Category: Genealogy
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A Tennessean Union Death
Jasper Newton Bare, my first cousin 4th removed from our grandparents Samuel Fry and Nancy Blythe, died in the first Battle of Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign: Battle of the Resaca. Jasper was one of 158,787 soldiers, including his younger brother James., on what became the second bloodiest battle of Sherman’s march to the sea. I found…
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Two Jeremiah Boatman at Vicksburg
I’m writing to honor my second and third great grand Uncles, both named Jeremiah Boatman. Jeremiah the 2xggUncle was the brother of my second great Grandfather George Harvey Boatman. We share Grandfathers on up the line to Claudius Boatman–found on the New York Pre-Colonial records, and his son Claudius. Several years ago, I proved my…
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New Orleans when it wasn’t easy
“…respectfully request for a pardon of six hours a day for the purpose of exercising in New Orleans” wrote Lt Henry M McClendon as a prisoner in the U. S. Customs House in New Orleans. A neighbor to my 2xgreatgrandUncle George M. Hill. both men had been captured, Henry on Nov 22, 1863 at Camp…
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A Diet of Rats and Mules
“Rats, of which there were plenty about the deserted camps, were also caught by many officers and men, and were found to be quite a luxury–superior, in the opinion of those who eat them, to spring chicken,” wrote Howard C Wright, a New Orleans newspaperman and current soldier in the 30th Louisiana Infantry a couple…
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Four Die-Hard Texas Family Lines Sign Up for the Texas Civil War
Mom, in 2007, sent me a photo of a Civil War soldier with the note: “Who is this person?” In finding the answer (Marquis Delcassas Frie, her great grandfather) I discovered that her Hill, Howeth, Fry, and Williams families arrived shortly after the Texas Revolution and received land grants in the new Republic. They and…
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Spurs on a Cotton-Clad
“Veterans of the New Mexico desert and mountains, the wild Texas cavalrymen sharpshooters needed no urging,” in the wee hours of the morning of New Year’s Day 1863. Where? Galveston Island. Specifically, Kuhn’s Wharf (now Fisherman’s wharf). Sibley/Green’s 7th Texas Cavalry had vengeance, not pleasure on their minds. My 2greatgrandUncle George M. Hill, and his…
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Chicken-Dumplings & Conversation
I admit that I forget to eat. One of the benefits of traveling solo is that I’m not obliged to consider the needs of anyone other than myself. The downside, of course, is that when the bananas and cashews run out, I’m in trouble. I’m pleased to announce, therefore, that church feeds and gossip-gatherings are…
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Wagon Trains & Buckypaper
I’m flying east across the USA from Seattle, Washington. I’ve brought along my copy of the National Trails System Map, compliments of the National Park System and my friend Joey McBayer. I switch between the paper version and staring out the window at the mountains, lakes, mesas, valleys, and hundreds of miles of land that…
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solivagant usa@noitinerary
Solivagant–a solitary wanderer, according to Merrian-Webster. A definition that fits my approach to discovery and travel, especially with months of continuous exploration. I sometimes think Solivagant should include an “r” in the spelling. I like the emotions I feel when I discover something new to me. I invite you to join me if you like…
Solivagant USA 