Aug 8-10: The Cradle of The Civil War 1

BLOG: "A regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style". (Dictionary).

I have received some gentle feedback that I say too much in some of the blogs. But a Blog is diaristic... not a Facebook post. The nature of my content is about to change for a while, as I'll be on the move and not wandering around taking a lot of photos.

From the early days of the Revolutionary War, the occupants of colonial North America knew that you can never have too many forts. Especially on the east coast, their nascent ports were important to the development of colonial civilisation and, especially once the Civil War started, needed to be protected from outsiders bent on acquiring 'adverse possession'. So, I've visited a few (and reported on them here), but I'm not going to continue to describe the same thing and display the same images over again. Therefore, I'll report that I've seen Forts McAllister, Jackson, and Pulaski, and that you can find out all you want--if you're interested--by Googling them (and I heartily recommend that you do!).

I also visited the museum at the Savannah Visitor Centre (the original Central of Georgia train station)... and spent a very worthwhile hour.

Georgia was one of the original seven slave states that formed the Confederate States of America in February 1861, triggering the U.S. Civil War, and this has led to my focus in these southern parts. My time in Savannah, though, has necessarily come to an end, and it's time to hit the road back to Washington D.C. by way of the Civil War hinterland.

Departing Savannah on Interstate 16, I head west for an hour, but not too far. Although my interest in the American Civil War absolutely includes General Sherman's wholly infamous 'March to the Sea" (you should Google this too) in which he led 55,000 infantry, 5,000 cavalry, and 2,000 artillerymen with 64 guns from Atlanta to capture Savannah (plus 2,500 supply wagons and 600 ambulances, and seized about 5,000 horses and 4,000 mules during the campaign!!!) , laying waste to all of Georgia that he passed through--which will never be forgiven by Georgians--I'm not interested in going to Atlanta in 2025. I would love to have been there, on a hill to watch Sherman's force move out, but I prefer a more quiet life as I 'follow the Civil war' north. So I turn off the freeway to follow US-1 and State Hwy-17 north to Athens for the night. This places me, serendipitously, on the Civil War Heartland Leaders Trail. I do take time to drive off the highway, including 3 miles down a dirt road, to visit the site of the Kettle Creek Battle, fought during the War of Revolution.

So, I have to hit the road. I have 8 days to cover too much history and scenery before I have to catch a fast train in D.C. to take me to Boston, MA. I'll blog whatever I can manage.

Bring the good old bugle boys, we'll sing another song!
Sing it with the spirit that will start the world along!
Sing it as we used to sing it, 50,000 strong!
While we were marching through Georgia!

Hurrah! Hurrah! We bring the jubilee!
Hurrah! Hurrah! The flag that makes you free!
So we sang that chorus from Atlanta to the sea!
While we were marching through Georgia!Leia mais