WordPress sent me a notification informing me that the day before yesterday marked the end of the ninth year of Bull Runnings. A lot has changed over that stretch, but I think the main (and yes, not-too-sexy) focus of recording primary source material or resources on the First Battle of Bull Run has been constant. So I don’t post as often – this is a hobby, after all. There’s no angling for bigger and better things. The resources section keeps growing, and there’s no end in sight (for instance, I still haven’t posted the Miles COW stuff). Social media play a much bigger role in operations (the site now has over 850 followers on both Twitter and Facebook, though many follow on both, I suspect). Other than primary sources, author interviews and book previews are pretty strong, if not quite regular, features that bring folks back. And of course the fun stuff – whoda thunk a picture of Larry David and his daughter would attract so much traffic?
Visitation is a shadow of 2011-2013 numbers. My son’s sports blog (Smeltzer on Sports) regularly out-draws me. But that’s OK. No plans to go anywhere – just keep plugging away. And yes, I still intend to do the Longacre review. Thanks to all of you who visit, regardless of frequency. As always, contributions from you are encouraged and welcomed.
Keep your eyes peeled for the new edition of John Hennessy’s An End to Innocence, due out in December. I bet it will be all the rage in year ten, First Bull Run-wise.
Congrats, Harry. As ever, yours stays high on my radar. Keep it rollin’…
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Thanks Robert, and right back atcha.
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I’ll second that.
I am looking forward to the new Hennessy edition, as well. Too bad it will be paperback only.
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Thanks, Drew!
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Best wishes on you tenth year! Finding Bull Runnings as a resource was a happy day for me. You know there is a solid core group with you, who truly appreciative of what you do to promote a further understanding of those unique days in July,1861 Thanks also for your assistance on the 1st Va. Cav. Look forward to your Longacre review, and i’ll update and order .Hennessy’s 2nd edition. My 1st edition was signed by him years ago. That was the book that got me started on this path..
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Thanks Jens!
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Congrats Harry. Sorry to say that some of us do think the recording of primary source material is “sexy.” Keep up the great work.
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You’re a geek, Martin. But thanks!
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Congratulations. This is one that I check out daily. And I hear that the 9th anniversary is a great occasion to start up that desperately-needed blogsite on 2BR … :)
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Thanks John. Don’t hold your breath.
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Harry,
Congratulations…it’s a classy, quality product you offer all of us and it is much appreciated. Your efforts also demonstrate what a virtual mother-lode of source material is out there for those who search – as you do!
Fish
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Thanks, Dale!
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two thumbs up!
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Congratulations on nine years of quality blogging and great Civil War content. I’m looking forward to year ten!
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Thanks Jim!
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Just found the site a few days ago. It’s fantastic. Thanks for all the hard work and cheers for the next 9 years!
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Thanks Eric!
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Congrats Harry! Have been a follower and reader for over six years. Really enjoy the site. I don’t visit it often enough!
Keep up the good work!
Chris
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Thanks, Chris!
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