The wind picked up last night and was blasting off the ocean. Actually it was blowing so hard it woke me up. The temps dropped into the 40’s but felt colder.
Took Jewel for her morning walk and spent a good deal of our walk picking the spurs off of her paws. Poor Jewel, can’t even enjoy what she likes to do best. Walk –walk – walk!
We got a slow start to the morning and didn’t get out to tour Fort Clinch until early afternoon. Since we have been to so many forts we were expecting more of the same but were pleasantly surprised.
We stopped to watch the video depicting life on Fort Clinch during the Civil War. It was extremely interesting and informative. They do reenactments on the first weekend of every month so we had to use our imaginations. The video was very educational explaining the uses of the different buildings. There was a tour group, the Road Scholars so we listened in when we could and the guide was very informative and funny.
Soldiers that committed crimes were placed in the fort jail. Those who committed minor offenses were shackled to a ball and chain with a placard around there neck stating the offense. They were allowed to work outside of a jail cell. Those who committed more grievous offenses were also ball and chained but were confined to a jail cell. The worst offenders, murderers, rapists, or those who committed treason were placed in a small dark room, naked, with no facilities 24/7 for up to 84 days. They slept on one side of the room on the bare floor and used the other side for personal relief. Cannot imagine that smell. They had to take them out of the cell once in 84 days for a bath, feed them three meals then could shove them back in for another 84 days. The only ration of food while in solitary was three hard biscuits and one cup of water daily. Usually, they would be tried and put to death by firing squad before the 84 days was completed.
The fort is beautifully maintained and in a constant state of renovation and is said to be the best preserved fort in the country. We agree with that statement because we have been to so many forts that are in really bad shape and you have to use your imagination when walking in and out of the various parts of other forts.
- Below are the Soldiers Quarters:
We were really impressed at how everything was kept to the period and the artifacts were original to the fort. The architectural features were also amazing with curved walls and spiral staircases.
The bricks used to build the fort were shipped from New York City and Philadelphia.
Is that a Confederate Soldier!!!!
Nope, It’s the Green Squirrel!!!!! LOL
The arched area on the left was beautiful but wasn’t sure what it’s purpose was.
Interesting Sign Bread Oven The Laundry – Clothes were boiled to kill the lice – ICK!!!!
We thought it was interesting that they stored the ammunition next to the hot kitchen
The soldiers would get all of their supplies including three candle per week as deemed appropriate by President Lincoln. YES! All are Invited to Watch the Procedure !!!!!!!!
One of the Many Cisterns to Collect Water
We completed the tour and came away with a better understanding of the life in a fort.
Next we went looking for the Amelia Island Lighthouse. We got a glimpse of it from a viewing platform but had to get a closer look. Anyone who knows us and reads our blog knows we love lighthouses as much as caves and forts. The lighthouse is undergoing renovations so is closed to the public. It is one of the shorter lighthouses at 64 feet so would have been one of the easier to climb.
When we were looking for Lighthouse Road we came across a dog sitting in the middle of the road and he chose not to move. After all this was his neighborhood not ours!!!
After we got a closer look at the lighthouse we drove around Amelia Island. There are some beautiful homes along the coast but the sun made picture taking difficult. We arrived back at the CG around 5:30 pm , just in time to make dinner. It was another great day for us. We’re thinking about extending one more day and will make that decision in the morning.
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