Semper Fi Fund

    
     I've been wanting to post about the Semper Fi Fund since Remembrance Day in November.

      I research the 13th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry because I am interested in the personal stories of the men that did the fighting during the war.   One of my goals is to make their deeds and sacrifices known, so they can be remembered.  Each soldier has a story.  Those guys are all gone now, but there are veterans around now that we can still remember and even assist, and a good way to do that is by donating to the Semper Fi Fund.

Click the link to learn more.

Semper Fi Fund

     The fund gives direct assistance to wounded marines and their families.  I believe they also assist wounded soldiers in other branches of the service.  The organization has some ridiculously high percentage [94% +]  that goes right to work helping the wounded veterans, instead of being used up in overhead fees.   Many of these wounded soldiers have lost limbs from IED's, improvised explosive devices.  This is a most effective way to show appreciation to  the men and women of our armed forces.   I donated in November, and I hope all who come across this post will do the same.  REALLY - Remember the veterans' sacrifices!  Check out their site and donate.

     And a Happy 1863 to everybody ! 

150th Commemoration of the Battle of Fredericksburg

     This is just a short - quick - hurried - & late post -- to write about the coming events planned for the commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg. 

   I wish I could be in Virginia this weekend for the sponsored events.   You can read about the activities here.    Fire on the Rappahannock

     I am particularly sad that I won't be present for the events planned December 9th   "A Nation Remembers"

A friend of mine was involved with a group that constructed two pontoon boats for the re-creation of the river crossing.  Here's a picture of the boats under construction.


     Union Artillery could not drive away William E. Barksdale's Mississippians. whose fire prevented Union Engineers from completing their pontoon bridge opposite the town.  In frustration soldiers of the 7th Michigan rowed across the river in 3 pontoon boats and stormed the opposite shore to establish a bridgehead.  The Confederates fell back into the town.  More Union troops crossed, then followed the Rebels into the town where bloody street fighting ensued. 

Artist Thure de Thulstrup, did this painting  --  One of my favorites of Civil War art.

My friend and his group that built the boats will be re-enacting the event.

 The 13th Mass. Vols did not cross the river here, and their river crossing was un-opposed.  They later fought on the Union Left on what is called the Slaughter Pen Farm.  They acted as skirmishers for the Grand Left Division, as I wrote in an earlier post.  A Confederate encampment is going to occupy the part of the ground during the commemorative activities.

So, if you're lucky enough to live close by please go!  There are more than a few unique aspects of this tragic battle, which will be re-created memorialized and remembered.

I close with a picture of the completed pontoon boat that my friend shared with me.    I'm so used to looking at sepia toned photos and b&w images that I  had no idea the boats were green.  After I received the pictures I noticed they were green in the painting!