Interview with Richard J. Sommers.
Scope and Content Note
The Jim Bultema Video Collection encompasses three boxes containing a total of forty-six VHS tapes converted to DVDs. Two tapes are currently being converted to DVDs and are not located within the collection at this time. At the present time, boxes 1 and 2 have 14 tapes with accompanying DVDs and Box 3 contains 16 tapes with accompanying DVDs. The collection contains partial edited footage of the proposed documentary, but the majority remains in raw footage form. Two history graduate students watched all the DVDs and took notes for important names, places, objects, and events that appeared in interviews and footages. Not all interviewees or images were identified in the collection. The project took approximately one month to complete. This collection contains footage and audio associated with Ulysses S. Grant and parts of the documentary intended to be produced from these tapes. Various historians comment on numerous aspects of Ulysses S. Grant’s life including John Y. Simon, William McFeely, Richard Sommers and others. Historians cover many of the battles and campaigns Grant participated in including Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, the Chattanooga Campaign, the Overland Campaign, Appomattox Court House, and many others. They also touch on Grant’s early years, time at West Point Military Academy, relationship with Julia Dent Grant, Mexican-American War experience, his time out of the army, Civil War experience, time as president, his world tour with Julia, the writing of his memoirs, and death. Furthermore, commentators discuss the life of Julia Dent Grant, her character, demeanor, and her, as well as Ulysses’ parents. This collection also contains footage of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Grant’s death held in Galena, Illinois and Washington D. C., in 1985. It contains multiple still shots of Grant photos, political cartoons, drawings, along with shots of landscapes and buildings occupied by Grant.
Dates
- 1983 - 1985
- Majority of material found in 1985 - 1985
Extent
From the Box 2: 1 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Description
Interview with Richard J. Sommers about Ulysses S. Grant and Civil War military history. Run Time 22:32
Commentators
Name: Richard J. Sommers, Affiliation: Senior historian at the Army Heritage and Education Center, taught at the United States Army War College, and author of Richmond Redeemed, Notes: Part 1 Discusses the Siege of Vicksburg; Part 2 Discusses John A. Rawlins as Chief of Staff, Ulysses S. Grant's strategy as a general, decline of Confederate victories, grand strategy, tactics, logistics, and strategy and logistics in Virginia.
Creator
- From the Collection: Bultema, James A. (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Ulysses S. Grant Collection Repository
P.O. Box 5408
Mississippi State MS 39762 United States
662-325-4552
rsemmes@library.msstate.edu