Blog Post: June 30

Today we spent time at the Virginia Military Institute and learned about the sacrifices made by the VMI cadets at the Battle of New Market. Campers then explored Harpers Ferry, WVA before camping for the night. Here is what our campers had to say about their experiences:

Maria S.
Today we stopped at VMI. I was amazed at how big it was. We walked through the museum and saw pictures of cadets. It was utterly amazing.

The cadets might have thought it was exciting to fight but before the fight they might have been scared. The cadets really risked their lives. No matter how much you think you can do something, you might have second thoughts about it.

The letters that the soldiers wrote are like our blog posts because they describe feelings and events that are happening during that time. It will help people in the future understand why/when and how you feel at that time.

I have enjoyed this camp a lot. We have been to so many interesting sites. My favorite so far is the St. Louis Arch. I have learned about many different challenges that the Civil War soldiers have faced, including mis-communications, diseases and sickness, poor weather conditions and bad ammunition. I have even been able to experience how the soldiers camped out in various places. I saw how bugs might have not scared them as much as they scared me -- the soldiers had a lot worse things to fear than bugs.

After this trip is over, I will want to see more re-enactments, more historical landmarks and many more important places.

Erika
My experience at VMI was one that I will never forget. I saw many interesting and very architecturally interesting buildings. I also got to watch part of a man's "graduation" because he was finished with his time at VMI and was going to war. It was an amazing experience. I think that some of the cadets at the Battle of New Market were thinking "I'm going to die!" and some were thinking about strategy and some were thinking about how they were going to win. I also think that there were some other miscellaneous thoughts. I imagine that the sacrifices given by the cadets were big. Without maybe one less person's death it would have have turned out the way it did. The letters written and received are like the blog page because on both, the loved ones at home see what we're doing and make sure we're okay.

Eledina
At VMI, I was sad to learn about the cadets that died. I think while on the battlefield, the soldiers thought about their families back home. Those who fought at the Battle of New Market made scarifies that were both brave and strong.

Brittnee
My experiences at the VMI was exciting! If I was a VMI cadet I would be scared to death at the Battle of New Market and I think that's how the cadets felt too. The sacrifice made by the VMI cades is something I would never be able to do. I would be afraid I would never see my family again. Although being a part of history would be amazing. Our blog posts are similar to the letters written by the cadets because they both involve deep feeling and thought.

Heaven T.
At VMI I saw Moe the Mascot and Stonewall Jackson's hair. At the Battle of New Market, I think the cadets were ready to fight for their country and their beliefs. I think they were very brave. Our blog posts are just like their letters because they are both written to family.

Cheyene M.
My experience at the VMI was amazing. It was really cool looking at all of the artifacts and buildings. I think that the cadets were nervous before the battle but ready to fight for their country. I think the sacrifices made by the cadets were very brave. The sacrifices they made are very important no matter what side they were on. the letters that we send and receive are similar to the soldiers' letters because they say similar things such as how they are feeling and what they did that day.

Katie
At the VMI, we went through the museum that had Stonewall Jackson's stuffed horse, Sorrel. I think that the cadets were very excited to be in the Battle of New Market, not ever having experienced the horrors of battle. I think these cadets made a huge sacrifice because they gave their lives. I think we need to be thinking would WE die for anyone or any country or state? Our blogs are like Civil War soldiers' letters because we're sending notes home just like they did when they were on the march. The only thing different is that our trip is not as difficult.

Taylor R.
My experience at the VMI was amazing. I liked the museum a lot. I took lots of pictures and notes on the interesting things that I learned. I think that the VMI cadets thought that they were not going to be doing much at the Battle of New Market but instead they worked on the front lines of the battle. I think that the sacrifices made by the VMI cadets were made out of a passion for their country -- a country they were willing to die for. This means that we should honor them and tell their story to other people so that they can honor them. The ways that the letters the VMI cadets wrote and our blog posts are the same is that both are telling people back home about what they are doing and the other person is replying to it. They are both ways that people can keep in touch.

Madi B.
VMI was fun. We got to see a lot of historical things. I think the VMI cadets were thinking about their friends and family and saying their prayers as they went to the Battle of New Market. I think that their sacrifices at that battle were very big. Their letters and our blog posts are similar because we are both communicating in a way that works for us and the people we are writing to.

Jensen M.
The VMI was very neat. The museum was very interesting. My favorite part was the Stonewall Jackson exhibit. We even saw a man becoming an officer. It was awesome! At the Battle of New Market, the VMI cadets were undoubtedly scared. They had never fought in a battle and they didn't know if they were going to come out alive. These cadets sacrificed everything: lives, families and friends. It shows us that the smallest sacrifice can make a difference. They sacrificed something huge, bt we can all make a difference, no matter how big or small a sacrifice. Just like the VMI cadets told of their days and how the war was through their letters, we tell where we are, what we are doing and how much fun we are having through our blog.

Lissette D.
My experiences at the VMI were awesome. Also it was cool seeing the museum -- I loved the museum. As the VMI cadets began marching to the Battle of New Market, I think they thought to themselves, "what am I doing?" and I think they were scared. I think the sacrifices the cadets made are very hard because it's hard for me to give up something I love. They went and fought in the Civil War which made them a part of history. The letters the Civil War soldiers wrote and received from home and the blog posts that I have been writing are similar because both are sending and receiving messages.

Jessee K.
My experience at the VMI was fun and fascinating. I think that the VMI cadets had a good attitude as they began marching to the Battle of New Market. I think they thought they would win the battle. I think it was very brave for them to stand up with their friends and go into battle. Their letters and our blogs are similar because our families can keep in touch with us.

Jade T.
VMI was interesting and fascinating! I think the VMI cadets were scared and excited as they marched to the Battle of New Market. The cadets' sacrifices were very scary and brave. I think I would stand up for my country if I needed to. Our blogs are similar to the VMI cadets' letters because both tell families that we are okay and catch them up on what is happening.

Sissi
At VMI, we weren't there very long, but while we were there, I saw a man being commissioned as an officer to go to war, which made me sad. I would never be able to leave my family and friends. Before the VMI cadets went to the Battle of New Market, I think they felt scared because they might die. Our blogs are similar to the VMI cadets' letters because both are written to loved ones.

Skyler
VMI was fun and exciting. It took lots of pictures and learned that the VMI cadets were in the Civil War. I think the cadets believed they would have to face the war sometime. If the war had kept going, they would have been in it eventually.

Pilar D.
My experience at the VMI was a new experience. I liked all of the artifacts in the museum. I think the cadets who fought at the Battle of New Market were very brave. Both our blogs and the letters Civil War soldiers wrote tell our families how we are feeling about our experiences.

Devyn
At VMI I was very excited and sad all at the same time. I liked the museum. I think the VMI cadets were scared before the Battle of New Market because they were going to miss their families and friends. I also think they were excited to be going to war. Blogging is the same as writing letters home because we send them to our families and they send us something back. We tell them how we miss them and let them know we are okay.

Lorie S.
My experience at VMI was interesting! I would think that the VMI cadets would be excited before going off to the Battle of New Market but that they would still be scared because it was their first battle. Letters and blogs are aline because it is a good way to communicate and tell others what is going on.

Coleton B.
VMI was fun. I liked the display with all the different graduation rings. I think the VMI cadets were scared of dying before they were in the Battle of New Market. I also think they were very brave for fighting.

Dalton B.
At VMI I thought it was cool and exciting to be in a place with that much history. The VMI cadets were probably wondering if they were going to make it through the Battle of New Market or not. Both our blogs and their letters are similar because we are writing to our parents back home.

Kevin
I think the VMI cadets were worried about if they would make it through the Battle of New Market to come home to their family and friends. Our blogs and their letters are similar because they're both short and use the slang of the day to communicate.

Lanny M.
I thought VMI was very cool. The cadets who fought at the Battle of New Market probably thought they would die a hero. I thought they were very brave.

Chris B.
I thought VMI was amazing! I don't know what I did to deserve coming on this trip but it must have been something good. I think the VMI cadets had it hard at the Battle of New Market because they had to march miles and miles in a day in any weather and might not get enough sleep. Their sacrifices were very brave.

Will
VMI was cool and exciting! The VMI cadets were probably worried at the Battle of New Market because they had never been through a battle before. I think the cadets had hard sacrifices to make.

Jared E.
VMI was very cool because I knew famous people were there, like Stonewall Jackson. I think the VMI cadets were wondering if they would die before the Battle of New Market. Both our blog posts and the cadets' letters describe what we think and feel.

Tristan H.
I thought VMI was cool and very big. I think the VMI cadets were think that they didn't want to die and that they missed their families before they went into the Battle of New Market. I think they were very brave to sacrifice their lives for their country.

Issac B.
VMI was cool and they have a great collection of class rings. I think the VMI cadets were scared and nervous before they went into the Battle of New Market. I think they did something very brave to defend what they believed in. Our blogs are similar to their letters because both go out to our families and they answer back.

Joe K.
At VMI I was able to experience a functioning military school. I think some thoughts that were going through the minds of the VMI cadets at the Battle of New Market were "am I going to die?" and "will my family be affected?" I think they were very brave.

Owen C.
At VMI, I was amazed. I think the cadets were scared and excited before the Battle of New Market. Both our blogs and their letters go to our families.

Bennett T.
VMI was very interesting. I never knew that there was another military institute other than West Point. I think the cadets were thinking two things before the Battle of New Market: "We've got to help the Confederacy" and "I hope I get to see my mother." Our blogs are similar to their letters because both update you on the events going on back home and make you a little homesick, too.