ANSWER: Abner Doubleday (1819 - 1863)
Yes, the man who is best known as "the man who 'invented' baseball" is the same General Abner Doubleday who served admirably on behalf of the Union in this country's Civil War.
Early this month, the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863) was commemorated with a reenactment on its 150th anniversary. For those of you who experienced that event and want to learn more about that battle and the war in general, we recommend that you take a look at this book in the collection:
Chancellorsville and Gettysburg
by Abner Doubleday, published by C. Scribner's Sons, New York, 1882
General Doubleday commanded the entire First Corps after the death of General Reynolds early in the morning of that initial day of the battle. He used his first-hand knowledge in writing this book, which includes astute insights into Generals Meade and Howard and analyses of both battles.
So ... as we think of the Battle of Gettysburg or the sport of baseball, let's quietly pay homage to a versatile man who could both defend and entertain his country.
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