Fort Blakeley: Civil War Battle in a Ghost Town | History Traveler Episode 166

Comments · 408

• ER

  @ericthatcher3462 · 11 months ago

  My 3 great uncle was with the 97 th Illinois Volunteers and was killed at the battle of Ft. Blakely. He was about 19 at the time of his death and had survived numerous previous campaigns including the battle Vicksburg. I have his letters to my great grandmother, sister and his mother, my great, great grandmother. I stopped ar Blakely a few years ago and spoke with the park ranger who lived on site and who allowed me to photograph the Union battle map that he had squired and made a large copy of for his own research purposes.  We were able to locate the 97 th  Illinois’ position with other Union troops who were arrayed to assault Redoubt No. 4. My great uncles were initially buried on sight but later exhumed and finally brought back to his home on the family farm a few miles east of Jerseyville, Illinois where he was later to rest in the family plot.

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• FR

  @frankhutchinson4066 · 5 years ago

  My gg-grandfather, Paul Fulton Witherspoon, fought there on the side of the South. He shared a “foxhole” with a friend  who he had helped pursue a Mobile girl by composing letters, poems, etc. for the  man to send her (like Cyrano de Bergerac). His friend was shot and killed right beside him during the battle and he had to send a last letter to her informing her of his death.

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• BR

  @briandesrochers1360 · 5 years ago (edited)

  Cool video. &nbsp;I am the interpretive ranger at Blakeley, and responsible for the upkeep, restoration, and reconstruction of the earthworks. &nbsp;Too bad I didn&apos;t know you were coming to film, I perhaps could have helped out. &nbsp;<br><br>Note: Keep Off is to deter folks from walking on the earthworks. &nbsp;It causes erosion.

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• RO

  @roytallow6784 · 5 years ago

  Brothers, friends, cousins, fathers, sons, relationships had a battle with one another ! May they all RIP with one another ! 😕

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• JO

  @jondoe399 · 5 years ago

  Thanks a bunch JD. Your videos are about the only thing that give me a break from the chaos of current times. I’m deeply grateful that you haven’t slowed or wavered in your mission and admire the modest way you conduct yourself. You’re a true American. Please keep them coming, great job.

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• KE

  @kennethnew3075 · 5 years ago

  What a amazing place. The drone footage of the fort was outstanding. &nbsp;I love it. Thanks for braving the mosquitoes for us.

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• TE

  @texan6673 · 4 years ago

  WOW ! Those trees have been there for &nbsp;165 YEARS !!!

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• CH

  @chuck2776 · 5 years ago (edited)

  The “Keep off” sign made me chuckle. If all else failed 😂

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• GE

  @Georgiajason · 5 years ago

  It’s very sobering to see and to feel. I’ve been on many battle fields around the south and the feeling never changes. When you’re standing on ground where a many of men’s blood once drenched the ground, you can’t shake those feelings. I’m just thankful I was not there during the battles. Thank you for sharing.

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• GU

  @guysammons1177 · 5 years ago

  Ft McAllister in Richmond Hill GA is another very well preserved earthen fort built to guard the mouth of the Ogeechee River.

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• JA

  @jamesyounce2231 · 3 years ago

  JD: <br>Thanks for the video about Fort Blakely. Myself and a couple of my ham radio friends had the opportunity to spend several weekends on the Blakely Battle Field camping and operating an ham radio station from the site.. &nbsp;The very first night we were camped out there a heavy fog descended on us and it was a very eerie feeling. You could barely see your hand in front of your face the fog was so thick. &nbsp; I had the feeling I could hear the cannons and rifles firing and the screams of the fallen soldiers on both sides of the war. &nbsp;It was a sleepless night for sure. The battle field was an outstanding site for operating ham radio. &nbsp;We were able to talk to people all over the world . &nbsp;<br>73&apos; &nbsp;(Best Regards in Ham Radio Lingo)<br>Jim Younce &nbsp;K4ZM<br>Mobile, AL

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• TH

  @TheHistoryUnderground · 5 years ago (edited)

  If you&apos;ve watched a few episodes and feel like I&apos;ve earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don&apos;t miss any new content when it comes out. <br><br>Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at <a href="http://www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com/">www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com</a>. Thanks!

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