Each year near the anniversary of the Tulip disaster, the local Naval Base holds a memorial for the men lost and the 8 men buried at the site of the memorial.
These are artifacts from the U.S.S. Tulip presented at one of the memorial services by the archeologist who dove on the wreck. The slate pictured was one used by James Jackson who was my great-great-great grandfather. Many years ago while doing some genealogical research, my dad asked my great-great-grandmother about James. For a while she refused to discuss him and then one time she offered some information. She said that he had to join the Union Navy because the Confederates didn't want him. This information was hard to accept as the truth as the Confederacy was desperate for men. Needless to say, there are some feelings about the Civil War that still run high. Later there was some information that indicated James may have been forced into service with the Union. The Union needed men who knew the local waters to pilot their vessels. It was insinuated that they were encouraged by gunpoint. I can't say how true that is, but it certainly lends to a colorful family story. I do know that during Union raids on local farms along the water, the Jackson farm was spared because of James Jackson's service and the fact that it was his farm.
Either way, the memorial offers our family a chance to get together, share stories and remember those who served our country long ago.
There is a guy at our Flea Market who makes 'collages' (for want of a better word) of historical items that were found in London when they were excavating near the Thames .. those artifacts reminded me of him, I need to get a photo of his 'art' to show you .. and thank you again for sharing this, I find it fascinating
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