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!

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!

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!

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....

It's All Relative.....

Being a proper lady of the 1860's requires that I do not go to events with out an escorted.

A difficult problem when I Do go to events with only my children. Decency insists that a male relative accompany me. As a result I have had to create an extended "family" of males from the Third Maine.

My first "elected" relative was Pvt Dick C. He was kind enough to escort me down the main street of Camp Sylvia. Once I learned that the way I was holding my hand on his arm was very "familiar" he became a cousin!

The second relation was at the first Train Robbery. "Cousin" Steve made sure I was safe. Assuring me that we would survive the Rebel raid.When he was "shot" and "killed", Miss Vicky, a lady of succession, presented his revolver to me as his nearest "relative".

At September Storm, I needed a more convincing reason to be in the field. So my husband became an imaginary private. Pvt B is an elusive man. Always on duty...or in trouble.

I had to ask the Sargeant to break up the gambling session (above) in camp so that Pvt B would not gamble all his pay away.

He also doesn't do well with drinking, as a result he is always on picket duty. He always seems to be missing at roll call too....and getting into Mrs Marsha C's Tonic!

What to do with that Man!

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

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.