Visiting Heroes

Monday, August 30, 2010

Given the hurricanes and storms in the Atlantic, Bear and I decided to celebrate our anniversary a bit early lest we be busy trying to save WK next week or so. We drove to Savannah for one more visit to see what she has to offer. We had a good time Saturday and Sunday morning Bear got to sleep in. I was up at 0700 and decided to visit some heroes at the Colonial Cemetery in Savannah. Coffee in hand and a sweat towel, I hoofed it to the hallowed place, final resting place of some of our forefathers. General Nathaniel Green and I visited. Who he is, you might ask. He is second in command to General George Washington. He rests in Savannah with a few other fellows and Ladies who had a bit of influence in giving us this great nation. Capt Denis Cottineau resides in this place. He served aboard USS Bon Homme Richard with Capt John Paul Jones when they defeated HMS Serapis. There are others there such as the first Governor, first State Historian and two Continental officers that decided to discuss tactics after a few pints. Seems they were good friends but got into a bit of an argument which was settled on the dueling field. Capt. Roswell Johnson and Lt. Wildet took a crack at each other four times before the Lt. fell to a ball in the heart. The good Captain paid dearly for the event on a career basis. The cemetery is a history book all to itself.

Tombstones in the wall

Sherman's Hdqs when he presented Lincoln with the city

Now the story gets a bit weird when Sherman billeted his cavalry in the cemetery. They, being a bit put out at the war thingy, took some revenge. First, they knocked down many grave markers. Some opened crypts and removed the residents so that they could get out of the winter. Yup, they actually slept in the structures whilst the rightful occupants were lying about. After the tussle was over, locals collected the tombstones and since there were not records as to where they should go, planted them in the brick yard at the back of the cemetery. Those dang Yankees! At least they did not burn the town. Why, you might ask? Seems that on Christmas day, General Sherman presented the city of Savannah to President Lincoln as a gift. Lincoln accepted thus General Sherman could not burn the city he just gave the President.

Back aboard WK, we are following the weather, mostly Hurricane Earl. Seems old Earl is slipping west a bit and that starts the exercise of those who might be in the crosshairs of mental prep. Hugo really thumped Charleston and that was a long time ago. We should know more in the next few days but it has to be some relief to those on the Gulf Coast. For now, only the little fuzz on the back of my neck is starting to twitch.