July 19, 2011

Civil War Tribute...

It was a warm July day, and people were going about their daily lives. There was a breeze which kept the temperatures from being uncomfortable. Women were saying goodbye to their husbands and posing for pictures they'd hold close to their hearts.
Our country was at war with itself, and men - young and old - were leaving home to fight for their beliefs. The women would find strength to run their households from deep within themselves. They wanted to make their contributions to the war, too, and homekeeping was one of the ways they could help. It wasn't easy work in the 1860s, yet these women were heroes on the homefront, too.

They made blankets to send to their soldiers, wrote letters and conducted businesses. They also ran farms and cotton plantations and engaged in physical labor, the likes of which had not been seen by women in many generations. If their men returned, they found women with calloused hands and a new-found determination.
We heard the fifes announcing another brigade heading off to battle. Women and children marched along, waving flags and cheering for their loved ones.
Members of the 150th P.V.I. - "Bucktails" Co. C & Co. K
They didn't have far to march. Most of the battles were being fought close to home. Many of their men would never return...young lives lost on the field. Families - and our country - would never be the same.

Late in the day, some of the families stood to listen to the drum and fife music. There were camp and marching songs that delighted the listeners. Once it was discovered that Handsome is a drummer, he was invited to play along with the fifes to entertain the people milling around their tent village.
This was a Civil War Reenactment camp that we recently attended. There were mock battles that reminded you that this wasn't just setting up tents and making believe. It was a reminder of just how much our forefathers held dear their principles. They lived in difficult conditions with little or no comforts of home. They missed their families, their lives before war, and their sweethearts.
I have this book in my library, "The Civil War Sewing Circle" by Kathleen Tracy (available here). There are stories, letters and patterns for quilts from the era, including the U.S. Sanitary Commission quilts. I'm going to add a Civil War quilt to my To Do List. I'm going to use reproduction Civil War fabrics to make it. I'll have the remainder of the summer and into the fall to choose my colors and patterns. (Now there are three quilts on my list: The Farmer's Wife quilt, a hobo quilt and a Civil War Quilt.) I think I'm going to have a busy winter, don't you?
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Sorry for the delay in posting today...Blogger (or my Internet service) was giving me trouble last night. I'll keep this post up for today (Tuesday and Wednesday) and will be back with a new post on Thursday. See you then!

7 comments:

  1. Your story is a true tribute to those that went before us. We have a Civil War Reenactment here in September and I am always amazed at the dedication these people put into such a life to tell the stories to others. Very authentic and very interesting. Handsome looks right at home playing the drum. Next I might see you in full period dress and cooking over the campfire? This is one hobby that would never be for me. Have fun playing with Tag...

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  2. What a fun post! Great pictures, too and I think adding the Civil War quilt to your to-do list is a great idea. Can't wait to see it!

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  3. Love the pictures. We have a civil war reenactment here in Michigan at The Henry Ford. It's always so much fun to go to. And I think that a Civil War quilt will be an excellent addition to the to-do list. I'm working on two right now - Civil War Tribute and Civil War Chronicles. And there are so many more I want to make. Wish that Ihad more time - like the rest of us do! :o)

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  4. Hi Donna, that book looks very interesting. Here, "across the pond" there are a few ladies from our craft forum that are making one of the Civil War quilts and some are making the Farmers Wife quilt- me? no, I have too many PHD's ( projects half done) LOL.

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  5. How cool! David's brother does reinactments. I can't imagine wearing all those clothes in this heat. oy!

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  6. We live not far from the Wilson's Creek Battlefield. Your book looks very interesting and inspiring. I can't wait to see what you make from it! Sorry about the blogger issues. Have a wonderful day! Twyla

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  7. I love reenactments. :) Seeing folks in traditional wear and doing traditional craft is always my favorite thing about "living" museums. Thanks for sharing this!

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Blessings, Donna