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STORY 13 – WHEN SOMBER MEN WEEP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LJpJeIwFMw#t=36m50s
FLICKR 61 images
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimsurkamp/albums/72157685451374152
With support from American Public University System (apus.edu). The sentiments expressed do not in any way reflect modern-day policies of APUS, and are intended to encourage fact-based exchange for a better understanding of our nation’s foundational values.
Click Here on the video and it will take you to the portion in the longer video where this story begins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LJpJeIwFMw#t=36m50s
Not very far away in December, 1859, Jasper’s future wife and life partner – Dolly – standing about a mile from the Walnut Hill farm, where she usually lived, and witnessing on Samuel Street in Charlestown, the history-sundering hanging of the warrior against slavery – John Brown.
Family historian Monique Crippen-Hopkins:
My first person I’ll probably go to is Dolly because my grandmother – that’s first-hand knowledge – my grandmother Marie actually lived with her grandmother Dolly Irvin Thompson.
Dolly Thompson – this story was passed down orally – was actually at the hanging of John Brown and my grandmother would tell this story time and time again. And whenever she told this story it was like this glazed look on her face – like she could actually relive whatever her grandmother told her. Now it is interesting to me, (but) when I was younger, I really wish I’d paid attention. So Dolly was married to Jasper Thompson. Dolly’s an Irvin (pause) really, her last name was Barr she would say, but she had to take her mom’s name Irvin.
Earth-shaking blows land at the doorsteps of Charlestown, Va.
Six other raiders are hanged.
The Richmond Convention on Secession where things fall apart – and, Sumter.
More than one historian has called the conclusion of the Virginia Secession convention on April 17th, 1861 as the most fateful moment in American history.
Minute-by-minute, the silent ones even, will say they are sad. Proud men bared their souls and emptied their hearts – shedding tears – because their world was ending – the United States. Existential sorrows hollowed solemn voices.
p. 180.
That day Confederate firing on Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor prompted President Lincoln to call up 75,000 volunteers – including Virginia.
With all delegates sworn to secrecy, the closed session Convention voted 88 to 55 to secede, pending affirmation by the populace in a May 23rd referendum.
Jefferson County’s delegate, Logan Osburn, voted “Nay.” Alfred Barbour was absent and was hurrying back to Harper’s Ferry, knowing a plan was afoot to capture the arsenal regardless of any future referendum.
CHAPTER OR STORY 14 CLICK HERE https://civilwarscholars.com/uncategorized/chapter-14-the-war-storm-breaks-at-home-by-jim-surkamp/