Confederates at Fort Knox!

For the first time I was 100% confederate at an event that involved the public. At Gettysburg the Blue and Gray were separated so there was not a lot of interaction for civilians, not in the true sense of being a person of the time. At the train events I go with the underdog, which is always the North. But at Ft Knox there was no question, I was a lady of succession, trying to get information from the 2oth Maine to give to the 15th Alabama.

The encampment had a beautiful view of the Penobscott Narrows bridge. We were on the eastern side of the fort overlooking Battery A. The Yankees were stationed in the fort itself. I visited their camp twice on Saturday, once before the battle (they won). I was invited back by a fiddler player who was willing to tune my dulcimer. When I returned with the instrument he used an electronic tuner and I was able to sit a spell with one of the men who enjoyed singing songs of the period. He knew many of them and even sang the first verse of a Rebel song or two.

During the Saturday skirmish, one of the privates was "wounded" and once again I was required to remove a bullet with my knitting needle.

Our Historian Taking Pictures

Sunday, there was another battle (we won!). No knitting needle required for the Southern Gentleman. One thing I learned about the Rebels, is that I have a lot to learn about the confederacy. Another thing I learned is that a lot of people thing the Civil war was just about slavery. Had I not been aware of the ongoing issue of state's rights as far back as when the country was formed, I would most likely think that it was all about slavery too.

(pictures to be posted once they are sent to me)

Gettysburg 2008 Part 5

July 5th, 2008 My Union Day

I woke up a little later Saturday, having planned to be at the Third Maine in time for Chef Bray's delicious meal. Unfortunately that didn't happen and I got there after 8 am. After ensuring that the letters to the soldier's I had written would be "mailed", I attempted again to learn to knit.

Third ME Preparing for battle

This is the second go round with my green yarn and once again the creation is scalloped on the sides (not intended) and looks to be a very useful..er...square. I was saved from total desolation when it was suggested that shopping might help. Yes, again I went to the sutlers, this time with the captain's wife. After lunch, Miss Lucy S was kind enough to show me how to play the dulcimer...I am equally talented in that as I am in knitting!




During the day, we saw a soldier accused of cowardice during battle. He was forced to "Ride the wooden horse" as punishment.



In the after noon I watched another major battle: "Hold The Line", Gallant Rally at the Klingle Farm. This was even more impressive then the previous days and I gt to chat with the National Geographic guy again!



Those who know me, know that I just might have a little trouble sitting on the sidelines sometimes. So when the yellow flags went up, and there were soldiers facing heat injuries, I couldn't stand around, the nurse clicked in. I assisted the "Ice Angles" and EMS staff passing out ice and treating a young lad of 17 who was laying on the ground with a headache. Gads I would love to dress as a field surgeon and be at the front lines!!! (maybe next years event )


Ice Angles?

After the battle there was some confusion as to where some of the Third Maine Men Were. Thankfully it worked out and everyone was accounted for and safe. Still, the confusion made The Captain lecture the men on safety.






After a superb dinner I headed back to the RV


Sadly I did not stay for the largest battle planned for Sunday. Sunday I packed my tent and headed for the highway back to New Hampshire.

My final thoughts...This was an incredible experience... Would I do it again...maybe, the company and battles were great, but the crowds were a bit much for me. Who knows, maybe its like labor and wont seem so bad for the 150th!

Gettysburg 2008 Part 4

My Confederate Day Continued...

Battle: "The Devil's to Pay", First Day Struggle at Willoughby Run

Tracy and I, despite the light rain, decided to watch the battle from the Union side near the bleachers. Overall a very good site to watch the battle. While there we met a photographer from National Geographic. He took alot of pictures (not of us) and told us to check the NG web site for the pictures later this month.



The battle was amazing! Just the size and organization of having this type of event is enough to impress. And the artillery were amazing to watch. From where we were, we watched many Union groups march to the field and I was able to spot the Third Maine. Of note is a story told by a private regarding the soiled doves trying to temp the troops.


I hope Private Tom C does not mind me quoting him but he did such a great job:

We reformed, marched up the hill when suddenly the Captain ordered “Eyes front!” Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, the best way to make someone look at something is to tell them not to. We then spied the Captain’s concern - several soiled doves stood nearby - those poor children had cast away dress and bodice to make clear to the passing soldiers their commercial intentions. The Captain’s concern for the men was most understandable - like the sirens of antiquity, any weak soul harkening to such a seductive call could only find himself soon dashed among rocks in ruin.

I had no way of seeing where the 15th Alabama might be.



After the battle (and yes, more shopping!) I finally ran into Miss Vicky and stuck with her while she looked for some of the other 15th members. Finally we decided to head back to the CS camps via the hay wagon. Again, this was no speeding event. Because of the rain, the CS roads were so muddy that the event planners had to close the road up into the camps while they poured crushed stone on the roadway. That left me, Miss Sandy and Charlene to hike up the hill
(we sent Miss Vicky ahead on a golf cart).



Now I haven't spent alot of time with Little Miss Charlene, but she was delightful! We held hands as we walked and despite her being tired, we made it back to camp. At that point the modern age attacked in the form of my ringing cell phone. My presence was requested in the year 2008 again. I hiked back down the hill (didn't I just get here!) and met my family on Table Rock Road.


Battle: "Holding the High Ground", Defending East Cemetery Hill

There we were able to watch some of the evening battle from the Confederate side (Where were the 15th?)


While we watched it started to rain..Hard so I headed back to the RV.

Gettysburg 2008 Part 3

My Confederate Day

The first official day "in period" was Friday, July 4th. Excited and ready to go, I made my family drop me off at 7am. But I am getting a little a head of myself. First I had to FIND where to get dropped off.

First we stopped at the registration area and naturally I asked the simple question "Where is the 15ht Alabama". Of course the response was "What regiment?" Yeah, like I am so militarily inclined as to have that clue! They then proceeded to ask me something about Mississippi? the ANV? General Longfellow? Was this a history quiz no one prepared me for? I was then directed to the CSA camps, so we drove there next and again I got the history quiz , this time from a southern soldier. I looked at him as if he had 2 heads. He was a kind southern "gentleman" (A female reenacting as a man) and sent me to the Provost. There I looked up and found my guys... part of the Army of Northern Virginia (ANV) 6th battalion. Sent the car home and started wandering around the CSA ANV 6th battalion area.

I almost had given up when I stumbled across Lindsey and Robbie from the 15th, both in a stressed out and worried state. They could not find the rest of the group who were missing since Thursday. In desperation we drove back to the registration area and found everyone else! Their horse had thrown a shoe (Car trouble) Which had delayed them all.

Making quick work of it, we returned to the camp area and set up the tents. Unfortunately there was poison ivy near by. Yuk!

With the camp set up, checked my watch. It was 9 am and I planned to attend a class in the activity tent at 10:30. Robby and Lindsey dropped me off at the hay wagon stop on their way to town. I could see the tents way across the road. Didn't seem far but every wagon that arrived was full so I spent 20 minutes waiting for a ride! By the time I got to the tent, the class was half over .. I consoled myself by going shopping at the sutlers...again.

I was delighted to run into Tracy W from the Third Maine and we went shopping...at the suttlers...again. We also attended a Civil War Wedding in the tents before watching the afternoon battle.

Gettysburg 2008 Part 2

As I was laying in bed last night, I realized I forgot to mention 2 points from my first night. First, I was wearing my Third Maine tee shirt when I registered on Thursday night. While in line a tall gentleman turned to me and offered his hand.."I'm Chamberlain, Joshua Chamberlain, also from Maine". What a surprise that was...turns out that I was standing next to a famous man!




The second point was Sutlers row. Now I know you might find it hard to believe, but I was drown...no compelled to go shopping. I was startled to find so many sutlers and shocked to see some of the non period items and inflated prices. Of course I still managed to purchase some items on my daily visits!

Gettysburg 2008 Part 1

The 145th Anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg took place July 4, 5th and 6th 2008. I was honored to be a participant and the next few blog entries will be about those three days.

I actually left Saturday, June 28th and drove to my sister’s in Maryland. Our car was stuff with all sorts of Civil war paraphernalia: Tent, table, crates, blankets, dresses, writing desk, small barrel...as if I was leaving for the real war!

We didn’t actually leave for Gettysburg until Thursday July 3rd. And as luck would have it, we were stuck in traffic and it took longer to get there then we hoped. We set up the RV and I quickly headed to camp arriving at 5pm.




Now finding the right camp was entertaining to say the least. At least I knew where my tent didn’t belong. I wasn’t with the cavalry or the artillery. That narrowed it down to a many acre field of Infantry. I circled the area, several times, and at last I stopped and called "Uncle Dick". Logically he asked to identify my surroundings. "I am near the flags" referring to the regimental flags. "And now you’ll tell me you’re by the white tents too!" he said...For the record, I thought I was quite clear in my directions. He saved me, led me to the Third Maine and helped me set up the tent. Good ol’ Uncle Dick!



Being a "Ramada Ranger" I of course headed back to the RV to sleep.