Civil War Days

We enjoyed getting to see the Civil War days at Camp Nelson. We found out that the camp (which we have visited before) was actually a recruiting site for African American soldiers and that it became a refugee camp for many African American families who had escaped from slavery and followed their husbands/sons/fathers who were enlisting in the Union army. That made it even more fascinating for us. Unfortunately, I think the kids were mostly interested in the cannon balls and the snow cones (and the dog that refused to be petted, but that Oliver chased ALL OVER the place until he found him in someone's tent where the poor dog was cornered).

Cambel enlisted as a recruit and got to learn how about rank and file and marching. He lasted for awhile before he appeared to be bored out of his mind and Kevin helped him desert. He wasn't even sad he missed the musket training because "they weren't even real."

 

Ada and Oliver offered little moral support as they sat in the shade eating snow cones.

 

At any rate, it was a beautiful day, beautiful scenery, and a fascinating history lesson that hopefully someday our awol soldier and our blue-tongued kids will appreciate.

(Kevin really needs to practice moving his finger out of the way when he takes a picture)

 

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