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Sep 28

Today, I was on the road and had the opportunity to stop in at Fort Steilacoom, which is located on the grounds of Western State Hospital in the State of Washington, north of Olympia. Not much of the original fort (1849-1868) remains, except for a row of beautifully restored quarters and a covered shed with two fine (albeit slightly anachronistic) M1857 12-pounder Napoleons. One of the pieces is said to be an 1862-cast Hooper, though the muzzle markings are illegible. The other, however, is still sharp: No. 247, cast in 1863, by Revere. My understanding is that these two 12-pounders were relocated to Fort Steilacoom from another park in Olympia, on loan.

Here are some photos from the...

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MS Canton City Cemetery -- 3rd Texas Cavalry 9/24/2026

Sep 25

Canton City Cemetery
Canton, Madison, County, Mississippi

This post is not so much an overview of this cemetery as it is part of my research on my Texas ancestors who served in the 3rd Texas Cavalry Regiment. I had 5 ancestors who were the brothers, brother-in-law and nephews of my 2XGreadGrandfather from Mississippi. The brother-in-law buried here was Levi H. Cole, of Company F, 3rd Texas Cavalry, which was currently dismounted.
Due to the very hot day, I didn't spend much time in the cemetery. I did take photos of other Texans who were buried there and a few more from units of interest. There were other Texas regiments that were in the same...

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Battles of Nashville tour

Sep 24

I recently enjoyed the BGES battles of Nashville tour (part 2) with CWT's own historian Hal Litchford. Here are some photos I took- hope you enjoy.

2026-08 Hood in Tenn pt 2 (17) Nashville, Blockhouse No. 2.webp

Site of Blockhouse #2 where some of the inital fighting took place. USCT took some heavy losses fighting for this blockhouse.

Period log cabin village in Melrose Plantation/Woodlawn Cemetary. We found out later Dolly Parton had been interred in this cemetary earlier that morning.

2026-08 Hood in Tenn pt 2 (26)Nashville; Fort Negley.webp

Gate at Fort Negely- sadly it was closed due to construction at the visitor center and other restoration efforts

2026-08 Hood in Tenn pt 2 (28)Nashville; Fort Negley.webp

Gate at Fort Negely- sadly it was closed...

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Where is it Wednesday, Gettysburg? 9-23-2026

Sep 23

Where is this site?
What is out of frame at bottom right but VERY recognizable even from a moderate distance?

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WIIW

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★ ★ Buford, John

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John Buford Jr.

Born: March 4, 1826
Birthplace: Woodford County, Kentucky
Father: Colonel John Buford Sr. 1778 – 1847
Mother: Ann B. Watson
Wife: Martha McDowell "Pattie" Duke 1830 – 1903

Children:

James Duke Buford 1855 – 1874

(Buried: Georgetown Cemetery, Georgetown, Kentucky)

Pattie McDowell Duke Buford 1857 – 1863

(Buried: Georgetown Cemetery, Georgetown, Kentucky)

Education:

1848: Graduated from West Point Military...

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The American Civil War, arguably the most traumatic event in the history of the United States, was fought from 1861 to 1865, and was the culmination of sectional issues which deeply divided the country between a pro-Federal government North and a pro-states rights, in the pro-slavery South, whose eleven states formed a breakaway government called the Confederate States of America. The costliest war in terms of human lives, the American Civil War claimed in excess of 620,000 battle or disease-related deaths - roughly two percent of the country's total population, and nearly more deaths than all other American wars combined.