RoadTrippin' Thru History-- Part 11: Head West Young Man

The 49th Massachusetts mustered out of service on September 1, 1863, after 11 months of service (they enlisted for nine months).  I am unable to find out if Francis Warren reenlisted or not.  Or, if his wound was severe enough that it would keep him from further service.  

I have seen sources say that he later served as a captain in the Massachusetts militia.

Another one says he returned to Massachusetts after the war.

He married Helen Smith and in 1868, went West to the new territory that was developing around a small town named Cheyenne.

He recalled later that the first thing he saw on arrival in Cheyenne in May 1868.  Two brass bands  were serenading arrivals at the train station.  He wondered if there was some big shot on the train, but was told the two bands were from the town's two biggest gambling houses and inviting arrivals to the tables.

There wasn't much to Cheyenne at the time, "a city of  shanties and tents, camps and covered wagons.  The population was migratory and the railroads built further west by then.  Many felt that the days of Cheyenne were really numbered.  It wouldn't be long before there would be nothing to show for it.

Frances Warren didn't subscribe to that prophesy and saw a bright future.  He was there to stay.  He was there to seek his fortune.

And become a Rich Man, He Did.  --Old Secesh

Satterlee General Hospital-- Part 4: By the Numbers

By the Numbers

40--  Number of physicians who worked at the hospital during the war.

91--  Number of nuns (Sisters of Charity) who volunteered as  nurses at the hospital during its existence

2--  Number of hours the hospital band performed every afternoon, weather permitting, from the observatory.

3--  Miles distant the band might be heard in favorable winds.

14--  Height in feet of the fence that surrounded the hospital

25--  The number of sentries posted in and around the hospital

177--  Number of men comprising the hospital guard

By the Numbers.  --Old Secesh

Illinois' Gov. "Toilets" Bans Confederate Railroad Band

In the last post I mentioned this group being cancelled at a county fair.

The governor banned the country group Confederate Railroad from playing at the Illinois State Fair in August because of the name and Confederate flag on their logo.  He also banned them from the Du Quoin State Fair.

I guess, in truth, the governor, known for his love of toilets, was fearful that the overflow crowds who would come  out to see  the band would be too much for the state fair bathrooms and to avoid an unpleasant scene, he had them cancelled.

However, they will be playing at the Black Diamond Harley-Davidson party in Marion, Illinois, on September 5.

And, Liz and I had been considering going to the Illinois State Fair this year.

Not Now.  --Old Secesh

Country Band Confederate Railroad Canceled From Two Illinois State Fairs Because of Name

Just today I learned that a popular country band called Confederate Railroad were canceled from the DuQuoin State Fair in Illinois as well as the Illinois State Fair because of their name and logo.

This seems to be the work of Illinois Governor Toilets.

This is getting insane.

Liz and I were planning to visit Springfield this August and go to the Illinois State Fair.  I guess not now.

When Will the Insanity End?  --Old Secesh

It Was 75 Years Ago: Pearl Harbor "Almost on the USS Arizona"

A date I commemorate in all of my blogs, regardless of what they are about.

From the Youngstown Ohio Pearl Harbor Survivors Profiles.

ANTONE T. "CAL' CALDERONE  Jackson Township near Massillon.

Played tuba and string bass on the USS West Virginia.  In combat he was on communications and damage control.

"I almost got killed on the Arizona. On December 6, there was a battle of the bands but the USS West Virginia did not participate because we were on guard duty.  But the Tennessee band played, and they picked me up.  After playing, the Tennessee band officer asked me to say and my officer said no.

"The Arizona band took me to the West Virginia and as they pulled alongside I wished them a merry Christmas.  If my officer had not denied me permission to stay, I would have been in the Arizona band compartment on December 7.   It took a direct hit and they lost everybody.  To this day, I can't forget it."

Not Forgetting One Bit.