Statue of George Morgan Jones at the Hanging Rock Battlefield, With Harold in the foreground.

(The statue is not an accurate portrayal of Jones, as he was never a general or officer. He served the Confederate Army as a cook and only reached the rank of buck private.)

#georgemorganjones #hangingrockbattlefieldtrail #haroldsjournal #harold #sistobrak #sisto #roanokeva #confederatemonument #confederatememorial #wtf #bognar #glyos #battletribes #warlordsofwor #toysofinstagram #toyphotography #toystagram #cognativedissonance #stolenvalor https://instagr.am/p/CrO8Wh5OTy8/

Continue reading April 19, 2023 at 05:52PM →

Happy National Banana Day! APRIL 19 https://instagr.am/p/CrO3Ky0OXwc/

Continue reading April 19, 2023 at 05:06PM →

Dear Journal,

Today was a remarkable day as I had the opportunity to visit the Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail near Salem, Virginia. This trail holds historical significance as it was the site of the Battle of Hanging Rock, which took place on June 21, 1864, during the Civil War.

Upon the start of my hike on the trail, I was filled with a sense of reverence for the events that had unfolded in this very location over a century ago. The trail meandered through thick forests, with the sunlight filtering through the trees, casting a dappled glow on the forest floor.

Along the trail, I came across interpretive signs that provided details about the Battle of Hanging Rock. I learned about how Confederate cavalry had pursued Union forces retreating from Lynchburg, resulting in a fierce battle that led to the capture of ten guns. It was a somber reminder of the brutal realities of war and the sacrifices made by soldiers on both sides.

I could not help but imagine the sights and sounds that would have filled this place during the battle. The echoes of gunfire, the cries of soldiers, and the chaos of war that had once unfolded in this serene natural setting were now a part of its history.

I continued my hike, taking in the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape from the trail’s overlooks. The rolling hills and valleys spread out before me, serving as a poignant contrast to the violent events that had occurred on this very ground so many years ago.

During my hike, I reflected on the significance of the Battle of Hanging Rock and its impact on the Civil War. It was a moment of deep contemplation as I tried to grasp the enormity of the historical events that had shaped this place.

As I made my way back to the trailhead, I felt a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to visit this important historical site. Walking the trail was a humbling experience, a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought during the Civil War, and the need to remember and learn from our past.

Yours,
Harold

#sistobrak
#harold #greenway #hangingrockbattlefieldtrail #roanokeva #haroldsjournal #walkabout https://instagr.am/p/CrO1LxDuu7W/

Continue reading April 19, 2023 at 04:49PM →

The Hanging Rock Battlefield trail
( https://bit.ly/3LdaFVP ) has a statue of George Morgan Jones, shown as a general here (an identical statue of him was torn down in his home city of Lynchburg, Virginia.https://bit.ly/3Le4vEX it turns out he wasn’t a general, but a cook, so even that outfit he is wearing could be called “stolen valor” )

From https://bit.ly/3LdappP

“George Morgan Jones was a philanthropist and former Civil War soldier. Though depicted in a Confederate general’s uniform, only achieved the rank of private in the commissary department of the Second Virginia Cavalry”

Surprising to me was that there was a lack of a United States of America flag to be seen anywhere within my view when I went there.

They did have the Confederate “Blood Stained Banner” and a blue one that I do not think that I have ever seen. Both are immaculately clean and well-maintained, like the entirety of the memorial.

From the description placard near the monument –

“Miss Mattie Garst died in 1960, she bequested the Hanging Rock and Buzzard’s Roost to the Virginia Division United Daughters of the Confederacy. She willed that this site be preserved as memorial to the brave soldiers who fought and died in the Battle of Hanging Rock on June 21, 1864. Miss Garst’s home was situated near the gap where Confederate Brig. General John McCausland fired on the artillery and supply wagons of Major General David Hunter’s U.S. Army.

On June 3, 1932, the Southern Cross Chapter No. 745 U.D.C. erected a monument on Route 311, memorializing the battle and the Confederate soldiers who died here. On June 21, 1964, the William Watts Chapter No. 809 dedicate a monument at the intersection of 1-81 and Route 419 commemorate the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Battle of Hanging Rock.”

Why the statue of George Morgan Jones, though?

#wtf #roanokeva #hangingrockbattlefieldtrail #hangingrock #stolenvalor #bloodstainedbanner #why #reallyniceparkthough https://instagr.am/p/CrOxqQBuyFp/

Continue reading April 19, 2023 at 04:18PM →

So, how’s your Wednesday going?
Continue reading April 19, 2023 at 11:29AM →