Jan. 27, 2007 - Memorial Service
Today Zach got to go with me to the John McIntosh-Kell memorial service for our SCV Camp. Zach was going to be a flag bearer but instead got to tote an 1853 British .58 cal enfield rifle and march with the troops. He also got to fire the 21 gun salute which I know he got a kick out of. This is a photo of us before with left with me without my gear on.
John McIntosh-Kell was born in McIntosh County, GA in 1823. He entered the U.S. Navy in September 1841 as a midshipman. Over the next two decades he served on several ships, was active in California during the war with Mexico, and participated in Commodore Matthew C. Perry's expedition to Japan. When Georgia seceded from the Union in early 1861, Lt. Kell resigned from the U. S. Navy.
In April 1861, he briefly commanded the Ga. State gunboat Savannah, but received a Confederate States Navy commission as 1st Lt. the following month and was sent to New Orleans. There he helped Commander Rapael Semmes fit out the cruiser CSS Sumter. He served as Executive Officer during her commerce raiding cruise in 1861-62.
1st Lt. Kell was Semmes' Executive Officer on CSS Alabama throughout his career, and was present when she was sunk by USS Kearsarge in June 1864. He was rescued by the British yacht Deerhound and taken to England. Promoed to the rank of Commander in that month, he commanded the ironclad CSS Richmond in the James River Squadron in 1865.
After the end of the War Between the States, John McIntosh-Kell returned to Sunnyside, Georgia and became a farmer. In later years, he served as Adjutant General of Georgia.
John McIntosh-Kell died in 1900, and is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Griffin, GA.
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Jan. 26, 2007 - What's been happening.....
It's been a long spell since I have blogged so I thought I would update my blog site. The story of my New Year and the month of January has been the rainy weather, especially on the weekends. My business asphalt seals parking lots and restripes the parking lines. I am currently trying to finish three Banks and have been stopped every weekend by rainy or bad weather. Sunny days are sure to come soon so I can get back going. Also we started the New Year with my dear wife Tammy going into the hospital for 4 days with her blood sugar out of wack, combined with the Flu. She is Type 1 diabetic and I suffer just watching her taking 2 shots a day and having to try to manage this disease. I have taken advantage of my down time by helping my Father-In Law out with tree cutting and clearing out their property. Man is that hard work but I do feel good after a hard days work, knowing that I have put in a man's day for sure, and boy does the bed feel good. I am the Lutient Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp#107 in Griffin , Ga. We are putting on our reenacting uniforms and honoring John McIntosh Kell ( who our Camp is named for ) with a memorial service tomorrow at his grave site. He served with the Confederate Navy in the War Between the States. Afterwards we will do what we do best here in the Southern United States, have a big barbeque dinner with all the fixins. Can't wait till tomorrow. I thank you for visiting my blog and will post again soon.
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Dec. 4, 2006 - Weekend warrior
Thought I would post a little bit about my weekend Civil War Battle Reenactment. I attended the Battle of Waynesboro in Waynesboro, Ga. I portrayed a Confederate soilder in the 53rd Ga infantry. We had a great time and we defeated the Yanks on Saturday but were total slaughtered on the Sunday Battle. Had a great time. I will post some pictures later on the blog. If anyone hasn't been to a reenactment you need to go and see one.
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Nov. 22, 2006 - Starting a new Blog
I have started this new blog with lots of help from my wife and oldest son. I had a blog last year and never found the time to devote to it the way I should have. This blog will have lots of interesting posts from excursions, my civil war reenacting, and just every day stuff from the perspective of a homeschooling dad. I am posting a picture of me and the boys from today.
