1987-05 (May)

Burns—I-10; V’burg, the Teche

Friday, May 1st

Left for Vicksburg, via Jackson, at 9 a.m. in Lancia. Drove without stopping, 265 miles in 4/5 hours; filled up with gas on outskirts, checked into Anchuca. Ken Burns + wife didn’t show up till about 3, having stopped for a look at Champion Hill. Drove out on field, Union Road, filming various scenes as they appeared; special attention to Illinois monument. Back to Anchuca, then off to dinner at Velchoff’s at 8:30. Had redfish with creole sauce. Bed by 10; read intro Walker’s Thanatos Syndrome, which I read in typescript some six months ago.

Saturday, May 2nd

Up at 6 for sunrise photographing of the Vicksburg courthouse, also photos + documents, with help of curator Gordon Cotton, whom I’d met at the bear-hunt gathering in November. Back out onto the field after a 2 oclock hamburger. Illinois monument again, various dramatic statues, + above all the Cairo. Back to Achuca by 5:30. Dinner again at Velchoff’s.Retired at 9:30; read more of Walker’s book. Asleep before 11.

Sunday, May 3rd

Vicksburg: leaving day. Stayed abed till 7:30. Plantation breakfast at 8. Then Ken + Buddy (cameraman) + Steve (sound man, a Texan) drove back into the battlefield; filmed a third interview against a background of woods in an isolated pert of Sherman Circle. Back to Achuca by 11; clocked out at 11:30—went to my childhood home, 801 Speed Street; many dim memories. Then hit the road for home, interstate turnpike via Jackson, as before, again drove it in 4.5 hours. House by 4. Liz Rohatyn still here, but others all departed.

Monday, May 4th

Liz Rohatynleft at midmorning, after extracting a promise that we’d visit her + Felix in NY in late June. I finished rereading Walker’s The Thanatos Syndrome, which I’d read in typescript some six months ago. Like it still, despite its apologue quality. Note fromRLF says Gallinard royalties, through 1985, are about to be released. It doesn’t say how much they amount to, only that the agency “Looks forward to receiving the bank transfer,” plus a query about 1986 royalties. Walked two miles in 35 mins. Played Stravinsky, SacréEbony Concerto. Good to be back at it instead of stop-+-go slogging on the field of Vicksburg.

Tuesday, May 5th

Roundtable; got McDonnell’s upcoming Wolf River selection, James Hanley’s Against the Stream. Seessel’s; quart of buttermilk. Blockbuster Video; VCR of “Silverado,” a praised western. Watched VCR, + found it contained every clichéin the book; photography interesting, though. Irangate hearing began on day long TV—former Air Force Major general Richard Secord. The plot will thicken, I’m sure. Skipped walk to watch it, this first day.