However, research and fact-checking will continue, even as we revise and cut.
This morning we moved to the tune of "Marching Through Georgia."
Such a long journey through our history, from 1492 to 1863, though mostly from 1619 to 1863., starting in 2010 until now.
It's hard sometimes to recall now the writing of the 17th and the 18th century chapters, as they were accomplished in that 18th century tobacco factor's 1733 house in Chestertown. But the chapters are there, and we know the stuff, yet it's hard to remember the writing of them.
Tennessee Ernie Ford's rendition of "Marching Through Georgia" was appropriate for this dark, dank morning. Sherman's March to the Sea is in the book for reasons that are connected to the trade -- what happens to the trade during it.
One of the most appalling scenes is right at the end. It haunts me. One of the most famous and largest of the Richmond slave traders, Robert Lumpkin, at the very end, after Appomatox, as Grant & Co. were approaching Richmond, tried to get out by train, with his 'property'. He tried to load A CHAINED COFFLE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS into one of the cars, to sell -- WHERE? They could not believe it was over. (They still don't.) Moreover this lovely fellow was married -- to -- a -- slave. (Doubtless she was one of the white slaves.) But he couldn't get out because the train had been commandeered for Jeff Davis's escape with the CSA treasury's gold bullion, such as it was. Hey, they left the U.S. treasury more bare than a church mouse's larder, why wouldn't they steal from the CSA too?
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| Lumpkin's Slave Jail - We Visited the Site This Spring |
The afternoon of tonday? got a flu shot and a new office chair. This one fell apart last night, just as I was shutting down and getting ready to read in bed. Kind of cobbled together, I hope it lasts until delivery Monday of the new one.
Whew!
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