If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Click here: ruclips.net/user/thehistoryunderground Thanks!
I grew up around those parts. During the war Alton took on the moniker of Pie Town. The sympathetic women of Alton would bake pies and bring them to the starving prisoners I'm quite sure the death rate would have been much higher without their help. Love this channel thank you
Unfortunately you'll never satisfy everyone. The fact that you're doing a service to all men who served in the civil war both Union and Confederate and telling stories regardless of what side you were on suggest to me that you're about the history and not about the side. This video was well done as always.
@@TheHistoryUnderground I think you are doing a great job with our nations history and as you say, don't worry about the naysayers. You cannot ever please everyone, but you are doing an excellent and very interesting video series on history of our nation. Keep the series going as I look forward to all of them. I'm located in Michigan and we do have any Civil War Battlegrounds, our battlegrounds are from the War of 1812.
I tend to jump to conclusions and speak too soon. I hate being a "hater" unless it's completely warranted or benefits a greater good. After taking a step back, I'm happily a new subscriber. 😁✌
That's a beautiful monument they put up. The men who died were still Americans at the bottom of everything and deserve to be remembered. I had family on both sides of the war (which I didn't know until recently.) Thanks for visiting these places.
Thank you for visiting the site of this prison and remembering the men who died there. I have ancestors who were in both armies. My great-great-grandfather, Wilson Cherry Jr., was a Confederate soldier who died at Camp Morton in Indianapolis, of which no remnants remain today. He is buried in a mass grave at Crown Hill Cemetery. While I am no sympathizer of the Confederate cause, I fear that many in their modern day zeal to right past wrongs will go too far and attempt to obliterate the memory of men like my great-great-grandfather. Every man, regardless of which side he fought for, deserves to have his existence acknowledged at his burial site - and when we do so, it does not necessarily indicate approval of the cause for which he fought. We would do well, as the survivors of Andersonville did at Providence Spring, to remember the words of Abraham Lincoln: "With malice toward none, with charity for all..." A couple of other interesting historical notes about Alton: it was the site of the final Lincoln-Douglas debate on 10/15/1858, and it was the birthplace of jazz legend Miles Davis.
Its already happening, with destruction of memorials to Confederate dead by ANTIFA goons or sanctioned removal by woke local governments, despite being illegal by law in some states.
My 2 times Great grandfather, Samuel Chase Woodfin's brother Moses was taken prisoner of at the battle of Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was taken to the Union POW Camp at Rock Island, Illinois. After getting my Ancestry DNA, I started finding info on the "Woodfin Boys of Rutherford County". I Googled the Rock Island POW Camp. It was bad! There was a TV documentary years ago about a Union POW Camp near Chicago. This show described this camp was just as bad as Andersonville. All POW Camps were bad. Thank God Moses survived his imprisonment. I have no idea how his health was when he returned home. Thank you for showing both sides. WAR IS HELL. Continue your good work. Hope you have a blessed, healthy and prosperous New Year. Please stay safe. 🙏🥰👍👌🙏🦅🔔🗽🇺🇸🙏
Glenda - My Great Grandfather, Newton E Smith, was also captured at Missionary Ridge. He may have been on the same train as your 2 times Great Grandfather. Thankfully he came home after it was over, along with his brother.
I never comment on RUclips but I felt the need this time. The work you put in to these videos is extremely appreciated by a large if not majority of your viewers. I alone depend heavily on your adventures to get me through my work days. As a man who loves American history you have been my sole provider of new information on old topics. You do an amazing job at out sourcing your knowledge to us and sharing how you found it. Thanks for all you do and it’s unfortunate others have to critique or spew nonsense within the comment section. Keep up the great work!! The revolutionary war series is what I just finished 👌🏼
I remember watching the TV series “The Civil War” about 30 years ago and found it fascinating. Did you know that the Confederate warship, the Shenandoah, sailed into Melbourne in 1865 to recruit men to fight for the South? When I was in secondary school we learnt about it in Australian history.
I see you used the word learnt, l also use it in speech. Being from the South,and in particular Texas quite a few of the older folks still speak words from the U.K. l know your an Aussie, but your ancestors came from England,Scotland,Wales or the Isle of lreland right?
You will never please everyone. I have found you fair in all stories, and history you narrate. Your non judgmental, and don't take sides as to what history is about. Please who you can, your doing a good job.
Appreciate that! I try to be as unbiased as I can when highlighting these places. But there will always be people who are dissatisfied with something. Thanks for watching!
The war between the states was a human tragedy for everyone involved and it’s effects are still with us. You do a fine job highlighting the inhumanity of that and all wars
The one constant of war is that it is never innocent. Atrocities are committed by all actors, because war is at its very core an atrocity. The fact that the most intelligent and sentient beings cannot reconcile differences other than to kill one another, is the greatest atrocity. Unfortunately sometimes that is the only option, to fight evil, with evil acts. I fear that this rewriting of history being promoted by so many we will forget everything that lead up to the point of war. You MUST study history from everyone’s perspective. Thank you.
I think alot of the suffering was due to both sides having no real system for dealing with POWs to begin with. They were so eager to go to war that after the battles they found they had prisoners. "Well, now what do we do with them?" There being no provisions established for this problem, they dealt with it as best they could. Resulting in half-measures and slipshod results. Things could have been done better on both sides, that is certain. But when you're trying to win a war, bullets are on the top of your priorities list. And POWs end up on the bottom.
@@danielh2049 Absolutely. The ending of the prisoner exchange policy sat very bitterly with alot of people. Not the least of which were the prisoners. I think thats when it really became a war to free the slaves. And many Union men felt they hadnt signed up for that. Not all of them joined to fight the "Great Crusade against slavery".
Fantastic video, as always. I really appreciate your mention of the wreaths. It brought to mind one of my favorite quotes from Band of Brothers when Shifty Powers was being interviewed during the "We stand alone together" video. He said in regards to the German soldiers... "We might have had a lot in common. He might’ve liked to fish, you know, he might’ve liked to hunt" "Of course, they were doing what they were supposed to do, and I was doing what I was supposed to do. But under different circumstances, we might have been good friends" - SSG. Darrell "Shifty" Powers
This makes me so grateful that my Great Grandfather and his brother survived Rock Island Prison. Although he was never the same, at least he survived. Those were extremely tough times, especially in the South.
@@TheHistoryUnderground yes, especially once the prisoner exchanges stopped. Until then, things were kind of managable.Once they stopped, both sides, especially the Confederates couldn't handle the volume and food became so scarce. Neither side was prepared for this and everyone suffered.
I grew up in Illinois and am sure this is the first time I've learned of a Civil War P.O.W. camp in Alton. Keep this up and I will be an A student soon. Happy New Year and God bless you .
I remember reading that for the women survivors of the Civil War, the greatest obstacle to healing was that so many of the remains were not returned to home soil, so that families could have a grave to mourn at. The southern women began decorating Union graves near them as consolation, hoping that perhaps up north, women would decorate the graves of the southern soldiers in return.
Not having the remains of their loved ones is the primary reason for all of the Confederate monuments. They are not a symbol of hate, but of remembrance.
Brother, ignore the ignorant remarks. Continue what you are doing which is providing a service to WE THE PEOPLE and are a real blessing to the country. God bless & CURRAHEE!!!
Very interesting and very well done! Thank you! You would think after all these years we would not have war as a means to bring peace and justice. Just pointing out the obvious here. God bless all who have served and are serving. And God bless America. ❤️🙏🏼
Thanks, love this! There will ALWAYS BE BULLIES because they love chaos due to their own situation. The devil is a lion seeking whom he may devour. Angels will always watch over you. Love your show!!!
JD, it’s unfortunate that folks who criticized you, are still living the “them verses us” attitude. Sad on so many levels. The union believed in a set of principles as did the confederates. It was fought over and the union prevailed. But, in all reality BOTH sides lost....
That was a intelligent statement. You bet both sides lost. According to new Studies before Chickamauga the Union Army had lost 400,000 men. Depending on the study the kill ratio of the total battles was 2.5 to 3 Union casualties to 1 Confederate. That is probably because in those days the attacking Army usually took much more Casualties. But as in this video I believe more troops on both sides died of Disease. They were Marching Disease Factories.
@@TheHistoryUnderground They want to fight a war from way back then, but overlook the ones from (50-60-75) years ago. I have no problem driving an (American built /Japanese) Toyota; I'm a dealer for Doosan (Korean) machinery, and have probably worn a few sets of running shoes from (Viet Nam). Wars are all hell and its best to put them behind us, but still remember them with great history lessons.
All violent servile insurrection and revolution is wrong(sin) regardless of the outcome. Read Romans chapter 13. God honors and tolerates the new government. The founding revolutionary, slave owning Oligarchs were wrong to take up arms against the King of England. 80% of of the population was against that stupid war. After the revolution, it was worst for the average citzen. In 1861 the slave owning, tax evading Oligarchs of the Confederacy were 100% wrong(sin) to take up arms AGAINST the government of Abraham Lincoln. Today it would be wrong to fire cannons, on Trump towers, regardless of how you feel about Trump.
I'm sorry you have to experience such "hatred." It seems to me our precious Republic has not learned how to better deal with hatred from our ancestors... I'm speaking about the insurrection of our Captiol on January 6th 2021. If we can't remember history, we're condemned to repeat it." Keep up the good work JD, I throughly enjoy everyone of your episodes and learn from it. Sincerely, Denis
You are marvelous storyteller, and especially with this one. Beyond the stories, the cinematography and music add to the solemnity of them. I'll bet your students love you.
We love your history videos and you are a great guide. Please don't let harsh words from the unsatisfied discourage you. History is history, and can't be candy coated or rewritten. I think your sharing these informative videos is very kind and many of us do appreciate it!
Well done and sad to hear you were verbally attacked. There will always be haters and that is so sad. I think you do an awesome job delivering these videos. Thank you for the time and effort you put into them.
Excellent! The perspective that we should learn from history is sorely lacking in society today. Too many just cast a modern perspective on history or worse just want to erase/rewrite it. Thank you for another great video!!
I'm sure you don't but never let anyone tell you what content to put up!! Ignore the haters and just do you never bend to there needs or wants. Love your knowledge and passion for history and it shows in the videos.
I had several relatives imprisoned at Elmira, including my 3rd and 2nd great-grandfathers. They were outside in ragged makeshift tents in sub-zero weather, and fed slop, when they were fed at all. 3rd great-grandfather died there (disease) in Feb 1865, and 2nd great-grandfather made it home. The war was over in April 1865, but they didn't release him until July, and he had to find his own way home to Virginia.
Very very very well done! History is History whether we like it or not. It should never be used as a tool to demean others, but to learn from it so the same mistakes aren’t made again. Love the videos!
The camp at Elmira, NY is being somewhat preserved and now has a visitors center with quite a collection of artifacts on display. It seems to be the effort of a couple of private individuals who are Civil War Hostory devotees. It's great to see people preserving these stories and items, likely on their own, and having so much information available.
Yeah you ought to come up to Elmira and see all of the Confederate boys that were interred in Woodlawn cemetery. And as a side note all of those young Confederates were interred and families were notified of the location of their deceased loved ones along with their personal belongings gathered and categoried. And this was all done by a man named John Jones who happened to be an escaped slave. Come up here and see for yourself the tragic history of the Elmira prison camp. It said that the camp doctor bragged that he killed more r e b s t h a n Yankee bullets
This all breaks my heart. Their stories need to be told they need to be remembered. No matter how you look at the cival war it was hell and people are people but I guess I mean let there be some kind of forgiveness and some kind of healing
Excellent. Very well done. And, as you often say, Very Interesting! Thanks, keep it up. And, as the philosopher George Santayana wisely said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". He also said (less widely known) that "Only the dead have seen the end of war". We either learn from history, without trying to change or erase it, or we are doomed to repeat it.
From the Johnson's Island NPS National Historic Land Mark Plaque of 1990: " It has been said that nothing in 19th Century warfare better illustrates man's inhumanity to man than Civil War prisoner-of-war camps and stockades." For those interested, the story of William Nelson Rector Beall's efforts to alleviate Confederate suffering within Union camps is of much interest, both in his personal saga and the recognition by Union officers of the conditions, and suffering, within camps THEY MAINTAINED. The horror was far from one-sided. Another excellent job in bringing forward the story, especially regarding how the participants thought and felt about times and incidents they lived through. Theirs is the narrative you wisely seek.
Thank you for showing that humans are desperately wicked and that learning from the past in order to apply it to the present for a better future should be a goal that we all share. Beautifully done!
Have you watched Ken Burns Vietnam War? There is a segment called the " Thin veneer of humanity" . Where it goes into how someone can be everything expected out of a good person but put them in a brutal situation and it only a matter of time before the good part of their humanity is stripped away and suddenly they become capable of merciless act.
Learn from history, because history tends to repeat itself. I really enjoy this series. Imagine that people might learn from the past lessons from history.
My 2nd Great Grandfather, James T. Stroud, CSA diedat Alton Prison from Small Pox on June 13th, 1863. I really appreaciate you docmenting this Union prison.
As famous last words were said you complete some of the people some of the time but you cannot please all of the people all of the time but keep in mind what you do is very historical and great for us all who cannot find this information nor see these locations, you are doing a great service to us all and we greatly appreciate it keep up the good work and as always you do fantastic work on these history documentaries and will always enjoy watching them and learning things
As a person who's family was in the Civil War and a D A R , I appreciate you sharing History of our country. So much is lost or taken away from History books. Thank you for your time and research. Blessings from Colorado.
I just want to say that you are one of the most thoughtful historians that I’m proud to follow! History is unkind, but you are always looking at both sides and never judge, you just tell it like it is, or was! Good on you, keep doing what you’re doing!
Very interesting video! My uncle lives in Alton, and he has never mentioned anything about this. Thanks for giving us your well researched history of this aspect of the Civil War.
just because people want to be nasty about history proves they haven't studied or have any knowledge of the history. Let them say what they want and keep providing the history lessons that you are. You're doing a great job and love your videos. Keep them coming brother!
Just discovered your site this week. I was born in 1943 (yep, that old) and have always been interested in American history. Thank you so much for searching out these places. You are being a part of what can start to bring the USA back together with civility toward each other!!!!! Thank you.
I watched you're video on Andersonville a couple days back and found nothing to be upset about. You approached it nonpartial, and stated facts. Thank you for visiting these places and keeping the history alive.
Thank you for another great episode. Both sides had prison camps with unthinkable conditions, along with the incredible carnage evidenced by four years of war. The more I learn about the American Civil War I am convinced that no military events of today could eclipse what we did while fighting each other.
i do alot of cooking and history watching on youtube and this has quickly become one of my top 3 channels on youtube out of every one i follow! always does a wonderful job!
Wow, all the years we lived in St. Louis and I missed this historic place just across the river? Thank you for making it known and telling its story. I'm thankful this has not been attacked by the cancel culture movement. Save all of our history. Learn from it. Keep up the great work.
Yeah, I was pleased to see that it hasn't been defaced. Hopefully people share these videos and we can work to move the dial back in a reasonable direction in some small way.
I have commented before, but I think it worth stating once more that your work is a blessing. Thank you for not letting the memory of these men and their suffering fade into oblivion without acknowledgement. This citizen of the United Kingdom is profoundly grateful for your work and for your sentiments.
Thank you for all that you with these videos. I myself have learned a lot from watching these. Unfortunately, not everyone is going to agree with what you video or present. Our history is not all sunshine and rainbows. That war (Civil) is a classic example. And to this day, people still have strong feelings either way. And I guess that's what makes us Americans, I don't know. Just keep doing what you're doing.
Hi, happy new year to you and your family, I hope you have a fantastic 2021. Just ignore those among us that think it's okay to post acidic comments, if they don't like the content then just move along to another channel that is more suited to their intellect. I think your channel has great historical content that is very interesting and informative, just keep doing what you do best and if people don't like then that's their problem as you are doing nothing wrong that I can see. Thank you for all of your hard work and hours spent researching, it is appreciated, much love. xx 🙏💖
You know what I have figured out? That people will complain about anything and everything rather than just enjoying your content. There are some who just complain rather than move on to something else but don’t take it personally. I thoroughly enjoy your channel and hope you keep it coming!! I have seen some great you tubers let it get to them and I hate it. For all of you haters go somewhere else to dish your crap!!
My wife's family is from Alton and we (our family) lived there for numerous years. As a previous comment from above, Ft De Chartres has great history from the F &I war. Awesome job, JD.
I'm in Missouri. Never knew about this prison. Have been in Alton many times. Many people go there to drive down the great river road. Very interesting.
@@TheHistoryUnderground Please do it is beautiful. I was born and raised there. There is also the Love Joy Monument a lot of history about that. And the underground railroad. And the Alton square where Lincoln and Douglas debated. Many other historical places. You have a awesome channel here just subscribed. Thank You so much for doing this I know its a lot of work and time away from family. God Bless You!!!!!
Be thankful your on the good side of the river. I am also from Missouri and proud to be.the rebels were starving so the union prisoners were also. The union had food but starved the the confederate s anyway.
One little side note....we call the Civil War the War of Northern Agression. Thought that might bring a smile. Thank you for these wonderful videos ...whichever side it was tragic. It MUST be remembered so we do NOT repeat the tragedy.
I can't tell you how much i appreciate what your doing. I love looking back at our nations history to understand the events that took place. To see and understand what people went through and did is pretty sobering.
You need to remember that you could create the most amazing, educational, life changing video and people would still complain. Your content is awesome which is why I have been a financial supporter since I discovered you. Keep up the great work. I love seeing every notification when there is a new video.
I am SO glad you spoke up at the end. Very true, we all need to learn from our history... Thanks again for the great work you do on keeping our history, good or bad, alive. Safe travels.
Those were some very wise words that you spoke toward the end. The only problem I can see is that it might have been a case of what we used to call preaching to the choir. Those individuals who subscribe to the entitlement mindset are the ones who need to learn from them, and I doubt that they'd even bother to watch a good video like this one.
Very cool iam a civil war reenactor i got to visit Johnson Island prison in Sandusky oh they where doing an archeological dig at the time there is nothing left of the buildings but they have signs where each building was and there is a cemetery there too very cool place
I’m so happy to see that a union POW camp still exists. I went to the former site of Camp Douglas in Chicago. If I didn’t have a map saying that I was at the site you would never have known. It’s now an apartment complex. There used to be a sign, but I read after I visited that it was removed. There’s a monument a few miles away, but the city wants it removed last I heard. Sad.
Wait! What? There was a war? Man I've been stuck in the house too long. I've read about Camp Douglas on the S.E. side of Chicago but I never knew about this one. What an awful place. Those graves ending up under the water is creepy as heck.
I appreciate the wonderful job you did with this important part of American history. In some cases..many cases..cousins fighting cousins, not because they wanted to. They had no choice. You honor both sides by the thoughtful way you presented this. Hard to believe, but it wasn’t all that long ago. Thank you.
As a proud Brit, I dont know much and in fact very little about the American Civil War apart from why it started so I really enjoy watching your Civil War videos... Thank you....🇺🇸🇬🇧
Yooooo! Welcome to my neck of the woods! You should come south a bit and check out Prairie Du Rocher, IL and Fort De Chartres and Fort Kaskaskia from back in the French/indian war time
Greetings from Canada. I love your videos -- accurate and balanced. We can learn so much from museums and actually going to historical sites. 1,354 dead prisoners -- how tragic. Dorothea Dix was a great US historical figure, Superintendent of Army Nurses during the civil War, a hero to nurses everywhere -- I wish you would do a video just on her. She is even more famous for her earlier work on prison reform, and for housing of the mentally ill. She was a humanitarian of international stature. If you get to Pennsylvania, don't miss the Dorothea Dix Museum on the grounds of the Harrisburg State Hospital. Thanks for all your good work!
I'm so glad I found your video. My 4th g-grandfather, Anderson Massey, was captured at the Battle of Helena (Arkansas) and sent up the Mississippi river to the prison at Alton on July 4, 1863. He became ill that November and was sent to a hospital where he died on November 26, 1863 of Erysipelas. He is buried at the Confederate cemetery at Alton. Thank you so much for providing all of the wonderful videos that you do!
Don't pay attention to the critics. You find history where you're at and tell it as it happened. You do a good job too and nobody should fault you for that.
I so agree with your thoughts at the end of this video. We can't change what happened. Its in the past and has to stay there but we can learn from it and try hard not to repeat it. Keep saying what you are saying and thank you for these amazing videos!
I’m SO glad I discovered your channel! My favorite time period is the Civil War era. I Love your presentation style! Your videos are chocked full of historical information. Your voice is so clear and easy to understand, especially for us older, hard of hearing people. Keep up your awesome work‼️
Also, look into Camp Dunois. It was the winter home and starting point for Lewis and Clark expedition. It is located just miles from Alton in Wood River. There is a museum and a reconstruction of the stockade fort they used in the winter of 1803.
Those people who left the unkind comments you spoke of, should remember that you're doing the best you can to not let these people fade into history, and thus be completely forgotten. You don't have to do this at all, but you take the time to visit these places.. for that, I commend you.. ❤
![[TF2] The Russian Bear Trap](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YFNSwz2_rOA/mqdefault.jpg)
If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Click here: ruclips.net/user/thehistoryunderground
Thanks!
@@zztop4996 - Thanks! I’m planning on coming back at some point.
Can you do Camp Douglas?
My family fought for the South, in the MO 7th calvary. Thankfully they all made it home.
I grew up around those parts. During the war Alton took on the moniker of Pie Town. The sympathetic women of Alton would bake pies and bring them to the starving prisoners I'm quite sure the death rate would have been much higher without their help. Love this channel thank you
@@SouthernGentleman Thats where my 2nd great grand father was held after his capture at the Battle of Franklin.
Unfortunately you'll never satisfy everyone. The fact that you're doing a service to all men who served in the civil war both Union and Confederate and telling stories regardless of what side you were on suggest to me that you're about the history and not about the side. This video was well done as always.
Thanks!
Yeah I remember watching the Michael brown video wondering what a coward the camera person was
Was there another pow camp in New York? Elmira if I remb correctly...
But yea to me it's all horrors of war..
Don’t listen to the haters, you’ll never satisfy them, just do you.
Yeah, I don't let them bother me. I find is mostly amusing.
@@TheHistoryUnderground I think you are doing a great job with our nations history and as you say, don't worry about the naysayers. You cannot ever please everyone, but you are doing an excellent and very interesting video series on history of our nation. Keep the series going as I look forward to all of them. I'm located in Michigan and we do have any Civil War Battlegrounds, our battlegrounds are from the War of 1812.
I tend to jump to conclusions and speak too soon. I hate being a "hater" unless it's completely warranted or benefits a greater good. After taking a step back, I'm happily a new subscriber. 😁✌
I like haters. They help me mow my lawn.
Keep on doing a good job
That's a beautiful monument they put up. The men who died were still Americans at the bottom of everything and deserve to be remembered. I had family on both sides of the war (which I didn't know until recently.) Thanks for visiting these places.
My pleasure! Thanks for watching.
Thank you for visiting the site of this prison and remembering the men who died there. I have ancestors who were in both armies. My great-great-grandfather, Wilson Cherry Jr., was a Confederate soldier who died at Camp Morton in Indianapolis, of which no remnants remain today. He is buried in a mass grave at Crown Hill Cemetery. While I am no sympathizer of the Confederate cause, I fear that many in their modern day zeal to right past wrongs will go too far and attempt to obliterate the memory of men like my great-great-grandfather. Every man, regardless of which side he fought for, deserves to have his existence acknowledged at his burial site - and when we do so, it does not necessarily indicate approval of the cause for which he fought. We would do well, as the survivors of Andersonville did at Providence Spring, to remember the words of Abraham Lincoln: "With malice toward none, with charity for all..."
A couple of other interesting historical notes about Alton: it was the site of the final Lincoln-Douglas debate on 10/15/1858, and it was the birthplace of jazz legend Miles Davis.
Its already happening, with destruction of memorials to Confederate dead by ANTIFA goons or sanctioned removal by woke local governments, despite being illegal by law in some states.
My 2 times Great grandfather, Samuel Chase Woodfin's brother Moses was taken prisoner of at the battle of Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was taken to the Union POW Camp at Rock Island, Illinois.
After getting my Ancestry DNA, I started finding info on the "Woodfin Boys of Rutherford County". I Googled the Rock Island POW Camp. It was bad!
There was a TV documentary years ago about a Union POW Camp near Chicago. This show described this camp was just as bad as Andersonville.
All POW Camps were bad. Thank God Moses survived his imprisonment. I have no idea how his health was when he returned home.
Thank you for showing both sides. WAR IS HELL. Continue your good work.
Hope you have a blessed, healthy and prosperous New Year. Please stay safe. 🙏🥰👍👌🙏🦅🔔🗽🇺🇸🙏
They were definitely rough places to be. Thanks and have a great new year!
Glenda - My Great Grandfather, Newton E Smith, was also captured at Missionary Ridge. He may have been on the same train as your 2 times Great Grandfather. Thankfully he came home after it was over, along with his brother.
Camp Douglas is what i believe your referring to. It was hell ! Andersonville on steroids.
Well said... "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
I never comment on RUclips but I felt the need this time. The work you put in to these videos is extremely appreciated by a large if not majority of your viewers. I alone depend heavily on your adventures to get me through my work days. As a man who loves American history you have been my sole provider of new information on old topics. You do an amazing job at out sourcing your knowledge to us and sharing how you found it. Thanks for all you do and it’s unfortunate others have to critique or spew nonsense within the comment section. Keep up the great work!! The revolutionary war series is what I just finished 👌🏼
Dang. Thank you. That really does mean a lot. I appreciate that.
Also if you ever head out to Elmiras Union PoW camp lunch is on me!
Very well spoken in the last couple of minutes. Couldn't agree more.
Appreciate that. Thanks.
I remember watching the TV series “The Civil War” about 30 years ago and found it fascinating. Did you know that the Confederate warship, the Shenandoah, sailed into Melbourne in 1865 to recruit men to fight for the South? When I was in secondary school we learnt about it in Australian history.
I miss the old history channel.
I see you used the word learnt, l also use it in speech. Being from the South,and in particular Texas quite a few of the older folks still speak words from the U.K. l know your an Aussie, but your ancestors came from England,Scotland,Wales or the Isle of lreland right?
Did they tell the Melbourne guys that the South was on the verge of defeat 🤔
To honor the war dead of the civil war is to honor Americans. Thank you for taking us on this journey.
My pleasure!
You will never please everyone. I have found you fair in all stories, and history you narrate. Your non judgmental, and don't take sides as to what history is about. Please who you can, your doing a good job.
Appreciate that! I try to be as unbiased as I can when highlighting these places. But there will always be people who are dissatisfied with something. Thanks for watching!
The war between the states was a human tragedy for everyone involved and it’s effects are still with us. You do a fine job highlighting the inhumanity of that and all wars
The one constant of war is that it is never innocent. Atrocities are committed by all actors, because war is at its very core an atrocity. The fact that the most intelligent and sentient beings cannot reconcile differences other than to kill one another, is the greatest atrocity. Unfortunately sometimes that is the only option, to fight evil, with evil acts. I fear that this rewriting of history being promoted by so many we will forget everything that lead up to the point of war. You MUST study history from everyone’s perspective. Thank you.
Hopefully people will take the time to study the past and then pause to think about themselves and where they fit in.
I think alot of the suffering was due to both sides having no real system for dealing with POWs to begin with. They were so eager to go to war that after the battles they found they had prisoners. "Well, now what do we do with them?" There being no provisions established for this problem, they dealt with it as best they could. Resulting in half-measures and slipshod results. Things could have been done better on both sides, that is certain. But when you're trying to win a war, bullets are on the top of your priorities list. And POWs end up on the bottom.
That is exactly what happened. They just weren't prepared.
Exactly right there
With prisonor exchange being stopped and some evilness on both sides also i believe led to deaths on both sides
@@danielh2049 Absolutely. The ending of the prisoner exchange policy sat very bitterly with alot of people. Not the least of which were the prisoners. I think thats when it really became a war to free the slaves. And many Union men felt they hadnt signed up for that. Not all of them joined to fight the "Great Crusade against slavery".
@@billd.iniowa2263 yup i agree
Fantastic video, as always. I really appreciate your mention of the wreaths. It brought to mind one of my favorite quotes from Band of Brothers when Shifty Powers was being interviewed during the "We stand alone together" video.
He said in regards to the German soldiers... "We might have had a lot in common. He might’ve liked to fish, you know, he might’ve liked to hunt"
"Of course, they were doing what they were supposed to do, and I was doing what I was supposed to do. But under different circumstances, we might have been good friends" - SSG. Darrell "Shifty" Powers
I've thought about that interview often. I've heard other veterans say the same thing. It seems that if they can forgive and reconcile, we can too.
But would you put a German flag on the grave of a US WWII soldier on Memorial Day?
This makes me so grateful that my Great Grandfather and his brother survived Rock Island Prison. Although he was never the same, at least he survived.
Those were extremely tough times, especially in the South.
Yeah, I don't think that either side was prepared to deal with the massive influx of prisoners.
@@TheHistoryUnderground yes, especially once the prisoner exchanges stopped. Until then, things were kind of managable.Once they stopped, both sides, especially the Confederates couldn't handle the volume and food became so scarce. Neither side was prepared for this and everyone suffered.
My great great Grandfather served the last 18 months of the war at Rock Island.
War rarely brings out the best of us, but it always brings out the worst of us. Civil War POW camps testify to that. Thank you for visiting Alton.
I was glad to have the chance to visit. Thanks.
I grew up in Illinois and am sure this is the first time I've learned of a Civil War P.O.W. camp in Alton. Keep this up and I will be an A student soon. Happy New Year and God bless you .
Awesome! Glad that I could put it on the radar for you :)
Lived in mt carmel.been to alton as well
Learn about Camp Douglas in what is now Chicago.
Good stuff. I feel that you always approach everything in a respectful manner.
I appreciate that. I try :)
He does. It's about history, not taking sides.
I remember reading that for the women survivors of the Civil War, the greatest obstacle to healing was that so many of the remains were not returned to home soil, so that families could have a grave to mourn at. The southern women began decorating Union graves near them as consolation, hoping that perhaps up north, women would decorate the graves of the southern soldiers in return.
Not having the remains of their loved ones is the primary reason for all of the Confederate monuments. They are not a symbol of hate, but of remembrance.
Brother, ignore the ignorant remarks. Continue what you are doing which is providing a service to WE THE PEOPLE and are a real blessing to the country. God bless & CURRAHEE!!!
I appreciate that!
Very interesting and very well done! Thank you! You would think after all these years we would not have war as a means to bring peace and justice. Just pointing out the obvious here. God bless all who have served and are serving. And God bless America. ❤️🙏🏼
Thank you. Appreciate that.
Thanks, love this! There will ALWAYS BE BULLIES because they love chaos due to their own situation. The devil is a lion seeking whom he may devour. Angels will always watch over you. Love your show!!!
Thanks!
@@TheHistoryUnderground you are welcome. I am sorry for the sermon, but I have been bullied my whole life and I know it hurts.
JD, it’s unfortunate that folks who criticized you, are still living the “them verses us” attitude. Sad on so many levels. The union believed in a set of principles as did the confederates. It was fought over and the union prevailed. But, in all reality BOTH sides lost....
It is unfortunately that people are still wanting to fight that war after 160 years. I get some pretty heated comments on the Civil War videos.
That was a intelligent statement. You bet both sides lost. According to new Studies before Chickamauga the Union Army had lost 400,000 men. Depending on the study the kill ratio of the total battles was 2.5 to 3 Union casualties to 1 Confederate. That is probably because in those days the attacking Army usually took much more Casualties. But as in this video I believe more troops on both sides died of Disease. They were Marching Disease Factories.
@@TheHistoryUnderground They want to fight a war from way back then, but overlook the ones from (50-60-75) years ago. I have no problem driving an (American built /Japanese) Toyota; I'm a dealer for Doosan (Korean) machinery, and have probably worn a few sets of running shoes from (Viet Nam). Wars are all hell and its best to put them behind us, but still remember them with great history lessons.
All violent servile insurrection and revolution is wrong(sin) regardless of the outcome. Read Romans chapter 13. God honors and tolerates the new government. The founding revolutionary, slave owning Oligarchs were wrong to take up arms against the King of England. 80% of of the population was against that stupid war. After the revolution, it was worst for the average citzen. In 1861 the slave owning, tax evading Oligarchs of the Confederacy were 100% wrong(sin) to take up arms AGAINST the government of Abraham Lincoln. Today it would be wrong to fire cannons, on Trump towers, regardless of how you feel about Trump.
I'm sorry you have to experience such "hatred." It seems to me our precious Republic has not learned how to better deal with hatred from our ancestors... I'm speaking about the insurrection of our Captiol on January 6th 2021. If we can't remember history, we're condemned to repeat it."
Keep up the good work JD, I throughly enjoy everyone of your episodes and learn from it.
Sincerely, Denis
You are marvelous storyteller, and especially with this one. Beyond the stories, the cinematography and music add to the solemnity of them. I'll bet your students love you.
Thanks! I enjoy sharing the experiences.
We love your history videos and you are a great guide. Please don't let harsh words from the unsatisfied discourage you. History is history, and can't be candy coated or rewritten. I think your sharing these informative videos is very kind and many of us do appreciate it!
Thanks!
Well done and sad to hear you were verbally attacked. There will always be haters and that is so sad. I think you do an awesome job delivering these videos. Thank you for the time and effort you put into them.
Lived for over 40 years in southern Illinois...never knew about the history in Alton...thanks for your coverage and commentary.
👍🏻
Excellent! The perspective that we should learn from history is sorely lacking in society today. Too many just cast a modern perspective on history or worse just want to erase/rewrite it. Thank you for another great video!!
Agreed. People want to either erase it or weaponize it. Both extremes are dangerous.
I'm sure you don't but never let anyone tell you what content to put up!! Ignore the haters and just do you never bend to there needs or wants. Love your knowledge and passion for history and it shows in the videos.
Nah, I don't let them bother me. I find it amusing mostly.
Your next stop should be Elmira, NY my hometown and I still live in the area. Civil War Camp called Helmira.
I had several relatives imprisoned at Elmira, including my 3rd and 2nd great-grandfathers. They were outside in ragged makeshift tents in sub-zero weather, and fed slop, when they were fed at all. 3rd great-grandfather died there (disease) in Feb 1865, and 2nd great-grandfather made it home. The war was over in April 1865, but they didn't release him until July, and he had to find his own way home to Virginia.
Home of the bank examiner in “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Very very very well done! History is History whether we like it or not. It should never be used as a tool to demean others, but to learn from it so the same mistakes aren’t made again. Love the videos!
Thank you very much! I appreciate that. And I completely agree.
The camp at Elmira, NY is being somewhat preserved and now has a visitors center with quite a collection of artifacts on display. It seems to be the effort of a couple of private individuals who are Civil War Hostory devotees. It's great to see people preserving these stories and items, likely on their own, and having so much information available.
Yeah you ought to come up to Elmira and see all of the Confederate boys that were interred in Woodlawn cemetery. And as a side note all of those young Confederates were interred and families were notified of the location of their deceased loved ones along with their personal belongings gathered and categoried. And this was all done by a man named John Jones who happened to be an escaped slave. Come up here and see for yourself the tragic history of the Elmira prison camp. It said that the camp doctor bragged that he killed more r e b s t h a n Yankee bullets
Helmira!!
This all breaks my heart. Their stories need to be told they need to be remembered. No matter how you look at the cival war it was hell and people are people but I guess I mean let there be some kind of forgiveness and some kind of healing
Well said, war can bring out the worst of humanity and should be remembered in that it is not repeated. Thank you, you be safe and take care.
Appreciate that. Thanks!
Excellent. Very well done. And, as you often say, Very Interesting! Thanks, keep it up. And, as the philosopher George Santayana wisely said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". He also said (less widely known) that "Only the dead have seen the end of war". We either learn from history, without trying to change or erase it, or we are doomed to repeat it.
Appreciate that!
From the Johnson's Island NPS National Historic Land Mark Plaque of 1990: " It has been said that nothing in 19th Century warfare better illustrates man's inhumanity to man than Civil War prisoner-of-war camps and stockades."
For those interested, the story of William Nelson Rector Beall's efforts to alleviate Confederate suffering within Union camps is of much interest, both in his personal saga and the recognition by Union officers of the conditions, and suffering, within camps THEY MAINTAINED. The horror was far from one-sided.
Another excellent job in bringing forward the story, especially regarding how the participants thought and felt about times and incidents they lived through. Theirs is the narrative you wisely seek.
Thank you for showing that humans are desperately wicked and that learning from the past in order to apply it to the present for a better future should be a goal that we all share. Beautifully done!
Have you watched Ken Burns Vietnam War? There is a segment called the " Thin veneer of humanity" . Where it goes into how someone can be everything expected out of a good person but put them in a brutal situation and it only a matter of time before the good part of their humanity is stripped away and suddenly they become capable of merciless act.
@@rebelscumspeedshop no I haven't watched it but without God yes we are all prone to the same brutal nature
Learn from history, because history tends to repeat itself.
I really enjoy this series.
Imagine that people might learn from the past lessons from history.
Thanks! Appreciate that.
My 2nd Great Grandfather, James T. Stroud, CSA diedat Alton Prison from Small Pox on June 13th, 1863. I really appreaciate you docmenting this Union prison.
May he RIP
Thanks for your hard work, very interesting videos. Great job !!
Thank you very much!
As famous last words were said you complete some of the people some of the time but you cannot please all of the people all of the time but keep in mind what you do is very historical and great for us all who cannot find this information nor see these locations, you are doing a great service to us all and we greatly appreciate it keep up the good work and as always you do fantastic work on these history documentaries and will always enjoy watching them and learning things
Amen! Be encouraged and keep doing what you're doing.
Thanks!
As a person who's family was in the Civil War and a D A R , I appreciate you sharing History of our country. So much is lost or taken away from History books. Thank you for your time and research. Blessings from Colorado.
My pleasure! Thanks for the kind words.
Brother...you can't please everyone. You provide excellent history and cinematography so thankyou always. Those who got nasty are plain miserable.
Some people complain just to hear themselves. Keep up the great work and videos! :)
Thanks, will do!
I just want to say that you are one of the most thoughtful historians that I’m proud to follow! History is unkind, but you are always looking at both sides and never judge, you just tell it like it is, or was! Good on you, keep doing what you’re doing!
Very interesting video! My uncle lives in Alton, and he has never mentioned anything about this. Thanks for giving us your well researched history of this aspect of the Civil War.
No problem! Hopefully you can check it out in the future.
Did you ask him? Some people don't know unless asked.
@@wizardofahhhs759 The last time I saw him was when I was 6, and he developed Alzheimers and can't really communicate anymore, unfortunately.
Awesome video,thanks for making them.💪🏼💯
Glad you like them!
@@TheHistoryUnderground
Where is the next history spot??
@@pigpaul I'm still trying to figure that out (lol). Every time I pick a place, I find out that it's closed.
Excellent work JD 👍🏻😎
Thanks 👍
just because people want to be nasty about history proves they haven't studied or have any knowledge of the history. Let them say what they want and keep providing the history lessons that you are. You're doing a great job and love your videos. Keep them coming brother!
Just discovered your site this week. I was born in 1943 (yep, that old) and have always been interested in American history. Thank you so much for searching out these places. You are being a part of what can start to bring the USA back together with civility toward each other!!!!! Thank you.
Thanks! Glad that you’re enjoying the content. Hopefully, the channel is doing some good 🙂
I watched you're video on Andersonville a couple days back and found nothing to be upset about. You approached it nonpartial, and stated facts. Thank you for visiting these places and keeping the history alive.
Appreciate that.
Thank you for another great episode. Both sides had prison camps with unthinkable conditions, along with the incredible carnage evidenced by four years of war. The more I learn about the American Civil War I am convinced that no military events of today could eclipse what we did while fighting each other.
Agreed. Unthinkable brutality in that one.
i do alot of cooking and history watching on youtube and this has quickly become one of my top 3 channels on youtube out of every one i follow! always does a wonderful job!
Wow, thank you! I really do appreciate that :)
I'm from Canada and didn't study the American Civil War in high school, so this is awesome. Thank you for these videos!
Glad that the videos are helping to fill in some gaps. Hope to get up to Canada at some point and do a series of videos.
@@TheHistoryUnderground Awesome brother!
Simply brilliant. I don't know much at all about the American Civil War, but you have now inspired me to go and read more. Thank you.
Awesome! Thanks.
You are an awesome person. I wish I would have had you as my history teacher. Thanks making these videos.
🙏🏼
Wow, all the years we lived in St. Louis and I missed this historic place just across the river? Thank you for making it known and telling its story. I'm thankful this has not been attacked by the cancel culture movement. Save all of our history. Learn from it. Keep up the great work.
Yeah, I was pleased to see that it hasn't been defaced. Hopefully people share these videos and we can work to move the dial back in a reasonable direction in some small way.
I have commented before, but I think it worth stating once more that your work is a blessing. Thank you for not letting the memory of these men and their suffering fade into oblivion without acknowledgement. This citizen of the United Kingdom is profoundly grateful for your work and for your sentiments.
Thanks!
Thank you for all that you with these videos. I myself have learned a lot from watching these. Unfortunately, not everyone is going to agree with what
you video or present. Our history is not all sunshine and rainbows. That war (Civil) is a classic example. And to this day, people still have strong
feelings either way. And I guess that's what makes us Americans, I don't know.
Just keep doing what you're doing.
Hi, happy new year to you and your family, I hope you have a fantastic 2021. Just ignore those among us that think it's okay to post acidic comments, if they don't like the content then just move along to another channel that is more suited to their intellect. I think your channel has great historical content that is very interesting and informative, just keep doing what you do best and if people don't like then that's their problem as you are doing nothing wrong that I can see. Thank you for all of your hard work and hours spent researching, it is appreciated, much love. xx 🙏💖
Appreciate that! I don't let the negative comments get to me. I find most of them amusing.
@@TheHistoryUnderground 💖
You know what I have figured out? That people will complain about anything and everything rather than just enjoying your content. There are some who just complain rather than move on to something else but don’t take it personally. I thoroughly enjoy your channel and hope you keep it coming!!
I have seen some great you tubers let it get to them and I hate it.
For all of you haters go somewhere else to dish your crap!!
My wife's family is from Alton and we (our family) lived there for numerous years. As a previous comment from above, Ft De Chartres has great history from the F &I war. Awesome job, JD.
I'll have to check that out. Thanks!
I'm in Missouri. Never knew about this prison. Have been in Alton many times. Many people go there to drive down the great river road. Very interesting.
I loved driving that road. I need to do it again when the leaves are changing.
@@TheHistoryUnderground Please do it is beautiful. I was born and raised there. There is also the Love Joy Monument a lot of history about that. And the underground railroad. And the Alton square where Lincoln and Douglas debated. Many other historical places. You have a awesome channel here just subscribed. Thank You so much for doing this I know its a lot of work and time away from family. God Bless You!!!!!
Be thankful your on the good side of the river. I am also from Missouri and proud to be.the rebels were starving so the union prisoners were also. The union had food but starved the the confederate s anyway.
Nice job. Thanks for bringing up that internment would have been a good thing to do.
Thanks!
One little side note....we call the Civil War the War of Northern Agression. Thought that might bring a smile. Thank you for these wonderful videos
...whichever side it was tragic. It MUST be remembered so we do NOT repeat the tragedy.
Another great one- "Lest we not forget".
Appreciate that!
I can't tell you how much i appreciate what your doing. I love looking back at our nations history to understand the events that took place. To see and understand what people went through and did is pretty sobering.
Very much so. Definitely offers some perspective. Thanks!
We should encourage each other and not disparaging simply because we disagree. God bless and take care
You hang in there and stay with it. History should never be in question, just recorded truthfully.
Thank you so much for another piece of interesting History...
Glad you enjoyed it!
You need to remember that you could create the most amazing, educational, life changing video and people would still complain. Your content is awesome which is why I have been a financial supporter since I discovered you. Keep up the great work. I love seeing every notification when there is a new video.
Ha! Yeah, some people just need to complain about everything. Appreciate the support!
I am SO glad you spoke up at the end. Very true, we all need to learn from our history... Thanks again for the great work you do on keeping our history, good or bad, alive.
Safe travels.
Glad you enjoyed it! I was hoping that it didn't come across as too heavy handed.
It absolutely did not come across like that. In fact we need to hear it more often now days... Again thank you.
Those were some very wise words that you spoke toward the end. The only problem I can see is that it might have been a case of what we used to call preaching to the choir. Those individuals who subscribe to the entitlement mindset are the ones who need to learn from them, and I doubt that they'd even bother to watch a good video like this one.
Appreciate that. That’s why I hope that people will share out these videos. Perhaps some people will see it and something will click 🤷🏻♂️
Very cool iam a civil war reenactor i got to visit Johnson Island prison in Sandusky oh they where doing an archeological dig at the time there is nothing left of the buildings but they have signs where each building was and there is a cemetery there too very cool place
Oh wow. I'd very much like to see that. Thanks!
I’m so happy to see that a union POW camp still exists. I went to the former site of Camp Douglas in Chicago. If I didn’t have a map saying that I was at the site you would never have known. It’s now an apartment complex. There used to be a sign, but I read after I visited that it was removed. There’s a monument a few miles away, but the city wants it removed last I heard. Sad.
You’re a good man with a good channel, keep doing what you do.
Thanks! I've enjoyed sharing the experiences and learning along with everyone.
Lots of names on that plaque! Sometimes it’s hard to take in the magnitude of the civil war!
Yeah, and to think that those are names from only one camp.
@@TheHistoryUnderground agreed just one camp that’s a lot. I learn so much from your videos and what’s out there thanks !!!!
You and this Site and those involved at any level over the years Truly show Respect. Thank you
Wait! What? There was a war? Man I've been stuck in the house too long. I've read about Camp Douglas on the S.E. side of Chicago but I never knew about this one. What an awful place. Those graves ending up under the water is creepy as heck.
Pretty sad story. Glad that the video could bring you up to speed about the war :)
I love all your presentations wherever you go,and I don’t discriminate
Thanks! I appreciate you watching and for the kind words :)
I appreciate the wonderful job you did with this important part of American history. In some cases..many cases..cousins fighting cousins, not because they wanted to. They had no choice. You honor both sides by the thoughtful way you presented this. Hard to believe, but it wasn’t all that long ago. Thank you.
As a proud Brit, I dont know much and in fact very little about the American Civil War apart from why it started so I really enjoy watching your Civil War videos... Thank you....🇺🇸🇬🇧
Well done! Thank you. I love Civil War History. 👏👏
🙏🏼
My 3rd great granduncle died in camp Douglas. Thank you for visiting these places and teaching us the history
Yooooo! Welcome to my neck of the woods! You should come south a bit and check out Prairie Du Rocher, IL and Fort De Chartres and Fort Kaskaskia from back in the French/indian war time
I'll look into that. Thanks!
Excellent!
Many thanks!
Excellent video and great advice! Interestingly, a similar wreath appeared at the monument inside Ft. Donelson.
Cool, thanks!
Thank you for the gift of history you share.
Greetings from Canada. I love your videos -- accurate and balanced. We can learn so much from museums and actually going to historical sites. 1,354 dead prisoners -- how tragic. Dorothea Dix was a great US historical figure, Superintendent of Army Nurses during the civil War, a hero to nurses everywhere -- I wish you would do a video just on her. She is even more famous for her earlier work on prison reform, and for housing of the mentally ill. She was a humanitarian of international stature. If you get to Pennsylvania, don't miss the Dorothea Dix Museum on the grounds of the Harrisburg State Hospital. Thanks for all your good work!
Thanks for the heads up and for the kind words!
I'm so glad I found your video. My 4th g-grandfather, Anderson Massey, was captured at the Battle of Helena (Arkansas) and sent up the Mississippi river to the prison at Alton on July 4, 1863. He became ill that November and was sent to a hospital where he died on November 26, 1863 of Erysipelas. He is buried at the Confederate cemetery at Alton. Thank you so much for providing all of the wonderful videos that you do!
Oh wow! So glad that I could go there and share it. I don't think that this has been covered on RUclips much.
Don't pay attention to the critics. You find history where you're at and tell it as it happened. You do a good job too and nobody should fault you for that.
Yeah, I don't let the hateful comments get to me. It does make me curious to see how people get spun up over the smallest things though.
What is awful is Anarchists toppling down these memorials. Thank Goodness they have touched this one, yet!
Thank you for showing both sides of the Civil War and thank you for your closing words.
I so agree with your thoughts at the end of this video. We can't change what happened. Its in the past and has to stay there but we can learn from it and try hard not to repeat it. Keep saying what you are saying and thank you for these amazing videos!
I’m SO glad I discovered your channel! My favorite time period is the Civil War era. I Love your presentation style! Your videos are chocked full of historical information. Your voice is so clear and easy to understand, especially for us older, hard of hearing people. Keep up your awesome work‼️
Also, look into Camp Dunois. It was the winter home and starting point for Lewis and Clark expedition. It is located just miles from Alton in Wood River. There is a museum and a reconstruction of the stockade fort they used in the winter of 1803.
I actually looked into that but some of the facilities were closed down due to Covid. Going to try and hit it on a future trip.
Those people who left the unkind comments you spoke of, should remember that you're doing the best you can to not let these people fade into history, and thus be completely forgotten. You don't have to do this at all, but you take the time to visit these places.. for that, I commend you.. ❤