Shelby Foote

[Custermen]

NEWS FLASH

Shelby Foote passed away today in Memphis. Shelby Foote was born in Greenville, MS and studied in South Carolina. He wrote a few novels before he wrote his 3-volume work on the Civil War. He was one of the historians featured in Ken Burn's 1990 PBS-series "Civil War".

 

During WW2, Shelby Foote served as an Artillery Officer. He graduated from OCS school in 1942. Below is a class photo and Lt. Foote is identified as #19 in the photo. Lt. Foote was assigned to Camp Shelby, MS.

 

Several of the Graduates of this class were also assigned to Camp Shelby with 328FA, 85 Division: G. Brehm, W. Dempsey, H. Goodwin, H. Zaklikiewicz (some of whom are shown in photo of 2nd Section). Lt. E. B. Andrews (#2) is believed to be the actor who appeared in many TV and movies and known as Eddie Andrews.

 

Shelby Foote was assigned to two different artillery battalions while they were undergoing basic traning. Foote eventually sent overseas with 50th Field Artillery Battalion of 5th Division. One local website on Mississippi authors report that Foote went to Ireland on leave. Apparently he did not fill out the right paperwork and was reported absent without leave (in peace time, the military would not let you travel more than 250 miles without requesting leave). He resigned his commission from the Army.

 

If anyone has any further details on Shelby Foote's service, please contact me.

Appreciate any replies about Mr. Foote and his writings and what they meant to you.

 

Steve

 

Photo copyrighted by custermen.com

[Walt's Daughter]

Very sad to hear of his passing. He was one of my very favorite historians. I will always picture his smiling face and hear his infectious laughter. He was just awesome in the Ken Burn's civil war documentary. Had a real way with words and was very done to earth; someone you could relate to and made you want to learn more. A great teacher! Would have loved to have met him in person.

 

Here's to you Shelby. I will miss you.

 

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News Releases

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/books/cst-n...s-xfoote29.html

 

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/enter...nt/12011102.htm

 

Sites regarding Mr Foote (just a few of many...)

 

http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/english/ms-wr...r/foote_shelby/

 

http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsoni...ug96/foote.html

 

An Interview with Shelby Foote

[Custermen]

Thanks for the links. The link to olemiss.edu had some good info about his service and some info that I didn't know.

 

On CBS-TV, they also said that he wrote his Civil War books using an ink pen---the old kind that you had to dip in a well to write. That was Shelby.

 

Also, BTW, his middle name was Dade. [edited to correct name]

 

Steve