The 14th Ohio Volunteer Infantry marched from Farnsworth to Providence Metropark on June 4, 2005 and returned the following day after campaigning overnight near the river. This march will forever be known as the "Minton Death March". The distance of 7.5 miles in each direction was performed in full gear including bed rolls, weapons and knapsacks. With temperatures in the mid-eighties and high humidity, the troops gained a new respect for what the Civil War soldier endured day after day and year after year. Just about everyone suffered from sore feet and muscles, dehydration, blisters, and fatigue. Providence never looked so good as it did on Saturday evening. Then out of the blue, came the angels with their baskets of goodies just in the nick of time. God bless them both!
Three days after enduring this march, I viewed a program on The History Channel about the battle of Gettysburg. The announcer was discussing the action at Little Round Top on day two of the battle. The 15th Alabama had arisen at three o'clock in the morning and marched almost 25 miles with little water. The 15th then assaulted the 20th Maine position on Little Round Top. It's little wonder that the position could not be taken.
