Here's Flat Stanley in Franklin park at 1777 Broad Street (Broad & Main) in Columbus, Ohio. "War is Hell", a famous quote from William Tecumseh Sherman. On this site General Sherman gave a stirring and memorable speech to a group of Civil War Veterans in August of 1880.
General William Tecumseh Sherman is probably best known for his "March to the Sea" bringing about the end of The American Civil War. Some folks might argue he destroyed much that didn't need to be destroyed, others felt he got carried away, while others (including many modern day historians) feel he probably saved lives by bringing an end to The War that had cost the country so much. Many feel The March to the Sea is much like the dropping of The Atom Bomb in Japan...the only way to obtain a surrender and put an end to The War. The South had children fighting, old men trying to guard cities, and Slaves forced against their will to fight on The side of The Confederacy...the side fighting to keep them down.
Though that might be the first thing one would think of thinking of Sherman, he was much more then a soldier. He was a businessman, an Educator, an author. He was The Superintendent at Louisiana State Seminary. He was a railroad-man in St. Louis. He was one of 11 children left penny-less when his father, Charles Robert Sherman (member of the State of Ohio Supreme Court), died and left the family nothing to live on. William Tecumseh Sherman, then 9 years old was raised by a neighbor and family friend in Lancaster, Ohio; Thomas Ewing. He later married Ewing's daughter.
There's much controversy and intrigue around his middle name of Tecumseh. Friends called him "Cump", short for Tecumseh and so it would seem that was indeed his name. His father was an admirer of The Indian, Tecumseh. Some records indicate he obtained the name William when he was baptized as a child, other records indicate he received the name William when baptized later in life after moving in with The Ewing family.
The famous quote and speech was delivered on what had been the grounds for The State Fair. Like
Schiller Park, these historic park's were used for large public gatherings.
Sherman was born Feb 8th, 1820 and died Feb. 14th 1891. There were several services. A pallbearer at one service in New York had been a high ranking general for The Confederacy. His final service was conducted by his son, Thomas Ewing Sherman a Jesuit Priest in St. Louis. He's buried there in
St. Louis at Calvary Cemetery.
Franklin Park is a large 93+acre park open daily to the public. Flat Stanley says come, walk, run, romp and enjoy. This park the original location of The State Fair has much to offer including The Franklin County Park Conservatory. A park with history, and space for all to enjoy. Bring the family and explore.
Spring is approaching and Flat Stanley wants everyone to get out and enjoy a park near them. Look around, explore it. Is there a historic sign? If so, take the time to learn from it. Have the children learn by mapping out the park, or helping you find locations in the park, draw pictures of what they see, make a glossary list of new words presented at the park. Do math by figuring out how far away the park is, how long it took you to get there. Flat Stanleys motto is education is fun, and every experience presents both opportunities. Take advantage of them.
See you next week for more fun on Friday with Flat Stanley on March 18th.
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Join me on the deck of the ferry as we make our way across Charleston Harbor to Fort Sumter. It was cool that day, but sunny. There are 2 locations to catch the ferry to Fort Sumter, one is Liberty Square in downtown Charleston. Boat is in fact, the only method of getting to the fort.
As we approach Fort Sumter you might question where the fort is. I did. It doesn't really look like a fort. Truthfully there's not much left that resembles what it used to look like during The Civil War.
Take a look at this map and you'll get a sense of the importance of this harbor. There's Fort Moultrie on Sullivans Island, Fort Wagner on Morris Island, Fort Sumter, and Fort Johnson on James Island among other military outposts and batteries. Look at the proximity to Charles there on the tip. Fort Sumter was built after The War of 1812 as a means of protection against would be invaders, and named for Thomas Sumter a Revolutionary War Veteran from South Carolina. It was built with lots of slave labor, and was in fact unfinished when Major Robert Anderson made his move there with 85 men.
Fighting lasted some 34 hours while this Federal Fort was still in the hands of The United States and occupied by The Union forces.
He you see a drawing showing the original 3 story structure of the fort before the it was severely destroyed.
A Memorial to Major Robert Anderson and his garrison of brave men who tried to preserve The Union, The United States that fateful day in 1861. Major Anderson fought against a student of his from Westpoint, Brig. Gen. Pierre G.T. Beauregard
Major Anderson and his wife and son pictures.
A general view of the harbor and the cannons.
Cannon up close.
After the close of The Civil War the fort fell into disrepair but what once again deemed important prior to the onset of The Spanish American War in 1898. This Battery Huger now overtakes much of inside area of Fort Sumter. Though the Huger was not needed for that war, the military did maintain the area. In World War I a larger and more power weapon was installed. It became a tourist attraction after that period, but was once again reactivated for World War II. In 1943 The War Department transferred ownership to The National Park System and it became a National Monument.
Sometimes I view historic places of interest difficult places to take family, at least family with small children. Guided tours are often not child friendly. Kids want to run and play and not listen intently to a docent or ranger giving a lecture. However, if a Junior Ranger Program exists, then please do take the children. They'll love it, learn a lot and most likely be able to tell you a thing or two. I know our daughter always enjoyed these programs at National Parks and Monuments and felt so proud when she'd earn her badge.
This is The Battle Flag that flew proudly for The Union, The United States of America. It is as you can very thin, a bit torn, and behind glass. Not only is it behind glass it's in a special wooden case, an airtight on in order to preserve it. The glass is specially tinted glass also to protect the flag. Notice the arrangement of the stars. There was no "official" placement of stars on the flag in those days. In fact there wasn't for quite some time. The placement of stars was merely up to the seamstress and so 2 flags side by side would look different.
