11th Annual ASSES RRG Weekend

This weekend Dudeboy and I joined the rest of the A.S.S.E.S. (Arch Seekers of the SouthEastern States) for Larry's 11th Annual Red River Gorge Weekend. It was a fairly strenuous few days of hiking, but it was worth it for the sites visited and the camaraderie. Here is a sampling of what we saw.

Guinea Pig

Dudeboy was my guinea pig for a photo assignment. Just learning some of this stuff, but so far I am pleased with the direction I am headed.

Out and About

Dudeboy and I joined Uncle Vic and a couple of friends on a hike in the Cumberland Falls area. We saw a really nice natural arch, and then I took them to Maxewell Branch Falls (Vic in photo for scale).


Dudeboy for scale . . .

Along the way . . . I am starting to get a decent collection of demented dolls found while hiking.

Seeing the Elephant

It is appropriate that our first major reenactment was Shiloh, as this was the first baptism of fire for the 9th Ky. and our ancestor Joel "Top" Simmons. In his records, it is recorded that "He fought well at Shiloh." Above are some of the fellows from the modern 9th that we fell in with this past weekend.

As Dudeboy and I were busy discovering our new hobby, Dr. J took over the job of being the photographer. She apparently thought the juxtaposition in this photo was very amusing. Dudeboy served as a runner for the Chief of Staff in the battle. Here they are heading towards the battlefield.

I am the one who is out of step with everyone else.

In this photo, the 9th Ky. is under the far off Union flag engaged with the "Secesh."

Like above, our distant flags show we are engaged at close proximity with the enemy . . . a little too close to their loaded cannons at one point.

At camp with some of the 9th. They are probably discussing the substantial hailstorm they weathered the night before.

Fort Henry and Fort Donelson

A week or so ago we went to see Ed Bearss give a talk about "Grant at Fort Donelson" in Dover, Tn. While we were there, we also toured a few of the sites of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. I should have written this entry up earlier, but we have been so busy. We just got back from our first major reenactment event, which commemorated the 150 anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh. Check back soon for an entry or two on that adventure.

Dr. J and Dudeboy are pictured at the site of French's Battery. This position was also near the failed breakout attempt.


Dover Hotel . . . the site where Buckner accepted Grant's now famous terms of surrender.

General S. B. BUCKNER,
Confederate Army.

SIR: Yours of this date, proposing armistice and appointment of commissioners to settle terms of capitulation, is just received. No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
U.S. GRANT,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.

To which Buckner replied . . .

Brig. Gen. U.S. GRANT,

U.S. A.

SIR: The distribution of the forces under my command incident to an unexpected change of commanders and the overwhelming force under your command compel me, notwithstanding the brilliant success of the Confederate arms yesterday, to accept the ungenerous and unchivalrous terms which you propose.

I am, sir, your very obedient servant,
S. B. BUCKNER,
Brigadier. General, C. S. Army.

The visitor center at Fort Donelson had a special exhibit brought in by two collectors from Cincinnati. We were able to talk with them a bit, and they let Dudeboy pose with an original gun and sword.

One of the collectors also builds working scale models of Civil War ships. Here is the USS Cairo. The original, or what is left of it, can be seen at the Vicksburg National Battlefield.

Dudeboy is standing in front of what little is left of Fort Henry. The main fortifications are now under the Tennessee River (Kentucky Lake), but there are still a few of the earthworks that made up the outer defenses.