Leaving Winchester area, we headed across I-66, into US17 South and finally into I-95. Since Lee really changed our plans, we decided that there must some neat things to see and/do heading south on the “freeway.” Lynne was a navy wife and spent much time on the West Coast. She, therefore, calls these big ol’ highways “the freeway.” Freeway is not a word that is used for the highway system in the East very often, especially since many of the roads are tollroads (which, of course, negates the word “free”way.) They are highways, turnpikes or Interstates. I found it really funny when Tomasina Tom Tom gave us directions to the very expensive New Jersey Turnpike and said some to the effect of “take the freeway…” Lady, it ain’t FREE!
We had picked up a bunch of pamphlets, brochures and maps on our journey. We saw that Ft. Lee had a Quartermasters’ Museum and a Military Women’s Museum. This looked like something that we would both like to see. Off the highway, several miles to the east, is Ft. Lee which is a military installation. One needs to present a picture ID at the front gate. We stopped, presented our IDs and were directed to the museums which are housed in buildings next to each other.
We both thought that we would like to see the women’s first. But Alas, Alack! It was closed. (Sunday of Labor Day weekend.)
No admission fee, but donations welcome.
Tuesday – Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed on Sundays and Mondays and Federal Holidays.
Some seasonal hours
804-734-4327
U.S. Army Women's Museum
2100 "A" Avenue
Fort Lee, VA 23801
Email: leeeAWMWeb@conus.army.mil
But, there was a great artillery piece in front of the building showing women at the beginning of WWII in their skirted uniforms operating the piece. It was decided that women could be used in areas other than “women’s jobs” if needed. They did not continue the artillery for women in this war, but it opened doors for later women.
We went next door to the Quartermasters’. Very few people there. Did not see any staff and the gift shop was closed.
No admission fee, but suggested $5.00 donation—honor system box at entrance.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Weekends, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
US Army Quartermaster Museum
1201 22nd Street, Ft. Lee, VA 23801
804-734-4203
Lynne and I both thought this was a really great museum and spent a great deal of time in it. It was organized/separated into various collections: heraldic devices and insignias, foods, clothing items, equipment and personal items (toothbrushes, etc.) weapons, artwork, vehicles (horse-drawn wagons through Humvees), planes—including aerial delivery & field services, petroleum and water, mortuary services, Quartermaster Medal of Honor recipients.
There is also a section dedicated to our various American flags—Betsy Ross (13 stars), Star Spangled Banner (15 stars and 15 stripes) and many new flags as a new state/star was added. A new star is added July 4 after a new state has entered the union. For instance, Alaska and Hawaii both became states in 1959. Alaska, number forty-nine in January, got her star July 4, 1959; Hawaii, number fifty in December, got her star July 4, 1960. As an amateur vexologist, I was happy as a pig in mud.
A temporary exhibit running through this fall (no exact date given)
"Blades: Centuries of Swords, Bayonets, and Bolos", chronicles the evolution of mankind's oldest hand-to-hand weapons. The exhibit contains over fifty edged weapons from the museum's collection dating from the 18th century and includes swords and bayonets used by the American and British Armies during the American Revolution, Civil War-era swords, both Union and Confederate, along with bolos and machetes developed by the U.S. Army for use as tools and as weapons. Quoted from the US Army Quartermaster Museum website.
Chronologically:
• There was a mission statement for each time period. It started in the American Revolution with only three bullet points. The bullet points grew to a rather long list.
• Official rations were also listed by time period. This list, too, grew from both quantity and quality.
One of the exhibits that we really liked was on the aerial “drops.” The types of material used for crating included bamboo. The type and size of the crates were amazing…up to five ton. How does something like that even get off the ground and fly! And how does something that big gets placed where it should land! Another amazing thing is that live animals are airlifted and dropped. There was a small crate with a model calf (made of plastic or something like that), but it did show us that this was/is done.
Research in their archives can be done by appointment.
PETERSBURG BATTLEFIELD
Petersburg National Battlefield Park is located in south-central Virginia approximately 25 miles south of Richmond, Virginia. The park encompasses a large area with battlefield sites and visitor centers located in Dinwiddie, Hopewell and Prince George Counties.
We had seen the brown sign for the Petersburg Battlefield. We are both Civil War re.enactors and thought this would be an interesting visit. We thought we have to get back on the “freeway,” but it turned out that we could turn in the opposite direction and go about one half mile. I had planned to use my NPS pass. But, as it turned out, they were not charging a fee for the day. IRENE, again! She had knocked down many trees, and the paths and trails were closed. Only Battery 5 and the Dictator was available for visitors to the park.
There is a seventeen minute film about the seize at Petersburg. There is a kind of moat around the theater. It contains dirt, sand and after-battle debris—cannon, canteens, cards, testaments, clothing. Presently accurately. There were two rangers…one whose name was that of two Presidents. I made that comment. He said his middle name was Davis (like Jefferson Davis). Perfect for a ranger in a southern historic Civil War site.
We hiked down to the Dictator. I talked to Ranger President Names about the Dictator. He suggested that the original dictator probably had many sister dictators. The Dictator was a sea mortar of the First Connecticut Heavy Artillery. It was used mostly at Fort Stedman throughout the seize. One story says that it had been put on a railroad car and run up and down the line, shooting cannonballs as it traveled. Some eye witnesses said that members of the 1st Connecticut Heavies chalked addresses in Richmond or other messages on the cannonballs before shooting them.
It was also suggested that perhaps the real/original the Dictator may have melted down during World War I for other armament. However, at the entrance to the State Capitol in Hartford, there are two sea mortars that look like the Dictator. Hartford claims one is the original piece used by the First Connecticut HA. So, like the old TV show “To Tell the Truth,” where (or who) is the REAL Dictator!!!
 |
| Munition storage for the Dictator |
The 1st Connecticut HA began as the Fourth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry (militia). Henry Birge was its Major. His uncle was the Governor [Buckingham]. When it reorganized into the heavies, Henry resigned as he had been offered the job of Colonel for the Thirteen Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, which he accepted. My great grandfather, Samuel Pyatt, was in this unit. Birge turned out to be a pretty decent officer and not just a political appointment.
The First Connecticut Heavies lost during service 2 Officers and 49 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 172 Enlisted men by disease. Total 227, a decent record.
Grant believed correctly that Petersburg was the key to capturing Richmond. He had hoped for a short battle, but it turned into a verrrrrry long seize. Lots of historical moments came out of the seize. I will post in blogs as time goes on.
We did a bit of shopping…books mostly, a hat for Steve, some patches.
We stopped at the North Carolina welcome station.
Then we headed south. Selma, NC looked like a good place to stop. I had been looking at signs for JRs for yeaaaaaaaaaaaaars. We found that there were a great many motels there. We were fairly early. None of the motels looked promising in that there were no cars in any of the parking lots. We decided to stay at a beautiful new Days Inn in Selma, North Carolina. It was reasonable, all amenities, including a free hot breakfast and no gunky microwave plate.
We went to eat, and saw that the motels were then filling up. Better sign. We decided to mosey through JRs…books, dolls, Christmas decorations, tobacco products, linens. A wonderful place. It was to close at 9:00. At 8:30, they started telling us to get the heck out. Well, not exactly in those words, but we got the meaning. Bought books. Wow what a surprise.
No comments:
Post a Comment