A Glimpse at History

Before the beginning of the 19th Century, the leaders in the United States decided that what ever lands the government could not conquer, should be bought. Through various treaties with these Indian nations, commissioners appointed to represent the United States succeeded in purchasing many of these valuable tracts of land severely reducing the boundaries of the Indain lands to that portion of the South now occupied by Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and parts of Kentucky, Tennessee and the Carolinas. A most unsatisfactory situation existed on this frontier between these powerful Indain peoples and the United States citizens who were pushing to settle in these regions. Andrew jackson was a major player in this situation and was fully aware of the military skill of the Indian Warriors.

During the War of 1812 between the United States and England, official records show that Andrew Jackson called on the Indian nations for assistance and that the success of the southern campaign was due largely to the valuable aid rendered by Indain warriors. It has been said that the country west of the Alleghanies was saved to the United States by their allegiance. (We were indebted to these people) Instead, General jackson was no sooner victorious then, as early as 1817, he demanded the removal of all Indians from the East to the West beyond the Mississippi. This goal was not attained until the years between 1830-1842. Within these years is when many treaties were entered into between each of the Five Indian Nations and the United States, thereby causing the forced migration of almost the entire Indian population then inhabiting the Southern States. This removal is known as “The Trail of Tears”. It truely was a trail of desolation, suffering and will be remembered forever by the descendants of the Five Nations. They loved their homes, its hills and valleys; the wide rivers and deep forests. It contains the ashes of their ceremonial fires and the sacred graves of their ancestors. This love for the South and its people was carried with them to their new home in the West.

More tomorrow>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Savannah!!!!!!!!

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Can you name the Five Great Indian Nations that occupied territory within the South, who also organized and fought under the Confederacy?

They are the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and the Seminole.

My next series will be on this topic.

See you soon!!!!!!!!!

Savannah

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Malta, nestled in the heart of Morgan County, a historically rich community, particularly in its military history. Around the year 1791 there was a contiuous battle that went on for almost 4 long years, between Ohio Company settlers and the Wyandot Indians in and around this area. Then skipping to time of the War of 1812, and ex-sailor Simeon Pool, and his son-in-law, John Bell, settled this area. These men laid out the first lots of Malta in 1816. Mr. Pool named this new town in commemoration of his visit to the Isalnd of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. The original plat for malta contained one hundred and fourteen lots.

There were also significant contributions this small town made toward the Civil War in the form of Generals: Joseph Bailey, Jeremiah Rusk and Otho Strahl. James Ball Naylor wrote about Malta in the form of poetry and historical novels which focused on the struggles of the frontier settlers and Indian tribes in this area. He is remembered fondly in the towns history and on signs placed throughout the area.

The town itself is quaint. Vistors should see the Town hall, Rock Hollow School and the reconstructed Morgan County Dundeon that was operated from 1833 to 1839.

In the month of July each year the Malta/ McConnelsville, Ohio or Hanoverton Heritage Days, Ohio is held. This reenactment including both sides of the conflict is a real treat to experience. If you would like to experience all of this, it is possible to do so over an extended weekend and I suggest in the month of July. Fall is also a good time to take in the glorious Fall colors.

Nearby Historical places to stay and visit are:

The Lafayette Hotel in Marietta Ohio opened in 1916 and was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette who visited the city in 1825 at a site near the hotel. It is triangular in shape and can offer its guests views of the Ohio or Muskingum Rivers. The diningroom features quite a display of longrifles, including one made by J. J. Henry that accompanied the Benedict Aronold expedition to Quebec in 1775. Maritta Ohio is an official stop for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company. Several times a year, the Mississippi Queen, the Grand American Queen, and/or the Delta Queen dock at the Ohio River Levee beside the Lafayette Hotel. Nearby attractions to the Hotel are the Fenton Art Glass, The Castle, Underground Railroad Tour at the Levee House Cafe, Valley Gem Sternwheeler Museum and the Marietta Soda Museum just to name a few.

A side excursion and wonderful place to stay while visiting the area is the Stockport Mill Inn, in Stockport Ohio at Lock #6 on the Muskingum River. This jewel of a hotel which was originally a Mill includes wonderful eating, beautiful views and a therapeutic atmosphere. Another historical must see and all of these are 4-5 hours from Monroe County Michigan, which is where blogsmonroe.com originates.

I hope you take the time to enjoy one of my weekend excursions. I would love to hear from some of you as to whether there is an interest in me putting together a bus tour together orginating from Monroe Michigan, and traveling to Gettysburg during which time I will be your historical tour guide in the Spring of next year or would most of you want to experience the Gettysburg address commemoration in the Fall? Please leave me your comments…………………….

Filed under: Historical Travel suggestions by Savannah Meade
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Have any of you heard that Beauregard is back and alive and living at Beauvoir? He’s back to pester Jefferson Davis once more!

The story is, while resurrecting the Postwar Home of Jefferson Davis, a more than 8 foot gator was discovered. He was lifted out of the water with a backhoe by one of the crewman working on the antebellum home. Beauvoir’s chairman named the gator Beauregard, after the Southern General who famously questioned Jefferson Davis’ authority during the war, and later engaged in a war of words with him after both published their memoirs. In fact, Beauregard is noted for saying after the death of Jefferson Davis, “We have always been enemies. I cannot pretend I am sorry he is gone. I am no hypocrite.” If that doesn’t give you a glimpse of the relationship they shared, I don’t know what else will!

Beauregard has not been caught as of yet; he’s a sneeky devil! A smaller 6 foot gator was trapped and removed, but Beauregard has alluded them. Beauvoir’s chairman has been noted as saying, he would like to be able to keep the gator on the property, but can’t, as they they are too much of a threat to visitors. I bet Jefferson Davis would agree that Beauregard could be a thorn to have around! Ya think?

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The Biloxi, Mississippi, house where Jefferson Davis spent his final years, survived countless hurricanes over the years, only to be all but totally destroyed by the 24-foot storm surge in August 2005. That storm stripped from the home, its porches, front staircase and sundry other period details. It carried away priceless Civil War artifacts, and destroyed the Presidential Library housed there.

Fearing the antebellum home was beyond repair, Beauvior was resurrected in time to celebrate the bicenntenial of Davis’s birth in June. On June 3rd 2008 a rededication ceremony marked the completetion of its nearly $4 million dollar restoration. Much of the restoration was completed with donated funds and it symbolizes societies need/desire to maintain its Southern Heritage.

Hats off to you in Biloxi and all those involved in this unbelievable restoration project. Great Job!!!!!!!!!!!

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Away down South

in the land of traitors

Rattlesnakes and alligators

right away, right away

right away, right away.

Where cotton’s king

and men are chattles

Union boys will win the battles

Right away, right away,

right away, right away.

Then we’ll all go down to Dixie,

away, away,

Each Dixie boy must understand

That he must mind his

Uncle Sam

Away, away, And we’ll; all go

down to Dixie

Away, away, And we’ll all go

down to Dixie.

I can just hear these songs being sung by their respective armies. Joking, drinking, laughing, or crying…sharing their stories by campfire each night after a long days walk or battle. All three version lend to a better understanding for us of the mind set of these people so long ago.

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The following Pro- Southern version or adaptation to Emmett’s version was penned by Albert Pike, an Arkansas planter and a Confederate General.

Southrons, hear your country call you Up! lest worse than death befall you To arms! to arms! to arms! in Dixie!

Lo! all the beacons fires are lighted, Lo! all the hearts now be united To arms! to arms! to arms! in Dixie!

Advance the flag of Dixie Hurrah! Hurrah! for Dixie’s land we’ll take our stand, And live or die for Dixie!

To Arms! to arms! And conquer peace for Dixie! To arms! to arms! And Conquer peace for Dixie! 

Next I will publish the Pro Union version.

Have a Dixie Day!!!!!!!!!

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Contained here are the original lyrics to “Dixie” as performed by Dan Emmett with Bryant’s Minstrels. Later, he omitted the first verse to avoid offending devout listeners.

Dis worl’ was made in jiss six days, An finish up in various ways; Look away, look away, look away! Dixie Land.

Dey den made dixie trim an’ nice, But Adam call’d it “Paradise,” Look away, look away, look away! Dixie Land.

I wish I was in land ob cotton, Old times dar am not forgotten, Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

In Dixie Land whar’ I was born in, early on one frosty mornin’, Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Chorus:

Den I wish I was in Dixie, Hoo-ray! Hoo-ray! In Dixie land, I’ll take my stand to lib and die in Dixie; Away, away, away down south in Dixie, Away, away, away down south in Dixie.

Old Missus marry Will-de-weaber, Willium was a gay deceaber; Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

But when he put his arms around ‘er, He smiled as fierce as a forty-pounder, Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

His face was sharp as a butcher’s cleaber, But dat did not seem to greab’er; Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Old Missus acted the foolish part, And died for a man dat broke her heart, Look away! look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Now here’s a health to the next old Missus, And all the gals dat want to kiss us; Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

But if you want to drive ‘way sorrow, come hear dis song to-morrow, Look away! look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
Dar’s buckwheat cakes an’ Injun batter, Makes you fat or a little fatter; Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Den hoe it down and scratch your grabble, To Dixie’s land I’m bound to trabble, Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

(the tune has always remained constant, but, its lyrics were constantly changed to commemorate everything from battles to “Rattlesnakes and alligators” the follow-up to this article will be two other versions of this original song)

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Ever since the time of Tecumseh and the horrible curse that was supposidly cast upon the Presidency of the United States by that tribe, there has been an assassination of the 0 year elected president, until President Reagan who survived his attempted assassination. Pretty Freaky, huh?

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If the United States had lost men during WWII, at the same rate the Confederacy did during the Civil War, we would not have lost 400,000 souls, we would have lost closer to 4.5 million souls. A pretty stagering figure if you ask me. This figure is based on just the Confederacy and does not include any Federal fatalities. No wonder it took over one hundred years to rebuild the South.

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