In honor of Dr. King's birthday we finally added modern studies to our schedule
and my 4 yo cut and pasted this wonderful portrait to commemorate the day.
I Am Content A spindle of hazel-wood had I; Into the mill-stream it fell one day - The water has brought it me back no more.
As he lay a-dying, the soldier spake: "I am content. Let my mother be told in the village there, And my bride in the hut be told, That they must pray with folded hands, With folded hands for me." The soldier is dead - and with folded hands His bride and his mother pray. On the field of battle they dug his grave, And red with his life-blood the earth was dyed, The earth they laid him in. The sun looked down on him there and spake:
"I am content."
And flowers bloomed thickly upon his grave, And were glad they blossomed there.
And when the wind in the tree-tops roared, The soldier asked the deep, dark grave: "Did the banner flutter then?" "Not so, my hero." the wind replied, "The fight is done, but the banner won, Thy comrades of old have borne it hence, Have borne it in triumph hence." Then the soldier spake from the deep, dark grave "I am content."
And again he heard the shepherds pass And the flocks go wandering by, And the soldier asked: "Is the sound I hear The sound of the battle's roar?" And they all replied: "My hero, Nay! Thou art dead and the fight is o'er, Our country joyful and free." Then the soldier spake from the deep, dark grave: "I am content."
Then he heareth the lovers laughing pass, And the soldier asks once more: "Are these not the voices of them that love, That love and remember me?" "Not so, my hero," the lovers say, "We are those that remember not; For the spring has come and the earth has smiled, And the dead must be forgot." Then the soldier spake from the deep, dark grave: "I am content." A spindle of hazel-wood had I; Into the mill-stream it fell one day - The water has brought it me back no more. After watching the movie "Glory", the boys and I read an historical account of the assault on Fort Wagner and memorized a portion of the oration given by William James at the unveiling of the Shaw Memorial in 1897.
One piece of trivia learned is that Matthew Broderick, who starred in the movie Glory, is a distant relation to Shaw. I think the resemblance is remarkable.
I've linked the complete speech above, here is the portion we memorized:
"The men who do brave deeds are usually unconscious of their picturesqueness. For two nights previous to the assault upon Fort Wagner, the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment had been afoot, making forced marches in the rain; and on the day of the battle the men had had no food since early morning. As they lay there in the evening twilight, hungry and wet, against the cold sands of Morris Island, with the sea-fog drifting over them, their eyes fixed on the huge bulk of the fortress looming darkly three-quarters of a mile ahead against the sky, and their hearts beating in expectation of the word that was to bring them to their feet and launch them on their desperate charge, neither officers nor men could have been in any holiday mood of contemplation. Many and different must have been the thoughts that came and went in them during that hour of bodeful reverie; but however free the flights of fancy of some of them may have been, it is improbable that any one who lay there had so wild and whirling an imagination as to foresee in prophetic vision this morning of a future May, when we, the people of a richer and more splendid Boston, with mayor and governor, and troops from other States, and every circumstance of ceremony, should meet together to celebrate their conduct on that evening, and do their memory this conspicuous honor.
How, indeed, comes it that out of all the great engagements of the war, engagements in many of which the troops of Massachusetts had borne the most distinguished part, this officer, only a young colonel, this regiment of black men and its maiden battle, - a battle, moreover, which was lost, - should be picked out for such unusual commemoration?
The historic significance of an event is measured neither by its material magnitude, nor by its immediate success. Thermopylae was a defeat; but to the Greek imagination, Leonidas and his few Spartans stood for the whole worth of Grecian life. Bunker Hill was a defeat; but for our people, the fight over that breastwork has always seemed to show as well as any victory that our fore-fathers were men of a temper not to be finally overcome. And so here. The war for our Union, with all the constitutional questions which it settled, and all the military lessons which it gathered in, has throughout its dilatory length but one meaning in the eye of history. And nowhere was that meaning better symbolized and embodied than in the constitution of this first Northern negro regiment.
Look at the monument and read the story; - see the mingling of elements which the sculptor's genius has brought so vividly before the eye. There on foot go the dark outcasts, so true to nature that one can almost hear them breathing as they march. State after State by its laws had denied them to be human persons. The Southern leaders in congressional debates, insolent in their security, loved most to designate them by the contemptuous collective epithet of "this peculiar kind of property." There they march, warm-blooded champions of a better day for man. There on horseback, among them, in his very habit as he lived, sits the blue-eyed child of fortune, upon whose happy youth every divinity had smiled. Onward they move together, a single resolution kindled in their eyes, and animating their otherwise so different frames. The bronze that makes their memory eternal betrays the very soul and secret of those awful years."
About two weeks ago we journeyed up to Washington Crossing Historic Park in Bucks County, PA. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed our time together and learned a few things along the way. This is a mini trip report.
In the winter of 1776, General George Washington and his ragged army had experienced only defeat and despair. The War for Independence was going badly, with failure after failure.
As the harsh Pennsylvania winter set in, the morale of the American troops was at an all time low. The soldiers were forced to deal with both a lack of food and warm clothing, while Washington watched his army shrink due to desertions and expiring enlistments. Now, more than ever, a victory was needed.
The original plan called for three divisions to cross the river under the cover of darkness. Fully expecting to be supported by two divisions south of Trenton, Washington assembled his own troops near McConkey's Ferry in preparation for the crossing. By 6 P.M. on December 25, 2,400 troops had begun crossing the ice-choked river. The operation was slow and difficult due to the condition of the river. There was an abrupt change in the weather forcing the men to fight their way through sleet and a blinding snowstorm. These obstacles proved too much for the supporting division to the south.
Against all odds, Washington and his men successfully completed the crossing and marched into Trenton on the morning of December 26, achieving a resounding victory over the Hessians.
By moving ahead with his bold plan, General George Washington re-ignited the cause of freedom and gave new life to the American Revolution.
from a brochure written by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commision available at the Park
McConkey's Ferry Inn
An 18th century inn and tavern constructed on the property of Samuel McConkey and operated by James Brown. The inn served as a guard post during the Continental Army's encampment in Bucks County in December, 1776. According to tradition, Washington and his aides ate their Christmas dinner here prior to their crossing of the Delaware.
Durham Boats
These are replicas of the Durham Boats used by Washington and his men to cross the Delaware. Today, they are used in the annual re-enactment of the crossing held on Christmas Day. The Durham boats were originally used to haul iron ore, fir, timber, and produce down the Delaware to Philadelphia's thriving markets.
Oars used for the Durham Boats
Mahlon K. Taylor House
Completely restored home built circa 1817 and owned by one of the founders of Taylorsville. The earliest settlement at Washington's Crossing was known as Bakers Ferry, and by the time of the Revolution it had become McConkey's Ferry. In 1777 Samuel Baker sold a large tract of his holdings to Benjamin Taylor. In 1829 a post office was established and the name was again changed, this time to Taylorsville, in honor of the newly appointed postmaster.
Taylorsville Store
Owned and operated by Mahlon K. Taylor beginning circa 1828. This was also the Post Office for Taylorsville, with Mahlon Taylor serving as Postmaster for almost 40 years. Recently restored, the Taylorsville Store is operated as a general store open to the public.
Greeter out in front of Taylorsville Store. Hmm, what's that in his hand?
Delicious, creamy-smooth hand-dipped ice cream.
Van Sant Covered Bridge
After we enjoyed our ice cream we got in the car in search of one of Bucks County's 11 covered bridges (there were 12, but one burned down a few years ago and hasn't been rebuilt.) The Van Sant bridge is located by Bowman's Hill in Washington Crossing Historic Park.
The park is very big and we did not get to see everything. We hope to return soon.
I am now set down to write you on a subject which fills me with inexpressible concern, and this concern is greatly aggravated and increased when I reflect upon the uneasiness I know it will give you. It has been determined in Congress that the whole army raised for the defense of the American cause shall be put under my care, and that it is necessary for me to proceed immediately to Boston to take upon me the command of it.
You may believe me, my dear Patsy, when I assure you, in the most solemn manner, that, so far from seeking this appointment, I have used every endeavor in my power to avoid it, not only from my unwillingness to part with you and the family, but from a consciousness of its being a trust too great for my capacity, and that I should enjoy more real happiness in one month with you at home than I have the most distant prospect of finding abroad, if my stay were to be seven times seven years. BUt as it has been a kind of destiny that has thrown me upon this service, I shall hope that my undertaking it is designed to answer some good purpose. You might, and I suppose did perceive, from the tenor of my letters, that I was apprehensive I could not avoid this appointment, as I did not pretend to intimate when I should return. This was the case. It was utterly out of my power to refuse this appointment, without exposing my character to such censures as would have reflected dishonor upon myself and given pain to my friends. This, I am sure, could not, and ought not to be pleasing to you, and must have lessened me considerably in my own esteem. I shall rely, therefore, confidently on that Providence which has heretofore preserved and been bountiful to me, not doubting but that I shall return safe to you in the fall. I shall feel no pain from the toil or the danger of the campaign; my unhappiness will flow from the uneasiness I know you will feel from being left alone. I therefore beg that you will summon your whole fortitude and pass your time as agreeably as possible. Nothing will give me so much sincere satisfaction as to hear this, and to hear it from your own pen. My earnest and ardent desire is that you would pursue any plan that is most likely to produce content and a tolerable degree of tranquillity; as it must add greatly to my uneasy feelings to hear that you are dissatisfied or complaining at what I really could not avoid.
As life is always uncertain and common prudence dictates to every man the necessity of settling his temporal concerns while it is in his power, and while the mind is calm and undisturbed, I have, since I came to this place (for I had not time to do it before I left home), got Colonel Pendleton to draft a will for me, by the directions I gave him, which will I now inclose. The provision made for you in case of my death will, I hope, be agreeable.
I shall add nothing more, as I have several letters to write, but to desire that you will remember me to your friends, and to assure you that I am with the most unfeigned regard, my dear Patsy, your affectionate, &c.
Notes and Questions
Biographical and Historical Note. George Washington (1732-1799) came from Virginia to attend the second meeting of the Continental Congress, held in Philadelphia, May 10, 1775. He was at the time commander of the militia of Virginia and sat in Congress in his colonel’s uniform. In the name of “The United Colonies” the Congress voted to authorize the enlistment of troops, to build and garrison forts, and to issue notes to the amount of three million dollars, the original “Liberty Loan” in America. There was an army of about ten thousand men encamped around Boston, and this Congress adopted as “The Continental Army.” John Adams rose in his place and in proposing the name of the Virginian, George Washington, to be commander-in-chief of this New England army, said: “The gentleman is among us and is very well known to us all; a gentleman whose skill and experience as an officer, whose independent fortune, great talents, and excellent character would command the approbation of all America, and unite the colonies better than any other person in the Union.” The pay of the commander-in-chief was fixed at five hundred dollars a month, and on June 15 Washington received the unanimous vote for this all-important office. His lofty stature, exceeding six feet, his grave and handsome face, his noble bearing and courtly grace of manner all proclaimed him worthy of the honor. In a brief speech expressive of his high sense of the honor conferred upon him, he said, “I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in this room, that I this day declare, with utmost sincerity, that I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with. As to pay, I beg leave to assure the Congress that, as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment, at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit of it. I will keep an exact account of my expenses. Those, I doubt not, they will discharge; and that is all I desire.”
As there was no time for a visit to his home, Mount Vernon, on the Potomac River, Washington was obliged to give his wife this important information by letter. In 1759 Washington had married Mrs. Martha Custis, the widow of one of the wealthiest planters in Virginia Colony. She had two beautiful children at the time of her marriage, but when Washington went to Philadelphia Mrs. Washington was quite alone, for her son was away from home, and her daughter had died a few years before. Later in the year Mrs. Washington went north and spent the winter with her husband at the army headquarters in Cambridge.
Phrases for Study inexpressible concern distant prospect exposing my character summon your fortitude tolerable degree of tranquility prudence dictates temporal concerns unfeigned regard
Suggestions for Theme Topics 1. How letters were sent in colonial times. 2. Benjamin Franklin and our postal system.
Manufacturing by machinery had begun in the United States. England had been using machinery for a third of a century, and it was becoming rich by manufacturing good for the people of other countries.
The question of a tax or tariff on foreign goods agitated the country. The word tariff had its origin on the other side of the Atlantic. From the point Tarifa, near the straits of Gibraltar, pirate vessels used to dart out upon ships that were sailing through the Straits and compel the captains to pay them money for the privilege of going through. The pirates assumed to own the straits; and the captains, rather than have a fight, paid them for the privilege of going on their way. In the course of years the word came to mean a tax or duty imposed by government on articles imported or exported.
Henry Clay believed that it would be a good way to build up manufacturing in the United States to tax cotton and woolen cloth and a great variety of other goods manufactured in England and other countries, and which the people of the United States were beginning to manufacture. Under his influence,... a tariff, or list of taxes, on goods manufactured in other countries was established in 1816. It was done to encourage and protect the manufacturers of the United States. The men who were beginning to manufacture had little money, while the manufacturers of Great Britain were rich. Money was dear in America. Men who had to borrow money paid ten, fifteen, or even twenty per cent for it; in Great Britain the rates were not half so great. Labor was dear in America, but cheap in England. America was new. The people were obliged to build roads, bridges, school-houses, and churches. England had the advantage, and could manufacture clothes cheaper than they could be made in the United States. Hence the tariff.
There were no manufactories in the Southern States. The tariff made goods dear to the planters of South Carolina, who wished to repeal it. In 1828 Congress passed a still stronger tariff, which gave great offense to South Carolina.
The people of South Carolina and Virginia remembered that Thomas Jefferson had written in 1798, resolutions which were passed by the Legislature of Kentucky, that the Union was only a compact between the States, and that each State had a right to judge the validity of laws passed by Congress.
South Carolina, under the lead of John C. Calhoun, determined to nullify or make void the tariff so far as that State was concerned, and passed a law which declared the acts of Congress of no account, and forbade the custom-house officers at Charleston collecting any revenue. The Governor ordered the troops of the State to be ready to support the law.
In 1832 came a great debate in the United States between Senator Hayne of South Carolina and Daniel Webster on nullification. South Carolina had started upon a course which would bring civil war - the overturning of the Constitution, breaking up the nation. Very eloquent were the words of Mr. Webster:
"While the Union lasts we have high, exciting, gratifying prospects spread out before us, for us and our children. Beyond that I seek not to penetrate the veil. God grant that, in my day at least, that curtain may not rise! God grant that on my vision never may be opened what lies behind! When my eyes shall be turned to behold for the last time the sun in heaven, may I not see him shining on the broken and dishonored fragments of a once glorious Union; on States dissevered, discordant, belligerent; on a land rent with civil feuds, or drenched, it may be, in fraternal blood! Let their last feeble and lingering glance rather behold the gorgeous ensign of the Republic, now known and honored throughout the earth, still full high advanced, its arms and trophies streaming in their original lustre - not a stripe erased or polluted, nor a single star obscured, bearing for its motto no such miserable interrogatory as 'What is all this worth?' nor those other words of delusion and folly, 'Liberty first, and Union afterward;' but everywhere, spread all over the sea and over the land, and in every wind under the whole heavens, that other sentiment, dear to every true American heart - Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable!"
This blog is a look into our homeschooling journey as we use Tapestry of Grace. You'll also find stories from various books I have collected that are now in the public domain and real life slipping in occasionally. Most posts from the public domain books have a pdf that you may download and print. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
