I live in Pittsburgh and have driven by the site of the former Arsenal (now Arsenal Park) countless times, and had known simply “of” the explosion without ever having learned any of the details. Thank you HG for this in-depth and honorable lesson in history that deserves to be remembered.
Right on Paul. I was feeling the same way watching the video. I even paused the video with each set of victims names. As you perfectly stated, "Thank you HG for this in-depth and honorable lesson in history that deserves to be remembered." It's sad that, in my adult life as a little league coach, often at Arsenal Park, looking back on it now, some of the Lawrenceville kids I coached have last names that I saw on this list. I would guess there are some descendants among those children. It's a very tight knit neighborhood.
@@lemmdus2119 The area where the arsenal was is very large and has been built up and rebuilt up during the late 1800s early 1900s. And continuing till today, with an overpriced, yet architecturally HIDEOUS condo/retail development on Butler street recently foisted upon my vision. It's a good chunk of an entire urban neighborhood! Many buildings have come and gone just since 1900 (let alone 1862!) in this area. The best possible chances at finding ANYTHING from the 1860's, would perhaps be in Arsenal Park, of the field of Arsenal School.
@@revmo37 It's actually VERY likely that at least a few ARE decedents, as Pittsburgh families are known to "stay put" for generations. I have seen my great-great grandparents and great grandparents (on my mother's side) houses on property maps and other documents (in Millvale, Etna and Sharpsburg) going back to the 1880s. (two of the houses are still standing!) Even though I, myself may live Wayyyy over on the North Side, My sister lives in Sharpsburg, continuing a legacy going back 140 years! ,👍😊👍
The way you honor the victims of forgotten history and shine a light on their lives is truly commendable. Thank you for your indomitable drive to share the Truth of the past to (hopefully) instill perspective on our future.
Lance's compassion towards all of our (almost) forgotten history is the reason his channel drew me in as a subscriber the first time i watched one of his videos.
As a Pittsburgh native, I remember coming across the 1928 memorial in a local cemetery and wondering how I'd never knew of it. Now I know why. Thank you. Thank you so much. I will continue to tell the story even more often now that I know even more context and details.
Seeing your note confirms what I said in my post....Local education skipped this little part of our local history. Kind of sad, actually (not a comment on current education as I am a child of the 60's - 70's) There is so much that occurred in Western PA that we probably don't know.
@Jeff Mikula, are you still in Pittsburgh? Some use 'native' as born & raised but no longer in the area. I'm about 90 minutes SW but attended school & lived there a few years. I always had questions but didn't take time to research....like many of us daily life took over rather than seeking truth. Our history hidden from us has been done before Will be again, history is being destroyed as we speak Won't type it all but Ecclesiastes simplified ".... what has been done will be again, that which has been is that which shall be .... There is nothing new under the sun... It fits into countless aspects of our lives... it's basically good against evil... I regret not asking questions all those years ago, talking to elderly to find their knowledge (& just to spend time with those neglected by family :-( Peace & Blessings to you & family 🕯️
@@budmatto9205 History has hidden more than this. There's much more we can find out, not just local HIDDEN history Our public Rockefeller created public school system was created to hide America's history & worldwide. It's been so whitewashed, changed & hidden. So many ancient ruins found in America have been destroyed or their origin - LIES.. I appreciate this channel creator, his research has helped open the eyes of many to hidden & subverted history 👍 God bless 🕯️✨🕯️
@@jayizzett Many people blame the "Boomer" generation. To be fair, they didn't have access to Internet, just radio & several mainstream media news channels... There's a 70s song, a line goes something like .....every generation 🎶 blames the one before ..🎶 I've said way to much in this comment section. ☺️too much espresso☕☕☕ or a subject that is interesting, informative & larger than the subject discussed.. God bless 🕯️✨🕯️
Your kind rememberance of the children killed at the arms factory is touching. You have provided a clear background of the common use of young girls to load bullets with powder. Good story.
This kind of history chokes you up. Those poor kids were only trying to help their families through hard times. Help their families eat. This was their reward.
My ancestor, Mary Dripps lost her life there that fateful day. She was 14 years old. She was buried along with the other bodies that could not be identified (or more accurately, the pieces of bodies and clothing) in that hole, with the black stone etched with their names. My mothers family had a large Bible with her families history, and relevant dates marked inside. Mary Dripps’ father lost his life several weeks later in the war. It’s unknown if he knew his daughter perished in the Arsenal explosion, but her mother, grief-stricken moved back in with her father at his Squirrel Hill farm (both towns are now neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, just a couple miles apart). Thank you for creating this video record. You are right, so many people have forgotten this tragedy; sadly, even many Pittsburghers. Only very recently has interest in this story reemerged. Rest In Peace little Mary, your family still remembers you.
Thanks for this episode! I lost 2 relatives in the explosion, Mary and Agnes Davison. 18 and 16 years old. Davison street ends perpendicular to 40th street half way up the hill.
As a native of the Pittsburgh area, I truly appreciate this episode. Like many things, as time moves on, awareness fades or even disappears. I don't recall hearing of this when I was in school in the late 60's / early 70's even though it occurred only a few miles away. I know that there was a part of town named "Arsenal" but did not know why..... Now I do and I thank you for that....
You sir are a master story teller. Your voice is like a fine tool that you use to change emotion for the listener to wrap them up in the story and humanity of the history. I wish all history teachers could all tell a story like you. Thank you
As THG said, this is something I had never heard about, as is the case with most people. It broke my heart to see how many families were devastated by their losses that day.
I grew up in Pittsburgh and have never heard the story of the neighborhood. I even went to school at Washington PolyTech, which was directly across the street of Arsenal Middle school, which was the former Arsenal High School, which was this former site. We were always told about the namesake of our school, but little was ever mentioned about the rest of the community. So much forgotten history to be explored, and this is why I am a subscriber :)
Went to Washington Polytech as well in the early 90's. Edit- They told us about the explosion & that Arsenal school had walls extremely thick because it was an originally an Arsenal. What we found out from other people & ourselves lol... Washington Polytech in the basement & believe it or not, behind the lockers on the bottom floor, has passage ways that led to tunnels that reportedly connected it all at one point. They led to a secret passage that led to the river so if escape needed to happen you had a way to get to your boat & leave in a hurry. Yes kids broke into these tunnels & went down in them on the bottom floor but didn't get very far because they were sort of caved in. My locker was on the bottom floor. One day my friend goes "You won't believe this but the back of my locker came off & there's a cavern back there". Yep after woodshop class we looked & there was a damn cavern behind the missing wall of his locker. So many kids went into those tunnels they had a taking to everybody about the danger & what those tunnels were so that nobody else would try going into them. My friends locker became so famous they permanently locked it & moved his locker lol. Also you might be interested that Allegheny Cemetery has a grave named, & I'm not kidding, 'Grant's Tomb' & you can go to it this very day... It's NOT an actual grave. It's another escape route that reportedly led to the river. The locals of the time reportedly all knew if you had to flee Lawrenceville get to Grant's Tomb & follow the tunnels. Now Grant's Tomb is bricked up & you can't enter BUT I've been in there before they did so & yes it was tunnels. Friend's of mine went way into them saying there's still items in there from that time period but that they're heavily flooded. So as crazy as that all is off you didn't know any better you'd pass Grant's Tomb, see it bricked off & think it's some normal Tomb & never know that was a serious escape route. Pass Washington Polytech & not know it connects underground to Arsenal & to the river.
I grew up in Pittsburgh and drove by the Allegheny Arsenal many times for many years. I did not know the story until now. Thank you sir for keeping the names alive of those who perished in this tragedy. It is only by understanding what happened, and honoring those who sacrificed, that we can improve.
I ride my bicycle touring the C&O Canal which runs close to the battle grounds of Antietam. I always get this solemn feeling there, knowing that so many young people lost thier lives in one day! The History Guy brings home another event to be remembered, and I had no idea that such a horrific tradgedy took place. I got that same solemn feeling watching this video, knowing that these children died so violently just like the soldiers of the civil war. Thanks for such in depth historical videos!!
The way you talk about the victims, like you knew each one, personally, is incredibly touching and much appreciated. It helps remind me that history is made up of real people, so thank you.
Interesting and thank you. It might interest you to know that there was a similar disaster in Jackson, Mississippi November 5th 1862 at the Confederate arsenal where around 40, mostly women and children were killed. They were buried in an unknown mass grave
There waa a major magazine explosion above Mobile a few weeks after the city surrendered. The explosion reached downtown seven miles away. Most of the casualties were african americans, from the Africatown area, used by general Canby's Union Army to stack torpedos and shells, as well as USCT guarding the facility. I don't recall how many died, civilian and military.
The wrap up section of History Guy videos are usually my favorite part. It is when the event is shown why it matters. This wrap up was so poignant, so well said, I was completely caught breathless. Thank you for a magnificent video.
I just forwarded this link to my brother - who lived in the area for a couple decades and now again is retired there. I doubt that he ever heard of this disaster. I hadn't either. Thanks for remembering it.
The sad irony of war is that the people that start wars and profit from the conflict are not the ones who suffer and perish. I had no idea that child labor was that extensive. I grieve over such suffering and tragedy.
There's a school on the site now. A few years ago it had to be closed for a couple of weeks because they discovered unexploded 160 year old shells while digging for new construction.
@@ralphgesler5110 you have to wonder how much teachers WANT to tell these kinds of stories, but are limited by class time and approved curricula. I had one terrible history teacher who actually hated kids, but there were many others who loved the subject.
Of all the History Guy episodes presented, this is, by far, the most meaningful and tender. I am grateful for the time and care that is given to those who deserve to be remembered.
This video brought tears to my eyes. Your treatment of the story truly shows the horrors of that terrible conflict, and your compassion for the victims lost so long ago. Thank you and Bravo.
What a terrible day in a terrible war. And, just like you said, I remember Antietam being lightly covered in a high School American history class, but of course, there was no mention of the tragedy at the Allegheny munitions factory. Thank you, THG, for the education and enlightenment, as always.
150 years later this beautiful man remebered the losses of this poor girls and boys that were victims of the savage times in witch they lived. And me a total stranger almost 2 centuries later found out about them and remembered them R.I.P. dear children
I too grew up in Pittsburgh. I know where Arsenal is, but until now I confess my ignorance of the history of it, and that time. Thanks for bringing this to our remembrance again.
What a horrible day in American history. Excellent job telling the story. While listening, you made it feel like it happened yesterday. I grew up South of the city and did not know about this catastrophe. Thank You.
I'm glad you posted this. I grew up in Pittsburgh and I never knew this. We went to Arsenal Park to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July. Most people in Pittsburgh don't know this.
What I like most about you retelling these sad tales is that you take the time to honor the dead. Many historians brush past that, so I'm thankful that you don't.
Thank you for remembering the victims of a little known disaster. They did deserve to be remembered 😔 I learned about the dangers of black powder some 64 years ago. From then on, I always treated it with respect...
Yet another event that I had never heard of. Excellent video THG and a shout out to Heidi for locating so many historical documents and old photographs.
@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Well, good on you then instead. But I am still going to give a shout out to your wife, to Carolyn, and to your son as well for all of their efforts that allow us to watch your wonderful videos.
@@stevedietrich8936 yeah I'm digging his son's added commentary on the podcast, it kind of gives you some insight into the home life of a total history nerd.
I used to love going for walks in the cemetery on weekends. It's a beautiful place with lots of history. Excellent video. Thanks for shining light on a little known Pittsburgh tragedy.
Always a bright point in my week, your productions. I'd forgotten how much I like History until I ran into your channel during quarantine. Thanks for what you and the others at THG do! ❤
Sometimes I don’t think a story will be as interesting as others but half way through I’m glued to my screen! Thanks history guy for capturing these moments in time that deserves to be remembered. And God bless
Amazing that I have spent almost my entire life here in the Pittsburgh area and have never heard of this. Thank you for bringing this tragedy back to light.
Both of my parents lived near Arsenal Park, and our store was on the 5100 block of Butler St. in Lawrenceville. I passed this site for years and I never knew the full story, thanks..
Thank you History Guy. As always you’ve provided an excellent video . I don’t know if you take suggestions, and don’t know if you’ve already covered this particular organization, but perhaps an episode which covers the history of OSHA would be timely.
Thank you for this. I understand how this tragedy was overshadowed. It is great that you present it here so those killed can be remembered along with all the other brave souls who died to keep our country united.
Thankts for covering this. We live in the Pittsburgh area & my dad used to tell us about this horrible place, but never with this kind of detail. It's another example of the folly of our relentless pursuit of "more", regardless of the cost. Western Pennsylvania, and i'm sure way too many places are littered with plaques and monuments to the victims, and the perpetrators, of man's progress but we all are too busy ri take the time to look, see, & learn. Your efforts through this channel is a great resource and tribute to those who should, as you say, be remembered.
You did an outstanding job reporting on such a tragic incident. It’s hard to think of children working in such a hazardous environment, and for such minimal pay. It really makes you appreciate what you have.
I never really thought of weapons factories employing kids during the civil war. It's like, child workers were a thing but the idea of kids making weapons felt distant until now. Thanks for opening my brain
"A single death is a tragedy, a million deaths are a statistic." - J. Stalin. A brutal observation but so true. We oft forget the individual tragedies in the statistics of a mass death.
I certainly won't ever forget these victims after this history lesson. I have recently been studying the Civil War, and revisiting the battles, trying to commit some dates and places to memory. I haven't heard a word about this tragedy.
Just want to say I've been watching you and Ms. History for a long time and I absolutely love your videos! Thank you for always putting out great content in a respectful and thorough manner!
This may be your best video ever. So much more emotion and so much less aloofness. MY meaningless opinion is that I think you should dive in more like this to help tell the story and carry it to the viewer. Good work here. This story was a horrible tragedy that I have never heard about and I read a lot of Civil War history. Thank you for finding and sharing.
Lance, I regularly share your videos with my 85 year old father, who is a New York City native, but comes from Pennsylvania Dutch stock -- we know that we are directly descended from a drummer boy who participated in hand-to-hand combat on the battlefield at Gettysburg at the tender age of thirteen and lived to tell the tale. My dad's reaction to this video was, "Has he ever done a show about the "Molly Maguires"? When I was a kid visiting my cousins in Pottsville, if we kids ever asked about the Molly Maguires the room would go totally silent and then the subject was instantly and loudly changed. Even in the 1940's during WW2, the adults were still scared to talk about it."
Indeed peoples names need to be remembered even in times of war . Thank you for remembering these ' forgotten people ' who were never forgotten by their friends and family. Your videos are always well researched, compassionate and extremely well presented in a respectful manner . I hope you continue to swim against the tide of apathy , disrespect and lack of compassion for our recent and past forebears. Greetings from The Mother Country ( Derby, England. )
There is just so much history connected with Western Pennsylvania that it is difficult to teach it all. I live probably 80 miles north of Lawrenceville and just in my small rural area the amount of history is mind boggling. We are literally called the "Valley that changed the world" up here and for good reason. Sometimes incidents like this just fall through the cracks. It is great that The History Guy is bringing these stories to light again.
I live in Pittsburgh and have driven by the site of the former Arsenal (now Arsenal Park) countless times, and had known simply “of” the explosion without ever having learned any of the details. Thank you HG for this in-depth and honorable lesson in history that deserves to be remembered.
Right on Paul. I was feeling the same way watching the video. I even paused the video with each set of victims names. As you perfectly stated, "Thank you HG for this in-depth and honorable lesson in history that deserves to be remembered." It's sad that, in my adult life as a little league coach, often at Arsenal Park, looking back on it now, some of the Lawrenceville kids I coached have last names that I saw on this list. I would guess there are some descendants among those children. It's a very tight knit neighborhood.
I’ve driven by there a number of times and been inside once during an “open streets” day. I never heard of this explosion until HG.
Would be interesting to metal detect there.
@@lemmdus2119 The area where the arsenal was is very large and has been built up and rebuilt up during the late 1800s early 1900s. And continuing till today, with an overpriced, yet architecturally HIDEOUS condo/retail development on Butler street recently foisted upon my vision. It's a good chunk of an entire urban neighborhood! Many buildings have come and gone just since 1900 (let alone 1862!) in this area. The best possible chances at finding ANYTHING from the 1860's, would perhaps be in Arsenal Park, of the field of Arsenal School.
@@revmo37 It's actually VERY likely that at least a few ARE decedents, as Pittsburgh families are known to "stay put" for generations. I have seen my great-great grandparents and great grandparents (on my mother's side) houses on property maps and other documents (in Millvale, Etna and Sharpsburg) going back to the 1880s. (two of the houses are still standing!) Even though I, myself may live Wayyyy over on the North Side, My sister lives in Sharpsburg, continuing a legacy going back 140 years! ,👍😊👍
The way you honor the victims of forgotten history and shine a light on their lives is truly commendable. Thank you for your indomitable drive to share the Truth of the past to (hopefully) instill perspective on our future.
Lance's compassion towards all of our (almost) forgotten history is the reason his channel drew me in as a subscriber the first time i watched one of his videos.
OORAH! Well said.
As a Pittsburgh native, I remember coming across the 1928 memorial in a local cemetery and wondering how I'd never knew of it. Now I know why. Thank you. Thank you so much. I will continue to tell the story even more often now that I know even more context and details.
That is our mistake. Not challenging anything we are told. We just accept and share
Seeing your note confirms what I said in my post....Local education skipped this little part of our local history. Kind of sad, actually (not a comment on current education as I am a child of the 60's - 70's) There is so much that occurred in Western PA that we probably don't know.
@Jeff Mikula, are you still in Pittsburgh? Some use 'native' as born & raised but no longer in the area.
I'm about 90 minutes SW but attended school & lived there a few years.
I always had questions but didn't take time to research....like many of us daily life took over rather than seeking truth.
Our history hidden from us has been done before
Will be again, history is being destroyed as we speak
Won't type it all but Ecclesiastes simplified
".... what has been done will be again, that which has been is that which shall be ....
There is nothing new under the sun...
It fits into countless aspects of our lives...
it's basically good against evil...
I regret not asking questions all those years ago, talking to elderly to find their knowledge
(& just to spend time with those neglected by family :-(
Peace & Blessings to you & family 🕯️
@@budmatto9205
History has hidden more than this. There's much more we can find out, not just local HIDDEN history
Our public Rockefeller created public school system was created to hide America's history & worldwide.
It's been so whitewashed, changed & hidden.
So many ancient ruins found in America have been destroyed or their origin - LIES..
I appreciate this channel creator, his research has helped open the eyes of many to hidden & subverted history 👍
God bless 🕯️✨🕯️
@@jayizzett
Many people blame the "Boomer" generation. To be fair, they didn't have access to Internet, just radio & several mainstream media news channels...
There's a 70s song, a line goes something like
.....every generation 🎶
blames the one before
..🎶
I've said way to much in this comment section.
☺️too much espresso☕☕☕ or a subject that is interesting, informative & larger than the subject discussed..
God bless 🕯️✨🕯️
There are very few people who can tell a terrible story, in a way that makes you desire to stay, till it's end is told. Well done.
Your kind rememberance of the children killed at the arms factory is touching. You have provided a clear background of the common use of young girls to load bullets with powder. Good story.
This kind of history chokes you up.
Those poor kids were only trying to help their families through hard times. Help their families eat.
This was their reward.
My ancestor, Mary Dripps lost her life there that fateful day. She was 14 years old. She was buried along with the other bodies that could not be identified (or more accurately, the pieces of bodies and clothing) in that hole, with the black stone etched with their names. My mothers family had a large Bible with her families history, and relevant dates marked inside. Mary Dripps’ father lost his life several weeks later in the war.
It’s unknown if he knew his daughter perished in the Arsenal explosion, but her mother, grief-stricken moved back in with her father at his Squirrel Hill farm (both towns are now neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, just a couple miles apart).
Thank you for creating this video record. You are right, so many people have forgotten this tragedy; sadly, even many Pittsburghers. Only very recently has interest in this story reemerged.
Rest In Peace little Mary, your family still remembers you.
She gave birth to your ancestor at 14? Prob not so she would not be a ancestor. realated but not directly
Thanks for this episode! I lost 2 relatives in the explosion, Mary and Agnes Davison. 18 and 16 years old. Davison street ends perpendicular to 40th street half way up the hill.
The Agnes M Davison mentioned @15:35?
I live on 42nd street. A block up from Davison. Prayers for your relatives Ted.
I appreciated that you listed the names of the victims of this terrible tragedy. Thank you for honoring their memory.
I paused each page and said each name aloud. Helps bring it home.
As a native of the Pittsburgh area, I truly appreciate this episode. Like many things, as time moves on, awareness fades or even disappears. I don't recall hearing of this when I was in school in the late 60's / early 70's even though it occurred only a few miles away. I know that there was a part of town named "Arsenal" but did not know why..... Now I do and I thank you for that....
Pass on is story to your neighbors.
We DID learn of this in school (early 1970's Swissvale, PA) I guess it depended on how interested the teachers were in local history.
What DO they teach in schools these days...?
@@spacewater7 not history nor science.
Thank you once again for putting such a human face on history.
I loved your final comment and muster roll of the lost. You always do a great job. God bless.
One of your best. The ending was beautifully written.
"The ending was beautifully written." And indeed, it was.
You sir are a master story teller. Your voice is like a fine tool that you use to change emotion for the listener to wrap them up in the story and humanity of the history.
I wish all history teachers could all tell a story like you. Thank you
As THG said, this is something I had never heard about, as is the case with most people. It broke my heart to see how many families were devastated by their losses that day.
Thank you for honoring those lost.
I can't say I ever recall hearing about this - such a tragedy truly does deserve to be remembered.
I live in Central PA and never heard of it. Thank you! I need to find that memorial!
Incredibly nice touch adding the names of the dead. Thanks so much.
I grew up in Pittsburgh and have never heard the story of the neighborhood. I even went to school at Washington PolyTech, which was directly across the street of Arsenal Middle school, which was the former Arsenal High School, which was this former site. We were always told about the namesake of our school, but little was ever mentioned about the rest of the community. So much forgotten history to be explored, and this is why I am a subscriber :)
We used to bus to Washington for shop classes from St. Paul's in Oakland in elementary school. Of course this was late 60's, early 70's
Went to Washington Polytech as well in the early 90's.
Edit-
They told us about the explosion & that Arsenal school had walls extremely thick because it was an originally an Arsenal.
What we found out from other people & ourselves lol...
Washington Polytech in the basement & believe it or not, behind the lockers on the bottom floor, has passage ways that led to tunnels that reportedly connected it all at one point.
They led to a secret passage that led to the river so if escape needed to happen you had a way to get to your boat & leave in a hurry.
Yes kids broke into these tunnels & went down in them on the bottom floor but didn't get very far because they were sort of caved in.
My locker was on the bottom floor. One day my friend goes "You won't believe this but the back of my locker came off & there's a cavern back there". Yep after woodshop class we looked & there was a damn cavern behind the missing wall of his locker.
So many kids went into those tunnels they had a taking to everybody about the danger & what those tunnels were so that nobody else would try going into them. My friends locker became so famous they permanently locked it & moved his locker lol.
Also you might be interested that Allegheny Cemetery has a grave named, & I'm not kidding, 'Grant's Tomb' & you can go to it this very day... It's NOT an actual grave. It's another escape route that reportedly led to the river. The locals of the time reportedly all knew if you had to flee Lawrenceville get to Grant's Tomb & follow the tunnels.
Now Grant's Tomb is bricked up & you can't enter BUT I've been in there before they did so & yes it was tunnels. Friend's of mine went way into them saying there's still items in there from that time period but that they're heavily flooded.
So as crazy as that all is off you didn't know any better you'd pass Grant's Tomb, see it bricked off & think it's some normal Tomb & never know that was a serious escape route.
Pass Washington Polytech & not know it connects underground to Arsenal & to the river.
I grew up in Pittsburgh and drove by the Allegheny Arsenal many times for many years. I did not know the story until now. Thank you sir for keeping the names alive of those who perished in this tragedy. It is only by understanding what happened, and honoring those who sacrificed, that we can improve.
I ride my bicycle touring the C&O Canal which runs close to the battle grounds of Antietam. I always get this solemn feeling there, knowing that so many young people lost thier lives in one day! The History Guy brings home another event to be remembered, and I had no idea that such a horrific tradgedy took place. I got that same solemn feeling watching this video, knowing that these children died so violently just like the soldiers of the civil war. Thanks for such in depth historical videos!!
The way you talk about the victims, like you knew each one, personally, is incredibly touching and much appreciated. It helps remind me that history is made up of real people, so thank you.
Hello there 👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you had a wonderful day?GOD BLESS YOU!!❤️
Interesting and thank you. It might interest you to know that there was a similar disaster in Jackson, Mississippi November 5th 1862 at the Confederate arsenal where around 40, mostly women and children were killed. They were buried in an unknown mass grave
There waa a major magazine explosion above Mobile a few weeks after the city surrendered. The explosion reached downtown seven miles away. Most of the casualties were african americans, from the Africatown area, used by general Canby's Union Army to stack torpedos and shells, as well as USCT guarding the facility. I don't recall how many died, civilian and military.
To respectfully publish, as you have, the names of those who perished in this disaster, truly keeps their memories alive. Well done again History Guy.
A poignant reminder of the inhumane cost of war both on and off the fields of battle. One of your best episodes.
The wrap up section of History Guy videos are usually my favorite part. It is when the event is shown why it matters. This wrap up was so poignant, so well said, I was completely caught breathless. Thank you for a magnificent video.
Hello there 👋, how are you doing today? Hope you had a wonderful day?GOD BLESS YOU!❤️
The History Guy TRULY is a gentleman and a scholar!
Excellent program. As a Pittsburgh Native I appreciate the remembrance of those local residents that died in 1862.
I just forwarded this link to my brother - who lived in the area for a couple decades and now again is retired there. I doubt that he ever heard of this disaster. I hadn't either. Thanks for remembering it.
The sad irony of war is that the people that start wars and profit from the conflict are not the ones who suffer and perish. I had no idea that child labor was that extensive. I grieve over such suffering and tragedy.
Hello there 👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you had a wonderful day?GOD BLESS YOU!❤️
Greed is hard to eradicate
WOW WOW WOW!!! I was just looking for videos on this the other day! I live in the area, so it’s exciting to see this.
Your delivery is riveting. I’m glad you are remembering history instead of burying it.
God love you…. Thank you for keeping history alive….
Amen to that my friend.
Sir, your closing comments says it all, bless you and all those lost souls on that horrible day!!!🙏😪
Wow! This one really set you back in your seat. How heartbreakingly sad...
If the subject of history was delivered in such an engaging manner in schools, it would be everyone's favorite subject.
Possibly the repetition burns out the teachers
Another excellent piece of history recalled and presented. Thank you.
And Woo hoo. Closing in on 1,000,000 subscribers Lance! Congrats.
His channel is amazing! He should have been over a million a year ago!
Thank you History Guy for another video of history that deserves to be remembered.
There's a school on the site now. A few years ago it had to be closed for a couple of weeks because they discovered unexploded 160 year old shells while digging for new construction.
I went to school at Washington Poly Tech across the street from Arsenal and had never heard the story.
@@ralphgesler5110 you have to wonder how much teachers WANT to tell these kinds of stories, but are limited by class time and approved curricula. I had one terrible history teacher who actually hated kids, but there were many others who loved the subject.
Of all the History Guy episodes presented, this is, by far, the most meaningful and tender. I am grateful for the time and care that is given to those who deserve to be remembered.
This video brought tears to my eyes. Your treatment of the story truly shows the horrors of that terrible conflict, and your compassion for the victims lost so long ago. Thank you and Bravo.
What a terrible day in a terrible war. And, just like you said, I remember Antietam being lightly covered in a high School American history class, but of course, there was no mention of the tragedy at the Allegheny munitions factory. Thank you, THG, for the education and enlightenment, as always.
Reminiscent of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire. Well done though heartbreaking.
Thank you for these forgotten stories.
150 years later this beautiful man remebered the losses of this poor girls and boys that were victims of the savage times in witch they lived.
And me a total stranger almost 2 centuries later found out about them and remembered them
R.I.P. dear children
Having grown up near Pittsburgh this is history I was aware of. Thanks for bringing it back. Enjoy your videos.
This channel is champion, keep up the outstanding work. I am sure you will not be forgotten. Love from across the pond.
I too grew up in Pittsburgh. I know where Arsenal is, but until now I confess my ignorance of the history of it, and that time. Thanks for bringing this to our remembrance again.
What a horrible day in American history. Excellent job telling the story. While listening, you made it feel like it happened yesterday. I grew up South of the city and did not know about this catastrophe. Thank You.
Hello there 👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you had a wonderful day?GOD BLESS YOU!❤️
I'm glad you posted this. I grew up in Pittsburgh and I never knew this. We went to Arsenal Park to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July. Most people in Pittsburgh don't know this.
What I like most about you retelling these sad tales is that you take the time to honor the dead. Many historians brush past that, so I'm thankful that you don't.
Thank you for remembering the victims of a little known disaster. They did deserve to be remembered 😔
I learned about the dangers of black powder some 64 years ago. From then on, I always treated it with respect...
Good video. List of the dead possibly the most important part. Thank you.
Yet another event that I had never heard of. Excellent video THG and a shout out to Heidi for locating so many historical documents and old photographs.
No disrespect to Ms History Guy, but I generally collect the media. She is our social media guru.
@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Well, good on you then instead. But I am still going to give a shout out to your wife, to Carolyn, and to your son as well for all of their efforts that allow us to watch your wonderful videos.
@@stevedietrich8936 yeah I'm digging his son's added commentary on the podcast, it kind of gives you some insight into the home life of a total history nerd.
I have driven past the site of the Allegheny Arsenal every day for 20 years and was never aware of this tragedy. Thank you for your video.
I used to love going for walks in the cemetery on weekends. It's a beautiful place with lots of history. Excellent video. Thanks for shining light on a little known Pittsburgh tragedy.
Always a bright point in my week, your productions. I'd forgotten how much I like History until I ran into your channel during quarantine. Thanks for what you and the others at THG do! ❤
Thankyou that is history that should not be forgotten.
Hello there 👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you had a wonderful day?GOD BLESS YOU!❤️
Sometimes I don’t think a story will be as interesting as others but half way through I’m glued to my screen! Thanks history guy for capturing these moments in time that deserves to be remembered. And God bless
sad times. RIP to all the victims. History worth remembering.
Nice of you to include their names so they can be remembered........
Amazing that I have spent almost my entire life here in the Pittsburgh area and have never heard of this. Thank you for bringing this tragedy back to light.
Your closing paragraph is simply beautiful. How could I not shed tears for these innocent children.
One of the best on UA-cam. Thank you for teaching us more than we ever learned in school.
Hello there 👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you had a wonderful day?GOD BLESS YOU!!❤️
Thank you so much for this. I know their souls are grateful.
Thanks!
Both of my parents lived near Arsenal Park, and our store was on the 5100 block of Butler St. in Lawrenceville. I passed this site for years and I never knew the full story, thanks..
Thank you History Guy. As always you’ve provided an excellent video . I don’t know if you take suggestions, and don’t know if you’ve already covered this particular organization, but perhaps an episode which covers the history of OSHA would be timely.
What a moving discourse. Well read and written. Thank you
Peace so often reflects war.
What a loss. What a shame.
Thank you for this. I understand how this tragedy was overshadowed. It is great that you present it here so those killed can be remembered along with all the other brave souls who died to keep our country united.
I was born and raised in PA. I never heard of this. Thank you, HG. Your closing statement was magnificent.
Thankts for covering this. We live in the Pittsburgh area & my dad used to tell us about this horrible place, but never with this kind of detail. It's another example of the folly of our relentless pursuit of "more", regardless of the cost. Western Pennsylvania, and i'm sure way too many places are littered with plaques and monuments to the victims, and the perpetrators, of man's progress but we all are too busy ri take the time to look, see, & learn. Your efforts through this channel is a great resource and tribute to those who should, as you say, be remembered.
You did an outstanding job reporting on such a tragic incident. It’s hard to think of children working in such a hazardous environment, and for such minimal pay. It really makes you appreciate what you have.
Child labor was rampart all over the world and still is too this day.😜😜😜
@@vernwallen4246 ok, your point in regards to my comment?
Never heard of this tragedy. Beautiful concluding words. Thank you. It touched my heart.
I never really thought of weapons factories employing kids during the civil war. It's like, child workers were a thing but the idea of kids making weapons felt distant until now.
Thanks for opening my brain
child labor in a war that ended Slavery... irony
"A single death is a tragedy, a million deaths are a statistic." - J. Stalin.
A brutal observation but so true. We oft forget the individual tragedies in the statistics of a mass death.
Pennsylvania history lives here, thank you HG Crew!!!🙏👍😷
I've said this before and I know that you're younger than me but I wish you had been my high school history teacher. You bring history alive.
Thank You for remembering their names ....
It is hard to believe and sad that I never heard of this story. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
A grim but worthy topic. Thank you for telling their story.
Wow.....your presentation was quite moving....thank you for telling me about this tragedy.
I certainly won't ever forget these victims after this history lesson. I have recently been studying the Civil War, and revisiting the battles, trying to commit some dates and places to memory. I haven't heard a word about this tragedy.
Just want to say I've been watching you and Ms. History for a long time and I absolutely love your videos! Thank you for always putting out great content in a respectful and thorough manner!
Hello there 👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you had a wonderful day?GOD BLESS YOU!!❤️
This may be your best video ever. So much more emotion and so much less aloofness. MY meaningless opinion is that I think you should dive in more like this to help tell the story and carry it to the viewer. Good work here. This story was a horrible tragedy that I have never heard about and I read a lot of Civil War history. Thank you for finding and sharing.
Lance, I regularly share your videos with my 85 year old father, who is a New York City native, but comes from Pennsylvania Dutch stock -- we know that we are directly descended from a drummer boy who participated in hand-to-hand combat on the battlefield at Gettysburg at the tender age of thirteen and lived to tell the tale. My dad's reaction to this video was, "Has he ever done a show about the "Molly Maguires"? When I was a kid visiting my cousins in Pottsville, if we kids ever asked about the Molly Maguires the room would go totally silent and then the subject was instantly and loudly changed. Even in the 1940's during WW2, the adults were still scared to talk about it."
Thanks to you they are remembered.
You did such a good job! Glad I found it.
Thank you for this illumination of history. Please keep up the good work.
Indeed peoples names need to be remembered even in times of war . Thank you for remembering these ' forgotten people ' who were never forgotten by their friends and family.
Your videos are always well researched, compassionate and extremely well presented in a respectful manner . I hope you continue to swim against the tide of apathy , disrespect and lack of compassion for our recent and past forebears.
Greetings from The Mother Country
( Derby, England. )
The listing of names always puts a shiver down my spine and a tear in my eye. It's truly honorable the way you handle the remembrance.
I've been with you since 68,000 subs. Will celebrate with you when you reach one million.
That was a great tribute to those lost.
There is just so much history connected with Western Pennsylvania that it is difficult to teach it all. I live probably 80 miles north of Lawrenceville and just in my small rural area the amount of history is mind boggling. We are literally called the "Valley that changed the world" up here and for good reason. Sometimes incidents like this just fall through the cracks. It is great that The History Guy is bringing these stories to light again.
Another quality production thank you
Another important part of history I'd never learned before. Thanks HG!❤
great historian....great teacher......so much small details in history play such big roles yet we only get the end story.
Hello there 👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you had a wonderful day?GOD BLESS YOU!❤️
I had read about this a long time ago and had forgotten. Thanks for helping me remember...