Fort Jefferson

 Last year I had the chance to check another item off my bucket list and visit Fort Jefferson off the coast of Key West. I took an airplane to save time. My wife didn't come and I was thankful that she let me visit. It was one of a handful of U.S. forts located in a Southern state that didn't fall into the hands of the Confederates during the Civil War such as Fort Sumter. Dr. Samuel Mudd one of the Lincoln assassination conspirators was held prison after the war inside the fort. If you plan on visiting make sure you bring sun screen and fresh water. It was pretty hot for a December day when I visited.

                                        The main entrance and a moat

                                             Marker near the front entrance

                                             View from one of the windows

                                             Replica cannon

Poffenberger Farm - Antietam

 I missed the 163rd anniversary events at Antietam National Battlefield Park, but this past weekend I had the chance to visit the park. I came early in the morning and it was foggy. First I stopped at the Joseph Poffenberger farm.

 

 

 

 The farm is located on the northern part of the park. Union General Joseph Hooker spent the night of September 16th in the barn. Under Hooker in the Union I Corps were soldier's under the command of Gen. George Meade. Meade's men camped on the grounds of the farm, the night of September 16th as well.

 

  1st Corps, 3rd Division, 2nd Brigade Bivouac

 

 

 

 

On the early morning hours of September 17, 1862,  Meade's men streamed southwards in support of General Doubleday. Under Meade was the 4th Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps.

 

 4th Reg. PA Reserve Vol. Corps Monument

 

South of the men was the Miller cornfield. The site of fierce combat. September 17th would end up being a very bloody day.