Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July/Independence Day, everyone!!  Despite heightened political tension lately, I think the United States is the best place in the world and am glad every day to be a part of it.  Image courtesy of Mike Licht of Washington, DC, "Capital Hill 4th of July Parade 2014"

© 2017 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

Gone for Soldiers: Willet Orlando "Richard" or "Dick" Worden (1843 - 1912), Soldier, U.S. - Part 6

Vicksburg fell to Grant's besieging armies on July 4th 1863 and one of my direct ancestors was present.*

[The Surrender of Vicksburg / Theodore R. Davis. The rebels marching out and stacking arms, with Gen. Grant and staff on horseback meeting marching soldiers on left and Gen. Pemberton and staff on right; view of the city from the river bank, showing part of the river batteries, with soldiers standing and sitting near cannon in foreground. Illus. in: Harper's weekly, 1863 Aug. 1, p. 488-489.

Source: Library of Congress.]

[Cleveland Daily Leader - Cleveland, Ohio. Wednesday, July 8, 1863.

Source: Newspapers.com]

[The Appleton Motor - Appleton, Wisconsin, Thursday, July 9, 1863.

Source: Newspapers.com]

I'm sure that July 4th had an extra special meaning hereafter for my great great grandfather Dick Worden who was one of the Union soldiers at Vicksburg on that day.

He had survived a brutal campaign but his war wasn't over yet. He and his comrades must have wondered where they would be sent next.


*Although the 35th Mississippi Infantry Regiment Volunteers that my paternal great great grandfather John Warren Avery belonged to was at Vicksburg during the siege, John was on medical leave still recovering from the effects of his imprisonment at Alton, Illinois.


© 2016 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

Celebrations: Fourth of July

Here's hoping you have a safe Fourth of July!* 

[Fourth of July, 1906. F.A. Loumis, copyright claimant.

Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.]

Unlike that of my friend Bonnie's paternal great great grandfather Thomas Davis Blossom on July 4th, 1853 in Hingham Massachusetts. He was "shockingly mangled by the premature discharge of a cannon...while in the act of loading.--His face was terribly burned, and his side and one arm severely shattered." Although early reports considered his injuries too grave to allow for his survival, he did in fact live on until 1871 although he suffered the loss of his left arm. He was a printer and newspaper publisher and was able to continue his profession after his recovery.

© 2016 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

Celebrations: Fourth of July

Encanto, 1928...the little boy is Harold D. Currey, Junior. I do not recognize the young man. 

[From my personal collection]

© 2015 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

Family Friday: Currey

The Currey family--Harold, Bernice and Junior--are seen here on horseback in the Lagunas on July 4, 1926. The woman riding with them is Florence Hale whose husband Edwin worked with Harold. She was an artist.

[From my personal collection]

© 2015 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.