As we were driving around Seven Springs, North Carolina looking at various Civil War markers, we drove by a playground. It was surprising that such a small town, 85 people, would have such a large playground.
But, even more surprising was the scale model of a Confederate ironclad ram that was sitting in the middle of a large sandbox made up to look like a wharf area. The sides were painted an off-black and sloped and in front was a pipe painted black as well representing a cannon.
This was connected to a real Confederate ironclad, the CSS Neuse, which was built in a corn field on the north side of the Neuse River which flows through the town. This was the only Confederate ironclad that was almost destroyed by the enemy before it was launched. This was part of Union General Foster's December 1862 raid against Goldsboro, North Carolina.
Union artillery firing from the south bank of the river and from the bluff where the Methodist church is today damaged the ship, but it was successfully repaired.
Anyway, kids today can recreate their own Civil War naval battle. Definitely something you don't see every day and a great way for young folks to touch their town's history.
A Different Sort of Ram. --RoadDog
RoadDog's RoadLog Blog: Being my travels down those great two lane highways of this nation as well as news I learn about them from media sources. Since I'm also very interested in historic preservation, there will be a lot of that as well.
The Shamrock Court Motel in Sullivan, Missouri. It can be yours for $125,000. Lots of possibilities. Actually, now you're too late. Missouri's Roamin' Rich bought it.
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