5 May 2007 called "Blisters"

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Blisters

Jackson ordered the Stonewall Brigade to walk from Meechum's to Afton Station (atop the Blue Ridge), and he would send a train to pick up the men there. The distance was around 11 miles. One could surmise that Jackson was trying to avoid the charge of favoritism (levied against him the previous winter), since every other unit got to ride from Meechum's. Only the Stonewall Brigade got to walk to Afton, climbing the Blue Ridge for the second time in three days.

Me at Meechum's River Station after walking 20 miles

The walk from Meechum's was not especially pleasant for Winder and his men, and I had much the same experience, although probably not for the same reason. Winder wrote that the weather was unpleasant for him and his men. In my case, yesterday's blisters had not healed entirely, and made the walk an unpleasant one. One good thing: the weather continues unseasonably cool which is a blessing. Let's hope it lasts.

The Stonewall Brigade stood around at the station, and finally got their train in the wee hours of May 6th, arriving in Staunton and walking to camp, finally getting there "shortly after sunrise." The rest of the army got to spend all day in camp west of Staunton.