Well, that was fun.
What perfect weather and atmosphere in the region this weekend. I am not sure if I could design a better set of days in mid or late October. Fortune smiled brightly on those who attended the symposium.
Obviously, I enjoyed it, but it started before the battlefield, when I finally visited Camp Nelson National Monument. One of the buildings there was under repair and off limits, but the main building was available and holds a terrific museum. The introductory movie, like do many sites feature, was very well-done and enjoyable also.
I enjoyed the museum’s displays on the history of the site, including its usage before its contributions to the enlistments of African American soldiers, for which I have known it best. I read quite a bit of information that I did not know beforehand.
The museum has several rooms, with exhibits on individual soldiers as well as more general life of soldiers and refugees. It includes an archaeological section of items uncovered at the camp, and also discusses refuges, usually family members of soldiers who enlisted there.
This was an important Civil War-era location in Kentucky and anybody reading this has not been there, I encourage you to visit it. It’s definitely worth the trip. I’ll be back there again someday.
One positive about it is its proximity to Perryville, and, actually, the entire region which features history at Perryville, Danville, Harrodsburg, Shaker Village, and more. For those who like history, this area of the state offers quite a few fascinating attractions. Even places like Bardstown, Abraham Lincoln’s Birthplace, and more are reasonably close.
On to Perryville. I have probably stated many times here how much I enjoy the place. It is beautiful (especially with virtually perfect weather like this weekend featured), peaceful, fascinating, and just terrific. Knowing the violence that took place on those hills yet feeling such calmness and serenity while trodding on the once bloodstained land is such a weird contrast that I experience there. Maybe that’s just me, though.
I did not take part in the walking tours this weekend. The distance and especially the topography are not so kind to my legs and my lungs and I just felt it best not to challenge myself too much. Shame on me, as I know I missed some great presentations and scenery. Maybe I’ll do more next year.
The Friday night driving tour of some of the lesser-discussed actions of October 6 and 7, sort of a prelude to the madness, was fascinating. Darryl Smith did his usual through job of researching these skirmishes, finding the appropriate sites, such as small country lanes or hilltop cemeteries, to visit to discuss them, and then telling these stories to the folks in attendance. These were not major fights and did not receive major after action reports or coverage, so details on just how many men and/or which exact units were involved are scarce, but Darryl pieced a lot of information together to tell these stories, notably emphasizing how Joseph Wheeler and his Confederates delayed Charles Gilbert’s larger Union force on these hills, valleys, and creeksides around Springfield, Ky., yet also how he failed to forward accurate scouting reports to his superiors. Darryl’s use of first-person accounts and statements from participants is always a welcome part of presentations like this.
Another fun part is the people in attendance. Obviously, everybody going on such a tour shares similar interest, but it was still fun listening to others share their information, opinions, stories, and even questions, not only on the events being covered but also on related topics like how the state historic site could be better.
It’s always nice to meet such friendly people, and helps me realize how much knowledge and Civil War interest exists. Every time I think I have good knowledge of the war, I see how much more there is to learn and how many people already know so much more than I do, especially on the military aspects of the war such as troop movements, tactics, and the performances of various commanders.
I also appreciated the opportunity to visit the Bottom House and the land immediately surrounding it. The Saturday evening reception was especially pleasant, sort of a relaxed and enjoyable social hour. My Campbell County project has interested me in the 15th Kentucky Infantry regiment, and it was in the hills around and behind this house where the 15th fought and suffered so much. At least 4 men from my home county died here, others were wounded, and even more, who lived elsewhere but who enlisted in Campbell County, also perished on these acres Being there was a special opportunity and memory for me.
Many thanks also to the Friends of Perryville group for co-hosting this weekend along with Derek Lindow and Darryl Smith of The Western Theater in the Civil War website and Facebook page, who did the work of organizing and arranging the symposium. I encourage others to check out and support both of those groups. I did rejoin the friends group and hope others follow suit.
I know I made a previous post with some pictures of scenes from this adventure, but here are just a couple more of the park, Friday evening’s drive, and the Bottom House.
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