Your "Connection" at battlefields.

My parents and brother made a trip to Andersonville in GA a few years back as my GGF survived the hell hole. I would be willing to wager they felt a presence at times of some of the nearly 13,000 who died there.

my gg grandfather George W. Davis was at the Battle of Island N. 10, Pea Ridge and a buch of other battles, was wounded at Cedar Creek. I have been to Pea Ridge and I felt a deep connection.
Other ancestors were at Gettysburg and two that I know were at Cold Harbor. I hope to get a chance to see those battlefields some day. My name sake was killed at Cold Harbor.
I have the same connection with the Oregon Trail and live right on it, I have walked many parts of it and wonder how it was that so many people walked that rout, you can still walk in the wagon tracks.'
IMO it is a shame that so many battlefields of the Pacific where thousands of men died are forgotten. Outside Naha, Japan, there is a 50 foot high hill that is 300 yards wide. Today it is unmarked and unremarkable, few have ever heard it's name, Sugar Loaf Hill, US 6th Marines took that pile of dirt 12 times, lost it 11 times, and lost 1,656 men dead, and 7,429 wounded in 12 days of the most intense fighting of the war, no bronze plaque, no statue, not even a flag pole marks it...
http://www.warofourfathers.com/war/146okinawa.html

Been there twice, and I tell you, I could have sworn to hear the moans. I have NO desire whatsoever to visit that place at night. I fear that my senses would "tune-in" and I would stroke out at what I think I would see.

Unionblue

I grew up on a battlefield and I guess I just don't have that kind of imagination.

Checked out the G. Spangler farm a couple years ago (before all the no tresspassing signs went up), can't wait until they get around to restoring it and allowing visitation...If you want I can post pix from there.

BillO,

I feel the same way about Columbus, Ohio, the capitol of the State.

Never went to the Ohio Statehouse, never visited some of the historic sites in downtown, for a very LONG time, not until I retired from the Army.

I guess its true that one never appreciate what one has until its gone or given a first visit.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

Definitely! I'd love to see them--I'll reciprecate with some of mine!

Great will post in a few hours!

Sorry it took a few more than a few hours, I couldn't find the discs they were saved on, then had to upload to photobucket...



The George Spangler Farm Summer Kitchen (where Armistead died)





Close up of the plaque on the summer kitchen




Alcove of the summer kitchen next to the fire place




The fireplace in the summer kitchen




My large posterior reading graffiti on the window sill




George Spangler Farm House



Reading more graffiti on the windowsill of the summer kitchen



What I was reading on the windowsill





The approach to the George Spangler Farm, barn on right kitchen visible left of trees



Monument at the front of the driveway to the George Spangler Farm



I have other pix from inside the barn, but can't seem to find them at the moment.

Enjoy

Aw, it was like being there myself! Except that it was about 90 degrees at the end of July, and I don't recall seeing any graffiti, but I was too busy being awed thinking,"I wonder if THIS is where Armistead was lying when he died." Nice pics. Kel. I'll look for mine tomorrow.

Great pictures. We need to protect these historic sights, I fear that in the near future few people will have any interest in our history-our heritage.

thanks! I sometimes think you're right, but we got the bug, why can't younger people get bit?

I am very optimistic that the George Spangler farm will be suitably restored and become a center for education about Civil War medicine at Gettysburg. It would be perfect for that, and Gettysburg needs it badly. Thanks for the pics.

I had one of these experiences yesterday at Antietam, watching the film. Just began crying - couldn't help it.

While walking through the woods at Chickamauga, I was struck by a feeling that I can't really put into words. My GG Grandfather (along with other family members) was there, and I was following the path of his regiment who lost better than 50% killed/wounded. It occured to me that he was not yet married, therefore had no children at the time. Had one ball or shell taken a slightly different path, I would not be standing there.