Andersonville and Plains GA

Yesterday Paul and I took a day trip around Georgia. We have been trying to see as much as we can of the different Civil War sites as possible.

Andersonville, or Camp Sumter as it was officially known, was one of the largest of the many confederate military prisons established during the Civil War. It was built early in 1864 after Confederate officials decided to move the large number of Federal prisoners kept in and around Richmond, Virginia, to a place of greater security and a more abundant food supply. (I don't know why the food thing they did not feed them at all!) During the 14 months the prison existed, more that 45,000 Union soldiers were confined there. Some 13,000 died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure.

The prison, POW museum, and cemetery were really interesting. The statues were really impressive. You can find out more about Andersonville at this link or visit some pictures at Google images.


After a picnic lunch at the National Park site, we then went on to Plains GA. We visited there with Mom and Dad Nadeau in the summer of 1977. All I remember of Plains is Billy's gas station the white train station headquarters and that it rained so hard an old chair floated by in the ditch on the side of the road. When we got there not much had changed since then except no chair!!! Also it was really nice that a woman who own one of the shops came running out after us giving Paul a bright yellow sunflower because she said we had the prettiest car in Plains in a long time and the flower matched the car to the T.

We had a great trip and it took about three hours to drive home.








This is to show the area where the men lived. They had to have all their own things they were not given shelter, food, water, or anything for that matter. It was hot and buggy when we were there. I know it gets hotter and sunnier. It must have been unbearable!


This is at the entrance of the Cemetery It is really nice.


This is the Monument that was to honor all the men from Michigan:



This is the Carter headquarters. It looks the same as it did before LOL.











Billy Carter's Gas station. I remember us all visiting this in 1977




Daisy given to us by the shop Lady because we had the car to match!

Big News from Silverhill, Alabama

I just LOVE this story. Read ALL ABOUT it! at Zion Lutheran's website.

The article also appeared in their local newspaper - How Cool!!! The pastor sent it to mom and dad and they scanned it for all of us to see. There are three pages. Click on the links below.

Page 1
Page 2
Page 3

Zion Lutheran Church; Silverhill, Alabama

Zion Lutheran Church (take a look at the site in the historical section you will see Erick Ulrickson's name. If you look at the pages of the book by clicking on it you will see his signature.)



Today Paul and I went to Silverhill, Alabama to visit the area that Great-Grandfather Erick Ulrickson went to after the panic 1893. What we had gathered is that a group of Swedish man sent out three groups to Alabama to find a place to work and live. Erick's group came to Silverhill. The area was all forest and ready for logging. In the records of the church it appears that he was one of the founding fathers of the Zion Lutheran Church. In 1905 he became one of 16 founding members. in 1905 he is listed as one of four Historians. In 1907 The historical records of the church state that Eric Ulrickson became the custodian.

Then in 1907 a large unnamed Hurricane hit the area many people were killed or left the area. Erick's attendance records which are not that good have him gone after 1909. We were told that by 1910 only three of the first 16 were left.

We went to the cemetery but could not find him there. We then found the name of the man who has all the records for the cemetery Elvin Ewing. Mr Ewing looked in his records and could not find Erick. He did say that there were 25 unknowns buried there. We then went to the local smallllllllll library and got a book on the history but it didn't help. She recommended we talk with Gus Ulter in his 80's and one of the oldest members of the church. Gus was interesting but did not know about Erick. He recommended we talk to Pastor Dave. Pastor Dave met us at the church and spent the next 2 1/2 hours talking with us and showing us all the old records. He called the Lutheran church for information with little luck. It was really interesting.

Paul got to ring the bell and we saw the old church now someone's home across from the church. All the old things displayed in a museum in the back of the church. We had a great time.

We know little more about Erick but not much. We do have a copy of his signature on the old papers. We also have several historical books about the Swedish Community.