly one year after the blog began. Eerie but inevitable. Anyway Mr. P…..here’s to you my friend. Thanks for helping me to move this train down the track and keeping me laughing constantly!  

And thank you to everyone who has been a part of A Little Touch of History’s success, whether as a contributor or visitor. All were, and are, very important to me. I can’t wait to see what the next year brings.

Best

Barry

outreach@awesometalks.com