155th Anniversary Battle of West Point, GA April 16, 1865

The 155th Anniversary of the Battle that happened behind our home brought thoughts of peace; a peace that eludes those in the midst of battle. We marked it by remembering what happened on that day. The first shots were fired about 10 a.m. The Griggs Family packed up that morning and went across the Chattahoochee River to shelter with friends. Unlike the original family, I enjoyed coffee at home with my mom and made breakfast for my children. At noon we spoke about the Confederate commanding officer, General Tyler, and how he was shot and killed by noon and that his 2nd in command had taken over. As I handed my son his lunch, we spoke about the Union Calvary that had taken over the house we call home, The Griggs House. Finally, that afternoon my daughter and I walked to the Fort with our puppies in tow. We carried a bag of cleaning supplies to wipe down the historic pathway markers. The Fort was quiet, quieter than usual, because on a day that typically brings reenactors and commemorative musket fire – most people sheltered from a different kind of threat. As I contemplated the day, my thoughts returned to the phrase – God is our peace – Jehovah Shalom. It’s the peace we need, it’s the peace our ancestors needed, it’s for all time.

Cleaning historic pathway markers