I couldn’t resist…
Dam 5 offers one of those rare opportunities to expand on Cyrus’ story, though, at best, it’s an indirect weave into the overall story.
But before I start, I have to say, its incredibly cool to live blog on the move. You see, I’m sitting on the stone ledge above the roaring falls created by the modern dam. Same general location as the original Dam 5, but a modern one now. Wish I could pipe-in the sound of the falls for you to enjoy while reading. Anyway…
Yet another location on the canal where I’m sure Cyrus passed some days as a boatman, but I wonder how Stonewall Jackson’s efforts to destroy the dam weighed on the minds of he and his family, who lived just down the towpath to the west, at Four Locks. Let’s see… dam destroyed… occupation as a canal boatman compromised. I’m also thinking about how the sound of the artillery bombardment in the crisp winter air might unnerve the family… and how thoughts (if my people were Unionists like many others in this neighborhood) that Confederates might cross kindled the imagination.
On a side note, it just so happens that I had ancestors on the other side of the river here… in gray, under Stonewall… and causing the unnerving.
So, I think I’ll wrap things up here. More or less, it’s a moving summary of some high points of Cyrus’ life along the canal. I’ll tweak the posts, add hyperlinks, and perhaps a little more commentary to this string in posts later this week.
* all photos shown here were taken at Dam 5
** Looks like I had some company along the way… no, not ghosts… but site visitors. Visitor count jumped to 78 yesterday, and 187 by the end of today. Glad some wanted to come along…
Harry Smeltzer
September 26, 2010
Robert, I believe you CAN pipe in sound. Remember that call-in feature we have with WordPress.com?
I hope you set up a single category for these posts – once you do, I’ll post a line to them on Bull Runnings. Good stuff, my man!
BTW, you’ve given me a good idea for a future series.
Robert Moore
September 26, 2010
Hi Harry,
Glad you enjoyed. Yes, I think there are a few more media features I’d like to check out… and I need to check on that sound thing.
I’ll let you know as soon as zip clean these posts so you can make a link… thanks!
Dick Stanley
September 27, 2010
I also enjoyed it, starting last night after dark down here (Texas), too. BTW, my niece (who grew up in Roanoke) graduated from James Madison.
Robert Moore
September 27, 2010
Glad you enjoyed it also. Regarding JMU, the saying “JMU Nation” seems to be relevant, and grows.
Mike Simons
September 27, 2010
It has been great to walk along with you on your journey so far. You have a rich family History!
Robert Moore
September 27, 2010
Thanks, Mike.