Compliments

I was in my office where I have some pictures from Camp Sylvia on mybulliten board. A nurse came in, saw the Union uniform and startedtelling me about a great Union group she saw the Fourth of July inBath. She said the music and marching gave her chills....I was quite proud to inform her that it was the Third Maine!Awesome job Every One!!

A Spy at Willowbrook!

Willowbrook Museum is like a tiny town with multiple buildings. On September 15th, the Third Maine had their last encampment of the 2007 season. So to make things interesting I decided to be a Confederate spy. I even told Pvt Dick C that there were rumors of spys in the area. I tucked a letter to Rose Greenhow (a socialite from Washington DC who fed war secrets to the south), a letter From Rose and a map of the railroad system circa 1860 into my basket. Under the guise of being a member of the Maryland Bible Society, I entered camp and started asking questions about where the troop was headed. One Private told me they were going to Portland to the Train Depot. Trains I thought..... and proceeded to ask more questions about it. I didn't get too much info before heading to the next soldier. Finding no real info to feed Jeff Davis, I waiting until after lunch, informing (while out of 1860's character of course) 2 of the ladies present that I was a Spy trying to get caught. That I had clues in my book. Even with that no one thought to question my questioning. So I was forced to mail what little information I gathered to "Cousin Rose". I must have an honest face! Oh well, there's always next season!

Note the white basket on the porch, full of union secrets to be shared!

These guys & gals play awesome!

Important job here for the benefit of the union!

September Storm Part 5 Sunday

Thankfully morning came at last. It took me a moment to debate wearing my nicer heavier dress or the same, lighter dress from Saturday. The dirty dress won simply because it was cooler. Chef Bray spoiled us with Maine blueberry pancakes. They were awesome! Notice the
black skillet above? It is lovingly called Bertha and has been used to defend the camp again Rebels in the past.

The color guard posted the colors at the crack of dawn Sunday. After breakfast the boys readied themselves for the final battle of the event. "Assault of the Iron Brigade". So once again they geared up and marched out to the battle.

To get to the spectator area it took several minutes to walk. We ended up coming in from the end of the field where the Rebels had thier cannons.

I love this picture showing the both flags and the smoke ....


Rebels falling in battle. Then a final Cannon shot and miraculously they all stood up. Everyone applauded them!

Once the battle was done, we returned to the camp and packed up. It went very quickly. My brother-in-law picked me up and returned me to the RV. I showered, had a snack, then went to sleep for an hour. I was so tired when I woke up I was staggering!

When asked then if I would sleep in a tent again I said "no". But now that time has passed I am already looking forward to my next encampment ~Deb

September Storm Part 4 Saturday Night

Ok this was my first night ever in a canvas tent in a field of canvas tents filled with fun loving unwashed re-enactors. So this post will be full of whining and b&tching. If you don’t want to read either, go no further in this post.

I’ve told you about the heat. Did I mention the crickets? Hundreds of crickets, we’re talking plague of crickets all clinging to our tents...beds...floors...oh and my green dress. Twice I dug some out of my dress! By 9:30 at night I had washed up using my new canvas bucket and sat at the opening of my tent, soaking my feet and listening to a rowdy group several camps away singing period songs. They were very good and had I not been so tired I might have joined in.
Marsha and I had a nice chat (though short) and headed for bed. Now if anyone out there thinks that a cot is comfortable to a large person then they are nuts. I couldn’t manage to get comfy and after about an hour gave up and tried my sod cloth on the ground.... it had more room but was ...the hard Maryland ground. I can’t say I did more then doze at best all night and was thankful when 5:30 am came around and I could get dressed. At least my quilt was warm.

September Storm part 3, Saturday Evening

Right before Mail call, the troops were gathered, in the current state of undress and called to make judgement over a possible CS informant. It was quite entertaining for the soldier to try and explain a picture of a Southern Belle (Not his wife), a confederate flag, gold bars and a letter from a CS general. I don't recall if the man was hanged or not as the ladies were not consulted.



As the men cooled down, I seemed to get hotter! I peeled several layers off leaving my dress, corset, undershirt, bloomers and and thats it. A complete state of undress for a proper victorian woman. But I have to say I don't recall ever feeling as hot as I did around 5 pm that evening, despite the ice water and cold rags. As long as I kept sweating I wasn't going to worry. Amazing how heat makes you not want to eat. Despite the delicious meal by Chef Bray, I just couldn't. As the sun finally started to go down, the bite of the heat seem to go with it making the air tolerable. The Third Maine guys gathered their weapons and headed for the woods for some good old fashion skirmishes. With only four of us in camp chatting, we talked through the gunfire until it came closer and we could see the CS troops right near our camp. It was great to watch
but once again I wanted to join in!






Invasion of the Rebels!


With the troops skirmishing in the woods, there was bound to be a few injuries. First there was one of our guys (his name, I think was Joe?) who got a twig to the eye. Thankfully it popped out his contact lens and seemed to spare his eye. The second was Cpl Kyle H. Some one shot their musket less then ten feet behind him. The shot covered the 2nd Corporal's neck with powder! He remained deaf in right ear for hours with a headache and ringing of the left ear. Of Course I am not convinced that he also like the fact he couldnt hear me talk anymore!



The most grievous of injuries was that of the brave 2nd Sergeant Matt B. He was wounded in the woods finding a splinter in his hand on the knuckle. It was a horrid site, the pain, that redness. I asked that he be allowed to go to the nearest ER for a shower and some airconditioned rest, but no, alas the hardcore officers would not allow it so he was forced to suffer his injuries in silence.


A lot of Stripes in this picture....2nd Corporal Kyle H, 1st Sergeant Glen L and
2nd Sergeant Matt B.

September Storm part 2, Saturday Daytime

Saturday morning I left the comfort of the RV and headed the 10 miles to the event. It looked to be a hot and humid day in the making. I arrived around 7 am and greeted the Third Maine boys. It may sound odd, but when I look at them in uniform, I can't help but feel proud to be part of this group. They work so hard to be authentic and maintain a respectful and fun atmosphere.


Chef Bray, as always, works like a dog to get a decent meal ready for us. The Third Maine is so lucky to have him. After breakfast I was conscripted to meet someone with a lot of strips. He had Major in his title but something else too... I'll have to check with one of the boys. Anyway, All medical people were asked to do first aid/heat stroke duty. Because I am female, I was not allowed on the battle field despite the 90 plus heat. Women of 1862 just didn't go there. This is what I find the hardest about this hobby. I would prefer being in the thick of things, on the field if needed, If I was a male re-enactor, I would choose being a field surgeon, carrying my field kit into the battle. But I digress.... Our duty was to prepare an area to recieve heat casualties. So Mrs Cylik and I gathered ice, I went to the suttlers (again) and purchased a canvas bucket, we got plenty of rags and waited.

Somehow the call of the battlefield was just too much for me so I headed towards where I thought the troops would be. Over the hill and through the woods we went finding ourselves on the edge of the battlefield (before any battles started). I was able to take a few pictures but was already bright red with a sunburned face so didn't want to go to the spectator area in the full sun. While we watch, a gentleman approached us and explained that we need to move soon as the battle would end up where we were standing. Not wanting to go back through the woods, we headed towards a group of civilians. To our horror we ended up in the CS camp! Thankfully we could blend in as we followed a large group of Rebel soldiers back towards the sutlers and the mixed camp. Returning to the "ice stations" we waited.

Listening to the gunfire is an amazing thing. The sound of the cannons, the shouting of the men. I can't really imagine how it would have been for families living near battlefields. The fear and anxiety. The people of Gettysburg listened to the sounds for three days. Three days!

Our first arrivals to the ice station needed just cool wet rags to help cool them down. They were redfaced, sweating and dusty. One gentleman was kneeling on the ground, thinking he was in trouble I ran to him and doused him with a wet iced rag. Poor guy looks at me and tells me he was simply waiting for the privy. Sgt Lawson then called me, at the 17th camp site they had a heat stroke casualty. Quickly Mrs Cylik and I swooped down on the lad that was sitting in a chair. We iced him, got him on the ground and monitored his pulse.

I was rather annoyed that his unit would not allow us to remove his wool pants. Had he been in the Third Maine, common sense would have prevailed over modesty...so as a last resort we dumbed ice water over his groin area (normally ice bags to the Femoral pulse points in the groin would have sufficed). I am glad to report the soldier eventually recovered.

Our lads cooling down ...

September Storm Part 1 Friday

Gathering in the hills of Maryland, near Antietam, the Third Maine joined hundreds of reenactors to recreate the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. I arrived Friday, September 7th at around 5 in the evening. Already the mixed camp bustled with activity. Persons from as far away as Oregon where present. Needless to say after setting up my tent...thank you to those kind enough to take care of it for me...I quickly set up the cot and headed with Mrs Cylik to the Sutlers. What an amazing array of products. I visited them several times over the weekend and purchased more then I needed (typical woman??).

Someone told me that there was a civilian meeting at 8 pm. Unaware of the details, Mrs Cylik and I headed to the Civilian camp. There was an amazing tavern set up their by a nice family from Maryland. There we got a itinerary for that area. Upon returning to the Third Maine camp we discovered we went to the wrong meeting! We were suppose to be that the 2nd USV ladies meeting. Oh well....

I left around 9 pm that night and stayed in my sister's RV. Ok I admit it, I was a Ramada Ranger for the weekend. But I am girl how keeps her bedroom at 65 degrees and have a fan running! I still didn't get to bed until almost midnight.

The Great Train Robbery-More Pictures

I love this picture...Brenda and I talking of course!

The battle



Steve warning the train riders



Lady of the Third Maine

Berlin NH Vetarans

I decided to make it my mission (apparently I don't have enough to do?) to research the Civil War Vetaran's from Berlin, NH.

Poof Tardiff, our local historian provided the following....

In 1861, Berlin had a population of 440 people, some of whom were employed during certain seasons. Berin had a hard time to meet its quota, but finally came through. In the United States muster rolls this town was credited with nineteen three year men, thirteen one year men and three nine month men. Of these, six never returned home. They were Charles Volney Green, a member of the 13th Maine who died in New Orleans in 1864 after contracting disease in the Red River campaign, Francis D. Green enlisted in the "Fighting Fifth" New Hampshire and was killed at Fredricksburgh, Virginia in 1862, Scribner Cates of the same regiment was killed at Sailor's Creek, Samuel Andrews of the same outfit was wounded at Antietem and killed at Cold Harbor, Ethan Andrews and Nelson Green of the 13th Maine died of disease, the latter being at Ship Island.

The Great Train Robbery

Treating the Wounded

The Rebel Ladies

Private Cylik

It was a warm and sunny day when Miss Brenda and I took our wagon to the train depot in Manasses Junction. The children, Ashley and Benjamin we alight with excitement at the thought of a train ride through the Virginia countryside. To our delight, traveling on the train was my cousins, Private and Mrs Cylik. We were quite flustered to learn that the train had been commandeered to carry the Unions pay for soldiers station near Harper’s Ferry. I had traveled there many times with Papa in my youth and was familiar with the small town. The train, as often is, ran late leaving the station and it was easy to determine there were many Southern sympathizers aboard. We barely had time to settle in for the long ride when a group of Rebels were spotted near a key bridge. I thought I would have the vapors when the gun fire started. But when our daring boys in blue were wounded, I had to put aside my own fears to aid them. Poor Private Henry had a bullet in the chest which I removed with Mrs. Cylik’s knitting needle. The rebel ladies only flirted, shouting cheers to the Johney Rebs!. The Rebel surgeon, would only give out poor wounded opium tablets...not even a drop of whisky! Thank goodness for Mrs Cylik’s medicinal elixir. Private Bray and Private Cylik’s wounds were not as severe. Bravely they refused to allow the surgeon to touch them. Our lads were paroled to return to Manasses Junction and in the end, Brenda, the Children and I decided we would make the trip home by wagon from now on.

This is me 11/11/06 at the Portland Veteran's Day Parade.