Skywatch Friday: How 'bout Getting Along?

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I caught the Civil War monument in Hartford's Bushnell Park from the point of view of one of the Indians on the Corning fountain in the same park. I thought, "He's thinking, 'These people can't even get along with each other.'" Hartford sent 400 men to the Civil War battlefields; 40 died defending the Union. I have an opinion about that situation. I sum it up this way: It is good and right that the Union prevailed. It is good and right that we keep our word. (Ever read any of the slave narratives? Have a look here and see what you think of "northern aggression.")

About the arch: The arch was dedicated on September 17, 1886 – the anniversary of the Battle of Antietam – to honor the 4,000 Hartford citizens who served in the Civil War, and the 400 who died for the Union. It is the first permanent triumphal arch, as well as the first permanent war memorial, constructed in the U.S. The memorial features terra cotta friezes – on the north side, New York sculptor Samuel Kitson showed the story of the Civil War; on the south side, the City of Hartford, represented by a female figure, welcomes the soldier's home in a scene sculpted by Casper Buberl. Albert W. Entress sculpted the life-size figures at the base of each tower.

Skywatch Friday

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56 Comments

  1. I really like your perspective of the monument. Thanks, too, for the information about it.

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  2. I agree. I am leaving it at that, your post is perfect and it suits my mood today very well, thank you!

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  3. Great picture and commentary.

    I grew up in the mountain west. When I moved to Texas and talk would go toward the Civil War some would say, "you mean the war of northern aggression?"

    I think that a lot of what we are going through as a nation goes back to that attitude.

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  4. My son is a Civil War buff. I'm going to share your blog with him. Thanks.

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  5. Not only a great picture but a history lesson as well!

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  6. Anonymous12:09 PM

    Now THAT is a perspective! A Mohegan/Pequot warrior watching newcomers fighting in the sandbox.

    Excellent shot- and thought provoking.

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  7. Thank you for the tour and the historical value of the monument.
    Clear sky and angle.
    Great sky-watch!

    Have a lovely day and springtime Sandy.

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  8. I thought your commentary was spot on :D not getting along, I guess, is a universal human plight.

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  9. I love the title and a great shot. Also very interesting post. Cheers, Carver

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  10. Love your perspective on the shot. I bet you're right. We can't even get along... look at congress.

    Lovely silhouettes.

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  11. What a beautiful memorial. Great photo too.

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  12. I agree with Lin, a wonderful composition.

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  13. Hej Sandy

    did u see teh sculpture to the right?at the first moment I thought that was a man.have a nice day

    http://graceolsson.com/blog/2010/03/when-will-winter-end-2/

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  14. good coments and great Historical site.

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  15. A beautifully silhouetted shot with a great perspective!
    Thanks for sharing the history Sandy. Would love to see more of the details.

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  16. Awesome silhouette my friend!!

    Pixellicious Photos

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  17. Lovely rugged silhouette shape against the intense blue of the sky! Enjoyed your commentary behind the monument!

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  18. Charming image with a great light, Sandy! An informative and interesting post.

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  19. Very great shot! And true blue sky. Happy weekend!

    SWF~ Blue sky

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  20. A stirring and provocative photo, Sandy. The sun is at a great angle too.

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  21. What a great composion and beautiful sky

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  22. Wonderful silhouettes.

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  23. Anonymous4:30 PM

    I love the silhouettes here.

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  24. Anonymous4:32 PM

    great silhouettes! i allways liked indian over cowbows. and those angels. in my own way i kinda believe in em. this is just great! :)

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  25. Visiting the Antietam battlefield will give you goose bumps.. Nice post

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  26. You took this shot from a great perspective. And, yes, I wonder what the Native Americans thought about the Civil War.

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  27. Agreed!
    Stunning perspective in this photo.

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  28. Love your perspective and composition Sandy, very interesting too.

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  29. Great shot. Love the composition. Have a blessed weekend.

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  30. Beautiful silhouettes.

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  31. Lovely capture Sandy.

    Please take a peek of my skywatch shots! Have a nice weekend ahead!

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  32. different but very interesting perspective. I like it! :) Happy Skywatch!

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  33. You captured it beautifully, Sandy. Enjoy your weekend.

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  34. You captured the pictures and the story very well. Nice post.

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  35. That's a very interesting point of view.

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  36. Anonymous8:28 PM

    Great capture and what a wonderful sky!

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  37. Great perspective and an interesting history.

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  38. Love your composition in this shot.

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  39. Great composition...
    Thanks for sharing the story :)

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  40. You always show fine perspective in more ways than one. Great shot.

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  41. Great photo - great words.

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  42. Every revolution leaves a trail of blood which shatters families leaving people in dry tears

    Nice composition

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  43. Very nicely composed. Have a nice weekend Sandy, Ev

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  44. Good Day Sandy...
    What a neat post this is... both a great Sky Watch and history to boot...

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  45. Thanks for informative History lessons.

    I watched from TV that there are people interested in re-enacting the war.

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  46. This is a really cool angle.

    Happy Friday!!

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  47. Perfect angle to show such a beautiful monument, and clear sky!

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  48. Lovely shot, thanks for the tour

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  49. What a great prespective, Sandy...very cool !!

    Thank you for posting that link to the slave narratives...really fascinating. I've saved it so I can read the rest.

    I remember arriving in the US, in 1994 and finding it, at the time, rather mind blowing, that around 30 years before hand, segregation still existed. It felt a little surreal..

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  50. Great perspective. I wish I could 'read' what was going through the Indian's mind :-)

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  51. Beautiful cerulean sky above the monument!

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  52. A somber reminder against the blue sky of our history of our injustices and the fight for preservation of our nation. Antietam was a horrific battle and the battlefield is peppered with monuments erected to the units that fought there. It is sobering to walk through those fields today.

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  53. Anonymous4:56 PM

    Lovely blue skies behind your fascinating historic capture ;-)
    Hugs and blessings,

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Thanks for being here.