After having been to Hawaii in January 2012, and knowing I was headed to Minnesota that June to meet up with my brother and cousins to finish settling my Momma’s estate, I knew I was going to have to drive and not fly. I made a big circle, starting in Virginia and going northwest to the Twin Cities. On the way home, I drove south and east with the intent of checking off the last four of the states to visit: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
I had every intent of visiting the Tannehill Ironworks Museum, only to find they were closed for renovation when I got there. The nice docent let me look around at what was under construction, and I of course took a few pictures and purchased an embroidered patch (my niece instigated that collection ten years before…) That night, in Birmingham, I met my financial advisor for dinner. We reviewed reports and speculations on if I’ll ever be able to retire.
Historically speaking, Major John Pelham was from the state of Alabama and left West Point just a few weeks before his graduation. His bravery and tactics earned him the nickname “The Gallant Pelham” after being noticed at the Battle of Fredericksburg by the ANV’s high command. It was said three ladies put on mourning in his honor after the horse artillery commander was killed at the Battle of Kelly’s Ford (March 17, 1863). General Stuart and his wife, Flora, later named their daughter Virginia Pelham Stuart in tribute.
I didn’t go to the actual town of Pelham while I was in Alabama, but I was able to check the state off my list. The alphabetical first was the chronologically last. Number fifty—done.
