5th Wisconsin flag man

My mission is to tour the USA, getting my picture taken. I especially like battlefields and other historical location, but really like my picture taken any place that is interesting, pretty, or cool. My ultimate goal is to go overseas and get my picture taken at some medieval locations.

My name is Albert Foster. I am a veteran of the American Civil War. My family knows somewhat what life as a soldier was like for me from letters that I wrote home that were preserved over the ages. I volunteered to fight as a soldier in the 5th Wisconsin, under the command of General Meade. In one of my letters I told my wife and half grown children that I had re-enlisted and planned on re-enlisting until I was "dead or this great atrocity is over." 
I would especially like to get my picture taken at Marye's Heights of Chancellorsville because I fought in that battle. Here is an excerpt of one of my letters detailing my account of that battle.

"About 12:00 at night, was ordered up and marched about two and a half hours and day-light found us again like Uriah, in the front line of battle, before the great Rebel Slaughter Pen, with 2 or 3 lines in our rear. I speak now of the Light Division which seems to have been selected for the most daring and dangerous position. It was now evident that a charge was to be made, with the light division in front. But to complete the arraignments 5 companies were needed to form a skirmish line and 3 apart. These were selected from the 5th Wisconsin. The charge was made successfully, and in 11 minutes it is said we lost 1800 men. The 5 next to me on the left fell in a space less than 10 feet square, all killed but one. He was shot through the bowells and died in about 2 hours. The 2nd, 3rd, and 5th on the right also fell. We pursued the enemy about 4 miles that day, when they received heavy reinforcements and made a stand about 6:00 P.M. A great battle ensued which lasted till dark in the next day.
We had the whole Richmond Army to contend with and were almost surrounded and obliged to fall back across the river." 

I used the term "the great rebel slaughter pen" because the hill had been given that nickname from an attempt to take it back in December. At that time General Burnside lost over 5000 men trying to take that hill. The day we took it the enemy forces of Marye's Heights consisted of a battery in front of the heights above, with a battery on the left, and two other batteries on the right which could pour a crossfire into the attacking force. In front of the right wing was a gentle slope, on ascending which, the force became fully exposed to the fire of the enemy, and at about 450 yards in front of their starting point was a stone wall (in the picture) forming one side of a cross road, behind which the enemy had placed a regiment or two of sharpshooters. Beyond the wall the hill rose very steep on top of which was the battery and rifle pits which the light division were ordered to take. Two regiments were to advance up a road to the right in order to draw the fire of the enemy when the charge was being made.
Before the charge Colonial Allen addressed us saying "Boys! You see those heights! you have got to take them, you think you cannot do it, but you can! You will do it! When the order "Forward" is given you will start at double quick- you will not fire a gun- you will not stop until you get the order to halt! And you will never get that order!
When the order was given we did it and double timed it up the hill. We advanced up the slope while shot, shell and canister tore through our ranks, without stopping to return a shot we rushed on. about 100 yards from the stone wall the sharpshooters tore into us. When we reached the wall we bayoneted some of our foes and the rest scattered. We continued on up the steep pitch and into the enemies works at the top and took possession of the hill and battery.
When the commander surrendered his sword to Colonial Allen, he complimented him for his daring and the bravery of his men.

The assault on Marye's Hill has been considered as one of the most gallant acts of the war. We succeeded where thousands had failed just a few months before.

My family started this travel bug in my honor, and in honor of all vets. Please keep me going, and please post pictures.

To start things out I am kicking off my journey in Bonney Lake WA which had a little know Indian battle take place. On October 27, 1856 Indians lay in ambush and killed Lt. McAllister and Michael Connell of the US calvary. They were on their way from fort Stellacoom to fort Walla Walla.

From there I will be staying in a new cache my owner placed up in the Cascade mountains at the base of a strenous hike to a fire lookout station.