Way out here...

[ole]

Am everso glad that we are reminded that there were Union troops posted in the hinterlands, and that there was a threat outside of Indian warfare. We can count on our western cousin to remind us of that.

ole

[gary]

You're closer to everything than I. We've got Fort Point which was constructed about the same time as Fort Sumter. If you want to see what Sumter looked like, see Fort Point. Presently the National Park Service is trying to restore part of Fort Alcatraz. It was a military fort for over a century before it became a prison. The prison history overshadows its military history. BTW, there were some skirmishes between the Unionists and local Confederates out here, but nothing even amounting to a small battle like Big Bethel or Ball's Bluff. I know the 2nd California Volunteer Infantry patrolled the northern part of the state (and Oregon) from the Indians. One fellow didn't make it and the Indians to this day still have his Henry rifle.

[Dred]

Ole,

i like to live on the wild side, but my wife would like to have kids some day, so i may bypass your sugestion! Thanks for all your suggestions, i have so much to learn about out here! If anything I get the feeling that it was a very nasty busines out here, should be a fun summer! I can actually go places now that I'm done with school!

[timewalker]

Oh come on. Out here in the West we think nothing of long car rides. You are not really that far from Vicksburg, Port Hudson, Baton Rouge and what's left of New Orleans. You can make a big swing and even catch the Red River sights.

I spent a day touring the Vicksburg battle field. My wife actually got out of the car for the first few stops, then napped in the back and occassionally got up to ask "How many more of those little markers are you going to get out and read? Don't they all say the same thing?"