At Gettysburg, Rufus Franks of the 4th Alabama Appeared Slightly Wounded. It Was Far Worse.

[@richiephillips1541]

Thank you. It's so refreshing to hear this kind of history without have my Southern nose pressed into some sort of guilt stain.

[@ClancyWoodard-yw6tg]

That's also why I like his videos because he doesn't do all the shaming like some civil war historians do

[@mattpiepenburg8769]

The narratives from the oh-so brave 4th Alabama as well as the equally impressive Texas (1st - 5th) are so blunt and impressive. Many thanks as always, your reports are always a gift to us time travelers :)

[@3b1d5c]

Rufus Plank died a slow and painful death on the John Plank farm. The farm still stands on Willoughby run road, privately owned. During the 150th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg, I did a first person program for the NPS of W.C.Ward of the 4th Alabama and did talk about Rufus. His story is a tragic one.

[@anthonybush607]

These were Americans…both sides. Ill served by politicians who paid a horrendous price to put this nation back together. Clearly, present day politicians have forgotten all the lessons of the past.

[@ozzyphil74]

Stop with this both siding. One side wanted the freedom to own and work other men, women and children as property. It is of great Providence that that side lost. It is unfortunate that many good men chose to serve under so heinous a banner and cause and those men are a dishonor to America and it's founding ideals...

[@robertstamps1392]

I hv just finished a novel about my cousin, Lucien Lanier, a private in the 4th AL. He almost burned alive at the Widerness. Coles book was such a help. I don't think l would hv lasted two weeks in that war. I would hv died of exhaustion. 😅

[@davide9658]

This speaks to the horrors, futility and senselessness of war then and now.

[@lanemeyer9350]

This video was very powerfully delivered and also very sad. Well done, you really brought the story to life (so to speak) 😢

[@dirtfarmer7070]

Having read many a letter home from soldiers, I appreciate all that you are doing on your channel.

[@paulnicholson1906]

My grandad was a WW1 veteran in the British army and once a friend of his recalled when a friend was hit by a shell that took his legs and killed him. My grandad never talked much about his experience other than to say war should be fought by politicians not soldiers so we wouldn’t resort to it. I remember when this guy started talking about the incident my grandad shut him down quickly, visibly affected almost 70 years later. I never knew what involvement he had really while he was alive but after he passed away there was documentation showing when he was in the field etc. I was amazed at the extent of it. Knowing when he was at the front with his regiment you could determine what action he was part of. My grandmothers brothers both were killed, one MIA the other wounded later dying. No Civil War history in my family we were English then.

[@dansemacabre6515]

Wars are old men talking & young men dying

[@brianniegemann4788]

In the Civil War there was a saying; "Rich man's war, poor man's fight." I love the line about wars being fought by politicians.

[@stevewesley8187]

WAR IS HELL ........

[@brianhannan8030]

Hell yeah Ron 😎 A new layer of thought while visiting Gettysburg. Thank you good Sir 😄

[@conradnelson5283]

I’ve read several accounts of wounded soldiers apologizing for being wounded. It seems a little strange, but don’t we all do that to some extent? We blame ourselves for things we had nothing to do with. But it’s kind of funny that we deny culpability in things that we obviously had a lot to do with. Another sad story from a tragic war.

[@wmschooley1234]

It is indeed tragic that Rufus Franks came such a long way away only to die and be buried in an unmarked Pennsylvania grave. It is my sincere hope that after the cessation of hostilities the body of Rufus Franks was repatriated back to Alabama. The Elliot Burial Map of Gettysburg allowed Rufus Weaver to repatriate the remains of thousands of ANV solders. Respectfully, W.S

[@georgiapines7906]

wmschooley1234, I searched on "Find A Grave" and found that Pvt. Franks has a cenotaph in the family plot at Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville; however, Pvt. Franks was laid to rest in the Hollywood Cemetery, Gettysburg Section, Richmond, VA. May the Good Lord richly bless his soul.

[@barbaramichiels5503]

Peace

[@michaeldouglas1243]

I pictured him also the entire time Ron

[@philspaugy1756]

Stunning. Thanks for sharing my friend.

[@kentonyoderii3443]

No bigger heros than those young boots still in the fight despite thier wounds. Forward into the fray until God calls them away. Great honor known only to those that tasted battles bitter pill with them. Blue or Grey or what ever Colors they wear , warriors giving thier all in righteousness. Some never to know the outcome of the fight so costly won or lost. All who have been "down range" from the enemy will attest to those brave boots on the other side. May they all rest in peace !! God have mercy on us all.

[@sharonchristian8508]

Freedom isn't free. Horrible price has paid the butcher of war.

[@dadeo8957]

Franks suffered that misery to protect and preserve slavery. Yeah right.

[@richardea4223]

A lot of them didn't have slaves. By the way African Tribes OWNED and SOLD SLAVES. Slaves were even owned by black families in America. So, what is your point?😎