Gen. William T. Sherman
Not too long ago, I've told you fine people about my personal travels into the past via genealogy. Do you remember? Well, yesterday we actually went out and took in a deep breath of air on a mountain with quite the story to tell. We walked on paths that have been trampled on a long time ago with quite the purpose. We walked through the woods that still hold some quiet whispers of those that once were here before us. And now we have come here to listen. (as always, click on the pictures for larger view)
As you may or may not recall, I have been busy with Lewis' family history. The other day I watched a show that does exactly that. Matthew Broderick (to some he will be for all times "Ferris Bueller") was researching his heritage and it was quite the interesting discovery. Turns out that one of his great great grandfathers fought at Gettysburg and other battles (on the Union side). He was then sent to Savannah, coming through Atlanta. He made it to Kennesaw Mountain, to the Battle of Peachtree Creek. Here he was a skirmisher and unfortunately was killed by a musket-ball to the head on the 23rd day of July in 1864. The name of this fine soldier was Robert Martindale, buried in a make shift grave in North Marietta. During Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, those soldiers buried in that make shift burial where carefully exhumed and moved to the Marietta National Military Cemetery with carefully reported information of those soldiers found. The cemetery holds over 10000 soldiers with only a few unmarked or marked as unknown. Such was the case for Robert Martindale of the 20th Connecticut volunteer Infantry, who, with Matthew Broderick's help has now given the stone number 2469 a name. This is where I thought to take you all. Walking in some of the footsteps of those who fought for what they believed in. (by the way, did you pick up on the name of his great great grandfather? In the movie "Glory", Matthew Broderick plays an officer named Robert Shaw).
(note: the picture of Matthew Broderick is taken from www.nbc.com)
First, we make our way to the cemetery and the view is taking my breath away. So many soldiers lay below the ground, dying in a battle they wished to win. They surely did not die in vain and now, even an unmarked little stone with the number 2469 is finally receiving personal recognition. Although this war was an American war, I felt thankful as I stared down onto that white square that didn't carry a name or any information other than the cataloging number 2469. As Matthew Broderick before me, I got a little chocked up; it was hard not to. As I stood there, I quietly thanked him for his bravery and his ultimate sacrifice. Now we step back into the car and march the paths where once a bloody battle took place.
(Again, the picture with Matthew Broderick was taken from www.nbc.com)
So here we are, at the visitor's center at Kennesaw Mountain. We pick up some info sheets here and there and sit down for a 18 minute long documentary, giving us a quick run through what had happened during the battle. Then we take off. Up to the top which leads us to some of the canons that would shoot at the Yankees as they would come up that mountain. As you look around, you still get a feel on how it must have looked up here, what the air must have smelled like, the yelling of orders to those that needed to be quick with their actions. Lewis, being a soldier himself (Armor Officer) gave me a better understanding of what took place behind those big canons and I could make up my own images what would take place in front of those little canons (not at all what i am used to seeing with Lewis' tanks). We drive around to three more battle points and with each stop we learn more and more of the battle that was ultimately lost by the Confederates.
Driving through Atlanta, you still see so many confederate flags in front of houses, or stickers on cars, even worn as t-shirt prints and tattoos. Often I wonder about the people who display the confederate flag in whatever shape and/or form know what the said display means and if they even have a clue about what they supposedly stand for. Ignorance is bliss?? It makes me sad to know that so many people here still fight using race, yet, they don't want the racial issue to go away as it has become a convenient tool to achieve whatever it is they perhaps wrongfully want to achieve. It makes me feel sad when people cry out for justice and yet, they are in the wrong. It makes me sad that people believe that they don't have to be responsible for themselves. It makes me sad to know that people take their life for granted. That they all seem to have forgotten. I feel that more people should be reminded of the blood that was shed for all those living in freedom today. I, for one, will always be grateful and I am not even an American. And with this, I will now follow the story of Lewis' family and their military background... who knows what we will discover...
