Muleshoe and Salient

Campfires burn tonight
Our stories  are a' glowing
They rise like flames up to the sky
Our songs of home and glory
The stars our silent sentry witness
Rest my brothers
Rest your heads
The next days bloody battle is just a morning hour away

In the wilderness of Virginia
The fires burn by day
We won't turn back
Says General Grant
The city of Richmond is our prey
Damn  General Lee is in our way
In this War of the Rebellion 

Fredericksburg, VA

We are at the Chancellorsville Battlefield and the Wilderness racing to keep up with our guide the 'legendary' Ed Bearss. He, 91, walks faster than any of us, so one must be committed to staying ahead of him to hear all that he has to offer. With his pointing stick in hand, he traces the Wilderness battles, the rivers, the land marks, the triangle that encloses the fields. I am introduced to two terms Muleshoe and Salient.

Honestly, I am still confused about the geography of the battle when we arrive at the edge of the woods. It is here that the Union soldiers stepped over skulls of those who had fought  year ago and one wonders at the reaction to this horror. For the skulls were clearly split open by gunfire, and the bones a reminder that this is no placid forest, but a place of extraordinary danger. Death is the norm, not the exception.

At one point of the tour a man who was visiting the battlefield on his own approaches Ed. Shaking his hand he says "It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Bearss" Only then do I understand that this tour is unique, as apparently the visitor from Oregon had recognized our guide from his bookjacket.

Indeed, to know so much and relay this devastating story in such an 'entertaining' way is remarkable, so I make it a point to be at his side as much as I can.

How much I can retain is an issue as the terrain is more complex than the visitors center sign indicates. Must do more reading.