Save the Date!!

Second Annual Rally for Norlands Civil War Reenactment Weekend
Scheduled for June 12 and 13, 2010

Cedar Creek

145th Anniversary of Cedar Creek
Oct 17-19

Friday
My sister lent me her VW bug. I love driving this car! It has automatic headlights and gets great milage. I arrived around 4pm and was happy to find that Dick and Marcia had already arrived and had kindly set up a tent for me to dump my things in. They also carted my clothing to the event since I flew down a few days before. It was cold and drizzling off and on but as usually, Chef Bray had dinner on the fire and plenty of wood.
2nd Vermont Leader & Captain Lawson

Marcia and I were sleeping at a hotel...yes I am a “Ramada Ranger”. On the way back to the hotel I got stopped by law enforcement. I knew I wasn’t speeding! Well, the automatic headlights on turn on the headlights, not the rest of the running lights. He very kindly (as if talking to a child) explained to me that I needed to turn on all the lights. (Ouch?). Marcia and I couldn’t stop laughing on the drive to the hotel.

Day 1 Battle
Saturday
Ok, I am all for realism, but does it have to be cold and rainy? The ladies were busy writing fun letters to the soldiers. We fell in with the 2nd Vermont And these guys are great! I can see us working together again. During lunch I got a real surprise (of the best kind!). My sister and brother-in-law surprised me by showing up. We had lunch together then headed to the Suttlers (also known as the canvas mall). The prices were scary at times but I did manage to by...*insert drum roll here* black under-sleeves and pocket watch holder.
Day 1 Lining up for Battle

Soon after it was time for the battle. I took lots of pictures and as always, was itching to get onto the field. An entertainingly cold evening. I did not attend the dance but chose a warm bed and hot shower instead.
Chapel
Sunday
The rain finally stopped by 8 am but was replaced by a strong cold wind. I attended an 1860's Catholic field mass. It was awesome! The priest did a great job and the Latin was explained to us during mass. Even the singing was in Latin.


The battle in the afternoon was great to watch. I watched from the Artillery vantage point and spoke at length with a member of the Rhode Island Battery B.
Lining up for day 2 battle

Too fast the event was over and we were having to pack up. But as always, we spent the weekend connecting with old friends and making new ones.

General and Mrs Grant

Adventures in the South

Adventures in the South
October 2009

I was lucky enough to head south in Mid -October and during that time I visited many Civil War Sites.

Chatham House
I stopped here first, not because I had planned to but because there Fredericksburg Website sent me to Chatham Road and this mansion. I would love to visit this place in nice weather. The gardens must be beautiful. The staff here were excellent. Although the focus of this house is not the CW, Lincoln and Washington both are said to have slept here.
Chatham garden

Fredericksburg
The staff were awesome and the film about the battle was well done. Because of rain, I didn’t venture too far from the Visitor Center. I did drive along the car tour and was amazed how many trenches were still visible for miles. I think there was more digging then fighting in these parts! Kind of odd, but there is a pyramid in the park!
vistor's center

trenches
pyramid


Spotsylvania Courthouse
No Visitor center here. Again lots of trenches. At least the rain had stopped long enough for me to get out a walk some here. Though the wind made it mighty cold. Record breaking cold in the area that day.
Bloody Angle


Wilderness
No Visitor center here. There is no doubt in my mind about how hard it was to travel in the woods here. The underbrush is dense. I read that it was worse 150 years ago. Lots of trenches. I wanted to go here before Walmart built a new store outside the gates. I gotta tell you, there is enough stores at that intersection where Walmart won’t make it that much worse. Still, would rather Not have more buildings there.

Wilderness VT Monument


Chancellorsville
Again, great staff. I really liked the museum, though the film was a little dated. I visited the house that the area is named after.




Cedar Creek
Although I was on the battlefield for the 145th Anniversary Event, I never got to the plantation or the visitor center. I had planned to after the event on Monday. Although both places had posted they were open Mondays, neither were that day! Bummer.
On the Battlefield


Arlington House
OMG! I got a personalize tour of the building, despite it being under renovation. There was CW graffiti and ghost stories.





Arlington National Cemetery
I went to section 1 and the Confederate cemetery. Also saw the changing of the guard and a wreath laying cemetery. I didn’t realize the shear size of the place. There are 25 burials each day.



Manasses
I was honored with a tour of the Battlefield by the former Superintendent of the park. Bob is now the Chief Historian of the National Park Service. This man has an amazing knowledge of Manassas. We were privileged enough to visit areas of the park not open to the public, including visits to closed buildings. Bob also explained how and why the park is set up the way it is. We even drove to secluded areas of the park. The Visitor center has a great battle map and I recommend seeing the movie offered there (at an additional cost). I even got to see graffiti carved into the wood floor of Stone House by wounded men from the second battle.

graffiti

Train Robbery, Again!!

October 1oth
Yet another train robbery. Look at the soldier nearest to us. He was impaled by a sword!
Once again Mosby's raiders and the Federal army met. I "turned on the blond switch" for this event, trying to confuse the Rebels. Thank goodness the surgeon had something to help my nerves!

Catching Up!

September 5th
Once again, the 15th Alabama and the Third Maine clashed at the Portland Narrow Gauge Museum. As always The Federals made every attempt to keep the payroll and dispatches from Mosby's men. This included having patrons sit on the dispatch case. One of the runs, we hid ladies under garments in the payroll box while the money stayed in my basket. Imagine the Captain Pratt's face when he opened the box! I did manage to convince him that the paper money in my basket was from the sale of my farm.

September 19th
The Third Maine spent the day at the Willowbrook Museum. It was a beautiful day and there were many visitors. The highlight was when I was accused of following a man. It's my fault of course for going unescorted to the necessary. Thankfully "Uncle Dick and 2 other privates, spoke to the man and he did indeed apologize for the insult.

Happily I have discovered that Nonpareils are period correct chocolate!

Dogs of War

Ok, I had to somehow get a picture of my Black Lab "Shiloh" into the blog.
Yes his name is a tribute to the Civil War. It started as a joke. We wanted to find names and I said to my son...Let's call her Getty, for Gettysburg or something. Truly it was a joke. Quick as a rabbit he said "How about Shiloh?" The entire family loved it. Shiloh was suppose to be a yellow female lab but as it turns out is a black male. That is another story....

Shiloh age 14 weeks

I digress though. There really is a link to the Civil War.

Some of the most loyal soldiers didn’t wear uniforms!

LT George Custer, Brig Gen William Gamble, General Rufus Ingalls and Brig Gen George Stoneman Jr were just some of the Civil War soldiers who had a dog with them during the war. Sadly many regimental pets did die in war but some survived and given honorable burials. Cats, too were taken with regiments. There is a CW period song called “Kitty Popcorn” about a cat. The May 2009 issue of America’s Civil War magazine has an article with several pictures of canines. A new book is out called “Loyal Hearts: Histories of Civil War Canines by Michael Zucchero.

Custer and Friend



Unknown Group with their canine




Chief Quartermaster General Rufas Ingalls and his dog. There is a similar picture with the dog sleeping in it.

Ft Knox July 2009

Ft Knox 2009
Ashley and I traveled to Ft Knox Maine for a Civil War Event. Arriving Friday, it was raining and looked like it could be a bad weekend.





Saturday was glorious! The sun was out, there was a breeze, only the mid-seventies and the Rebels won the battle. How could it get better then that?


Reading the latest news. Harper's Weekly 1862




The fort was captured by the Rebels for a brief time on Saturday. We ladies took a tour of the Fort. Frankly the place is a little creepy. Where is Ghost Hunters when you need them?

July Fourth and the Civil War

Some research I found about the Fourth of July during the civil war

US Capital The East Front ca. 1861

1861

• Lincoln calls an "extraordinary" session of Congress and presents an address regarding the suspension of Federal government functions by secessionists in the South.
• The President also reviews 29 New York military regiments in front of the White House and also raises the stars and stripes (the flag presented to the city of Washington by the Union Committee of New York) on a 100-foot high flagstaff located at the south front of the Treasury Department.
• Galusha A. Grow is the only Speaker of the House of Representatives ever to be elected and take office on the 4th of July.
  
• An artillery salute of 15 guns is fired at Camp Jackson near Pigs Point, Va., in honor of the Southern States that have declared and are declaring their independence.
  
• In Baltimore, the citizens there present a "splendid silk national flag, regimental size," to the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment
• Gov. John A. Andrew of Massachusetts celebrates the 4th with the 1st Massachusetts Regiment at Camp Banks near Georgetown, D.C.
  

1862-

• Lincoln is in the White House and receives the "Soldiers of the War of 1812"...Mr. Lincoln replied appropriately, thanking them for the call."
• A pyrotechnic depiction of the battle between the Monitor and Merrimac takes place in New York

President Lincoln at Antietam, 1862

1863-

• The President issues an address to the people honoring the Army of the Potomac and "for the many gallant fallen." There was a ceremony on the grounds of the Executive Mansion.
• Upon hearing of the news of the surrender of Vicksburg, the President gives a "Fourth of July" speech on July 7 from the upper window of the White House to an "immense" crowd.
• Vicksburg, Mississippi waited 82 years, until 1945, to again celebrate the 4th after General Ulysses Grant took the city in 1863 during the Civil War.
• In Concord, N.H., former president Franklin Pierce addresses 25,000 persons at the "Democratic Mass Meeting" held there.
  
• In Buffalo, N.Y., 17 veterans of the War of 1812 march in a parade there.
• At Annapolis, a "flag of truce" boat filled with Secessionist women from Philadelphia and elsewhere leaves on July 3rd and travels south.
  
• In Gettysburg, Pa., as the Rebel troops are.making their escape from the great battle just fought there, someone throws firecrackers among their ambulances carrying the wounded and causes a stampede of the horses and panic among the troops.
  
• In Columbus, Ohio, Randal and Aston's store has 8,500 American flags to sell for the holiday.
  
• In Newport, Rhode Island, the Fourth of July celebration is repeated on Tuesday, July 7, due to the news regarding the Union victory at Vicksburg.
  
• Gov. Zebulon B. Vance of North Carolina giv es a speech in Granville county, urging "the people to continue their assistance in prosecuting the war until the independence of the Confederate States was established"

Charleston, S.C. Site of the night attack on Fort Sumter, September 8, 1863

1864-

• The President is at the White House reviewing the Reconstruction Bill and meeting with various officials.
• Gov. Andrew Johnson of Ten nessee addresses the citizens of Nashville.
  
• In Washington, D.C., Secretary William Seward, riding in a carriage, narrowly avoids serious injury when a rocket, set off by a young boy, strikes him above his eye
  

1864. Maj. Gen. Sherman and staff

1865-

• One of the first "Freedmen" celebrations occurs, in Raleigh, N.C.
  
• Lincoln's "Emanicipation Proclamation" is publicly read in Warren, Ohio, and Belpassi, Oregon.
  
• The National Monument Association lays the cornerstone of the Soldier's Monument in Gettysburg.
  
• The Huntsville Advocate (Alabama) prints news about celebrations in Gettysburg and New York.
• The celebration by the Colored People's Educational Monument Association in memory of Abraham Lincoln occurs in Washington, D.C. and is the first national celebration by African-Americans in the U.S.
  
• In Albany, N.Y., 100 "tattered" Civil War battle flags are presented to the state and Gen. Ulysses S. Grant is in attendance.
  
• In Savannah, Ga., Governor James Johnson addresses the citizens there telling them that slavery is dead and that they should renew their allegiance to the Government.
  
• At Saratoga Springs, N.Y., J.C. Hamilton, son of Alexander Hamilton, reads the Emancipation Proclamation.
  
• Union General William Tecumseh Sherman participates in a 4th of July civic celebration in Louisville, Ky., and witnesses a balloon ascension there.
  
• In Hopewell, New Jersey, a monument to the memory of John Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, is dedicated and New Jersey Governor Joel Parker delivers an oration

Pennsylvania Ave 1865

Its interesting to note as well that when July 4th fell on a Sunday, the anniversary was celebrated in most places on Monday, July 5.

Norlands Washburn Center June 5-6 2009

June 6, 1864
My Dear Brother Michael,
It has been almost a year since I lost received a letter from you. You said you were at Brandy Station at the time. I fear for the worst, dear brother. Are you a prisoner in a Northern camp somewhere? Are you amongst the wounded?
I am still traveling with Uncle Dick who is attached to the Third Maine Infantry, Company A. But for him and Aunt Marcia, I would be on the streets with no where to go. After the battles of ‘62 near our Maryland farm, I had no choice but to leave the land. I hope to return there when this war is over and rebuild what remains of the farmhouse and barns. We are located on the Winchester farm near the Paumunkey River in Virginia. Here I am staying in a small group of people in an area called Unity. There is a group of Federal troops to the East and a group of Rebels to the south. Friday night we arrived and set up camp before dark. Ashley was with me, Ben staying in the North near his school. It was quite cold that night, 45 degrees. There was little sleep to be had with the arrival of late comers. A babe cried late into the night. Saturday I was told to be in the military camp at 6 am for breakfast. Chef Bray had hung a stuffed squirrel on the tent pole.


More then one person mistook the animal as being alive as the wind made its tail move. Others were convinced it was dinner.


Later in the morning, the ladies had a fashion show. It was quite shocking but very entertaining to watch Mrs Lawson clothe her dress form. There was a tea in the town square, many attended and had it not been for Mrs Cylik and Mrs Lawson and most especially Mrs Williams, all would not have been served.

During the afternoon, there was a battle with many wounded.

I feared one might be you so I snuck across the lines to the Confederate Hospital. There was a gallant surgeon tending the wounded.



The 15th Alabama’s Captain was wounded and his wife came to his side. Only the skill of the surgeon saved him. Later I went to the Sutlers in Unity and purchased a shirt for Ben. Dinner was a ham and bean supper in town followed by a Contra dance. My cousin, Private Steve Henry escorted me. The strain of the battle filled day wore on me, leaving me too tired for the festivities. The night proved cold again, though not as bad as the previous one.
I once again ate with the Third Maine. At 10 am there were church services in town. Captain Lawson marched the men into town and ordered them to attend.

Having seen some of the men's actions, I certainly agreed with the Captain’s insistence in going for their moral character. The services was well done but towards the end of the service, the men in blue were called to arms and forced to leave before the end. Once again there was a battle in the after noon and once again I crossed the lines to the Rebel hospital tents.


When I arrived I notice there were 2 Third Maine men laying wounded. They had been treated but were in need of comfort. I gave them water and reassurance, offering them laudanum from my basket. Dearest brother, at that moment a Rebel Captain tried to steal my basket. Keeping it from him I again turned to help the boys in blue. To my utter shock and surprise I heard a woman’s voice to tell me to step away from my basket! I nearly fainted! She accused me of being a spy for the Union, Another Rebel office riffled through my basket, reading the letter you sent me from Brandy Station and finding the Union pin that I wear. I was escorted at gunpoint to a tent and told to wait. To my utter relief I was left alone long enough to take my basket and run. I ran to the nearest union soldier I could find, explaining what happened. The kind man said he would see to the Union wounded and sent me to the Third Maine Camp. There I found my Uncle and Mrs Cylik. I was given a firm lecture on going unescorted into town. A few hours later, the troops gathered and we marched off to find a new camp. I hope and pray you are well, Michael. Please write to me so that my heart can be calmed. Yours always, Your sister.

Norlands Movie

Camp Pratt May 2009

Once again it is that time of year for the 15th Alabama, Camp of Instruction. Time for us to dig out the gear, air out the tent and head over to Farmington, ME...er Alabama...yeah yeah that's it, The Fifteenth Alabama infantry Fort Mitchell in 1861!

We had some of the usual faces, and a few new ones too. Oddly one had a USA belt buckle...Captain Pratt assured me it was a trophy of war. (I think I will keep an eye on him just the same). Benjamin was the new Aide-de-Camp for our Captain since he was too young to carry a fire arm. Corpl Laiche wore a Zuave uniform with pants big enough for the entire unit to use as a tent.

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2009 when...

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2009 when...

1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone #'s to reach your family of 3.

4. You email the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that you don't have email addresses for them....

6. You pull up to your own driveway and use your cell phone to see is anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on Television had a website at the bottom of the screen.

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have for the first 20, 30 or 60 years of your life is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go online before getting your coffee.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. :-)

12. You're reading this nodding and smiling.

13. Even worse you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.

14. You are too busy to notice that there was no #9 on this list.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list...

And now you're laughing at yourself

Preparing for an event

People have asked me how I prepare for an event, what do I pack. Well, I always seem to pack too much! Ultimately it depends on the weather, the length/type of event and what persona I am portraying.

Packing for a Parade: This is easy...well...unless it is a winter parade. My last winter parade was in December 2007. The temperature was 17 to 19 degrees. That was indeed my last winter parade unless Abe Lincoln comes and invites me! Packing for a warmer weather parade includes a basket with needed personal items. (water, money, etc). I take my parasol to protect me from the sun or rain.

Packing for a Gala: Besides the ball gown and underpinnings, I have to bring a selection of hair decor and jewelry.

Packing for the Train Robbery: A basket with needed personal items. Food & Water. I bring medical looking items such as "blood stained" bandages, "morphine " tablets (actually breath mints) and the ever present knitting needle for removing bullets.

Packing for a Day Encampment: This is where the over packing starts and it really depends on what is going on. If I can avoid it, I don't bring my tent and all the fixings for it. I usually pack a chair, a crate with period childrens items, food and water for the day. My table and portable desk with books and letters. I take items from my "brother" and depending on the persona, supporting information for that as well. I like to bring knitting to keep my hands busy. It's also fun to take a period newspaper to read to others at the events.

Packing for Weekend: Firstly, I'm a wimp, as a result I stay in hotels at night so there is packing for that. I pack everything for a Day encampment plus the tent, bed, quilt, mini barrel, dishes, lantern. etc. Even though I don't usually sleep in the field, I want my tent to look as I do. (See my blog on Antietam for the one night I slept in the field!). Whether it is in Maine or at a national event the list is the same. I actually bought a chamber pot for the next over night I do so I don't have to trek to the bathroom at night.

So, packing takes at least an hour or so, depending on the event.

Last summer, I attended an event with a re-enactor who had chosen to downsize everything. From what I was told, he used to take all the perifinalia. At the event, he only had what he could carry. A blanket, cup, plate and a few toiletries. Just what fit in his back pack. He slept on the ground with just the blanket. For me the idea is tempting but the reality? I'll stick with motels!