Walking the Sunken Road.

Hurry, hurry!

The visitor’s center was closing at 5pm, and we needed some information and a walking map before lock-up time.

We almost didn’t make it, the 4 of us stopping in our tracks on the curve of the drive, hands over hearts as we watched the park service representative carefully and respectfully lower the flag from the pole in front of us, a reminder of what this place is, and was in the past.  A battlefield of horrific carnage, Union against Confederate in the war between the states that changed the direction of this country forever.

The gentleman behind the counter, beginning his close down and lock up process was happy to stop his activities, answer some questions and send us on our way out the back door for some exploring.

Stopping to read the placards along the trail.

It’s a harrowing thought.

My mind was trying as hard as it could to comprehend the magnitude of what happened here. I just can’t. Especially when a good portion of lives lost – on both sides – were little more than teenagers.

Map showing the location of major battles.

In the center of the map toward the yellow area you will see the battle of Salem Church.  Salem Church is where our Tuesday workshop was held.  I shared some of the history of that location in that post.

The Innis House.

Throughout December 13, 1862, nearly 30,000 Union Soldiers marched towards Marye’s Heights in the direction of the Innis House. 

More than 10,000 Confederate Soldiers lined the road and the heights above. Confederates utilized the Stone Wall along the road for cover.

Innis house and remaining original stone wall.

Innis House, possibly 1865

Located along the Confederate line of battle, the small structure was marred by soldier graffiti and perforated by bullets and shell fragments. 

Confederate General Lafayette McLaws wrote that the house "had no space as large as two hands on it that had not been pierced."

The Innis House was lived in until 1970 when the National Park Service purchased the property for $36,600. After the house was sold to the park, restoration work returned the house to its 1862 appearance. Work crews removed modern layers of wood and wall paper revealing 52 bullet and shell holes, with some bullets still lodged in the structure. [source]

We peered in the windows.  The wall with the bullet holes was there, and the terror of what went on here felt very real.  We walked reverently, nearly silently, listening to the birds, feeling the almost-80-degree-sunshine sink lower in the sky as we took this all in.

The heartfelt act of compassion.

On December 13, 1862, Kirkland's unit had formed at the stone wall at the base of "Marye's Heights" near Fredericksburg, Virginia. 

In the action that followed, he and his unit inflicted heavy casualties on the Union attackers. On the night of December 13, walking wounded made their way to the field hospital while those who were disabled were forced to remain on the battlefield. 

The morning of December 14 revealed that over 8,000 Union soldiers had been shot in front of the stone wall at Marye's Heights. Many of those remaining on the battlefield were still alive, but suffering terribly from their wounds and a lack of water.


Soldiers from both sides were forced to listen to the painful cries of the wounded for hours, with neither side daring to venture out for fear of being shot by the enemy. At some point during the day, Kirkland allegedly approached Confederate Brig. Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw, also from Kershaw County, South Carolina, and informed him that he wished to help the wounded Union soldiers. 

By Kershaw's own account, at first he denied the request, but later he relented. However, when Kirkland asked if he could show a white handkerchief, General Kershaw stated he could not do that. Kirkland responded "All right, sir, I'll take my chances."

Kirkland gathered all the canteens he could carry, filled them with water, then ventured out onto the battlefield. He ventured back and forth several times, giving the wounded Union soldiers water, warm clothing, and blankets. 

Soldiers from both the Union and Confederate armies watched as he performed his task, but no one fired a shot. General Kershaw later stated that he observed Kirkland for more than an hour and a half. At first, it was thought that the Union would open fire, which would result in the Confederacy returning fire, resulting in Kirkland being caught in a crossfire. 

However, within a very short time, it became obvious to both sides as to what Kirkland was doing, and according to Kershaw cries for water erupted all over the battlefield from wounded soldiers. Kirkland did not stop until he had helped every wounded soldier (Confederate and Federal) on the Confederate end of the battlefield. 

Sergeant Kirkland's actions remain a legend in Fredericksburg to this day. [source]

He was 19 years old at this event.

Little more than a boy.

He lost his life in battle September 20th, 1863 at the age of 20.

I’ve not let this story go out of my mind since we read about it at the monument dedicated to his heroism and selflessness.  Compassion knows no sides.

I’m not a religious person, at least I don’t think of myself that way, but the words “In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren – ye have done it unto me…” keep coming back to me.  

There is no enemy or foe. There is just compassion.

Walking the national cemetery (Union soldiers)

reading plaques and names of the fallen.

Click to play:

A post shared by Bonnie K Hunter (@quiltville_bonnie) on Feb 21, 2018 at 7:18pm PST

So many lives.

The second photo and inscription just breaks my heart.

Multiple bodies per grave, unknown.

Never returning home.

No closure for those families.

Just “presumed dead.”

The more modern street below, sun setting.

Places like these always stop me in my tracks and make me think, ponder, pray, appreciate and whisper “thank you” to those who gave so much so that we may enjoy all we do.  They had no idea what the world would be like in our time, but their efforts have not been in vain.

Thanks for walking this road with me, ladies!

Winding my way to Quilt Villa last evening!

I made it to the cabin by dark.  I’ve got a few days of recuperation with huge amounts of sewing machine time ahead. 

It was a bit foggy this morning on Hunter’s Ridge!  Click to play:

A post shared by Bonnie K Hunter (@quiltville_bonnie) on Feb 23, 2018 at 4:49am PST

The plan is to ease into this day – much time has already passed in just pulling this post together from thoughts, feelings, photos and experiences.  Two projects on the design wall, and one on the ironing board – which comes first??

Quiltville Quote of the Day!

Can you feel it? That wonderful thing is about to happen!

Quilt top made with vintage feed sacks shared during my visit with the Virginia star Quilters in Fredericksburg.

Happy Friday, Friends!