4th of July Fireworks continue Tonight!

Fireworks over Arkansas
Courtesy Pine Bluff Festival Association

4th of July Fireworks continue around the South tonight, with a wide range of events scheduled for the next seven days.

My annual list of 4th of July Fireworks in the South is now online at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fireworks, so check it out for a state by state guide to the best displays!

Here are some highlights for you from this weekend's planned events:

Alabama (June 29 & 30, 2013)

Boaz, Cedar Bluff, Columbiana, Thomasville and Tuscumbia will all host events on Saturday and Wilsonville's annual God & Country Celebration is set for Sunday.

To learn more about these and other 4th of July Fireworks Events in Alabama for 2013, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/alabamafireworks.

Arkansas (June 29 & 30, 2013)

Texarkana's big Sparks in the Park will take place on Saturday night at Bobby Ferguson Park. Gates open at 4 p.m.for food, activities, contests and more. The fireworks will launch at 9:30 p.m.

Springdale will launch its Fireworks at the Cross at the CrossChurch Pinnacle Hills Campus on Sunday night.  Events begin at 5 p.m. with live music, outdoor baptisms and more. The fireworks go up at dark.

To learn more about this year's 4th of July Fireworks in Arkansas, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/arkansasfireworks.

Florida

Florida's events don't get started until July 3rd, but you can check out the schedule of planned fireworks for the Sunshine State at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/floridafireworks.

Georgia  (July 1, 2013)

Georgia's fireworks for this year get underway on Monday, July 1st, as Auburn (GA) hosts its annual fireworks in the downtown area. The skies light up at dark.

To learn more about the full list of this year's 4th of July fireworks in Georgia, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/georgiafireworks.

Kentucky (June 29, 2013)

Kentucky begins to light up its skies on Saturday night with the Briggs & Stratton Fireworks Extravaganza in Murray. Fireworks launch at 9:30 p.m. on the 29th in the area around Kroger, Wal-Mart and Lowes.

The full list of fireworks in Kentucky is available at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/kentuckyfireworks.

Louisiana (June 29, 2013)

Lake Arthur leads the way this year in Louisiana with its Lake Arthur Freedom Fest on Saturday (June 29th). The gates of Lake Arthur Park open at 8 a.m. for a day of fun.  The Blessing of the Fleet is set for 3 p.m., followed by music from Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin' Cajuns, Travis Matte & the Kingpins and the Bon Journeys.  The fireworks launch at 8:30 p.m.  Admission is $5 with kids 5 and under admitted free.

See the full list of this year's Louisiana fireworks at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/louisianafireworks.

Mississippi (June 30, 2013)

Mississippi's 4th of July Fireworks for 2013 get started on Sunday night in Hattiesburg and Brandon (Ross Barnett Reservoir).

Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg hosts Celebrate America on Sunday night (June 30th). The event begins with a community-wide picnic and fun at 6:30 p.m., followed by the fireworks at 9:00 p.m.

The Annual Independence Day Celebration at Ross Barnett Reservoir also takes place on Sunday. Events begin at 5 p.m. at Lakeshore Park and Old Trace Park in Brandon.  There will be live music at 6 p.m., a boat parade at 8 p.m. and fireworks at 9 .m.

Check out Mississippis's complete list of 4th of July Fireworks at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/mississippifireworks.

North Carolina 

Events don't get started in North Carolina until July 3rd, but you can check out the full list of events in the Tarheel State here:  www.exploresouthernhistory.com/ncfireworks.

Oklahoma (June 29, 2013)

The skies over Oklahoma City come alive on Saturday night (June 29th) with the annual Stars & Stripes River Festival. Taking place in the Boathouse District, the event features river sports, games, activities and more throughout the day followed by fireworks at dark.

Check out the complete list of Oklahoma's fireworks for this year at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/okfireworks.

South Carolina (June 29, 2013)

The big 4th of July Celebration and Boat Parade takes place at South Carolina's Lake Murray on Saturday (June 29th). A popular event in the Midlands, the boat parade takes place at 12 noon followed by the fireworks at dark.

See South Carolina's complete list of 4th of July Fireworks at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/scfireworks

Tennessee (June 29, 2013)

Tennessee's 4th of July Fireworks will begin with three events on Saturday night (June 29th).

Alcoa hosts its FreedomFest on Saturday with fireworks at dark. Andersonville's Sequoyah Marina on Norris Lake is home to Fire on the Water which features food, fun and fireworks. Byrdstown's Independence Day Celebration takes place in the parking lot across from Town Hall on Saturday night and begins with a benefit for Our Troops at 5 p.m., followed by music and games.  The fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

Check out the full list of 4th of July Fireworks in Tennessee this year at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/tnfireworks.

Texas (June 29 & 30, 2013)

Texas begins its 4th of July Fireworks on Saturday and Sunday nights, June 29th and 30th.

Allen's annual Market Street Allen USA Celebration is set for Saturday at Celebration Park. Former Styx  lead singer Dennis DeYoung is among the performers set to entertain the crowds. Music, fun, activities, food and more begins at 4 p.m., followed by the fireworks at dark.

Parker's Celebrate Freedom event takes place at Southfork Ranch on Saturday. The gates open at 8 a.m. for activities, food, fun and more. Live music begins at 10 a.m. and the fireworks will launch at Dark.

Rockwall's Freedom Fest 2013 will take place on Sunday at The Harbor. Food, fun, entertainment and activities kick off at 4 p.m. and will be followed by the fireworks at dark.

Check out the full list of Texas 4th of July Fireworks for this year at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/texasfireworks.

Virginia 

Things don't get going in Virginia until July 3rd, but you can check out the full list of Virginia 4th of July Fireworks for 2013 at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/virginiafireworks.

Remember, you can access the full list for all states anytime at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fireworks.

Ghost hunters in Florida make "electric" discovery at haunted site!

Infrared Photo of Bellamy Bridge at Night
(Courtesy Emerald Coast Paranormal Concepts)

A team of paranormal investigators has made a discovery at a purportedly haunted bridge in Florida unlike anything it has ever encountered.

The location is Bellamy Bridge, the oldest bridge of its type in Florida and the scene of a rumored haunting that goes back to the 19th century. The focal point of the Bellamy Bridge Heritage Trail, the historic bridge is located at 4057 Jacob Road, Marianna, Florida.

On two separate occasions, the team from Emerald Coast Paranormal Concepts has verified the presence of electric "pulses" at the old steel-frame bridge, despite the fact that the bridge is located deep in a floodplain swamp, roughly one-half mile from the nearest source of electricity.

There are no lights, no underground or underwater cables, no generators, no radio towers, no cell phone towers and no other sources of electricity near enough to the bridge to explain the strange electric pulses discovered by the team.

According to Susan Todd, an investigator with the group, the discovery was first noted during an evening of research at Bellamy Bridge in May. The team then returned to the bridge last Saturday night (June 15, 2013) and once again encountered precisely the same phenomenon:

Team from Emerald Coast Paranormal Concepts

We set up our meters, to include our Digital EMF detector, in the same locations as we had done previously, again same response from our equipment, with the exception of the Digital EMF detector which did not pick up EMF anomalies. As our meters were reacting we noted the exact time on our digital recorders and IR Video recorders. We were unable to detect a pattern to when the meters would react. At one point, while reciting information on the history of the bridge all meters started to light up to maximum capacity.

The team is working in cooperation with the Friends of Bellamy Bridge to research and obtain footage at the bridge, some of which will be used in a coming documentary that will benefit the preservation and maintenance of the historic bridge and the interpretive trail that provides public access to it.

To see some of the video and read more about the investigation, please visit http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/bellamyghost.

To learn more about the ghost story itself, please visit http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/bellamybridge.

Memorial Day in the South, 2013

Monument to First Memorial Day
Columbus, Georgia

Memorial Day has its roots in the South, where in the year or so after the close of the War Between the States, widows and wives and mothers and daughters went to cemeteries to place flowers on and care for the graves of their loved ones who had given their lives in the cause of the Confederacy.

It is still a special and moving holiday in the South today and this year there are many noteworthy events associated with it.  Here is a sampling:

Vicksburg National Military Park - Memorial Day 2013 falls during the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Siege and Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Events set for tomorrow include a Memorial Day Parade through downtown Vicksburg at 10 a.m., Memorial Day Program at 11 a.m. at the Vicksburg Civic Center and a Wreath laying at 12 noon at Vicksburg National Cemetery.

Chattanooga National Cemetery - A Decoration Day Torchlight Tour will be held at Chattanooga National Cemetery tomorrow night at 8:45 p.m.  The tour is free but be sure to bring water, a flashlight and to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. The cemetery is located at 1200 Bailey Avenue in Chattanooga.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park - There will be firing demonstrations by reenactors at the Visitor Center tomorrow at 11 a.m., 12 noon, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.  Kennesaw Mountain High School's Color Guard will perform at 1 p.m. and a moment of silence will be observed at 3 p.m.

Andersonville National Historic Site  - The Avenue of Flags will be on display at Andersonville National Cemetery and visitors can reflect at the Naitonal P.O.W. Museum.

Shiloh National Military Park - Ceremonies will be held tomorrow at the Confederate Mass Graves (near Tour Stop #13) at 11 a.m., followed by ceremonies at Shiloh National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m.

Pea Ridge National Military Park - Closed due to budget cuts, which I find to be a particularly sad way to observe Memorial Day.  Perhaps closing on a different day this week would have been more appropriate?

Cowpens National Battlefield - Memorial Day services will take place at the Visitor Center at 11:55 a.m.

Fort Pickens - Living history encampment all day, ranger led tours of the fort at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and a moment of silence at 3 p.m.

There will be many other events coordinated on a local, state and national level tomorrow.  If you can attend one, please do.  If you are unable to attend in person, I hope you will join me in observing a moment of silence at 3 p.m.

Grants Grand Assault on Vicksburg (May 22, 1863)

Railroad Redoubt at Vicksburg, Mississippi
Blue (U.S.) and Red Signs (C.S.) show the scene of hand to hand fighting.

150 years ago today, after one of the most ferocious bombardments ever unleashed on an American city, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant sent his Union army forward against the Confederate defenses of Vicksburg, Mississippi.  It was an unmitigated disaster.

Grant had closed in on Vicksburg from the east 4 days earlier after battling Confederate forces at Port Gibson, Raymond, Big Black River and other locations. The Confederate commander, Gen. John Pemberton, fell back into the prepared fortifications that ringed Vicksburg and prepared to defend the vital city that controlled traffic on the Mississippi River and provided a link between the two halves of the Confederacy that the river divided.

Stockade Redan at Vicksburg

In a first attempt to break through Pemberton's lines, the Union commander had sent Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman forward against the Stockade Redan on May 19, 1863. Confederate forces - primarily the 36th Mississippi Infantry - sent Sherman's men reeling back for their own lines. Confederate losses in the assault, the first fighting of the Battle of Vicksburg, totaled 8 killed and 62 wounded. Union casualties were much higher, with 157 killed and 777 wounded.

Grant tried again three days later on May 22, 1863. It was that attack, which took place 150 years ago today, that resulted in some of the bloodiest fighting of the Siege and Battle of Vicksburg.

Confederate Cannon at Vicksburg

Pemberton's men knew the attack was coming when, on the previous night, the Union army opened on the city with more than 220 cannon. The warships of the Union navy steamed to within range and joined in the bombardment, as soldiers and civilians alike in the beleaguered city dug tunnels to protect themselves from the falling shells.

Then, at 10 o'clock a.m., the Union army advanced. Watching from their lines, the Confederates saw enemy columns forming for attacks on the Stockade Redan, Great Redoubt, Third Louisiana Redan, Second Texas Lunette and the Railroad Redoubt. In the military terms of the day, a redan was a triangular fortification, a lunette was a semi-circular or crescent fortification and a redoubt was a square or rectangular fort.

Second Texas Lunette

Confederate cannon swept the field as the three-mile wide attack developed. The attacks on the Stockade Redan and Great Redoubt were driven back with heavy losses. The Federals almost broke through at the Second Texas Lunette, where heavy fighting took place before Confederate troops finally broke apart their attack.

The critical moment of the day came, however, when Union soldiers stormed over the walls of the Railroad Redoubt and drove out its Confederate defenders. The desperately needed break in the Southern lines had been achieved, but before the Federals could exploit the advantage gained at the redoubt, Waul's Texas Legion counterattacked and drove them out in hand-to-hand fighting.

When all was said and done, the Confederacy still held Vicksburg and Grant had lost more than 3,000 men compared to a loss of around 500 for Pemberton.

To learn more about the Battle of Vicksburg and to check the schedule of planned 150th Anniversary events planned for this Memorial Day Weekend, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vicksburg1.

Sherman's Attack on Vicksburg (May 19, 1863)

Stockade Redan and Scene of Sherman's Attack

As the sun set over the high bluffs of Vicksburg, Mississippi, 150 years ago tonight, darkness fell to the sounds of groans and cries for help coming from hundreds of Union soldiers.

It was 150 years ago today, on May 19, 1863, that Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant ordered Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman to hurl his forces against the Stockade Redan, one of the powerful Confederate forts that ringed the city of Vicksburg. Grant hoped to strike a severe blow against the Southern defenses and break through into the city.

Stockade Redan from the Confederate Lines

The redan (a triangular fort) was powerfully-built, with earthen walls that were 17 feet high and a ditch of dry moat more than 8 feet wide. In front of the Stockade Redan was a cleared field of fire across which the Federals would have to advance into a hail of musket and cannon fire not only from the redan, but from an entire section of the Confederate line.

Stockade Redan was defended by the soldiers of the 36th Mississippi Infantry.

The Union soldiers attacked valiantly, but the Confederates were ready for them. By the time the heavy firing ended, Sherman's men had been hurled back in a bloody defeat. The Federals lost 157 killed and 777 wounded, while the Confederate army of Gen. John C. Pemberton lost only 8 killed and 62 wounded.

Rebel yells flowed over the open ground where masses of men in blue writhed in pain and agony. It would take all night to clear the wounded and give them even a semblance of care.

With the failed Union attack, the Battle of Vicksburg had begun. It would continue for more than six more weeks and when all was said and done, the Vicksburg Campaign would cost 20,000 men their lives. The fall of the city would break the Confederacy in two and give the Union control of the Mississippi River.

To learn more about the battle, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vicksburg1.

To learn more about events planned for the 150th anniversary of the battle, please visit http://southernhistory.blogspot.com/2013/05/vicksburg-150th-anniversary-events-set.html.

Vicksburg 150th Anniversary Events Set for Memorial Day Weekend

Stockade Redan at Vicksburg

Memorial Day Weekend this year also marks the 150th anniversary of the Siege and Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi, one of the most critical battles of the Civil War.

The battle for Vicksburg actually began on May 19, 1863 - 150 years ago today - when Gen. Ulysses S. Grant hurled his army against the Confederate fortifications at the Stockade Redan in an attempt to break through the Southern lines and capture the city without resorting to a long siege. The Confederate Army of Gen. John C. Pemberton, however, hurled back the attack in bloody fashion. Pemberton lost only 8 men killed and 62 wounded, compared to 157 killed and 777 wounded for Grant.

Battery De Golyer at Vicksburg

A second, larger attack came three days later on May 21, 1863, after a horrible bombardment of both military and civilian targets in Vicksburg, but ended in an greater disaster for the Union army. Some 3,000 U.S. soldiers were killed or wounded, compared to around 500 Confederates.

The fighting would go on for more than six weeks, ending only after the Confederate defenders and civilians in Vicksburg had been reduced to eating rats, mules and boiled shoe-leather. Gen. Pemberton surrendered the city to Grant on July 4, 1863, the same day that Pickett's Charge failed at Gettysburg.

To learn more about the Battle of Vicksburg, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vicksburg1.

In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the bloody siege and battle at Vicksburg, the National Park Service has planned numerous events that are now underway and will continue thorugh Memorial Day Weekend.  Here is a schedule:

Sunday, May 19

First Assault Programs:
10:00 a.m. - Confederate Perspective, Begins at Stockade Redan (Tour Stop 12)
1:00 p.m. - Union Perspective, Begins at Stockade Redan Attack Display (Tour Stop 5)

Wednesday, May 22

Memorial Day Event:
7:30 a.m. - Placement of flags on graves at Vicksburg National Cemetery.

Second Assault Programs:
10:00 a.m. - The Forlorn Hope, Begins at Stockade Redan Attack Display (Tour Stop 5)
10:00 a.m. - Second Texas Lunette Attack, Begins at Second Texas Lunette (Tour Stop 12)
10:00 a.m. - Assault on the Great Redoubt, Begins at the Great Redoubt (Tour Stop 11)
1:00 p.m. - Assault on Railroad Redoube, Begins at Railroad Redoubt (Tour Stop 13).

Thursday, May 23

Memorial Day Events:
10:00 a.m. - U.S. Postal Service Sesquicentennial Stamp National Event at USS Cairo Museum.
7:00 - 10:00 p.m. - Shadows of the Past walk at Vicksburg National Cemetery.

Friday, May 24

Memorial Day Event:
7:00 p.m. - U.S. Navy Band Concert at Park Visitor Center.

Saturday, May 25

Memorial Day Events:

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Soldiers Thru the Ages Display at USS Cairo Museum
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Programs held throughout the day at:

• Shirley House/Illinois Monument/Old Jackson Road 
• Pemberton's Headquarters (Crawford Street, downtown Vicksburg)
• Old Administration Building (Pemberton Ave., inside park) - U.S. Camel Corps program.
• Living History programs at various locations in the park.

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Book Signings at the Park Visitor Center featuring Jeff Shaara, Dr. John Marszalek, Tim Isbell, Jeff Biambrone and Rebecca Drake.

10:00 a.m. - Re-Dedication of the Iowa State Memorial.

7:00 p.m. - Concert featuring Mississippi Symphony Orchestra with guest appearance by Trace Adkins at Park Visitor Center.

Sunday, May 26

Memorial Day Events:

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Soldiers Thru the Ages Display at USS Cairo Museum
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Programs held throughout the day at:

• Shirley House/Illinois Monument/Old Jackson Road 
• Pemberton's Headquarters (Crawford Street, downtown Vicksburg)
• Old Administration Building (Pemberton Ave., inside park) - U.S. Camel Corps program.
• Living History programs at various locations in the park.

7:00 p.m. - Concert by Jackson Mass Community Choir at the Park Visitor Center.

Monday, May 27

Memorial Day Events:

10:00 a.m. - Vicksburg City Memorial Day Parade in Downtown Vicksburg.

11:00 a.m. - Vicksburg City Memorial Day Program at Vicksburg Civic Center.

12:00 noon - Wreath Laying at Vicksburg National Cemetery.

Wednesday, July 3

Luminary Commemoration:

7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - 20,000 luminaries will be placed throughout the park and on Confederate Avenue in Vicksburg at every State Memorial to honor the casualties suffered by each state, North and South, during the Vicksburg Campaign.

Sunbury - A Georgia Ghost Town!

An original street runs along Church Square in Sunbury

I have a fascination with ghost towns because I love to walk their former streets and wonder what they looked like and what life was like in them.

Perhaps my favorite of all Southern ghost towns is Sunbury, once a booming port town that rivaled Savannah in commerce. Today, all that remains are a few old roads, the earthworks at Fort Morris State Historic Site and a cemetery.

Founded in 1758 as part of the Congregationalist movement from Dorchester, South Carolina, to what is now Liberty County, Georgia, Sunbury grew dramatically in the years before the American Revolution. By 1773, for example, it had over 1,000 residents. The town was visited that year by the famed naturalist William Bartram:

Markers tell the story of the "Dead Town"

There are about one hundred houses in the town neatly built of wood frame having pleasant Piasas [i.e. piazzas] around them. The inhabitants are genteel and wealthy, either Merchants or Planters from the Country who resort here in the Summer and Autumn, to partake of the Salubrious Sea Breeze, Bathing & sporting on the Sea Islands.

The people of Sunbury were fierce supporters of the cause of American Independence and they paid dearly for it. The British occupied their town in both 1778 and 1779, even using it as a place to hold American prisoners of war. Residents fled the British occupation and by the end of the Revolution, Sunbury was but a shell of its former self.

The town continued its decline after the war until eventually it was gone.  Union troops even burned the Baptist church during Sherman's March to the Sea.  Not a building still stands and even the vast majority of the graves in the cemetery are no longer marked. Sunbury is a true ghost town of the Georgia coast.

To learn more, visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/sunbury1.

To learn more about Sunbury Cemetery, visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/sunbury2

To learn more about Fort Morris, visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fortmorris.

Fort Morris State Historic Site - Midway, Georgia

Fortifications at Fort Morris State Historic Site

One of the classic moments in American history took place at a rough fort in Liberty County, Georgia, in 1778.  The place was Fort Morris and the moment developed when a British force surrounded the outpost and demanded its surrender:

Sir: - You cannot be ignorant that four armies are in motion to reduce this Province. One is already under the guns of your fort, and may be joined when I think proper by Col. Prevost, who is now at the Midway Meeting-House. The resistance you can or intend to make will only bring destruction upon this country. On the contrary, if you will deliver to me the fort which you command, lay down your arms, and remain neuter until the fate of America is determined, you shall, together with all the inhabitants of this parish, remain in peaceable possession of your property. Your answer, which I expect in an hour's time, will determine the fate of this country, whether it be laid in ashes, or remain as above proposed. - Col. L.V. Fuser, British Commander

Earthworks at Fort Morris State Historic Site

The British had invaded Georgia from East Florida, which along with West Florida had not joined in the revolt and had remained loyal to King George III. One British force, commanded by Lt. Col. J.;M. Prevost, had defeated outnumbered Patriot forces at the Battle of Midway Church and had already burned the Midway Congregational Church, which Col. Fuser referred to in his demand as Midway Meeting-House.

Fuser's column, which was to surround and pin down the garrison of Fort Morris at the port town of Sunbury, had been slow in arriving and Col. Fuser did not know on the date he issued his demand that Col. Prevost had already begun a slow withdrawal back to Florida.

Neither did Col. John McIntosh, the American commander of Fort Morris, not that he would have cared:

American Cannon at Fort Morris State Historic Site

Sir: - We acknowledge we are not ignorant that your army is in motion to endeavor to reduce this State. We believe it entirely chimerial that Col. Prevost is at the Meeting-House; but should it be so, we are in no degree apprehensive of danger from a juncture of his army with yours. We have no property which we value a rush, compared with the object for which we content, and would rather perish in a vigorous defense than accept of your proposals. We, sir, are fighting the battles of America, and therefore disdain to remain neutral till its fate is determined. As to surrendering the fort, receive this laconic reply: COME AND TAKE IT. - Col. John McIntosh, American Commander.

"Come and take it!" would become a battle cry for generations of Americans and would symbolize defiance against attacking forces for years to come. In the Texas Revolution, for example, it was adopted in 1835 by the men of Gonzales who organized to defend a cannon from an attempt by the Mexican government to take it from them. They raised a flag emblazoned with the words, "Come and take it!" and when the Mexican army tried to do that, defeated them in the first fighting of the Texas Revolution.

Fort Morris also stood defiant against the British in 1778. Viewing the walls of the fort, its 24 pieces of artillery and having read Col. McIntosh's bold words, Col. Fuser decided not to make the attempt. His men withdrew from Sunbury and retreated to their ships, American cannon balls falling in their dust.

Fort Morris State Historic Site is a fascinating place on the Georgia Coast just south of Savannah. To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fortmorris.

Take a video tour of the site here:

Cannibalism at Jamestown? Scientists may have found the proof!

Fort at Jamestown, Virginia

Did the English colonists at Jamestown resort to cannibalism as they tried to survive during the "starving time" winter of 1609-1610?

The writings of early colonists have always said yes to that question, but there has never been any physical proof that the claims were true - until now.

A scientist with the Smithsonian says that the skeleton of a 15-year-old girl found by archaeoligists in a Colonial era trash dump at Jamestown shows marks that indicate she was cut up and eaten!

Read more:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/skeleton-of-teenage-girl-confirms-cannibalism-at-jamestown-colony/2013/05/01/5af5b474-b1dc-11e2-9a98-4be1688d7d84_story.html

Jamestown from the water.

Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in what is now the United States. It was founded in 1607, thirteen years before the Pilgrims set foot on Plymouth Rock. 

On the other hand, the Spanish settlers of St. Augustine in Florida were living in a well-established community with stone houses and a public park by the time the Jamestown settlers reached Virginia. St. Augustine was founded in 1565, more than forty years before Jamestown, and is the oldest permanent settlement in the continental United States.

Learn more about historic Jamestown, Virginia:  http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/jamestown

Learn more about historic St. Augustine, Florida:  http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/staugustine1

Midway Congregational Church - Midway, Georgia

Midway Congregational Church in Georgia

One of the most beautiful landmarks of the Georgia Coast, Midway Congregational Church was founded before the American Revolution and played an important role in that war. The current structure dates from 1792.

It was at Midway Church, often called Midway Meeting House, in 1775 that the residents of what is now Liberty County gathered to elect someone to represent them at the Second Continental Congress. The Congregationalists settled in Midway, Sunbury and the surrounding area had originally come from Dorchester, Massachusetts, and were quick to support their their former neighbors there in the wake of the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

The present structure was completed in 1792.

The community was targeted by the British in 1778 and Colonel James Screven, now buried in the Midway Cemetery, was mortally wounded at the Battle of Midway Church. The original church structure was burned by the British following that battle, but was rebuilt in 1792.

The church was occupied by troops again some nine decades later during the final days of Sherman's March to the Sea. The cavalry of Union Gen. Judson Kilpatrick corralled their horses in the cemetery and Kilpatrick made Midway Church his headquarters as Sherman was closing in on Savannah and Fort McAllister.

Please visit our new Midway Congregational Church page to learn more about this historic landmark: http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/midway.

Death of Ma Barker at Oklawaha, Florida

Oklawaha, Florida - Where Ma Barker Was Killed

One of the most notorious outlaws of the 1930s met her fate in a two-story lakeside cottage at Oklawaha, Florida.

Ma Barker, born Arizona Donnie Clark, was portrayed by the media of the time as one of the leaders of the Barker/Karpis gang.  This group of outlaws carried out murders, kidnappings and robberies from Minnesota south to Arkansas during the early 1930s.  They were contemporaries of and as well known as such infamous 1930s outlaws as Bonnie & Clyde, John Dillinger, Machine Gun Kelly, Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby Face Nelson.

Ma Barker
Courtesy of the FBI

The FBI got on their trail after a kidnapping in the upper Midwest and the gang splintered, with different members going in different directions. Ma, who some gang members later claimed couldn't plan breakfast without help, headed south to Florida with her son, Fred Barker.

After a brief stop in Miami, they ended up in the charming lakeside community of Oklawaha.  Located just south of Ocala, the village sits on the northern shore of Lake Weir, a beautiful body of water that is popular for boating, fishing and other outdoor activities.  There they rented a lakeside cottage and quietly tried to wait out the manhunt that was sweeping the nation for them.

Weapons captured after shootout with the Barkers

They didn't make it.  On the morning of January 16, 1935, the Barker hideout was surrounded by FBI agents. A call to surrender was answered with a hail of machine gun fire and a massive gunfight, known today as the "Battle of Oklawaha," erupted.  When the smoke cleared, Ma Barker lay dead in an upstairs bedroom, her deadly "Tommy Gun" still in her hands.  Fred Barker lay dead nearby.

The Ma Barker House still stands in Oklawaha, but is in private hands today.  To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/mabarker.

Florida's Tallest Waterfall is Flowing Beautifully!

The beautiful waterfall at Falling Waters State Park in Chipley is flowing nicely, thanks to more than 12" of rain that fell across the Panhandle of Florida in recent days.

It is surprising to many visitors that Florida actually has a number of waterfalls. Some of them are quite scenic, but few are as remarkable as the stunning 73-foot tall falls at Falling Waters. The centerpiece of a beautiful state park, the waterfall is created by the unique combination of a running hilltop stream and Florida's karst topography.

Because much of Florida rests on a bed of limestone and because water erodes that limestone, the state is noted for is many caves, sinkholes and even "disappearing lakes." Florida is a noted place for learning about karst topography and the Falling Waters Sinks are a state geological feature. Numerous sinkholes and caves can be seen from the nature trails and boardwalks at Falling Waters State Park, including the remarkable 100-foot deep cylindrical sink into which the waterfall tumbles.

The video above was taken on March 2, 2013, and gives you a good idea of the appearance of the waterfall when it is flowing well. To really get a feel for the size of the falls and the depth of the unusual sink into which it disappears, however, you have to see it in person!

To learn more, please visit:  www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fallingwaters1.

Update: Latest on "Bleeding Walls" at Haunted House in Florida

Russ House in Marianna, Florida

Update 2/24/2013 - The historic Russ House in Marianna, Florida, has attracted quite a bit of attention over the last week thanks to the discovery by employees of a strange liquid coming from a wall inside the house.

The home now provides office space for the Jackson County Tourist Development Council and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and is located at 4318 West Lafayette Street in Marianna. The strange phenomenon has had employees there wondering if they might have an a visitor hanging around who wants them to leave!

"Bleeding Wall" at Russ House

According to TDC Director Pam Fuqua, there have been no additional incidents since the one last week where a strange sticky liquid was found dripping down a wall in an upstairs area of the house and pooling on the floor. The staff still has no explanation for the incident.

The Russ House was built by Joseph W. Russ, Jr., in 1895 as a typical Victorian home and remodeled to its present appearance 15 years later. It is one of the most imposing structures in Marianna, a charming community that is the county seat of Florida's third oldest county.

Russ House in Marianna, Florida

There is a long tradition in and around Marianna that the house is haunted. The ghost of its builder is said to roam its halls and various people who have worked in the structure over the years have described doors opening and closing on their own, the sound of footsteps coming from the staircase and upstairs areas of the house, cold spots, etc.  Several groups of paranormal investigators have visited the Russ House and their announced results range from no findings to claims that as many as three restless ghosts haunts the structure.

Whether you believe or not really depends on your own beliefs about such things. Some people around town think the house is haunted, others do not.  What is indisputable, however, is that a strange liquid was found running down a wall of the house last week and that, to date, no explanation has been found.

The story of the Ghosts of the Russ House is among those explored in my new book:

The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge: 10 Ghosts & Monsters from Jackson County, Florida (Book)

The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge (Kindle $9.95)

You also can learn more about the Russ House at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/russhouseghosts.

Are the walls of a Florida "haunted house" bleeding???

Bleeding Walls at Haunted Russ House?

Employees working at the historic Russ House in Marianna, Florida, walked in to an unexpected sight this week - bleeding walls!

The beautiful old structure currently houses the Jackson County Tourism Office and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Various ghost hunter and paranormal investigation groups have visited the Russ House and proclaimed it to be haunted, but none of them encountered anything like this!



Russ House in Marianna, Florida

The mysterious "bleeding" liquid was coming from the wall below a storage area, but nothing found in the storage area could explain the source of the liquid.  It is the first time staff of the house have encountered anything like it and they were visibly disturbed by the phenomenon when I visited shortly after it was discovered to take the photographs seen here.

What is it?  No one knows!

Another View of Strange Liquid

According to tradition, the house is haunted by several restless spirits.  The best known of them is said to be that of the home's builder, Marianna businessman Joseph W. Russ, Jr.  He had the house constructed in 1895 in a traditional Victorian style, but his wife later had it remodeled to its present magnificent design.

Russ committed suicide during the Great Depression and legend holds that he still roams the halls of his beloved house to this day. 

You can read more about the Ghosts of the Russ House at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/russhouseghosts.

The Scott Massacre of 1817 - New Book Details First U.S. Defeat of the Seminole Wars

My newest book, The Scott Massacre of 1817, is now available in both print and Kindle editions at Amazon.com.

Named for Lieutenant Richard W. Scott of the 7th U.S. Infantry, this encounter on the banks of the upper Apalachicola River was the first defeat for the army in a series of wars between the United States and the Seminole Indians. It assured that the full power of the expanding nation would be brought to be bear on the alliance of Red Stick Creek, Seminole and African ("Black Seminole") warriors that overwhelmed and then inflicted a stunning 98% casualty rate on Lieutenant Scott's command.

Much has been written about the later Dade Massacre or Battle, but this is the first book-length study of the event that led the Monroe Administration to order the invasion of Spanish Florida by Major General Andrew Jackson. More than any other event, the attack on Scott's command enabled the United States to pressure Spain into giving up Florida. The colony became a U.S. territory just four years after the battle on the upper Apalachicola.


The new book explores events leading up to the retaliatory attack on Scott's command, the incidents of the battle itself, the repercussions of Scott's defeat and provides the first ever listing of U.S. casualties. With attention also devoted to the preliminary Battle of Fowltown and the subsequent U.S. invasion of Florida, I believe you will find this to be a fascinating and informative read.

Read excerpts and learn more about ordering:

The Scott Massacre of 1817 (Print Edition $19.95)

The Scott Massacre of 1817 (Kindle Edition $9.95)

New Book looks into 10 Southern Ghost & Monster Stories

I'm please to announce the release of my latest book, The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge.

This volume investigates 10 of the best known ghost and monster stories from Jackson County, Florida, through the eyes of a historian. After repeating the legends, the book delves into the real histories behind each of these tales and comes up with some fascinating results!

The book is available for order at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/bellamybook.

The story featured in the book title is the tragic story of Elizabeth Ann Croom Bellamy, a young woman who died during antebellum times. Elizabeth has connections to both Florida and North Carolina and her dead sparked what may be Florida's best known ghost story. Her restless spirit is said to haunt Bellamy Bridge, a historic steel-frame bridge that spans the Chipola River north of the city of Marianna.

A fascinating tale that originated during the antebellum era, the real truth behind the legend is even more intriguing than the legend itself.

Other stories include tales from Marianna, Greenwood, Graceville, Sneads, Parramore, Cottondale and even Two Egg!

100% of the cover price of this volume is being donated to help fund the Bellamy Bridge Heritage Trail, a new public historic site on Highway 162 near Marianna that is being constructed without the expenditure of a single extra tax dollar.

Thank you in advance for your support of this project and I hope you enjoy the book!

10 Great Ghost Stories of the South!

Recent Photo of the Ghost of Bellamy Bridge

With Halloween just one day away, I thought it would be a great time to share this year's list of 10 Great Ghost Stories of the South!  So, here we go...

1. The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge (Marianna, Florida) - This is a great story that originated in the 1800s and preserves the tragic tale of an unfortunate young woman who is said to haunt the environs of one of Florida's oldest bridges.  Learn more at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/bellamybridge.
2. The Face in the Window (Carrollton, Alabama) - The face of a terrified man can be seen in the window of the old Pickens County Courthouse in Carrollton. www.exploresouthernhistory.com/faceinthewindow.
3. The Edgefield Ghost (Greenwood County, South Carolina) - This early 19th century haunting was one of the most noteworthy in American history and was witnessed by hundreds of people including ministers and reporters!  Learn more at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/edgefieldghost.
4. The Bell Witch (Adams County, Tennessee) - Possibly America's most famous haunting, the Bell Witch incident supposedly took place in Adams County, Tennessee.  Learn more at: www.exploresouthernhistory.com/bellwitch1.
5. The Crescent Hotel (Eureka Springs, Arkansas) - The Crescent Hotel bills itself as America's most haunted hotel, and with good reason! Learn more at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/crescenthotel.
6. The Ghost of Big Cedar (near Branson, Missouri) - Big Cedar Resort just south of Branson is said to be haunted by the wife of one of its original owners!  This is one of the most famous ghosts of the Ozarks.  Learn more at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/bigcedar1.
7. Ghosts of the St. Augustine Lighthouse (St. Augustine, Florida) - One of Florida's most intriguing ghost stories, the tale of the strange figures in the St. Augustine Lighthouse has attracted attention for years. Learn more at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/staugustinelighthouse.
8. Ghost of Allatoona Pass (Bartow County, Georgia) - This ghost used to catch rides on trains along the old railroad leading north from Atlanta!  Please click here to learn more: www.exploresouthernhistory.com/allatoonaghost.
9. Ghosts of Waverly Mansion (West Point, Mississippi) - Waverly Mansion near West Point is said to be one of the most haunted places in Mississippi.  Please click here to learn more: www.exploresouthernhistory.com/waverly
10. Ghost of St. Simons Lighthouse (St. Simons Island, Georgia) - The unhappy spirit of a former lighthouse employee is said to haunt the beautiful old tower of the St. Simons Lighthouse.  Please click here to learn more http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/gastsimons2.html.

USS Kidd - WWII Destroyer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

USS Kidd and Mississippi River at Baton Rouge, Louisiana

One of my favorite Southern scenes is the view of the historic World War II warship USS Kidd framed by downtown Baton Rouge from the I-10 bridge over the Mississippi River.

Now a museum and memorial, the destroyer was built and launched in New Jersey in 1943. Named for Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd, Sr., who was killed when his flagship - the battleship USS Arizona - was destroyed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

USS Kidd

The crew of the ship, however, always enjoyed their association with another "Captain Kidd," the famed pirate or privateer of the late 17th century. A swashbuckling caricature of the pirate graces the funnel of the ship and the USS Kidd was the only U.S. Navy warship ever authorized to fly the infamous "Jolly Roger" pirate flag.

The Kidd spent most of her World War II career in the Pacific. She was one of the destroyers that escorted the battleship USS Alabama to Pearl Harbor and took part in fighting throughout the island hopping campaign waged by the U.S. across the Pacific. At one point she closed to within 11 miles of the Japanese mainland.

Learn more about this historic warship and find out how she came to become part of the Baton Rouge cityscape: http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/usskidd.

Monster 17'7" Python found in Everglades National Park

Record Python examined at University of Florida
Photo Courtesy: UF News

The news this week that a Burmese Python measuring 17'7" long has been found in the Everglades National Park is stunning.
Please click here to read a full report from the University of Florida.

Not only was the snake the largest of its kind ever found in Florida, it was carrying a record 87 eggs. Another python measuring 16'8" has also been found in Florida in recent years. It will be placed on display soon at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville.

The National Park Service reports that more than 1,800 pythons have been removed from Everglades National Park since 2002, but concede that the number removed represents only a fraction of the total number present in the vast wetland.

The snakes, park service scientists report, are havinging "devastating consequences to our ecosystem." They are feeding on native wildlife and competing with native wildlife such as alligators. In fact, the Burmese pythons even sometimes eat alligators!

In addition to trying to locate and remove the snakes, the park service is tagging some of them with transmitters so they can follow individual snakes and see where they are going and congregating. It is hoped the process will help researchers locate areas where the snakes accumulate. This will hopefully help in the capture and removal of more of the snakes.

To learn more about Burmese pythons in the Everglades, check out this outstanding site put together by the National Park Service:   http://www.nps.gov/ever/naturescience/Burmese-Pythons-in-the-Everglades.htm.

Two Forgotten Alabama Battles of the Civil War

Reenactors fire a salute commemorating Battle of Fairview

I've just added new pages to the main site on the Battle of Fairview and the Battle of Newton, two all but forgotten Civil War actions that took place in the Wiregrass region of South Alabama.
These two battles were unique in that both were fought by citizens to defend or avenge their communities against outlaw raider gangs, not by soldiers of the Union and Confederacy lining up to fight each other.

Battle Branch, Site of the Battle of Fairview, Alabama

The Battle of Fairview took place on September 2, 1864, in Coffee County, Alabama. A band of outlaws called Ward's Raiders and led by Jim Ward had burned the courthouse in the county seat of Elba the previous spring, trying to destroy the conscription or draft records there. The records were saved, so on the night of September 1 the raiders came back and set fire to buildings all around the square as well as the bridge over the Pea River. Local citizens took up arms and gave chase, cornering the raiders at Battle Branch in the Fairview Community. To learn more about the Battle of Fairview, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fairview.

Battle of Newton Monument in Newton, Alabama

The Battle of Newton took place in nearby Dale County, Alabama, on March 14, 1865. Joseph Sanders was a lieutenant in the 1st Florida Cavalry (U.S.) but exceeded his orders and led a mixed band of U.S. cavalrymen and outlaw guerrillas against the Dale County seat of Newton. His target, as had been the case with the Battle of Fairview, was the courthouse and its conscription or draft records. And just as had been the case in Elba, the citizens of Newton took up arms. The battle evolved differently because at Newton, the citizens were waiting when Sanders and his men rode into town. To learn more about the Battle of Newton, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/newtonbattle.

Sketoe's Hole Memorial

If you are interested in the Civil War in the Wiregrass, you might also enjoy reading the story of Ghost of Sketoe's Hole. The legend revolves around the hanging of a man in Dale County, Alabama, during the closing months of the war and the "hole that will not stay filled." To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/sketoe.

You can also read about many other Alabama battles and forts by visiting www.exploresouthernhistory.com/battlefields.