Reflections

Philly Skyline from U-Penn

“It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts”                     –Doris Lessing

First off, I want to extend a sincere thank you to professors Harris and Rees and to the “man behind the curtain” Scott Whited for their expertise in planning and coordinating such an awesome educational odyssey; and of course, for allowing me to be a part of the experience.  The quantity and the quality of our adventure proved that it took a an enormous degree of foresight.

Where do I start?  After so many years of studying and teaching the “facts” about American History, I now regret that I couldn’t have made this trip 20 years ago.  I feel like a college student studying Spanish and earning a master’s degree, then going to Spain and realizing that you really didn’t know anything.  More than anything else, I’ve learned that “reading” about something without “experiencing” it, falls short of the lesson.  And that is why this trip was so special for me, I experienced things on such an elevated level that I can relate them to many other events in history.  It’s like studying the history of the Nile River so intensely, that you can better comprehend the history of every other river in the world.

An important, and independently observed lesson for me, was the realization that there are so many heroes in our history who do not have their portraits on American currency, or their names on documents…and are essentially lost to history.  They were the ordinary people who made enormous contributions and remain nameless, probably because they were illiterate and couldn’t record their lives.  For example, who were the countless slaves and servants who built the nation’s economy through their sweat, or the cooks and washerwomen who saved more lives at military encampments than the better known physicians?  Who were the grunts that went on foraging missions, or the ferrymen who led the Continental Army’s horses and cannons across the icy Delaware River?  Who were the grave diggers at Valley Forge or the “unknowns” at so many burial grounds?  Each of them had a face and a story, and even though we do not know their names, the place we call America couldn’t have happened without their sacrifices.

Those “extraordinary” ordinary Americans are still with us today, like Pat Stallone and Ada Fischer who work less for their paychecks than for their love of preserving history.  Or the many citizens of Philadelphia who were so congenial in answering the many questions from a “wandering tourist,” or bus driver named Bob, who would buy Starbucks for a group of passengers he hardly knew.  And the teachers, who gave up their free time and the conveniences of home to become more informed for the benefit of their students. 

I can’t end this post without telling of an experience at the Kitchen Kettle Village in Lancaster County on the very day we visited the Amish in 100 degree heat.  After waiting in line outside a lunch counter for about 20 minutes, I was told I could not get my lunch because they only took cash and all I could show was a check card.  Suddenly a woman in line behind me presented a $10 bill and said, “I’ll get it,” and proceeded to pay.  I told her to wait until I found an ATM but she insisted, “don’t worry about it, it’s too hot, enjoy your lunch.”  I told her that it was such an awesome thing to do, and that I would “pass it on,” –and I will.  She was yet another great American who’s name I will never learn, but whose deed I will never forget.

 

  

Valley Forge and Historiography

 

Even though Valley Forge was one of the first historical sites we visited, I have waited until now to write my post about it.  To be honest, it has taken me this long to figure out exactly where I stand on the many accounts related to that historic winter encampment of 1777-1778.  And to be really, really honest, I’m not so sure I’m even sure about what I’m sure about.  Now, anyone who has managed to continue reading this far, don’t quit on me now, I can explain.  But first I have to go back to when I first learned about Valley Forge in primary school.

The story went something like this:

• Worst winter in American History
• Secluded wilderness
• Troops were starving, but still patient
• British lived in comfort in Philadelphia during same period
• Some foreign guy named von Steuben worked wonders with the troops
• George Washington prayed often in the wilderness
• Americans kicked butt at Monmouth and cruised to Yorktown

The legend didn’t change much from junior high through college, but the trouble is that most of the story just isn’t true.  But then again, some of it is, and that is what historiography is all about.  Two of the books we had to read to qualify for the Philadelphia trip were not very complimentary of the version given above.  In “Founding Myths,” by Ray Raphael, the winter of 77-78 was one of the warmest on record and the troops were not starving, and certainly not very patient.  In “Valley Forge Winter,” by Wayne Bodle, the author confirms the Founding Myths account, but goes further (in excruciating detail) by lambasting the secluded wilderness idea and minimizing the impact of von Steuben.  So…my new opinion was set, the Valley Forge winter story was a sham; but then I visited Valley Forge and Monmouth with our tour group and my mind was changed again!

At Valley Forge Park, our tour guide did little to dispute the challenges by Raphael and Bodle, but he didn’t have to; he simply explained the logistics of the park and what it was like during the encampment.  Today there is an impressive hardwood forest at the park, but the ranger explained in the winter of 1777-78 there would not have been a single tree standing within a three-mile perimeter from the center of the park.  This area would have included the Potts House where the command center was located.  All were cut down by the army to build the 2,000 or so wooden huts or cabins used that winter, and to build items like carts, wagons, boats, and bridges; and there was the ever present need for firewood.  That alone tells me that the soldiers were all very busy and working with a measure of discipline and cooperation since clearing a forest with primitive tools is not an easy task and the cabin replications we saw were really quite crafty.  These are things that kept the army fit, both mentally and physically and something that could not have been duplicated by the Brits in Philadelphia.

There was also death at Valley Forge, lots of death with estimates ranging up to 2,000 men.  This amounted to more fatalities than from any single battle of the war and it was not from starvation as legend tells, but from diseases like dysentary and influenza.  These are the type of sorrowful conditions that build character and determination, and create anger toward your enemy.  Not so in Philadelphia.

And then there was Baron Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus von Steuben, who arrived at camp in February and immediately began transforming a group of state militias into a permanent standing army.  Von Steuben not only increased the speed of troop movement and musket reloading, he created what became known as the “Blue Book” of military encampment which included the standards of sanitation that would still be used 150 years later.  While others question the impact of von Steuben, just looking at the arrangement of the encampment clearly shows he knew what he was talking about.

And then there was the parade grounds, where on May 6, 1778, Continental troops put on a show for congressional dignitaries in celebration of the new French alliance.  It must have been a proud spectacle for troops and for officers alike; and a confidence builder as the spring and the new campaign rapidly approached.  This was the place where the American Army was built, and today’s military must agree since West Point plebes still pay a pilgrimage to the parade grounds every September.

After spending two weeks in Philadelphia and seeing where the British spent the winter, I’m convinced the morale must have been uneasy, particulary since they were so insecure about the intentions of the local population.  From what I learned at the Philadelphia visitor’s center, few people except for the most hardened loyalists shed a tear when they evacuated the city.  Their army certainly couldn’t have emerged into the spring 1778 any better fit than when they first arrived.  The same can not be said of the Continental Army at Valley Forge.

The test would come at the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778, where in my opinion the ”new” Continental army came out clearly on top, and for a variety of reasons (read my blog post from June 8, 2008).  I believe this was the turning point of the war and it was all made possible by the winter encampment on the banks of Valley Creek.

In conclusion, I have come to my own conclusion about the importance of the Valley Forge Winter.  No, the legends are not true, but the facts are more impressive, and to some extent, I now consider myself a primary source along with many others who have shared their opinions on the topic.  I have learned through historiography.

 

Lesson Plan 

How would I teach about Valley Forge? I would start by having students read chapter 5 from “Founding Myths” and compare it to the text book version, and to other versions they have already learned from their previous teachers, parents, scout leaders, etc.  I would even ask if any elders in their families could provide us with a text book from many years ago; perhaps they exist in the public library.  I would then ask them to formulate their own opinions and try to explain why they are different from what they had previously learned. Their findings would be reported to the class in many different forms; from oral and written reports to quizes and posters they may create.  I would also ask that they research why there are different versions of the same events in most of our history, and how someone’s agenda may sometimes shade the facts.  They can research how to find the truth about any topic and how they can practice historiography.

 

Real Pirates!

 

One of the many fun events on our trip was the opportunity to see an exhibit of the pirate ship Whydah at the Franklin Institute of Science Museum, or “The Franklin” as referred to by locals.  Actually it is the world’s first exhibit that includes authenticated pirate treasure, including ingots of gold and silver and treasure chests of jewelry and coins…lots of precious coins!  But the real treasure was the story of the ship itself, and its incredible crew that went down in a storm just off of Cape Cod in 1717 along with the booty of 54 ships the buccaneers had plundered.

The Whydah (pronounced WIH-dah) was first launched in 1715 from London as a slave ship that took part in the infamous triangular trade that traversed the Atlantic with human cargo.  The name Whydah was taken from the west African trade city Ouida where slaves were loaded and taken to the Caribbean.  In 1717 it was taken over by pirates led by captain “Black Sam” Bellamy who led a successful crusade of robbery at sea before sinking just 1,500 feet from shore in Massachusetts.  The firepower was in evidence with the actual weaponry on display, including swords, pistols, cannons, and ammunition; all enclosed within a life sized replica of the ship recovered in 1984.  Sadly we were not allowed to take pictures.

Along with artifacts there was a glimpse of the every day life and responsibilities of a pirate crew, including that of navigators, surgeons, cooks, and carpenters; it was a very busy scene.  The makeup of the Whydah was typical of many pirate ships and could easily be described in two words; diversity and democracy.  The crew included Europeans, American colonists, Native Americans, and Africans who were experiencing their first real taste of freedom.  There was even a nine-year-old boy on board named John King, who had joined the crew against the wishes of his mother.  All had chosen their unseemly occupation simply because there were no better options available to them in life.  There were no women crew on this ship, although their service on pirate ships is well known to history.

The authority of a pirate ship represented the purest form of democracy ever known to the world.  The captain was elected by every single member of the crew and could be replaced with another vote at any time.  All received an equal share of the treasure, regardless of rank, and there was no social structure based on race, gender, occupation, past conditions, or even age.  The nine-year-old had the same income as the captain!

It was a lucrative, but risky occupation with few pirates ever dying poor, or from old age.  The life of a pirate was short, but sweet, and so it was for the crew of the Whydah who met their end just three years after assembling.  Even though they were criminals, their fate still represents a sad ending with all but one of the survivors of the wreckage meeting the hangman’s noose.  Their corpses were put on display and left to rot as a deterrent to others who may have had ideas of chosing piracy as their career.

The most macabre portion of the exhibit was the boot and actual fibula of the King boy who didn’t survive the wreck.  The tiny leg bone, found in a woolen stocking, was proportional to that of a child his age.  The bell, which must have rang repeatedly during the violent storm, clearly shows the inscription “WHYDAH” and is enclosed in a glass case filled with sea water to prevent rusting.

 

 

 

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

 

June 13, 2008

…”for those who were here gave their lives that that nation might live.”  –  Abraham Lincoln

The Battle of Gettysburg has often been called the greatest man made disaster in American History, and it remained so until the Bush v Gore Supreme Court Decision of 2000.

It was extremely appropriate that the visit to Gettysburg was the last of our planned trips on this incredible educational excursion.  After all, none of our group’s scrutiny to this point, including all aspects of the Declaration of Independence, Revolutionary War, or Constitution would have amounted to much if the Union Army had not won the battle in and around this small community on July 1, 2, and 3, 1863.  As Lincoln said many months later, these brave men “gave their lives that that nation might live.”

This was an exciting day for me since I have studied and taught about the turning point of the Civil War for many years, yet no book, statistic, movie, or documentary, ever prepared me for what I saw with my own eyes.  It was a humbling and haunting experience that made me feel small, yet important because I am a proud citizen of this country and one who appreciates the sacrifices made by those who came before me.

Who can guess what would have happened if the results the battle had been different?  Would the north have given in and allowed for two nations?  There was tremendous political pressure in the north for the war to end and this battle could have been the positive turning point for the Confederacy.  After all, Robert E. Lee was on a roll with string of victories and seemed invincible.  Bloody draft riots were emerging in New York City and the British were always on the horizon as a potential southern ally.  What would have happened to the Constitution, would it have become a useless, meaningless peice of paper?  And what of African Americans, would they ever have been free, and if so, to what extent?  Could there have been future wars between the two new countries?  One thing for sure America could have never become a world power and we ourselves would have become enslaved to the evil empires that emerged in Europe and Asia in the 20th Century.  Without a doubt, the results of this battle saved the United States, and perhaps the free world.

As pleasing as this trip was for me, I have to admit that I was disgusted with the countless monuments glorifying Confederate bravery on the battlefield.  Perhaps markers showing the positioning of Lee’s divisions would have been appropriate, but to see exalting and lionizing statues of the enemy was insulting!  These were not Americans fighting for state’s rights as many would have you believe, they were the worst enemy our country has ever known and they were fighting to preserve human bondage.  They spit on our Constitution and stepped on our flag, and killed more Americans than Hitler ever could have hoped for.  And when they murdered Lincoln, they danced in the streets.  There should not be a statue of Lee at Gettysburg, he was the worst traitor in American History; Benedict Arnold pales by comparison.  How sad it is that the “Federal” government has allowed this to happen.  It only strengthens the determination of today’s hypocrites who like to wave the Confederate flag and say that it is part of their heritage.  This is an affront to those brave Union troops who gave their lives to save the Union, and to Lincoln.  How offending it must be to African Americans who are still recovering from centuries of slavery and from the Jim Crow laws created by the descendants of those same confederate officers and soldiers.

 

This wall represents the “High Water” mark of the Confederacy.  This was the spot where, on the third day, Pickett’s Charge ended.  Things would go downhill for the South and General Lee from this point until the end of the war.

Antiques Road Show on Steroids

Reflecting pond at Winterthur

 

 June 12 — 2008

I enjoy watching the Antiques Road show but have often found myself asking out loud, ” who in the world would pay $150,000 for a an old rocking chair?”  Well now I know; people like Henry Francis du Pont, whose Delaware seasonal estate we visited today.  I say seasonal because he would only have been found here in the early spring, and would probably have been in the Hamptons by June, and in one of is many other mansions in the winter.  But this estate in the Brandywine Valley named Winterthur, was the place he chose to call home and I can see why.

There are over 300 rooms filled with a priceless collection of 85,000 masterpieces of antiques and Americana and a renowned research library with manuscripts and rare books dating back to the 16th century.  Nicolas Cage may have been able to break into the Smithsonian in “National Treasure,” but I doubt he would have made it passed the men’s restroom in this place.  The security is intense and I’ll never forget the icy stares from the grumpy old lady who led our tour group, with taser in hand ready to zap you in the neck if you took just one step into the next room without permission.

I am not usually one who goes gaga over museum peices like furniture or fine porcelain, but I have to admit I was a little overwhelmed by some of the items, especially the fine wares used by Martha Washington to serve special guests.  My favorite part of the building was the spiral staircase that was disasembled from another home by du Pont’s carpenters and brought to Winterthur.

But my favorite part of the day was undoubtedly my tram tour and walk through the 60 acre naturalistic dreamscape which could easily be called America’s Garden of Eden.  Besides being an expert on early American furniture, du Ponte was a renowned horticulturist and he designed this acreage with a spectacular arrangement of rare trees, flowers, waterfalls, and reflecting pools; and an enchanted fairy-tale garden for kids of all ages.  This was a place where someone could have informed me that I was just about to die, and I would have said….well, okay.  This was a place that words cannot explain and pictures cannot describe, and one that I will not soon forget.

In descending order are photos from the Winterthur Garden:  Flower bush, close-up of flowers, forest, playhouse, mushroom playhouse made from the trunk of a dead tree…

 

Wandering Tourist

 

 

Independence Hall Bell Tower before dusk

June 11 — 2008

Tdoc1oday we were commisssioned with the joyful task of a self-guided walking tour of historic Philadelphia.  This was great for me since I knew I could not be labeled with the infamous tag of “lollygagger” for not keeping up with the group.  You see I have a habit of overextending my “moment” at every historical site, which includes reading every possible word on a placard and asking anyone who will listen, every imaginable question.  For these reasons, my tour guide (me) was very accommodating.

I started at the most rational place, the visitor’s center, which had many interesting items and helpful people.  I was able to watch two videos with the best one being about the diaries of different teenagers of many walks of life starting at the moment the Declaration was signed and then through the long war that followed.  Some were in favor of the movement, others opposed, and as always, some were unsure.  It also covered in great detail the British occupation of Philadelphia (while Washington was with troops at the winter encampment at Valley Forge).  This was something I needed to see more of since it was a topic I knew little about.  Especially helpful were the illustrations of the city at the time and how the occupation and the evacuation was viewed so differently through the eyes of loyalist and patriots alike.

 

 “Constitution Cow”

Perhaps this photo will get my students at Pueblo County interested in the Constitution!

 

From there I completed a hike through an area I wanted to see since the first day, Dock Street, which is the only street in Old Philadelphia that is not at a right angle.  It is in the place of where Dock Creek used to be and where it is alleged that Willie Penn first departed ship and touched land in Pennsylvania.  It was such an important location that the original city of Philadelphia was designed from the creek outward.  It was a convenient docking point for merchants and traders who made the city wealthy and there are many tales of shady visitors like Blackbeard and Captain Kidd who frequented the ubiquitous taverns on each bank.  Eventually the many tanneries, smith shops, and slaughterhouses along the creek made the water so polluted and foul-smelling that the area was eventually sealed off and covered.  Today all that remains is a chalk line placed by the National Park Service showing what used to be the path of the creek (small photo, top left).

One of the most touching sites on my tour was Washington Square and the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution.  It is actually the last resting place for thousands of unknown soldiers from the war who died from wounds and sickness and were buried en masse. The site includes the bones of many other unknowns who departed life in Philadelphia including condemned criminals, slaves, and many victims of the horrific yellow fever plague in 1793.  The only joyful thing about the park was that it was a site where African American’s, both free and slave, gathered to sing traditional songs in their native tongues and to engage in African dances.  No doubt these were rare moments of mirth for a people trying to forget the difficult life the new world had brought to them.  In one of my “lollygagger” moments I sat on a bench for a long period of quiet reflection trying to imagine all the rollercoaster events that took place on that small piece of land.

Finally, my tour brought me back to Indepencence Hall where I sat on the grass on the back side of the building; which was actually the front side in the summer of 1787 when delegates met to figure out a new Constitution.  It was late in the afternoon and there were few visitors present which allowed me to quietly visualize the days of the convention and the great men who met in secrecy for many hot months just inside those brick walls.  My imagination allowed me to see nosey Philadelphians peeking through the windows, and as I looked at the door I could see James Madison and the Virginia delegation, and other delegations of other states stepping outside for a breath of fresh air, and discussing in private the issues that would best represent the needs of their state while allowing for a strong national government.  I imagined delegates bidding good night as they left each day on their way to a local tavern or to their homes to write a letter to their families who must have seemed worlds apart.  As the shadows began to cover the bell tower of the building, it was a serene moment for me.  This was the experience I was hoping for ever since I read Carol Berkin’s book, “A Brilliant Solution.”  I was not disappointed; it was a great day for me.

 

Distinguished Speakers, U-Penn College Hall

Wow!  Eleven days into the trip and we finally found someone who could say something bad about Benjamin Franklin.  Our first lecturer of the day was David Waldstreicher, a professor at Temple University and the author of “Runaway America,” a book that brings into question Franklin’s reputation as America’s antislavery founder.

According to Waldstreicher, Franklin is always viewed as being opposed to slavery, and by looking at his “official” record how could anyone come to a different conclusion.  For example, the following information about Franklin is well known:

• 1787 - Joined the Pennsylvania Abolition Society
• 1789 – Petitioned against the slave trade to congress
• 1790 - Ridiculed southern state defenders of slavery
• 1776 – While in France, he allows Parisians to create an image of him as an antislavery Quaker
• ——No mention of slavery appears in his autobiography

And who could question his personal travails, himself having been a runaway from the abusive indentured servitude of his older brother in 1723.  Having lied about his servant status to a ship captain he eventually found his way to Philadelphia and a lucrative career as a printer.  Within 25 years he transformed himself from a servant to a colonial gentleman.

But what is rarely ever mentioned is the “unnoficial” record about Franklin, starting with how he attained his wealth.  His Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper became profitable by the advertisments for runaway slaves and slave auctions.  By the 1750’s there were hundreds of such ads in every edition and ironically the work in the printing office, both skilled and labor intensive, was accomplished mostly through slave labor.

Franklin’s chief complaint against George III in the Declaration of Independence is where the King has, “excited domestic insurrections amongst us.”  This part was specifically written in Franklin’s hand and refers to the crown’s support in the cause of abolition in the colonies.  Incidentally there were no provisions in his will for the freeing of his slaves upon his death.

Our second great speaker of the day was Dr. Robert Engs, a history professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and a Civil War expert.

Mr. Engs started his lecture with what he called two great American myths:

1. That Mr. Lincoln freed the slaves
2. The south suffered a decade of negro rule following the war

Engs supported the argument that the slaves freed themselves, first by stifling the southern economy during the war by being less than productive on the plantations, and second, by serving gallantly for the Union Army.  He added that by 1861 there were four major questions in the north regarding southern blacks.

1. Will they rebel?
2. Will they want freedom?
3. Will they fight for it?
4. Will they know what to do once they are free?

Of course the slaves provided their “YES” answer through their actions, before, during, and after the war.  And it seemed as if the northern commanders were the ones who were unsure about what to do since they were still enforcing the fugitive slave act after winning battles early in the war.  Engs said that the slaves knew the war was about their freedom and they resisted attempts to flee the plantations until the safest and most opportune moments emerged.  Once it was clear they could run away safely, there were precision evacuations to the safety of the northern armies where slaves were more than willing to work hard on behalf of thier liberators.  It is estimated that over 400,000 escaped laborers contributed to the Union Army in various ways with about 12 to 15 percent of them consisting of enlisted men.

As for Lincoln, Engs contends that his motivation for the war was not to free the slaves, but to save the union.  And the Emancipation Proclamation may have been intended to neutralize any European forces (especially Britain) who might have supported the south in the war.  Once the Union made emancipation an issue, there would be an obvious distinction between the combatants that hadn’t existed before.

My favorite story of the day came from Mr. Engs and was about a former slave reflecting on his condition.  He reflected that during the time he was a slave, he worked hard, but had no responsibilities and no worries.  But now that he was free he still works hard, and has a wife and children to provide for, only now he has lots of worries, but he said that in the end, “I still chooses freedom!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Philosophical Society and Atwater Kent Museum

John Brown

Today our group traveled to the American Philosophical Society and the Atwater Kent Museum where we gained exclusive access to some American treasures rarely seen by outsiders.  On our first stop at the APS library where we had the priviledge of viewing many important documents, most of which were associated with the founder of this exclusive club established in 1743, none other than Benjamin Franklin himself.  The building contains over 250,000 journals and books including the largest folder of Charles Darwin’s works outside of England.  Among the many documents was a letter sent to Franklin’s son from Franklin’s grandson across the English Channel via hot air balloon.  Of course this was the first “air mail” letter in world history (Jan. 1784) and just happened to have the Franklin family involved.

Another pair of amazing “white gloved” documents were two letters, one which must has challenged the spirit of Washington at a time when he should have been basking in glory as a victorious commander-in-chief.  On June 12, 1784, when the war was already over, Washington sent a letter to three Virginia representatives of the new congress requesting support for Thomas Paine who was rumored to be in financial distress.  Washington’s heartfelt letter explained that Paine’s motivational writings helped to inspire the revolutionary cause, and that he should be awarded some measure of compensation such as a veteran’s pension.  This was not requested  by Paine, but done on the good graces of Washington with respect for a man he considered a friend.

Fast forward about 10 years later and Paine is arrested and imprisoned in Paris by radicals of the French Revolution.  Paine then fires off an inflamatory letter (1795) accusing Washington of doing nothing to secure his release.  Paine’s letter is extremely rude and impersonal and addressed to “The President of the United States” and starting with a simple, “Sir.”  Who knew?  I always thought they were best friends for life, but a new side was revealed in Paine.  Perhaps he only wrote pamphlets like “The Crisis,” which sold over 500 thousand copies for profit and not for more noble causes.  Nonetheless, Washington must have felt slighted by a man he thought he knew well.

In the main hallway we were able to see many treasures, including the original printed copy of the Declaration of Independence, and a draft by Jefferson that had many lines crossed out by members of the congress who made corrections (click thumbnail to read Jefferson’n note to Franklin requesting a review of his draft).  We saw the only existing document that has the signature of four presidents; Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.  We were also treated to the journals of Lewis & Clark and many other items I will not soon forget.

At Atwater Kent, we learned of the powerful Abolition movement in Philadelphia; our class was in the same room where Frederick Douglass met with many who were sympathic to the cause.  The Pennsylvania Abolition Society founded in 1775 is the oldest such organization in the world, primarily because of the Quaker influence.  Franklin joined the society which gave it prominence, although his motivations are unclear since his newspaper made most of its profit through advertisements of all aspects of the slave business.  Needless to say, the entire movement was controversial, mainly because of the geographical location of Philadelphia, and its proximity to many slave states.  The worst case event started with the burning of Pennsylvania Hall in 1838, a building which was to serve as a home base for many radical anti-slavery groups.  It was destroyed by a mob just three days after opening, beginning a wave of violence against African Americans in the city.  In a print from the Philadelphia City History Collection (Atwater Kent Museum), it shows a crowd watching the structure burn while the city fire department only hoses water on an adjacent building.  That same evening, a black orphanage is burned to the ground only blocks away.  For more information on this topic, go to GOOGLE and enter quest for freedom philadelphia.

We were shown artifacts related to some incredible individuals, including the best portrait I’ve ever seen of John Brown (pictured top of page) and his very own musket he had in his possession at Harper’s Ferry. 

AMISH COUNTRY — Monday, June 8 — 2008

 

Amish farm through barn window

MY PERSONAL “GREAT AWAKENING”

Today was a personal religious experience for me, not in any biblical sense, but in my spiritual reconnection to the land.  I remember as a child watching my mother prepare the ground for a  garden, then watching in amazement as squash seeds fulfilled their purpose, sprouting through the brown earth only days later.  This was not for a science project, but out of necessity, since we were very poor and food we could grow was food we could live on.   Both parents left this world before I was 10, but the memories return as I till the soil each spring; not so much these days for the crop, but for spiritual sustinence that comes with remembering my happiest days.

It was heartening to watch the Amish work the land today, in the same ways that they have for countless generations; in a place where children walk barefoot in the soil and where horse power is defined by its the true meaning.  I saw families bond through sweat and traditional communities prosper, notwithstanding the all-too-visible barriers of the modern world; far away from what the majority of Americans call the “real world.”  And how wrong we are!  The real world is not cell phones and traffic jams; or fast food and road rage.  We define our happiness by the size of our flat screen TV and our success is measured through online banking.  The children of our society have no connection to our heritage, show little civic responsibility, and have no realization of who we are and how we got here.  So much for the real world.

The Amish represent Thomas Jefferson’s dream of an agrarian society where the spiritual dimension of farming was to promote self-reliance and moral integrity.  Of course we live in the 21st century and humanity has evolved through technology, but it doesn’t mean we should forget how food gets to the table; and we should not lose the respect we owe to the land and to those who work it.

As history teachers we must feel obligated to make our students reassociate the goals of our past with the needs of our future.  They must experience that important affiliation with the soil, even if it means planting a plot behind school grounds.  Only then can they realize that it’s the land more than anything else that makes us a great nation.  We may suggest they visit Lancaster County in Pennsylvania some day.  It would make them proud to be Americans and make them understand that we can do better than growing corn to power SUV’s.

When we were treated to an Amish communal meal today, we experienced a taste of American History.  Our beautiful guide Ada, who was 90 years young, helped us reflect on the elders we all miss, and to the fabric that makes our heritage great.  When the children of Abner and Katie sang the words that said, “we will all be friends forever,”  I felt a kindred connection.  We are all of the same soil.

 

 

BATTLE OF MONMOUTH

 

“94 degrees — heat index 102 degrees”  —Weather.com

 

 

It was so hot today, I followed Sheila around just to get the cold shoulder!!!  But the good news was that it played into one of the most authentic, lifelike, and realistic interpretive trips any self-respecting history teacher could have asked for.  The battle of Monmouth (June 28-1778) is famous for a plethora of reasons and the oppressive, sweltering heat on that historic day is one of them.  Our park historian and field guide stated that, according to official records, the temperature was identical to that on the day of the battle and in fact there were as many British casualties due to heat exhaustion as from American fire.

It should be noted in the official record of the world for today, that a brave contingent of historical pilgrims hiked with our guide in a patriotic 2 mile excursion through this sultry wilderness while a crew of ”sunshine patriots” shrank from the service of their country and elected ride back to the visitor’s center in an air-conditioned bus.

Monmouth was the first battle following the winter encampment at Valley Forge and was the direct result of General George Washington trying to slow and harrass British forces under General Sir Henry Clinton who was moving to join other forces in New York.  Early in 1778, Benjamin Franklin secured a treaty with France and the British command knew the Delaware River would soon be filled with French war ships.  Clinton had no choice but to evacuate Philadelphia and retreat northward with Washington on his tail.

It seems like every battlefield visitor’s center has a placard stating that this was the “turning point” in the war, but this one may really have some merit.  For example, this was the first occasion where Continental troops matched or surpassed British regulars in all aspects of warefare including tactics, discipline, strategy, and battlefield resolve.  There are many scholars who have questioned the importance of Baron Von Steuben and his training of Washington’s troops at Valley Forge, but according to our expert historian/guide at Monmouth, the Prussian’s winter visit was invaluable.

This battle was also important in that it may have been the elimination round for Washington’s nemesis, General Charles Lee, who until this point was gaining support in the continental congress in his insurgent pursuit of becoming commander-in-chief.  A disagreement about orders arose and Lee publicly disrespected Washington, thus leading to a court martial and ultimately to his dismissal from military service.  The troops looked upon Lee with disdain and may have engaged this battle with greater intensity to embellish the reputation, and to reassure the command of their beloved Washington.  The outcome of the firefight, with the greatest artillery barrage in the new world to that point, produced much needed political and military objectives.  Washington and his army would gain the respect of the continental congress and our French allies, while the British command and their loyalist allies were now painfully aware that the page to a new chapter in the war was turning.  For these reasons, I disagree wholeheartedly with many historians who say that the battle of Monmouth concluded as a draw.  I walked that ground, and it is the property of the United States Government.  Had Washington been routed that day, it would be part of a British national park with statues of General Clinton on the grounds.

“MYTH-INFORMATION”

I know Ryan is still struggling with the devasting fact that Molly Pitcher is a mythical person, but then again she is still reeling from the time her parents explained that her brother was an only child.  I pity the girl when someone tells her the facts about Santa.

“FIELD” NOTES

On our hike through the park, the ranger warned us of an assortment of biting insects from gnats to deer ticks, but I feared not!  For they were but insignificant little microbes when compared to the fearsome savage restroom creatures that have taken command of our dorm room.