Useless Battles Cost Many Lives-Civil War

[LincolnMan]

Thanks Herb! Yesterday proved to be a banner day. First, there was the Detroit Veteran's Day Parade-followed by a flag raising ceremony at the downtown Detroit old G.A.R. Building. The building has been vacant for more than twenty years and in horrible shape. A visionary company purchased the building and is preparing for it's use as business space. They will have a G.A.R. Museum on the ground floor. It was the first time in fifty years that the building had a flag flying at it's top. Later that day, I attended a Tribute Ceremony for the 150th anniversary of the death of General Israel B. Richardson. He is the highest ranking soldier from Michigan that was killed in the Civil War (Major General). You may recall that President Lincoln paid a visit to him while he was hospitalized. Richardson had been wounded at Antietam. I think Lincoln was considering Richardson as a replacement for McClellan. Sadly, Richardson died. He is buried in Pontiac, Michigan-which was his hometown. As this thread's subject matter is partly concerned with the costs in lives of the Civil War, I'm reminded of it when I think of people like Richardson-and as I look at all the G.A.R. grave markers in that particular cemetery.