Civil War artifacts found at Bluff Springs
When you read this the Alger Sullivan Historical Society will have already had our first meeting of 2019. Our meetings are the third Tuesday of every month in the Leach House Museum, 610 4th street in Century. Visitors are welcome at all meetings and new members are welcome at any time of year. Annual dues are $5.00. Most months we have a speaker or other type of presentation and a fellowship meal. Again, all are welcome.
At our February meeting (February 19th) Judson and Teresa Carden and I will be presenting a slide show and artifacts to present their finds from a recent relic hunt in Bluff Springs, Florida and what they represent from our area history.
Their finds show evidence that Confederate cavalry (most like the 6th or 8th Alabama Cavalry or possibly both) had a temporary camp at the site in Bluff Springs they are searching. Accounts of the Battle of Pringle's Creek (now officially called Pritchett's Mill Branch) (March 25, 1865) indicate that both of these cavalry units took part in the battle. The search site is near the battle site. For more information and a chance to view their finds, join us at the Leach House Museum, 610 4th Street in Century at 6 pm on February 19th.
Our museums and our bookstore/gift shop are open Saturdays from 10 am until 2 pm. Come by to visit, take a tour or browse our merchandise when you can. Tours are also available by appointment at any time. Call me (850-417-9803) to schedule a tour. We welcome groups of all sizes.
Several of us will be participating at a History Fair at Daphne High School on February 22nd. This is part of the Alabama Bicentennial Celebration.
We will be focusing on the battles in Escambia County Florida and Baldwin County Alabama in March and April of 1865. This was at the end of the Civil War, the battle at Blakely ending a few hours after General Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse, and Mobile coming into Union hands a few days later. Our slide show, related maps and other displays as well as Judson Carden's Civil War artifacts will be available for viewing.
Other upcoming ASHS meetings will be held on March 19th and April 16th. Speakers for those meetings will be announced in future columns.
Our annual Sawmill Day will be Saturday, May 4, 2019. If you would like a booth or a spot on the entertainment schedule contact me (850-417-9803) or Jerry Fischer (850-256-3980). In addition to the vendor booths and entertainment, all our museums will be open on that day and manned with ASHS members who will answer your questions.
