Flea Markets and Battlefields

 We started our day with some flea
market hopping and I scored big!

This beautiful Bakelite bracelet, in my favourite colour, 

a vintage tobacco tin and two cool little decorative finials.

But the coup de grace - two vintage locker baskets 

with the number tags still attached!

Then a quick lunch and we spent the afternoon at the

Wilson's Creek Battlefield, 10 miles southwest of Springfield.

The second major battle of the Civil War

 took place here on August 10 1861.

The Confederacy won the battle and
 this was influential in Missouri's decision to
support the Rebels during the 5 year long conflict. 

It was strange to stand on the steps of the old 

Ray House and look out over the battlefield.

Today, 152 years later, the sound of cannon fire
 and cry of human suffering has been replaced by the

clatter of cicadas and the sussuration of the summer breeze.