Where is that? - "One large spring ..... It is something of a curiosity"

SWMODave

Sergeant Major
Thread Medic
Joined
Jul 23, 2017
Location
Southwest Missouri
fallingspringmill.jpg

Courtesy St Louis Post Dispatch
From Army Life by Albert Marshall of the 33rd Illinois Infantry Company A
January 17, 1863 Oregon County, south central/eastern Missouri


"Marched nine miles Saturday and camped at Falling Springs. Visited some small caves in the mountain. As in all mountainous countries springs of good water are numerous here. One large spring at this place runs a mill. It is something of a curiosity.

One side of the mountain is, for some distance up, a perpendicular rock. Up some distance from the ground of the valley below, there is a large opening right in the side of the rock from which there comes a large stream of water.

Here a mill has been built. A wooden water-way from the opening in the mountain side carries the water to the wheel of the mill. Thus we have in effect a mill run by one spring."

If you have 5 minutes I would like to invite you on a Youtube day trip to Falling Springs, Missouri. I do not know these guys, but their video gives you an idea of the country the 33rd Illinois had to march thru and their destination for the day. This is one of the most photographed spots in the Mark Twain National Forest.
While Missouri is known as the Cave State, this area of the state has some of the largest natural springs in the country. Albert visits one of the smaller springs in the area but these three springs are within an hours drive of the one he visits. Mammoth, Greer, and Big Springs video (another 5 minutes) - video If you ever plan to travel thru SE Missouri, these springs are worth visiting.

More on Falling Springs

 
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