Kentucky's Civil War Battlefields Today -- Pictures -- Western KY
A couple of years ago, we vacationed in far western Kentucky, in what is called the Jackson Purchase Area. We visited as many places as possible, in Trevor, our station wagon! Needless to say, we went to several battlefields.
We had 3 days. It was August and it felt like it was 130o outside, LuLu, and Tommy, the dogs, got upset and thew up in the back seat, the car overheated, then Trevor's fan belt broke, (Thank God Magnum can fix things), and dear little Peep managed to spill his milkshake down his Daddy's back. A fun time was had by all! We ran out of paper towels LONG before we got to Columbus-Belmont!
At any rate, this is the area where I went to school and lived in for 5 years, so, from here on out, I'm going to speak Kentucky to you. The vernacular, so to speak. I cain't quite do the full accent, since I be writin'.
This here's the map from 1862, that shows the battles and the movements of the Yankee troops. The Rebs strung a chain acrosst the Mississippi to keep the Yanks out, and the Yanks follered 'em. Grant landed at Paduky, and went south to Mayfield, and set a spell. Then the folks from the Columbus scrap moved east to Mayfield to set a spell with Grant. Then, the whole hoot and hollern of 'em went southeast to Ft. Henry and Ft. Donelson, where the Rebs had built fine forts. They even brought them old ironclads up the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers to whomp on them good ole boys.
This here's the chain that was stretched acrosst the Mississippi. Them links is two an a half feet long and a foot wide. They was cast somewheres around here, and weigh about 300 pounds each. The links have a center piece welded in the middle to give it strength. Them boys found that the chain would come apart 'cause of it's own weight.
They strung this here chain acrosst the Mississippi, and floated it on boats, anchored out there. But the tug on the chains dropped it in the river. Them Yankee boys saw this as a fine opportunity to land boats upstream and downstream from this here fort, and attacked it from two sides. Well, them Rebs had to quit or die, so they met up a little piece up the road toward Mayfield, 'cause they wasn't about to quit.
This here's the anchor that kept the chain hooked to the riverbank. Big 'un, ain't it? We keep it painted, real nice like, so it won't rust. Took a crane to get it up on that there corncrete post.
This here's the view of the Mississippi from the fort at Columbus. See that there little point out there? That's where them Yankee boys crosst the Mississippi to loop around and whomp on them Rebs.
This here's one o' them cannons them Rebs had trained on the Yank camp acrosst the river. Big 'un ain't it? They could lob them shells all the way over the river, right into their camp in Missouri! Them Rebs had t' leave most of their cannons when they run... Oh well, shit happens, don't it?
This ain't hysterical, but if'n you want to set a spell, this is the coolest place in the park to do it. Kind a HOT today, ain't it? Purty spot, though.
Them Yankee boys chased them Reb boys all the way to Mayfield, then set a spell. This ain't a picture of the exact spot them Yankee boys camped. But, it's close. Magnum's family still lives on a piece of the family land from back then. We stopped and said hey.
Wayull, I'm truly irked, as I can't find the pictures of Ft. Donelson... They're in Tennessee, anyway, but they look up north and see Kentucky, anyway. It was right on the border down yonder-- and them Yankee boys whomped on them Rebel boys.
Even if Grant warn't too nice to the civvies in that area, when them Rebs surrendered, he gave Gen. Beaureguard his money back that he'd lent him in California, and let 'em all go home. Which was just real nice.
Hope you enjoyed the brief tour. I'll keep a-searchin' for them pictures of Ft. Donelson. But then, they may have been zapped, along with that dang computer and external hard drive, that time we had the bad lightnin' storm.
Thank ye kindly, fer comin' by!
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Well, I'll keep looking for those pictures. Ft. Donelson was a turning point in the war-- that eventually led to the fall of Vicksburg. It was at Ft. Donelson that Grant got the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant.
If the accent bothers you, let me know and I won't do it again. But that's how folks talk in this area.
I loved living in this part of the state. LOVED it. It's near Land Between the Lakes and is truly a lovely area! Flat, in spots, but it has a lot to offer.
Take care and thanks!
I'm so glad you like this one! And I'm REAL glad you understand the accent!
I'm still searching for the darn Ft. Donelson pictures. to no avail, so far... DANG it! I know they're here somewhere!