150 years ago

On Saturday, November 15th, the town of Franklin, TN sponsored a re-enactment of the Battle of Franklin.  This is a bit of the history:

"After failing to destroy John Schofield’s Federal army near Spring Hill the previous morning, Gen. John Bell Hood led his 30,000 Confederates to the outskirts of Franklin, Tennessee on November 30, 1864. Determined not to let Schofield reach the safety of Nashville, Hood unleashed a precipitous frontal assault against the entrenched Federal defenders. Despite nearly breaking through the center of the Union line, Hood’s forces were driven back with heavy losses. The bloody assault cost Hood more than 6,000 casualties, including six dead Confederate generals."  

So, on the coldest day that we have seen so far we wrapped up in our snuggies and headed out to the town of Franklin (less than 10 miles).  It is

held at the Carlton Plantation, which is very big and nice.  There were many true-blood southerners there to cheer their side on......some dressed in period costumes (kinda like when a new Batman or Star Wars movie comes out and all the enthusiasts come dressed up in costume).  You can tell this lady is not part of the re-enactment....by the cell phone in her hand.
There were many, many spectators who brought their lawn chairs and placed them along the side of the battlefield.  We even had our own lawn chairs.  After securing a good spot to view the war we had a good time visiting the soldiers' camp.  I have included some pictures.













This young man is getting into the spirit of things at a very young age.  These costumes are not cheap, but to a southerner they are priceless. (I guess)

This was a group of slaves who were singing spirituals.  They were really good. I tried to record some of their music on my phone, but they were just too far away.

Even Abraham Lincoln was there.  He looks like he is holding his nose, but I don't think that was a commentary on the whole affair.

This is the Doctor's wife.  Poor lady.  In order to see her husband she had to go out to the

battlefield.  He just was so over-worked and she comes to give him comfort and a good meal.

These ladies are the cooks for the camp.  They took a few minutes and give me a lesson on how to make these meat pies.  She said to use Pillsbury Grands (heaven forbid if you use Walmart....they just don't work as well).  You roll each biscuit out into a circle, then place some meat or other filling at one side.  You then pull the other side up over the meat and seal around the edges.  These are then dropped into a hot vat of grease.  This is the southern delight.....deep fried pie.

I would love to say this was the
prayer meeting before the battle.....but that wouldn't be true.  They are passing out books, rations, and whiskey.

So the battle begins.....after much practice beforehand.  This is the cannon brigade. They were loud!  They were selling ear plugs, but we were too cheap to spend the dollar.

This is what they were shooting at.  Notice that they are running the wrong way!  They did that a lot.  It was surprising to me that sometimes they got to within 20 feet of the berm and yet the cannons and guns couldn't kill them.  No one was dropping.  I heard later that they did not have as many actors as they wanted so they told them not to die too quickly.  But in the end they did have to die......as least until the bugle sounded and they all got up and walked away.

After we won the war we were ready for another week of Missionary work.  Things were busy at the office with 17 new missionaries coming in on Monday, and 10 leaving on Tuesday.  On Thursday it became necessary for Darryl and I to take a run down to Baxter, TN (about 100 miles east of Nashville).  We had to go because we were setting up a new apartment for Elders there and the Water Company and the Electric Company would not sign us up for service without the Lessee (me) coming in person to sign on the dotted line.  That is a small town thing.  But we

did find a town that is actually smaller than Pikeville.  This is a picture of the only store in the town.  We met with Mert (the landlord) who didn't mind if I called him Bert (of Bert and Ernie).  He was a delightful man.

On Saturday we were able to drive up to Bowling Green, KY, to deliver a washing machine, bike and bike rack to some sisters up there.  The best part was that Elder Dunn got to drive this pickup truck.  It seemed like old times.  He really enjoyed that.  After Bowling Green KY we went to White House TN, which is just north of Nashville by about 30 minutes.  There we delivered this box spring mattress and a bike.  These lovely ladies are Sisters Traughber and Squire.

They have the cutest little house that is behind the home of some really nice people.  They are the landlords. He had just come home from deer hunting where they had bagged their second deer of the season.

Here is a selfie we took this morning so that you will know that we are still alive and well.  We have aged some while trying to keep up with all these 18-21 year-old missionaries.  Today is our 46th anniversary and we look forward to the eternities together.Happy Thanksgiving to you all.  We miss every one of you and think of you all often.  Sometimes when we are doing certain things I remember doing them with one of you.....and then I smile.  Love you all!