Richmond, 3-10-2013

On the road again Sunday March 10, brrrr, it was 28 degrees overnight. It was wonderful to have sunny and in the 50's yesterday.


We attended Mass at 9 am at St. Mary's in Richmond. Large Parish and vibrant singing.


Sculpture of Mary.


Sculpture of Joseph and Jesus.


Cross in the smaller Chapel.


Loving portrayal of Jesus and a lamb.


Stations of the Cross.








Sculpture of Mary outside.


At the Chimborazo Hospital Museum we learned about the Yellow Flags which meant hospitals.


At the beginning of the Civil War there were only 3 hospitals for 38,000 residents. By the end of the War there were 54 hospitals in the city.


Sally Tompkins headed the Robertson Hospital. She was named a Captain by Jefferson Davis. She was the first female commissioned officer.


Medical equipment


Dental equipment. A dentist said in his day of ministering to the soldier he did 20 to 30 fillings, extracted 15 to 20 teeth and removed tartar


Funnel for ether.


Tourniquet.


A physician would do a amputation of a leg in 5 minutes giving the patient ether or chloroform at the time of the surgery.


Chimborazo Hospital in the far right corner was 150 buildings with 3,000 beds. The buildings were spaced apart and hospital beds spaced to give ventilation. Many advancements in the medical field were made during the War.


At the Richmond National Battlefield Park we learned of the importance of Richmond. It was the Confederate capital because it was an industrial center with 5 railroad lines into the city. It could produce arms, clothing and paper.


Tredegar Iron Works was making cannons before the War. There were also corn and flour mills at the same location.


Stack from the Iron Works.


Huge press used in making iron rails.





It was very somber to read about the destruction of the city in the battles of April 1865. Also harsh to read 2 years earlier the women rioted against the Army convey demanding for BREAD for their families. Food was scare.


Destruction after the War.


A Memorial: President Lincoln and his son, Thad, who came in reconciliation to the people.

We also toured the American Civil War Center. The War was presented from three perspectives: Union, Confederates and slaves. There was so much presented but photo were not allowed.


Poster before entry into the Museum.


Edgar Allen Poe Museum. He lived 13 of his 40 years in Richmond. This is the oldest house standing in Richmond. It was built in 1737.


A very innovative writer: inventor of modern detective stories, macabre and pioneer in science fiction.


Photos were only allowed outside.


I found some beautiful camilleas.


There were no copyright laws at his time. His works were printed and sold in Europe. He received no income from that. But many authors said he influenced him: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jules Verne and Lord Tennyson.





Broken glass bottles along the top of the wall around the garden as in one of his stories.


A famous quote!


It was interesting to learn about his childhood, time at West Point and as a writer for Southern Literary Messenger.

We stayed overnight at Walmart in Appomattox. Another very full day.

Location:Richmond, VA