Edmundsbury, South Carolina

Traveling on US Route #17 on our way to Beaufort, South Carolina we happened upon this historic sign. Both sides of the sign say the same thing, though this side..the back side is far more readable. As we pulled the car over to read and photograph the sign a local farmer hopped off his tractor to tell us about the sign. He was quite chatted and told us an old cemetery lay further back in the brush. He went onto tell us a story that had been handed down to him by his Dad and others in the community. His story, I believe is just that a story. And a wobber at that. Troubling too, as inaccurate things like this story help to keep a wall between Northerns and Southern, help to keep some folks still fighting The Civil War.

He told us the church was full of people, The Union locked them in, and proceeded to burn it down with them inside. The people were civilians. I thought that pretty unlikely. Though "War is Hell", according to Sherman, and we all know bad things happen in war. Purposely locking civilians in a house of worship and setting fire....I couldn't buy that.
As you can see by the sign it was burnt in 1852 (prior to The Civil War), rebuilt in 1854 and "wrecked" by Union Troops in 1865. Further research indicates Landgrave Edmund Bellinger for whom the community was named for was here. Landgrave was born in England and is buried along with other family members in this old church cemetery. Ashepoo (current community and name of the river is in Colleton County, South Carolina. All my research indicates Sherman's troops burned the church in January of 1865, but no article substantiates the "story" the farmer is spreading.

We had a tight time table and so didn't tromp back through the brush to see the cemetery and church ruins. There had been lots of rain and the ground was a mess, but perhaps on our next trip, we'll get to explore a bit further.

I also found an account of a church being burned in January of 1865 by Sherman called Sheldon Episcopal Church in Beaufort Co. The land was given by the widow of the 2nd Landgrave Edmund Bellinger. One wonders if the stories have been mixed? If, there were 2 separate churches, or perhaps the church went by multiple names.

This was interesting even though we may not really know the whole story or truth of this local with regard to The Civil War because this little church and it's inhabitants played a roll in early Colonial times.

Considerations when Traveling

Things we usually check into when we're about to travel are:

Do we need to rent a car? If we're flying
Are there on line coupons are specials for golf? Or other activities
Do we need to book dinner reservations ahead?
Do we need to pack our own wine?
Are there tours that can be taken?
What historical sites to see are there?
What time zone we will be, very important to know all the time; but particularly so if flying

That list covers alot of territory and is good for almost any place you plan to travel. Do you have a list? It's Sunday, and that's Sandy's Seven on Sunday...with regard to travel that is. Leave a comment, and join the Sunday 7 Meme. Primary rules are to leave a comment and visit other's on the list. Running late today, so this will go til later tomorrow Monday.

Franklin Park, Asians and The Civil War

Flat Stanley spending more time in Franklin Park, 1777 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio. This sign doesn't mark something specific happening on this spot, as many historic plaques do. It calls attention to a little known fact. We all know The American Civil War was fought by The Union trying to preserve The United States against The Confederacy. We know one cause of the war was deemed to be states rights, and one cause was to free Black Americans that were living in bondage in The South. But, did you know Asians fought in that war? Asians fought on both sides, despite not being US Citizens. Statistically it's believed more fought on the side of The Union.

The Civil War was fought between 1861-1865. As the sign indicates The Naturalization Act and The Chinese Exclustion Act blocked some who fought to preserve this country from being able to become citizens of this country. Those restriction continued until 1965, when finally all restrictions based on race, and origin were lifted. In 2003 those who fought were posthumously proclaimed to be US Citizens in an effort to recognize their service to this country. 142 years after the start of The Civil War, they were honored by House Joint Resolution 45.

The flip side of this sign lists names of those supposed to be Asian who fought from Ohio. Due to anti-Asian sentiment, many changed their names, changed the spelling of their names and much controversy surrounds this premise. Historians have not been able to document the names listed as really being Asian. In fact, in several cases the names have been found to be German and other nationalities, not Asian. Most aren't listed on muster lists, most weren't given pensions, and therefore the names listed are speculation based on the feeling of some in The Asian Community that the names sounded Asian. A great deal of research has been done by Terry Foenander and others that disproves the list as being accurate.

I found some documentation that indicates a man that went by the name of John Tommy was Chinese and that he fought and died at Gettysburg. Perhaps as time goes on with the help of more research and maybe DNA testing, more information on this topic can be found.

I don't know which group of researchers has the most correct story; but am never the less glad those who fought to preserve this country have finally been given the honor of being United States Citizens.

Flat Stanley plans to return this park another time to see what else he can learn. Until then, he hopes to see you all again next Friday for more Fun on the 25th.

This perhaps is a deep/heavy topic; but I believe you can still make this a family appropriate outing. Discuss with the kids why knowing who fought for the country is important. Do they known someone who is Asian? Can they find Asia on a globe or map? Make a word list, a spelling list. There's always something that can be age appropriate as the kids explore with
Flat Stanley.

Fort Sumter, Charleston South Carolina

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.