Video
#SignatureSunday E Penn. Long
Transcript
Welcome back here at El Morro National Monument. Ranger John here once again with another signature Sunday short. And today, I want to talk about one of the most beautiful inscriptions you'll find out here at El Morro. The inscription of Mr. E. Penn Long of Baltimore from 1859. Now, we know Mr. E. Penn Long was a member of the Camel Corps who passed through here in 1857, as well as in 1859, testing out those 25 camels for the army to see how they would do as pack animals out here in the Southwest. We do know from lengthy history about the Camel Corps that Mr. Beale actually named a small stream over in Arizona after Mr. E. Penn Long. But that's just about all we knew about him. until just a couple of years ago. A ranger took it upon themselves to do a little research into Mr. E. Penn Long. And from that research, I can tell you that Mr. Edwin Pendleton Long was born in 1834. He was the oldest of about four children. His father died at an early age. Now being born in 1834 puts Mr. E. Penn Long at just 25 years old when he leaves his name up here on the side of El Morro. Now this is 1859 when he leaves his name and gets back to Baltimore. and of course, the Civil war is breaking out. And Mr. E. Penn Long did fight in the civil war. Amazingly, he survived the war, and we find his name on the census, not too long after that civil war. And his occupation is listed as a "Stone Mason". So, I would put good money that Mr. E. Penn Long probably made his own beautiful inscription up here as well as a few others that were left along with those Camel Corps guys back in 1859. But another ranger out here is quick to point out that Mr. Breckenridge, (Mr. Peachy Gilmer Breckenridge), also a member of that Camel Corps, had taken calligraphy back in college, as well. Those layers of history, as we dig into them deeper and deeper, all we find are more questions!
Description
What does your signature say about you? Join Ranger John as we look at some of the best penmanship at El Morro National Monument!
Video Description: A ranger stands in front of an elegantly carved, cursive inscription of E. Penn Long. Other, equally artistic inscriptions left by members of the Camel Corps are visible. See Less
Duration
2 minutes, 10 seconds
Credit
John Davis
Date Created
07/08/2020
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