Tribute to Our Roots

Somewhere in the upper limbs of the family tree is found Jefferson Davis, and in tribute (okay, really just because we wanted to do something outdoors and free and had never been there) we visited the Chickamauga Battlefield yesterday. It was the last major victory for the Confederacy, but both sides incurred heavy losses in the two day battle: over 34,000 wounded, killed or mission. (Actually I don't think Davis had any personal connection to this particular battle).

We traversed the 5200 acre park by van and on foot, saw plenty of cannons, and numerous signs and monuments to the various troops who fought and died (over 600 were erected between 1870 and 1910).

My personal opinion on this whole "War of Northern Aggression" mania is that it was over long ago (nearly 150 years) and it is time to realize the South did indeed lose; but seeing as I make my home south of the Mason-Dixon line, I try to keep these sacrilegious thoughts to myself.

Wilder's Monument is an 85 foot tower which we climbed (our legs felt like jello afterwards and we are both hobbling today.
The view from the top

Stephen shooting the enemies

Matthew enjoying freedom from the backpack

While Doug and Andrew played football yesterday afternoon, Stephen moved about on his "baseball motorcycle." Matthew ate grass and practised mastering his newly found skill of crawling.

I went back through Andrew and Stephen's records to see when all this happened before. Andrew crawled right at nine months and walked at 10; Stephen crawled just after 9 months and walked at 11. Seeing as we are just past the 8 month mark, Matthew may be our earliest walker - oh, dear!