Hagerstown Swan

City Park. I found two different sets of swans today as I took a walking tour of the Prospect historic section of Hagerstown that included the city park. The city features the swans in art and promotional brochures. Along the way I passed many a historic plaque that told of the cavalry battles here in 1864 and the ransom demanded and paid so the town would not be torched (recompense for the destruction wrought by the Union in the Shenandoah Valley. I am happy they paid
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Washington Cemetery
Rose Hill--Hagerstown
This morning early I return to this mass grave where the people of Maryland gathered up those "Rebel Bones" that lay in the fields around several battlefields--most notably South Mountain and Antietam. Lady Hope stands watch over their semi-circular resting place--some 2,122 _unknown and 346 known soldiers from the ANV. The various states have a section. Confederate flags fly along side her and the ubiquitous Southern Cross of the UDC is front and center before her. Lest we forget.
PS--An homily on the occasion of my first visit here
http://www.bencaudill.com/chaplain/lesson121_07.html
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War Correspondents

This memorial was erected in Cramptons Gap were Rebels attempted to guard the passes across South Mountain where the ANV had made its invasion into Maryland in 1862
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National Cemetery Winchester

Not far from this spot fierce fighting was witness in September 1864. Many Union soldiers were buried here
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39th Anniversary

Beloved wife pictured here on one of our trips to her mother's while in the service. Zetta called this morning to wish me a happy anniversary. We wed on 20 July 1971 in Fentress County, Jamestown, Tennessee. I recall we were married in the upstairs office of a JP who ran a hardware store. Zetta suggested a ring for me and we stepped into a little jewelry store and found a gold ring that matched hers. We had to wait a bit, and we found a roadside park near a big rock to relax. I just returned Sunday from a long weekend with Zetta where we celebrated early at Shakertown. Thanks for the memories and Happy Anniversary Honey!
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Sidewalk Mural

On the walk home from Rose Hill I turned down a side residential street at Rose Ln & 15th and was pleasantly surprised by this mural. It is tasteful and well done. Certainly more appealing than whitewash. I am considering something similar for the Chapel at Southfork one day.

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Recruiting Tomorrow's Reenactors

Rose Hill Manor, Frederick
This sergeant has recruited and drilled several platoons of very young enthusiasts this afternoon just outside the manor -- just as soldiers drilled and encamped on these grounds 147 years ago. We will have a skirmish here in a bit. It served as an encampment area for units passing through to Gettysburg
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Vets Galore

In the foreground is a 1964 Stingray hardtop and some others in the background at the Vet show today. I recall vividly as I and a couple of friends (likely George for one) admired one of the older kids in the neighborhood on Romandy Road as he showed off his brand new gray Stingray. Its styling is timeless and will always attract guys that admire beauty. The new ones are pretty sharp too. In the background is a jazz band as we have a cool breeze the lovely overcast day in Frederick. "See the USA in your Chevrolet". And I do in my Chevy S10 with camper shell.

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Frederick Fireworks

We finally got off to a grand display here. A group of about eight teenagers from the deaf mute school joined me and carried on a lively conversation while most all other viewers sat quitely. It dawned on me that they missed half the show signing and heard nary a bang or boom.
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Camp Meeting

Gettysburg. Independence Day
In the front is a lady who sang the hymns. You can see the period dress. The fellow in the lower right is a Gen Pickett character. Today, in a couple off hours, I will stand with the 1st Federal Division and defend, in a reenactment, the Stone Wall on Cemetery Ridge, which is just a few yards away from me as I write this. It was the high-water mark of the Confederate advance, and specifically Pickett's Division, as both sides gave their all, their last full measure, in this epic battle. The preacher has called his sermon, the Last Full Measure, in our battle and in what our Lord Jesus gave for his and our victory over Death.
Amen
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