Home Sweet Home—Fredericksburg

“Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life.”

Henry L. Doherty

Fredericksburg is, “America’s Most Historic City.” A leisurely stroll through the streets of downtown Fredericksburg is to stroll through almost three centuries of American history. Much has been written about Fredericksburg and many photographs have been taken to document its part in the American experience—historical, architectural and cultural. Keeping to the spirit of my travels I shall not focus on the “momentous” but rather show you a glimpse of what lies around the corner…………

Michigan Alley

You may wonder how Michigan found its way to Fredericksburg. To answer that question we must go back to a conversation which took place in the late afternoon of December 11, 1862:

"The 2oth (Massachucetts) advanced up the street, and when the head of the column got where the 7th Michigan men were, on the left, in a kind of alley way, and occupying a house, Macy (commanding the 2oth Mass.) called to them to go ahead. Captain Hunt their commanding officer was there, and he hesitated and refused. Macy was obliged to halt and urge him to go forward. Hunt still refused, saying he had no orders, and Macy, much irritated told him his orders, which were very plain, to go forward and follow the 7th. Orders came from the rear to press on, Hunt still hung back, saying the rebels were there in force, an, "no man could live around that corner." Macy was of course terribly angry, and turned off saying, "Go to hell with your regiment then."

The 20th Mass advanced into the intersection and within 20 minutes sustained 95 casualties out of a regiment of just over 300 men. The 7th Michigan stayed in the alley......