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.

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.

Rations

The original Federal ration, in 1861 was:

3/4 lb of salt pork or bacon or 1 1/4 lb of salt beef
1 1/4 lb of fresh bread or 3/4 lb of hardtack or 1 1/4 lb of cornmeal
2 1/2 oz dried peas or beans
1 1/2 oz coffee or 1/4 oz tea
2 1/2 oz sugar
1 1/4 oz vinegar
1/2 oz of salt
2 in cube of dessicated vegetables

In 1863 the ration was changed:
increased to 1 lb for hardtack
coffee beans were specified to be 10 lbs of _green_ beans
added 1/10 oz of pepper
added 1/3 lb of fresh potatoes
added 1/3 oz molasses

In addition, each regiment was supposed to have a fund of money to buy
fresh food, but that only worked if there was fresh food available in
the area.

The Confederacy adopted the exact same standard ration. Because of
resources, however, they issued more cornmeal than hardtack or soft
bread, almost no coffee or tea, and were often short on quantity for
everything.

(Thanks to Miss Carolyn for supplying me with this)

Labor Day Weekend On the Train

A small but sturdy group turned out for the Labor Day Weekend train event.
The day started with 4 against 3. As always it was most enjoyable!

After lunch, One of the Southern belles was kidnapped as a "nurse". By the next train run, she
had disappeared and oddly there was a new soldier in their ranks.




Our last train of the day was had 150 Koreans on board. Few spoke English but all seemed to enjoy the shoot out and Cousin Steve's corpse. Many took pictures with us even posing with Steve as he lay there pretending to be dead!

U.S. Sanitary Commission visits the Third Maine

June 18, 1861 - President Lincoln signs a bill making the United States Sanitary Commission an official agency. During the next fours years of civil war the volunteer work of thousands of women in the U.S. Sanitary Commission would cut the disease rate of the Union Army in half, and raise around twenty-five million dollars in support of the Northern war effort. Sanitary agents prowled the camps, inspecting the living conditions and the hospitals and setting standards for the hiring of medical personnel.

On August 2, 1863 a group of USSC ladies visited the Third Maine Regiment, Company A at Scribner's Mill, Harrison Maine. This is the report that was filed.

To Mr Frederick Law Olmstead, General Secretary of the United States Sanitary Commission

Sir,
I had occasion to visit the Maine Regiment, Company A at Scribner's Mill, Harrison Maine. Mrs L question the Captain of the group and though he seemed reluctant to allow us to enter the camp, he did realize it was our duty and we were allowed entry. Our first sight was 2 young lads. They were playing the devil's game, gambling and cards. I am concerned that the company's First Sargent and Captain have allowed the impressionable young men to partake in these detrimental activities. The lads were persuaded to take up the good book instead.

Next we visited a Private who seemed to have difficulty standing. At first we though he might have been partaking in liquor but it was found that he was under a physicians care and had laudanum for a previous injury.

I must applaud the men on one point. They all had a spare clean shirt though the size seemed the same for all.

The next Private we spoke to had a severe case of lice. It is my recommendation that a case of strong lye soap be sent to this group as soon as can be arranged.

Our attention was then drawn to a smooth faced man with a particularly harsh cough. We suggestion that he grow a beard to keep his throat warm during the dampness of the evenings.

Mr Olmstead, there is a Senator Gowen in the ranks, I believe he will be writing you with his concerns as he was quite loud in his complaints. The first Sargent assures us that these will be handled through military channels.

To our horror, we found a tablet posted indicating that there would be a card game in the evening and that the soldiers were to lie to us during our visit. The First Sargent again assured us this was a Private playing a joke and the offending soldier would be disciplined.

It came to our attention that there was a woman living in the camp. She was a letter writer for the men so that they could keep contact with their wives and sweethearts at home. We suggested that she also read temperance literature and the good book to the men as well.

Another concern is the lack of rails and proper disposal of the men's waste. The captain assures us that there was no cause for concern but all the same we insisted he build a proper railing to prevent falls.

Our overall impression is that these men need the calming influence of a chaplain to keep their thoughts and bodies pure.

Respectfully Submitted

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 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!

Union Train Attacked!

Once again the patrons of the narrow gauge railway traveling from Manassas Junction to Harpers Ferry were besieged by the blue and gray.The day dawned with the Federal Troops ( all 3 of them!) commandeering the train to transport payroll and important dispatches. Once the train was underway along the Potomac River (Why were there so many sea gulls?) the Rebel forces attacked.

There were many ladies of secession aboard cheering for the attackers. One even going with a Rebel!

Brave Union ladies attempted to defend the train, one even pulling a gun on the Secesh.

Despite all attempts, the gold and papers were stolen....

Battlefields of Tennesee

Battlefields
While in Tennessee in February, I toured several famous battlegrounds from the Civil war. Shiloh, Stones River (Murfreesboro) and Chattanooga/Chickamauga. What struck me the most at all three sites were the shear number of unknown graves. Row upon row of them. Of the three, Chickamauga seemed to ‘click’ with me the most. I understand the movements on the field and while there stood in the forest where they fought. It is amazing to me that they could even fight in the tangle of the underbrush and know who they were fighting and where they were going.
Bragg's Headquarters

A few days ago I discovered that the 15th Alabama was there with Bragg’s army. I can now use the information I learned in the south as part of my Living History presentations.

Chickamauga

Shiloh seemed such a lonely place to me. Perhaps it was the snow flurries and that it was off season. There was no other cars in the park, just tons of deer everywhere.
http://www.nps.gov/shil/

Shiloh

Stones River seemed chopped up as there are several unconnected parts to it. I found it hard to imagine the battle there...of course the snow didn’t help on that one!
http://www.nps.gov/stri/

Stones River National Cemetary

Look out Mountain and Point Park are well worth the drive up the side of a steep mountain side. The view of the valley is great and you can really see Missionary ridge from the top as well as the river. It gives you a great view of the valley.

http://www.nps.gov/chch/

Tennessee River from Lookout Mountain

Are you smarter then a Fifth grader?

Late January Ashley and I were asked to come and talk about life during the Civil War. So we put on our period clothing and headed to school. Imagine the looks I got walking into the building. We spoke in 2 fifth grade classes. Both of the classes seemed interested and there were some amusing questions. When I showed them my hand muff made from real fur, one boy asked "What animals were on the endangered species list then" How could I answer anyway but bluntly.."None, they didn’t care" Sad but true.

Third Maine Volunteer Infantry History

3rd Maine Gerrysburg Monument

REGIMENT:
3rd Infantry Regiment Maine

Date of Organization:
4 Jun 1861

Muster Date:
28 Jun 1864

Regiment State:
Maine

Regiment Type:
Infantry

Regiment Number:
3rd

Enlisted Died of Disease or Accident:
10

Officers Died of Disease or Accident:
1

Enlisted Killed or Mortally Wounded:
124

Enlisted Died of Disease or Accident:
148

Regimental Soldiers and History:
Regimental History
MAINE THIRD INFANTRY(Three Years)Third Infantry--
Col., Oliver O. Howard; Lieut.-Col., Isaac N. Tucker; Maj., Henry G. Staples.

This regiment responded to the first call for troops with promptness and alacrity. It was rendezvoused on the state house grounds at Augusta and was composed mainly of Kennebec lumbermen. The regiment was most fortunate in having for its colonel Oliver O. Howard, who rose rapidly to the rank of major-general and gained for himself a name distinguished among the nation's heroes. During the long three years' service the regiment was successively commanded by Maj. Staples and Capt. Moses B. Lakeman of Co. I, Lieut.-Col. Tucker having resigned to become brigade quartermaster. On the resignation of Lieut.-Col. Tucker, Capt. Sampson of Co. D, Capt. Lakeman and Adjt. Burt served as lieutenant-colonel in the order named. Succeeding Henry G. Staples as major were Adjt. Burt and Capt. William C. Morgan.

Of the original companies of the regiment Co. A (Bath City Greys) had existed under former militia laws and the others were new organizations. The regiment was mustered into the United States service on June 4, 1861, and left the state for the front the next day. Perhaps no regiment from the state saw more fighting or rendered more distinguished service.

From the first battle of Bull Run, until the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, the regiment participated in most of the important battles and movements of the Army of the Potomac. The operations of the so-called "Stove-Pipe Artillery" commenced with this regiment. While encamped at Flag Hill, Va., they employed the ruse of mounting a stove-pipe on wheels, and drew 12 shots from the enemy at their cannon.

The loss of the 3d in killed and wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks was nearly one-third of the men engaged. It was in this engagement that Sergt.-Maj. F. W. Haskell of Waterville so gre

atly distinguished himself as to win the commendation of his colonel and of the entire regiment. The 3d gave an excellent account of itself in the battle of Gettysburg. At the close of the second day's fighting Gen. Sickles declared that, "The little 3d Me. saved the army today." Its loss at Gettysburg was 113 killed, wounded and missing.

On the return of the regiment to Augusta, June 11, 1864, only 17 officers and 176 enlisted men were left to be mustered out. Sixty-four of these men reenlisted, and together with the recruits were transferred to the 17th Me. Not one of the original field and staff officers returned with the regiment and only one of the original captains--the veteran Moses B. Lakeman--who returned in command of the regiment.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 1

Gettysburg after battle report:

Reports of Col. Moses B. Lakeman, Third Maine Infantry.
Near Warrenton, Va.,
July 27, 1863.

Capt.: I have the honor to submit the following report of thepart taken by my regiment at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., on the2d instant: By order, I formed my regiment in line of battle parallel to andfacing the Emmitsburg road, on the right of the brigade, at earlymorn. Soon after, by order of Gen. Ward, I moved my regimentas a support for a body of sharpshooters, under command of Col.Berdan, to whom I was ordered to report, by Capt. Briscoe, ofGen. Birney's staff.

Advancing to and for some distance on the Emmitsburg road, I approached a dense wood on the west side of the road, and on enteringit formed my regiment (as ordered) to support the advancingline of skirmishers, and followed at supporting distance. They soon, however, became hotly engaged, and, by order of Col. Berdan, I advanced double-quick to the line they occupied, and instantly formed my regiment under a heavy fire from the enemy, which wereturned with a good will. Here I labored under a decided disadvantage, which will account for my heavy loss. The skirmishers were well secured behind trees, while my battalion filled the intervals. The enemy showed himself in overwhelming force, but so well did we hold our position that his advance was much checked and very disastrous, and not until ordered by Col. Berdan to fallback did a single man leave the ranks, with the exception of thoses lightly wounded, when I retired, giving an occasional volley to check his advance, which now became quicker.

I was obliged to leave my dead and seriously wounded on the field, and on arriving at the road formed my regiment, which had gottensomewhat confused from loss of men and obstructions in our retreat. This engagement was short but very severe, and serves to give me a renewal of confidence in the men I command. I sustained a loss of 48 in killed, wounded, and missing. While on the move to join my brigade, I received an order from Gen. Birney to take position in a peach orchard on the right of my previous one, and accordingly moved my regiment there and occupiedit. Here I was enabled several times during the day to repulse the enemy's skirmishers (who seemed very anxious to drive usfrom it), and also to seriously harass the left flank of their advancing columns to the position which the other regiments of the brigade were holding, changing my front as circumstances required. In this position my regiment lay about midway between our own and the enemy's batteries, and a few of my command were more or less seriously injured from the frequent explosion of shells immediately over us.I was heavily pressed in front and on my right flank about 4 p.m., but succeeded in repulsing, with considerable loss, the force, which was much greater than mine, and sent them flying back to their covers. An hour later they came forward again with a force much greater than before, but I engaged them and held them for som efifteen minutes, when I received a severe flank fire on my left.

I then saw a large force marching round to cut me off, and ordered my regiment to retire, and while doing so we received a most distressing fire, which threw my command into much confusion, and mixing them up with a portion of the First Brigade, which was also fallingback.I regret to report the loss of my national colors, for no men fought harder under it that day than did my regiment, but Capt. Keene, of the color company, and his first and only lieutenant, Henry Penniman, fell, the former pierced by four bullets, the latter severely wounded in the leg. The color-bearer fell, wounded; 2 of the guardwere killed, and 4 others seriously wounded; and, as darkness was fast approaching, I did not miss it till the following morning. If I had, they would have had me and my little squad or I would have had my flag. As soon as I could rally the remains of my shattered regiment, I joined the brigade, and the men lay on their arms during the night. I am proud to say the conduct of my officers and men through out the entire day is deserving the highest praise. Their coolness and courage in resisting a force which they could plainly see was four times their number I cannot pass over lightly, but feel somewhat recompensed for my loss by the knowledge that the few I have left are of the same material as the gallant spirits that have fallen. I entered the engagement of the morning with 14 officers and 196 rifles, and lost during the day 113 killed, wounded, and missing, including Maj. Lee wounded, Capt. Keene killed, &c., a list of which has already been sent to headquarters. I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

MOSES B. LAKEMAN,Col., Comdg. Third Maine Regt.
Capt. John M. Cooney,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brig., First Div., Third Corps.
------------------------------------------------------------------


Hdqrs. Third Maine Regt., July 27, 1863.

Col.:
I herewith respectfully report the movements of myregiment under your command at the battle of Gettysburg, on the 3d, 4th, and 5th instant. On or about noon of the 3d instant, I was, by order from Gen.Ward, sent as support to the Second Division of the Second Corps, which was being heavily pressed by the enemy, but who had succeeded in repulsing them before my arrival. I reported to Gen.Webb, and placed my regiment, as ordered by him, in support of abattery in our front, but our services were not required throughoutthe p. m. or night. Early on the morning of the 4th instant, I, with the Fourth Maine, Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania, and Twentieth Indiana Regt.'s, advanced to the front, sending forward the skirmishers of the Second Corps, and, taking position on the Emmitsburg road, previously the skirmish line, relieved the skirmishers in my front, thereby being supported by, instead of supporting, the Second Corps. Quite brisk skirmishing took place during the day, but without loss, I am happy to state, to my regiment. I remained on this line until about 12 m. on the 5th, when I retired to the position occupied the previous morning, leaving my skirmishers still to the front, when, finding the enemy had gone, my skirmishers were relieved, and I, with the other regiments, joined thebrigade. Respectfully submitted.

MOSES B. LAKEMAN,Col., Comdg. Third Maine Regt.
P. S.--Permit me to add that the conduct of my officers and men throughout the whole of the trying engagement was admirable in the extreme, and they are highly deserving of special mention.S ource: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43

Battles Fought
Fought on 21 Jul 1861 at Bull Run, VA.
Fought on 22 Jul 1861.
Fought on 2 Apr 1862.
Fought on 2 May 1862.
Fought on 31 May 1862 at Fair Oaks, VA.
Fought on 15 Jun 1862.
Fought on 29 Jun 1862 at Richmond, VA.
Fought on 30 Jun 1862.
Fought on 1 Jul 1862 at Malvern Hill, VA.
Fought on 2 Jul 1862 at Malvern Hill, VA.
Fought on 4 Jul 1862 at MS River.
Fought on 29 Aug 1862 at 2nd Bull Run, VA.
Fought on 30 Aug 1862 at 2nd Bull Run, VA.
Fought on 31 Aug 1862 at 2nd Bull Run, VA.
Fought on 1 Sep 1862 at Chantilly, VA.
Fought on 30 Sep 1862.
Fought on 4 Nov 1862.
Fought on 13 Dec 1862 at Fredericksburg, VA.
Fought on 14 Dec 1862 at Fredericksburg, VA.
Fought on 1 May 1863 at Chancellorsville, VA.
Fought on 2 May 1863 at Chancellorsville, VA.
Fought on 3 May 1863 at Chancellorsville, VA.
Fought on 15 Jun 1863 at Richmond, VA.
Fought on 15 Jun 1863.
Fought on 20 Jun 1863 at Gum Springs.
Fought on 20 Jun 1863.
Fought on 1 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 2 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 3 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 22 Jul 1863.
Fought on 27 Sep 1863.
Fought on 9 Nov 1863 at Kelly's Ford, VA.
Fought on 1 May 1864.
Fought on 5 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA.
Fought on 6 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA.
Fought on 8 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 10 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 12 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 15 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 23 May 1864 at North Anna River, VA.
Fought on 25 May 1864.
Fought on 30 May 1864.
Fought on 31 May 1864.
Fought on 1 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 4 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 16 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 17 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

All Quiet Along the Potomac

Potomac Bridge ca 1861 All Quiet Along the Potomac
By Ethel Lynn Beets

A poem that has been recited at thousands of Grand Army Campfires
and one of the immortal Favorites with the boys in Blue


All quiet along the Potomac, they say,
Except now and then a stray picket
Is shot as he walks on his beat to and fro,
By a rifleman hid in the thicket.'
Tis nothing, a private or two now and then
Will not count in the news of the battle;
Not an officer lost, only one of the men,
Moaning out all alone the death rattle.

All quiet along the Potomac tonight,
Where the soldiers lie peacefully dreaming,
Their tents in the rays of the clear autumn moon,
O'er the light of the watch fires, are gleaming;
A tremulous sigh, as the gentle night wind,
Through the forest leaves softly is creeping,
While stars up above, with their glittering eyes,
Keep guard for the army is sleeping.

There's only the sound of the lone sentry's tread,
As he tramps from the rock to the fountain,
And thinks of the two in the low trundle bed,
Far away in the cot on the mountain.
His musket falls slack, and his face, dark and grim,
Grows gentle with memories tender,
As he mutters a prayer for the children asleep,
For their mother, may Heaven defend her!

The moon seems to shine just as brightly as then,
That night when the love yet unspoken
Leaped up to his lips when low-murmured vows,
Were pledged to be ever unbroken.
Then drawing his sleeve roughly over his eye
He dashes off tears that are welling,
And gathers his gun closer up to its place
As if to keep down the heart-swelling.

He passes the fountain, the blasted pine tree
The footstep is lagging and weary;
Yet onward he goes, through the broad belt of light,
Toward the shades of the forest so dreary.
Hark! Was it the night wind that rustled the leaves,
Was it moonlight so wondrously flashing?
It looks like a rifle -- "Ah! Mary, good-bye!"
And the lifeblood is ebbing and splashing.

All quiet along the Potomac tonight,
No sound save the rush of the river;
While soft falls the dew on the face of the dead --
The picket's off duty forever!

Reenactor Slang

I though it would be entertaining to list terms we use in our hobby. We all know people that fall into some of these categories!

Anachronism:
An item that doesn’t fit into the time period portrayed...Like a cell phone ringing in a tent.

Approximator; Period Close Enough
Someone whose clothing, equipment and activity only outwardly reflects the time period. Like a Ball gown with a Zipper up the back.

Awkward Squad
Used when drilling new recruits who are still Awkward. Seasoned soldiers will join the squad as "ballast" so the new revruits can follow the actions of the more experienced.

Authentic, Period Correct
People who take great care in their uniform and gear to be accurate.

BFH
A term used when marching to warn soldiers behind you that there is a Big Fricken Hole in the road.

BOB
Better off Bowling-refers to someone who is clueless about authenticity.

Cowboy
Definition 1-A farb or non authentic reenactor
Definition 2- one who does not follow rules concerning safety and acts silly or dangerous

Death March
An overly active and physically exhausting reenactment.

Death Marcher
A disparaging term for an officer who gets the troops lost.

Farb,Variations include Farbette, Farble, Farb-fest, Farb-a-thon, farb wannbee, Farbie Barbie
Non period, non authentic equipment or person who uses them.. Believed to be derived from "Far be it from me...." or "Fast and Researchless Buying" or an acronym for Barf.

Fresh Fish, Hayfoot, straw foot, sugarfoot, tenderfoot
New Recruits

Five Yard Rule
A rule for Authenticity in which an object must be indistinguishable from an original object at a distance of five yards

Frag, fragging, skagging
Modern term for the deliberate assassination of unpopular and dangerous officers or noncoms by shooting them in the back.

gods, stitch counters, authenticity police
The inspectors who pass through the ranks of men before a reenactment and check authenticity. Stitch counters look for hand sewn items.

Hardcores, progressives, fanatics
The ultra-authentics, who take authenticity to extremes trying to attain as close to 100% accuracy as possible.

Hotdog, Glory Hound
A reenactor who becomes too active during an event and does something foolish and dangerous, such as engaging in impromptu hand to hand fighting.

Iron Underwear
A unit who won’t take hits or suffer casualties

Kentucky Windage
Originally, in black powder shooting, to aim slightly away or above the target to allow for crosscurrents of wind and distance. Now used by reenactors to describe a gross exaggeration.

Mannequin
A reenactor who is dressed correctly but does not behave with historically accuracy. For example, discussing current news events or sports.

Powder Burner

An event that has a great deal of shooting. Also, a dangerous person who shoots wildly

Resurrection
The time at the end of an event when the troops who have taken hits stand up and fall back in line.

Scarlet O’Hara, Scarlet Fever, Magnolia, Farbie Barbie
A woman who overacts or over dresses as a "grande dame".

TBG
"Tubby bearded guy". Disparaging term used by female soldier reenactors to refer to their male counterparts, who criticize them for being unauthentic.

Virginia Private
Disparaging term for a person of self appointed high rank. For example a unit that is brass heavy.

Zebra Convention
A disparaging term for any event where there are more non-commissioned officers than was typical of the period.

Civil War At Christmas

This original 1863 Thomas Nast print shows a touching scene of Husband and Wife on Christmas Eve 1862. The picture is from the January 1863 edition of Harper's Weekly. This leaf is a stunning illustration and is over 140 years old!


As the war dragged on, deprivation replaced bounteous repasts and familiar faces were missing from the family dinner table. Soldiers used to "bringing in the tree" and caroling in church were instead scavenging for firewood and singing drinking songs around the campfire. And so the holiday celebration most associated with family and home was a contradiction. It was a joyful, sad, religious, boisterous, and subdued event.


"Snowy Morning on Picket" from Harper's Weekly January 30, 1864.

The final verse of a poem By the Christmas Hearth published in the Christmas edition of Harper's Weekly reflected the sentiments of many:

Bring holly, rich with berries red,
And bring the sacred mistletoe;
Fill high each glass, and let hearts
With kindliest feelings flow;
So sweet it seems at home once more
To sit with those we hold most dear,
And keep absence once again
To keep the Merry Christmas here.

Great Site with Info on Civil War and Christmas

http://oha.alexandriava.gov/fortward/special-sections/christmas/