Day 56 - Georgia

Day 56

Evening

Dear Miss Smith,
    Since Levi has written you about the Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum, I won’t spend much time on it myself except to say that it was a fascinating place to visit!

    Of course my favorite exhibit was the centerpiece of the museum which was a train. It was an old steam locomotive named “Texas” which was used to pursue the Union raiders who had captured the Confederate locomotive “General” and were steaming away with it. The “Texas” not only pursued them, but also recovered the coveted engine much to the Confederates joy. The story about the raid, pursuit and recapture of the “General” was so interesting that Disney made it into a movie in 1956 called “The Great Locomotive Chase.”

    The other thing worth noting was the purchase of Civil War Rifle Pens for each of the boys, Amy and myself. Mine will go on my hat to add quite a unique touch. Amy has fixed it so that I might pull it out to use should I so desire.

    It is evening now and growing late. We met Susanna and Abigail at the airport, and, since the boys’ planes didn’t leave until a later time, we all enjoyed supper together. It really was quite interesting, Miss Smith, since Abigail is the older sister of Christian, and Susanna is the older sister of Levi. The four of them chattered non stop until the boys boarded their planes for home. And alas, Miss Smith, I had to say good bye to Amy as well. The farewell was touching, for in spite of our extreme differences in character, we had grown quite fond of each other. I will still keep Timber for a few more days before he is picked up. I am grateful to have Susanna and Abigail with me for South Carolina or I would be quite lonely.
    But all is now quiet and I must get some rest.

Must love,

~Priscilla

Day 56 - Georgia

Day 56

December 6

Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Miss Smith,
     We were up and ready to go by 8:00 a.m. We went to the Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum. It was fantastic. This is some of the information I found. The Atlanta Cyclorama is the largest of only three Cycloramas in the U.S.. Overseas there are only sixteen that still exist and they are known as panoramas. A Cycloramas is supposed to give the viewer a 360 degree view. 

The circumference of the painting is 358 ft. and covers 15,030 sq. ft..

The depth of the display is 30 ft. The painting alone weighs more than 10,000 lbs. The tallest figure in the diorama is 3 ft. 

The Cyclorama was painted in 1885-86 by German artists. The shortest figure in the diorama is 17 inches. 

One of the dying soldiers in the diorama is a portrait of the actor Clark Gable.

When we were done looking at the cyclorama we went to the store. Christian and I got a Rifle pen each. Pricilla got a Rifle pen to add to her states hat and Amy got an Atlanta Cyclorama Pin.

Love,

 Levi

Day 55 - Georgia

Day 55

December 5

Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Miss Smith,
     Today we went to Nash Farm Battlefield. It was fun!! There were four battles fought there
during the Civil War. During the second half of 1864, the Nash farm was the scene of considerable
military activity!! One of the most famous battles was a Cavalry charge that was done by General Sherman's Cavalry.

     While we were walking around I was imagining what it would be like to be there when it happened. It was too bad that we were not here in September when there was a Battle Re-enactment and Living History. It would have been exciting to see that!!
     Well, I have to go now.

Til later,

-Christian

Day 55 - Georgia

Day 55

Dec. 5

West Point, GA

Postcard

Dear Miss Smith,
    I'm short on time and space here. Just finished visiting Fort Tyler in West Point, Georgia. The Union troops attacked this earthen fort on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1865 and many soldiers died. That was seven days after General Lee had surrendered to Grant. One thing that Christian found interesting was that the "spoils of war," the Confederate flag, was given to the Wisconsin regiment. Since he is from Wisconsin, he wondered what happened to it.
    Off to Nash Farm Battlefield. No more room.

~Priscialla

Day 54 - Georgia

Note from Miss Smith: This letter must have been delayed in the mail. Sorry.

Day 54

December 4

Fort Benning, Georgia

My Dear Miss Smith,
    We are so busy these days and enjoying the time we are spending here in Georgia. At least Christian, Levi and I are, though I can’t be sure Amy still is since she has been so distracted. At least, now that arrangements have been made for her return home, the last few days should be quieter. Timber will be traveling back with some friends of Amy’s who we will meet in South Carolina. It will be sad to see him go as he has been a wonderful traveling companion for Nellie. Yes, Miss Smith, Penelope is now responding more to the name Nellie then to her real name. I suppose I must not complain for as Amy put it, “She’s too small a dog to carry around such a long name. And she’s so cute, she needs a cuddly sounding name.” As though names could really be cuddly!




    This morning we drove up here to Port Columbus and headed to the museum. Our first stop was the Water Witch which is actually outside between the museum and the highway. This U.S. steamship served a surveying ship in South America before the Civil War. During the War between the States it was a supply ship, mail ship and then became part of the North’s blockade of Savannah, Georgia. However, in a daring raid one night, a group of Confederate Naval forces captured the Water Witch! But alas, Lt. Thomas Pelot, the leader of the raid, and Moses Dallas the new pilot, were both killed. Without the new pilot, the ship had to be kept hidden for months and at last sunk to prevent the Union from recapturing it.

    Inside the museum we were able to see what part of the USS Hartford was like. That was the flag ship of Admiral David Farragut. It was quite fascinating, I assure you. There was a flag collection as well as many other exhibits including the CSS Jackson which is the largest surviving confederate warship! It was captured in Columbus in 1865 by General James Harrison Wilson. Perhaps you recall hearing or reading about Wilson’s Raiders, Miss Smith. This General Wilson was the same man. He ordered it set on fire so the Confederates wouldn’t be able to use it later. The blazing ship drifted for two weeks down the river before it finally sank nearly thirty miles down river. Ninety-five years later the citizens from the area banded together to pull it from the river during the Civil War Centennial. Imagine pulling a ship that had been sunk ninety-five years before, out of the Chattahoochee River!

    After spending the morning at the Naval Museum, we headed to the National Infantry Museum. Yes, we are doing a lot of war things in this state. It’s because we have the boys with us.

    Our first stop at the museum was the Fife & Drum restaurant. The food was delicious! We all enjoyed the Big Benning Burger, Chicken Brie Grape Salad and the Infantry Chili Cheese Fries. Miss Smith, those Infantry Chili Cheese Fries were the best any of us had ever had.

    Once we had fortified ourselves we started our tour. First stop: Last 100 Yards. The life-size dioramas took us from Yorktown, to Antietam, Normandy to Iraq; we crossed Burnside Bridge where the Confederate soldiers held back the Union longer than anyone expected. Above our heads a WWII troop glider hung. We saw the D-Day landing, a Huey helicopter during the Vietnam war, a damaged Bradley Fighting vehicle along a bombed road in Iraq. The entire thing was incredible! We were all awestruck and even Levi was silent. An event that rarely happens.
    We found out that the figures in the scenes were not just mannequins; they are actually sculptures of real active duty soldiers who auditioned to be the ones to represent their fellow soldiers.
    A loud and somewhat intimidating drill sergeant’s voice pulled us into the Fort Benning gallery. That was the place that loosened Levi’s tongue again!

    It would take me much too long to try and describe all the places and scenes we saw at the museum. One place that I have never seen before in a war museum was an entire gallery honoring the families of our military. It was quite refreshing to see that here at least, those who stay at home and wait are remembered and honored. Tell Bekah that if she ever comes to Georgia, she should do a book signing of her book “Home Fires of the Great War” here in the Soldier’s Store. It would fit right in.

    One other place I must tell you about the World War Two Company Street. During the second world war Fort Benning had to expand rapidly to meed the growing demands of building a larger military. It was then that the “series 700” buildings were built. They were intended to last only as long as the war; however, they proved to be so well built and so solid that it wasn’t until the 90s that they began dismantling them. The Museum was able to rescue one of each kind of building. They even have the headquarters used by General George S. Patton before he was deployed to North Africa.

    It has been a busy day and I am quite tired. The boys have gone to bed and even Amy has quit packing. She still has two more days before she leaves. Now I must get to bed. Tomorrow we drive up to Fort Tyler.

Love,

~Priscilla

Day 53 - Georgia

Day 53

Dec. 3

Andersonville, Georgia

Postcard

Dear Miss Smith,
     Today we visited Andersonville National Historic Site. Do you know that around twenty thousand Union men died there?It was sad that so many men died there. The Historic Prison Site is 26.5 acres outlined with double rows of white posts. Two sections of the stockade wall have been reconstructed, the north gate and the northeast corner. Opened in 1998,the Museum tells the stories of  prisoners of war throughout American History. It would have been hard if I had a family member who had gone there and died.

Til later,

-Christian

Day 53 - Georgia

Day 53

December 3

Eastman, Georgia

Dear Miss Smith,
     Today we visited the Fallen Star Ranch to see their miniature horses. They are so funny-looking but adorable!

The horses I’ve been around the most have been regular ones which are so much bigger than me as to be somewhat intimidating. But these – they’re so tiny and cute! The boys loved them!

I think if ‘Cilla had been somewhat smaller she would’ve ridden one but as it was we were all a little large so we contented ourselves in watching a group of smaller children ride.

     Well, as ‘Cilla has already mentioned, I have been very busy lately. About a month ago my brother Collin asked his life-long friend Elisabeth Macy to marry him and she said yes (of course)! So there will be a wedding back in Missouri later this month. As it is coming up so soon my parents and I have decided that I should probably go ahead and return home as soon as we’re finished here in Georgia. That way I’ll be home to help with the wedding plans (I’m to be Beth’s maid of honor) in plenty of time before the wedding.  I’ll miss Priscilla and the others but I do think this would be best. I hope to return after the wedding and Christmas.

     The phone is ringing and I see that it’s Mom again so I should probably close this.  I suppose I shall see you pretty soon!

~Amy~

Day 52 - Georgia

Day 52

Dec. 2

Tybee Island, Georgia

Dear Miss Smith,
     I've been having so much fun today visiting Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum . Do you know that it was rebuilt three times?? The first time it was rebuilt because storms took its toll on it. While the new one was getting  rebuilt a storm swept the old one away! The second one was rebuilt because after two years of it being done wind erosion had removed a good part of the sand underneath it and the sea was beginning to go right up to door. The third one was rebuilt because the Confederate troops had to set it on fire so that way the Union troops could not use it to guide there ships into the the harbor. And that is how it is today. It has 178 stairs and we had to climb them all to get to the top. Once we got to the top we could see a long way so it was worth the climb.
     Miss Priscilla just told me I should go to bed so I have to stop writing.

Till later,

-Christian

Day 51 - Georgia

Day 51

December 1

Midway, Georgia

My Dear Miss Smith,
    Here we are in Georgia, and it is the first of December and no snow. What was I thinking when I planned to spend fall and the beginning of winter down south? I’m longing for cold, brisk air, cheery fires - not that we have a fireplace in this wonderful RV - hay rides, pumpkin patches, snow storms, sleigh rides and such like. Ah me. Perhaps when this trip is over I shall turn around and head the other way to experience autumn and winter up in the north. But should it be spent in the New England states or out in the northwestern states or perhaps somewhere in-between? But that is a long way off. I must stick with the here and now.
    As Levi has no doubt told you in his letter, we camped near Fort King George Historic Site. A fascinating place along the coast, it is the oldest English fort remaining in Georgia.

Though not on the sea coast exactly, this fort was built in 1721 along the Altamaha River. The fort, the most southern outpost of Britain’s North American Empire, was abandoned only seven years after it was built due mostly, we learned, to disease, a harsh, coastal environment and the threats of Indian and Spanish attacks. However, General James Oglethorpe (I seem to connect John and Charles Wesley with the name Oglethorpe for some reason.), and a group of Scottish Highlanders arrived in 1736.

Officers' Quarters

    A settlement, which they named Darien, became a center of lumber export until as late as 1925!

I am not certain about when reconstruction was begun for Fort George, but now they have officer’s quarters, a blockhouse, a guardhouse, barracks, museum and even some cannons along the palisades. Levi and Christian enjoyed pretending they were soldiers.

Inside Barracks

    It was fascinating to wander about and try to imagine what it must have been like for those first soldiers stationed here, so far from their homes and everything they had known.


    We didn’t spend more than a few hours there before we loaded up to head farther up the coast to visit another fort.

    When we arrived at Fort Morris, the first thing we did was to eat a picnic lunch. The dogs thoroughly enjoyed being outside with us, and the boys, especially Levi, kept us amused by a steady flow of talk about anything and everything.

    Unlike Fort George, Fort Morris was built by order of the Continental Congress and first manned by 200 patriot soldiers. Guarding the Medway River at Sunbury, Fort Morris is known for the defiant words of its gallant officer, Colonel John McIntosh who, when the British demanded a surrender, replied, “Come and take it!”

The British, however, decided that they must hurry back to Florida right then and only returned later with a vastly superior force and took the fort.

    During the war of 1812, the fort, then named Fort Defiance, was again used to safeguard the harbor.

    There was a lovely nature trail there which we enjoyed exploring late in the afternoon before returning to our home-away-from-home.

    After eating our supper of lasagna, salad and french bread, we all agreed to drive the rest of the way up the coast to Tybee.

    Now we are relaxing. Allow me to clarify, Amy is busy on the phone. Since her older brother, I don’t recall which one, is getting married, she has been rather busy and distracted. She has even talked about going home. Perhaps she should. The only problem with that, Miss Smith, is that I would be alone when we reached States where no one is joining us. Perhaps you could check around for me and see if there is anyone who could join me. It may be that one of my relatives or friends could come.
    The boys are heading up to bed now and Amy is off the phone. I should head to bed as well.

Love,

~Priscilla

Day 50 - Georgia

Day 50

November 30

Darien, Georgia

Dear Miss Smith,
  There’s a lot of stuff we did today. First we went to Okefenokee Swamp Park. We went on their train tour.

 The train was called the Lady Suwannee. We saw many animals. We saw a white tail deer,

an otter,

and a water moccasin. Amy didn’t like the snake.

Then we saw some alligators. Christian saw them first. We were almost done when we heard Pricilla scream. We looked to see what it was. It was a black bear.

We all laughed. Once we were done, we went to the shop. Priscilla wanted to look at the hats!!!! But there weren’t any hats.

     Once we got out in the RV she put on her hiking hat. Then we went to the Okefenokee trail. After that we went to an RV park really close to Fort King George historical park site.

     Well, Christian is reading. Amy is putting mouse traps out. Priscilla is writing her journal.

Love,

Levi