Week 12 – July 30/August 6
Here we are, at the end of this incredible journey. Even after all the long hours, the countless migraines, and the endless cursive names that never seemed to come to an end, I can say that I feel so blessed to have been apart of the Olustee team. Despite all of the challenges, and the persistent feeling within myself that I wasn't qualified enough to complete the task of transcribing such important primary documents, I would happily do it all over again.
To summarize, allow me to break down briefly what I completed within these two months in a concise manner. I went through seven regiments of morning reports to transcribe around approximately 1,650 Union casualties who were present at the Battle of Olustee. As I went about my work, I noted any discrepancies between existing research done by previous interns and my own findings within the reports. I also compiled a list of men that I did not encounter within the morning reports for future interns to remain cognizant about. Morning reports were usually written up the day following the engagement, and considering the context of the circumstance as well as the hasty nature of war following deadly conflicts, human error is to be expected, and I wanted to account for this. I'm sure my own work isn't without its sporadic faults, but I believe that what I produced was the best that I could do within the time constraints, my own busy schedule, and the nature of the reports themselves.
What did I gain? Aside from a new appreciation for people who make a career out of this manner of transcription and a better comprehension for the handwriting of the period, I feel I gathered a lot, personally, from my involvement within the project. I believe I improved my skills for historical research of this kind by the spades, and I feel far more confident about involving myself in this work. This project assured me that what I wanted to pursue in the professional sector and within my future academic career was the right choice, and this was a very comforting discovery to come to. My organizational and time management skills experienced a significant improvement as well, having to juggle my full-time job and my three summer courses alongside this internship. I feel better equipped to immerse myself fully within this type of active participation in public history and I am eager to transfer my new skills, both technical and personal, to other projects.
Ultimately, I wish nothing but success for the purpose of the Olustee project. Having spent so much time familiarizing myself with the names of unacknowledged men, I feel a personal connection with these individuals, and I have a very strong, passionate desire to see them memorialized properly for future generations, so that they may come to understand and appreciate them just as we do at Team Olustee. I hope that future interns will be able to use my work to further this goal and I know that I will continue to keep my eye on the work being done here.
My utmost gratitude to all of the staff at the history department who made this opportunity for me possible. Dr Gannon, I feel privileged to have made your acquaintance and to have been able to help realize your objectives. I couldn't have asked for a better supervisor. Dr Larson, who has always shown me kindness and has allowed me to reach goals and gain experience in ways that would have otherwise seemed unattainable. Dr. Lyons, my former professor and current history advisor, who recommended Project Olustee in the first place. Jessie Oldham, the project coordinator, Dr. French, who saw my potential and brought me into the fold – thank you both, sincerely. Finally, to my peers and fellow interns, thank you for allowing me to contribute to the work gathered by such an amazing group of people.
And finally, thank you, dear reader, for taking the time to share in these experiences alongside me.
Until next time :)