All Aboard!

August 5, 2014, 9:04 pm

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Michigan, Saint Clair County, Port Huron


This is the Fort Gratiot Station. It welcomed immigrants, settlers, military and other travelers to Port Huron during the late 19th century. The Grand Trunk Railway built this depot in 1858 and launched daily passenger service to Detroit the following year. In the early 1860s, young Tom Edison worked on the train, selling newspapers and snacks to the passengers.

(Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

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Orderly Room

August 5, 2014, 9:38 pm

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New York, Oneida County, Rome

The orderly room was the headquarters of the fort, where officers conducted the general business of the fort: writing daily garrison orders, holding meetings, completing paperwork and staging Courts Martial.

This room has been laid out to look like an orderly room, although the original orderly room was located in the headquarters building, which was not reconstructed.

(Forts, Castles • War, US Revolutionary) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Daniel Shaw Lumber Company

August 6, 2014, 8:57 am

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Wisconsin, Eau Claire County, Eau Claire

"I had no idea there was so much business done here. In just one mill where Charley is at work, they saw one hundred thousand feet a day. It keeps Charley pretty busy. He don't get any time to rest except Sunday."
      From the letters of:  Ellen Spaulding Miller
                              Eau Claire, 1873
    Between 1857 and 1890, Eau Claire had up to sixteen mills sawing logs along the banks of its waterways and holding ponds. Mill owners such as Daniel Shaw, Orrin Ingram and William Carson competed for the bounty of logs which were floated downstream in the Chippewa River. Over 989 million board feet of logs came down the river in 1884 alone!

    One of the larger mills in Eau Claire at this time was the Daniel Shaw Lumber Company. It began operation in 1857 just to the west of this site at the outlet of Half Moon Lake and within the first year employed 20 men. Shaw's mill dominated the western part of Eau Claire, originally platted as Westville in 1869. Due to the mill's presence, the area soon earned the name "Shawtown" and by the early 1890's, the lumber company employed 249 men and encompassed 12 buildings on 200 acres of land. Shaw also operated grist mills under the name "Crescent Mills," said to be one of the best flour mills in the state in 1880.

    With the decline in the lumbering industry, the Daniel Shaw Lumber Company was one of the last of the lumber mills to close in 1912. Its office still stands at 109 South Michigan Street. This portion of Eau Claire is still referred to as "Shawtown".

Sponsored by:
The Michael and Carol Benrud Family

(Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels) Includes location, directions, 10 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Early's Raid on Washington

August 6, 2014, 10:19 am

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Maryland, Montgomery County, Silver Spring
Washington, D.C. was raided in 1864 by 14,000 Confederate troops led by General Jubal Early. Skirmishes took place in Silver Spring and Washington, with the attack finally being stopped at Fort Stevens - just a few miles south of this site. Seventeen of the Confederate soldiers killed in this battle are buried at Grace Episcopal Church on Georgia Avenue.

The Confederate officers under General Early made their headquarters at the Blair residence, “Silver Spring”, which was ransacked. The nearby home of Montgomery Blair, then Postmaster General of the United States, was burned to the ground.

(War, US Civil) Includes location, directions, 8 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Confederate Monument

August 6, 2014, 10:29 am

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Maryland, Montgomery County, Silver Spring
To the Memory of
← • →
Seventeen
— Unknown —
Confederate Dead,
Who Fell in Front of
Washington, D.C.
July 12, 1864.
— By Their —
Comrades.

(Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Surgeon’s Day Room

August 6, 2014, 11:23 am

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New York, Oneida County, Rome

In a room such as this, the fort surgeon would have diagnosed the sick and treated the day-to-day illnesses of the garrison. The main illnesses were muscle strain due to the constant hard labor needed to run the fort, and infectious diseases contracted in the crowded and unfavorable conditions prevalent at the fort.

Treatments were agonizing and dangerous: a common treatment for all ills was bloodletting, which was thought to rid the body of disease.

( Sidebar : )
A Description of Bloodletting
Place patient’s hand in hot water to swell veins.
Tie a cloth tape at the pulse area of the wrist.
Patient opens and closes hand two or three times to increase swelling.
Patient’s hand is stretched open and the vein is pierced lengthwise with a small knife called a lancet.
The patient’s hand is dipped in hot water to make the blood flow freely and the cloth tape is loosened to allow the “impure” blood to escape.

(Forts, Castles) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Visiting Officers’ Lodging

August 6, 2014, 12:42 pm

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New York, Oneida County, Rome

Regiments were posted to the fort anywhere from four months to two years. As companies moved in and out of the fort, a space like this served as temporary lodging for the officers of a newly arriving regiment. Such space also housed officers visiting the fort on official business.

“Capt. Gregg, being much Recovered of his Wounds, set off for Albany. Same Day Arrived Capt. Swartout, Lieuts. Diefendorf, Ball, Welch, McClellan, Bowen, Oatrander and Colbreath & Ensign Denniston, with a Number of Recruits for the Regiment.”
      Journal of William Colbrath, July 19th, 1777

(Forts, Castles) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Soldiers’ Quarters: Casemate

August 6, 2014, 1:13 pm

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New York, Oneida County, Rome

This space represents a typical quarters for regular soldiers. A casemate of this size would have housed at least 40 soldiers every night.

The soldiers cooked and ate by the fire, and slept on the straw bunks. Soldiers slept sitting up because it was believed to be healthier than laying stretched out. During the day the barracks were empty, except for any sick soldiers. With such close conditions and poor sanitation, sickness was commonplace.

“The health of the troops depends so much upon keeping themselves clean that too much pains cannot be taken for that purpose . . . As every kind of Sloveness or Inattention will be severely punished – The Officer of the Day is to be carefull in Examining the Mens Appartments to see if they are kept clean and in good Order . . .
      Lt. Col Marinus Willett, Garrison Orders, March 20th, 1778

(Forts, Castles) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

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Family Quarters

August 6, 2014, 2:08 pm

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New York, Oneida County, Rome

Throughout the war, soldiers would have been accompanied by their families as they had no other way of supporting them. Later in the war it became common for officers, running low on assets, to also have their families join them.

Most families would have lived in surrounding camps rather than within the fort. Wives and older children worked as camp followers, doing domestic duties in exchange for food and shelter. This was considered quite a hardship for some officers’ wives.

One of the few documented cases of an officer’s family living at the fort was in 1780 and 1781, when Captain Moody of the artillery had his wife and daughter living here with him. While we do not know the exact causes for this, it is probable that Capt. Moody had reached a point where he could no longer provide for his family without bringing them into the army service. This room represents the sort of quarters that Capt. Moody and his family might have lived in.

(Forts, Castles • War, US Revolutionary) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Artillerymen

August 6, 2014, 2:52 pm

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New York, Oneida County, Rome

Artillery was a specialist discipline, requiring knowledge of math and use of measuring tools to calculate trajectories of cannon and mortar. Artillery soldiers therefore received better pay and living conditions than regular soldiers, although their job was also far more dangerous.

The artillery companies sent to the fort were often short of men – common soldiers had to be drafted to supplement the cannon crews, who would have trained them in the necessary skills.

“As Capt. Lieut: Savage of Artillery station’d at this post with a Detachment of Capt. Walkers Company Has Cloathing in his Custody drawn out of Publick Stores for said Company, the Commanding Officer Orders that said Company does not again appear on the Parade without being dressed in the Uniform which is sent for the use of said Company.”
      Col. Commandant Peter Gansevoort, Garrison Orders, December 7th, 1777

(Forts, Castles • War, US Revolutionary) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Junior Officers’ Quarters

August 6, 2014, 3:26 pm

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New York, Oneida County, Rome

In contrast to the European military, where officer’s commissions were usually bought, in the Continental army it was possible to earn battlefield promotions. In this way even enlisted men could become junior ranking officers (e.g. ensign, lieutenant). Their responsibility would be to assist the company commanders in training and leading regiments.

These quarters could have housed two or three junior officers, who might have seen a military career as an opportunity for great adventure.

“I was sometimes astonished when American baggage fell into our hands . . . to see how every wretched knapsack . . . would be filled with such military works as ‘The Instructions of the King of Prussia to his Generals’ . . . This was a true indication that the officers of this army studied the art of war while in camp . . . the opponents . . . [baggage] . . . were rather filled with bags of hair powder, boxes of sweet-smelling pomatum, cards (instead of maps) . . . on top of all, novels or stage plays.”
      Johan Ewald, Hessian soldier, 1778

(Forts, Castles • War, US Revolutionary) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Soldiers’ Quarters: Barracks Building

August 6, 2014, 3:54 pm

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New York, Oneida County, Rome

Compare this barracks building to the other soldiers’ quarters in the casemates. At first glance this might look like a far more pleasant environment than the dark casemates. However, look at the gaps in the walls and consider how cold it would get in the depths of winter. The casemates may be dark and enclosed, but this means they are better insulated.

Some regiments of the fort were normally not allowed to keep fires going overnight, but here it was essential over winter to stop people from freezing to death.

“As this Garrison is not as well supply’d with Bedding as it ought to be there is a Necessity . . . in this Severe Season of the Year to keep Fire in their Barracks all Night so that the Ordinary practice of putting the Lights out . . . cannot be Comply’d with.”
      Lt. Col. Marinus Willett, Garrison Orders, February 24th, 1778

(Forts, Castles • War, US Revolutionary) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Trail of Tears Memorial

August 6, 2014, 6:33 pm

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Georgia, Catoosa County, near Ringgold
In 1838 federal soldiers forced the Cherokee to march from Georgia to the Indian Territory. That area would later be known as Oklahoma.

Thousands died on the march, which began in the midst of a drought and continued into a harsh winter. This march would later be known as the Trail of Tears.

Many Cherokee and their families from our community were forced to leave their homes and join the march. They would have traveled along the old federal road which passed by this church.

This is a memorial to all of the lives that were lost on the trail of Tears.

(Disasters • Native Americans) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Suttler

August 6, 2014, 6:39 pm

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New York, Oneida County, Rome

The suttler was a civilian trader who acted as a link between the fort and the outside world. He traded with local American Indians, periodically taking furs to Albany to exchange for money or other goods.

Soldiers and their families could purchase goods as well, but often did not have the money to do so. When the soldiers could visit the suttler the most commonly bought items were food, rum and tobacco.

“The Board taking into consideration the request of our Indian Allies . . . to have a Trade opened at Fort Schuyler, that they may be supplied with such European Commodities as they stand in need of . . . The Commissioners are clearly of the Opinion that a Trade may be carried on with these Indians . . . They only request to be supplied with Goods in Return for Furrs and will be glad to receive what they stand in Need of even for an advanced price.”
      Excerpt of minutes from the Meeting of Commissioners of Indian Affairs, April 15th, 1778

(Forts, Castles) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Missionary’s Quarters

August 6, 2014, 7:10 pm

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New York, Oneida County, Rome

While missionaries generally went into Indian lands simply with a desire to spread the word of the Christian God and to do good works, the American Revolution involved them in political missions as well. Both the Americans and the British used their missionaries in attempts to sway the Indians to one side or another by mixing politics into their religious messages.

The most influential American missionaries in the Mohawk Valley was the Reverend Samuel Kirkland, who ministered to the Oneida Indians. While in the area, he was headquartered at Fort Stanwix. He reported to Congress on Indian affairs and served as Chaplain to the garrison. This room represents the type of quarters Kirkland might have lived in when he stayed at the fort.

“ . . . Arrived at Oneida . . . In this visit to the Indians, find them more divided in their sentiments to the cause of liberty, & Enemies to the free & united States of America do certainly increase among them.”
      Journal of Rev. Samuel Kirkland, October 6th and 7th, 1776

(Forts, Castles • War, US Revolutionary) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

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Making Tracks

August 6, 2014, 8:28 pm

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Michigan, Saint Clair County, Port Huron


The Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada opened the first track between here and Detroit in 1859. As years passed, other railroads reached Port Huron. A line to Flint opened in 1871. Another extended into the Thumb in 1879.

In 1886, the Port Huron Electric Railway Company, with Michigan's first electric street car, transported passengers between this depot and downtown Port Huron. The Grand Trunk built the world's first international underwater railway tunnel under the St. Clair River, and passage between Port Huron and Sarnia, Ontario, began in 1891.

(Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Railroads & Streetcars) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Unknown Soldiers

August 6, 2014, 8:34 pm

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New York, Oneida County, Rome
Here rest
Unknown
Soldiers
of the
American
Revolution
1775 – 1783

(War, US Revolutionary) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Wilderness Outpost

August 6, 2014, 9:08 pm

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Michigan, Saint Clair County, Port Huron


Fort Gratiot was built by the U.S. Army in 1814 to guard the strategic junction of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River. Troops stood ready to defend Michigan and the U.S. against British forces in Canada.

As settlement moved westward, the fort was a stopping point for soldiers and supplies headed for the frontier. During the Civil War, area soldiers prepared for battle here, but Fort Gratiot never suffered a hostile attack. In 1879 the American flag was lowered, and the fort was abandoned.

Line art of Fort Gratiot courtesy of Bruce Hawkins, Oakland University

(Forts, Castles • Patriots & Patriotism • War of 1812 • War, US Civil) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

The Atlanta Campaign

August 6, 2014, 9:19 pm

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Georgia, Catoosa County, Ringgold
May 7 - September 2, 1864
Ringgold Gap
Here a Federal advance position
was maintained
during the winter 1863-1864
with the main force
concentrated at Chattanooga.
Sherman moved south
through this Gap, May 7, 1864
to begin the Atlanta Campaign.
He captured Atlanta
four months later, September 2,
and reached the coast
at Savannah, December 21.
This movement split
the Confederacy in two,
destroyed military resources,
centers of supply,
and hastened
the end of the war.

(War, US Civil) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Edison Homesite

August 6, 2014, 9:20 pm

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Michigan, Saint Clair County, Port Huron


Thomas Alva Edison was seven years old in 1854 when he and his family moved to Port Huron. They moved into a house on the Fort Gratiot Military Reservation, a short distance south of here. This is where young "Al" conducted his first experiments in chemistry and electricity.

He left Port Huron in 1863, and his family moved out of the house in 1865. Five years later, it was destroyed by fire. Railroad tracks laid on the site protected Edison family artifacts still buried there. When archaeologists excavated this area one hundred years later, we learned more about the young inventor's life.

(Forts, Castles • Man-Made Features • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.