The Siege of Atlanta (A Ken Burns Production): Part One

You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will. War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out.
--William Tecumseh Sherman
Letter to the city of Atlanta, 1864

DAY ONE

Doris Kearns Goodwin, Historian: "The Atlanta campaign in 2011 was a turning point. This cardshow had been organized on such short notice, ummm, eight weeks I believe. So, there was a lot of last-minute changing of plans and whatnot. But what's amazing is, somehow, they were able to pull it off."

Narrator: "For the final assault on Atlanta, The Union was under the command of an experienced General, General Christopher Harris of New Jersey. Known for his wit and sarcasm and his take-no-prisoners approach of dollar boxes, Harris was no stranger to the South. "

"Early in the War, Harris' troops laid siege to North Carolina, and for the last few years had been roaming the card shows of Northern Virginia. But this would be different. Never before had Union forces penetrated this far South.

Daniel Orkent, The New York Times: "The Hobby in The South is a little different. It had been a few years since a `big show' had been in Atlanta, or anywhere in The South for that matter. And while card shows in The North, White Plains, Philly, Chantilly, always have about 200-300 tables, this one would only have 100."

N: "General Harris would be joined in this campaign by Colonel Thomas and his 14th Ohio Regiment, a battle-hardened crew eager for action; Brigader Lulgjuraj's 84th New York; and the 61st Georgia Volunteers a.k.a. `Campbell's Mad Junkies.' It would be a formidable force, all prepared for the invasion of Atlanta."

General Chris Harris: "I must be honest, I don't know what to expect from this campaign. But I do know one thing; we shall whip those Rebel dealers out of their singles, rookies, and wax. We shall whip them without mercy. And when those Rebels ask for mercy, we shall whip them some more."

N: "General Harris rendezvoused with Thomas' forces south of town, then marched northeast to establish base camp at the Hilton Garden Inn in Duluth. Along the way, the marching armies stopped for provisions at The Varsity in Gwinnett."

Harris: "The chili dogs are not as good as the half-smokes at Ben's Chili Bowl or the Shirlington Weenie Beenie, but damn that's some good eating."

N: "After establishing base camp, Harris and Thomas made their initial assault."

Shelby Foote: "When the Union forces arrived at the hall, I'm sure they didn't know what to expect. I'm sure they were pleasantly surprised to see all the singles dealers, but with only one dealer with any significant wax, they had to be disappointed."

Harris: "If this were a Yankee card show, there'd be dozens of tables full of wax, new and junk. I was hoping to score some 90s wax, but no. I only bought an HTA box of 2011 Topps."

N: "Day one of the campaign ended, with minimal damage inflicted. Harris managed a box of 2011 Topps and some cheap singles. Colonel Thomas went through a couple of dime and quarter boxes. Afterward, the combined forces decamped to the Duluth Hilton Garden Inn, then went out for drinks at the Taco Mac with Major General Campbell."

Doris Kearns Goodwin: "The first day of the Atlanta Campaign started off slowly. You kind of had the feeling that, ummm..., the Union forces were kind of, feeling the Rebels out. You could tell that as the weekend wore on, the Union would step up their attack."