Monacacy River and Battlefield

Frederick
In 1862 Lee brought his Army to encamp in the Best Farm fields just beyond the river in this shot. He issued an order which divided his Army to conduct several simultaneous missions. A copy of that order was found in the following days and eventually reached MacPhereson, who exclaimed that he had Bobby Lee now. The Federals mobilized, fought through the gaps of South Mountain, and attacked Lee... But that is another story for another day. In 1864 the Confederates staged a large scale raid and envelopment of the Capitol with the intent of relieving Lee who was defending in the Richmond area Lew Wallace brought troops from Baltimore by train to this very spot, deployed, and delayed Confederate forces long enough for the Federals to mount an effective defense of the Capitol. There are monument to the battle in the Best fields beyond. The Confederates won the battle but did not achieve their strategic objective. Wallace went on to write the most popular Christian novel ever published Ben Hurr--his greatest achievement
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Funkstown Keller Home

Funkstown
In 1863 Stewart's Cavalry occupied the high ground around Funkstown, not far from Hagerstown. General Lee had withdrawn from Gettysburg and was at the Potomac at Williamsport setting up defensives in preparation for his river crossing. General Buford, whose commendable action at Gettysburg in the meeting engagement had proved to be a blessing for the Union, was now in pursuit of Lee. Stewart, whose not so sterling performance had blinded Lee at Gettysburg, now had the mission to stop or slow the Union pursuit. In a one-day battle of dismouted cavalry and some infantry he did so. Buford retired and Lee removed to Virginia to fight another day (the two most bloody years of the war).
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Dahlgren Chapel

Turner's Gap -- This beautiful little chapel belonged to the Dahlgren family in about 1881. Admiral Dahlgren's Guns were mounted on the Ironclad USS Monitor and saw action against the CSS Virginia, a converted Union ship: USS Merrimack. Today the chapel continues to serve for weddings
This day I stopped off and I picked up a Confederate gray felt hat. It will replace my misplaced black slouch campaign hat. A battle is scheduled next week for Carroll County Farms.
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Turner's Inn

South Mountain
The marker says this inn was here in 1790. Turner bought this pass in 1750. Confederates defended these passes in the days before Antietam and delayed McPherson's attempt to trap Lee at in the valley beyond between the mountains and the Potomac.
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National Trail

Braddock's Mountain--
Just up from Hagan's Tavern is this monument that shows Braddock, Washington and an unidentified soldier of the French and Indian War; I muse that it could represent Zetta's grandfather: Pvt Valentine Crawford (who would serve Washington as his Wagonmaster--a Colonel); or perhaps his brother William who would die tormented at the stake in Ohio 20 years later as the commanding officer of Fort Pitt? He had made a foray against the natives who fought for the British. Perhaps her grandfather wagoneer Daniel Boone who traveled with his teamster Findley, and would serve Washington as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1780 against the British in Kentucky County. I wonder what it was like when Braddock's Expedition was routed be the French and Indians. I know Boone escaped and our kids must be thankful for that!
One may read more of these events on Wikipedia
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John Hagan's Tavern 1790

Braddock Mountain-- The old tavern sits along the highway headed out of Frederick just a bit beyond I70. A beautiful fieldstone structure that served travelers along this road for centuries. As the sign indicates, it is up for lease. I muse that it is a result of our recent economic recession. Above windows and doors are the ancient oak pieces: 4x4 or so. The interior has hurricane lamps on tables and chandeliers hang from the ceiling and the floors may be original, and certainly appear to be very old. I shall by a lottery ticket today. And should I win I will lease and reopen this old tavern as a refuge for the romantic and perhaps even a lodge for this old soldier along General Braddock's Highway.
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Redbud Winter

Southfork of the Kentucky - Home for a respite and celebration. Last week there was a blizzard of sorts here. Folk call this a Redbud Winter. We hope Spring is now here for good. Tomorrow promises a high of 72•. This Rebbud sits over in our neighbor's yard, and is one of the more beautiful old Redbuds. On the way home yesterday, I could not help but notice the number of Redbuds along the Interstate -- a Redbud Way in the early Spring.
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Country Chuirch

Old church building located six miles south of Leesburg on Hwy 15. Decided to take the back roads as I95 was at a crawl. This was the partisan ranger Moseby's territory. Ironically these Anglican sons & daughters of the South have aligned with an African mission in the US to insure their orthodox and traditional worship. May God bless them and CANA
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Carl's Ice Cream

Fredericksburg. No better way that I could think of to end the Lent. I told the folk this morning "No fasting till after Pentecost" I could think of no better way to end the fast than with a Walnut Sunday. I saw Carl's featured on PBS a few months ago as one of the noted historic ice cream places in the nation. I noticed a plaque on the building that it was on the Virginia & National register of historic places. I commend it. It is in the north end of Princess Anne Street
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Salem Church

Fredericksburg-May 1863 and the Federals break through the Fredericksburg line and attack westward toward Lee's forces at Chancellorsville. Lee sends 10,000 men under McLaws to hold the Federal advance of 20,000. McLaws forms on the ridge line with Salem Church as his center perpendicular to the Federal line of march along Orange Turnpike. A breakthrough at the church but turned by counter attack to hold the line. Lee sends a force the next day to envelope the Federal advance and drives those people across the Rappahannock. Lee's most stunning tactical battle of the war but he is sorely aware that it would have been best to totally defeat them.
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Easter Communion

Fredericksburg-The Feast of the Resurrection with Deacon Paul and Subdeacon David. The Lord has risen indeed * O come let us adore him.
Afterwards a nice fellowship ands then a most enjoyable dinner at the Lebanese restaurant. This was an anniversary of sorts for me. It was one year ago on Easter MMVIII that I first celebrated Holy Communion here and retired to our favorite restaurant for fellowship.
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April Showers & Dogwoods

Frederick--This is my neighborhood along Carroll Creek and Carroll Parkway this covered bridge provides a handy crossing just outside my apartment into the city park. It has been gently raining since last night and the creek runs a bit high today. The trout fishermen have sought shelter. The Dogwood trees that frame this contemporary bridge remind me of the one that stood just outside our kitchen window as a child in Lexington. A fitting scene on this Easter Eve for which I praise God whose glory is made manifest in the beauty of his creation
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"Meads" Pyramid

This marks the approximate location of the Union breakthrough against a lightly defended section of Stonewall Jackson's line at Fredericksburg--turned by counter attack about 300 meters further up a forested draw. Dec 12,1862. Modeled after the Confederate memorial in Hollywood Cem, Richmond
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Pelham & Stewart

Maj John Pelham, CSA, 24, serving under Stewart's Calvary, delayed the Federal assault 1 hour with a single cannon while ignoring the risk of counter-battery fire highly disproportionate to his own which was directed against the infantry line arrayed below Fredericksburg.
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Cherry Blossom Festival

The crowd is heavy and the weather is fair at 64 and sunny. The wind often gusting upwards of 25 makes it a bit uncomfortable. They promised fireworks tonight at 8:30.
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St Michael

I shot this from my window while approaching this little Lutheran church. The St Michael the Archangel Church meets here after the Lutheran congregation. The Anglican congregation uses  the 1928 BCP with additions in a Anglo Catholic Mass. Inside the church there are about eight beautiful angels in window-sized reliefs playing various instruments and a very nice small sanctuary. The very nice thing about a church this size is the closeness one feels toward others, the pastor, and the movement of the liturgy. The acoustic are very nice for these damaged old ears of mine.