Back in Time to the Civil War

We all hopped in the van Friday night to help support the 20th Maine Infantry (look at their website for a brief history)!  That's right our van was our time machine and we were able to drive beyond time (it took us about 2 hours) and find ourselves in the thick of a Union encampment for the weekend!

We were met by the troops and they set us up in two tents and period clothing (minus myself as I was the designated historian for the weekend) and accessories.  We arrived just in time to gather our things and settle in for the night.

The next morning we were woken to the bugler call of reveille.  It did not take long to hear the orders of the morning as the older boys and Michael were asked to assist in assembling new tents for late arrivals.  This was all before eight in the morning.  Then the most important call of the day, meal time...they called the ladies and young children ahead first so the little ones and I were pushed to the front to enjoy a wonderful breakfast.

It would be a short reprieve as the boys duties were to enter into training before the first battle of the day.  They were taught to hold their weapon, march in formation, battle commands, and fire their weapons.

This would take up most of the morning hours. While they trained, the little ones and I were enjoying the walk around the camp to learn a little more of the history.  We learned about the weapons that were on display.  We learned that the men in green were the sharpshooters.  We learned the men in the fancy outfits were from the 5th New York regiment.  I encourage you to learn about this interesting unit.

The boys were disappointed that they would miss the parade and presenting of the colors but their training would be very important in just a short time.  They knew their efforts would be invaluable on the field.  The little ones and I were able to attend these events in their stead.

Edward spent his morning meeting other young corps men who would assist the medical staff on the field.  These boys had so much fun climbing trees and look over the entire camp!

All were called together for the noon meal.  A simple and light meal, but would this be their last?  Most of our crew had worked so hard in the morning that they were just thankful for a nice meal.  The anticipation of the battle was on all of our minds!  How would they line up?  What formations would they be asked to perform?  Would they remember to step off with their left foot?  They choice to set these questions aside and enjoy their meal and period of rest before all the excitement began.

The call to assemble was made but our boys had been asked to fetch water after the meal...they raced to complete their task...would they be late for the battle?  They found their places in the line just in time!

They marched bravely into battle with the others.  After a fierce fight, our troops were victorious against the Rebs...we would be around for another battle (in just a few short hours!).

The battle began with the group of sharp shooters confronting each other toward the middle of the field.  This was followed by several rounds of cannon shots and the cavalry.  The Union definitely showed their strength in spite of the Rebs outnumbering them two to one.

Then the infantry lined up in their positions across the field.  As the cavalry encircled the troops, the soldiers began to fire.  When they felt they were enclosed, they regrouped and formed new lines.  Eventually, the Union would win this battle.

Sean can be seen between the trees in the photo

I recorded the boys' impression of their first battle:

Michael- Learning the drill and commands for the Civil War was interesting.  The first battle showed why the commands worked the way they did.  I was surprised however, though it does make sense, that each soldier must purchase rounds for the battle.  As we did not bring additional money, we did not have more ammo than was given to us for training.  On the plus side, the limited ammo gave us opportunities to be casualties in the battle and to discretely watch what happened from the field.  Though lying there when the Confederate cavalry galloped past just a few feet away could be a tad disconcerting.

Sean-  I died right after Henry...I thought I would be there for hours!  I was determined to fight stronger in the second battle!

Henry- Tired!  I died soon after the attack began.  I did not see much of the battle.

Edward chose to stay back in the camp.  I think he got a little nervous about the event.  Maybe it was because two of his new friends were kidnapped by the Rebel soldiers just before the battle!  We spent the time of rest between battles convincing him that he was needed out there.

After the battle, the little ones and I ventured to the meeting hall to meet Jefferson Davis and his wife (Varina), along with Harriet Tubman and Abraham Lincoln.  None of these officials were interested in talking to us; however, Lincoln did stop along enough to take a picture with the little guy!  Little Miss even took a picture with one of the ladies because she allowed Little Miss the opportunity to hold her bag.

So...there was a short time of rest between battles.  The older boys chose to rest and hydrate... very smart!

Michael spent his time with his studies!  He also found that he needed a little help with his uniform...a kind seamstress helped put him get his uniform back together before the next battle.

I had to share this picture of our veteran soldier

Edward and Brendan found the group of youngsters and replayed the battle scenes with their play guns.

It would not be long before the next formation would be called.  But not before an inspection of the camp.  Our boys stood at attention and waited but Sean could not resist laughing at one of the other soldiers who had an empty flask discovered in between his blankets!  He was sent to run around the encampment throughout the remainder of the inspection!

Second formation of the day...maybe somewhat more nervous (or more excited) as now they knew what to expect!  They lined up and were marching among the trees waiting for their chance to defend the line.  This time the little ones and I had a better vantage point and I was able to record the events of the battle with ease.  As I stood there, I thought about the wives of long ago who would often wait on the sidelines to watch the battle and hope that their husbands would be safe and return to them at the end of the day.

I was quick to see Michael fall to his knees.  He was then bandaged and returned to battle formation.  The soldiers would change positions three times in the battle.  However, they were soon surrounded by the Rebs and either shot or forced to surrender.  Michael and Henry would actually lie on the ground near each other for the remainder of the battle.  Michael was carried away in the corps wagon.  Henry would be left on the field until the battle had ended.

Sean stood throughout the entire battle only to surrender at the very end.  The Rebs only took those who willingly surrendered.  They first took control of the Union cannons.  Then they threatened to shoot anyone who tried to escape or gain the upper hand.  One man did try to escape but was captured just before making it out of range.  He truly seemed to be running for his life and completely dejected when he was taken away by the Rebs.

It was a very sad way to end the battle.  However, as one bystander mentioned as her favorite part of the reenactment, in the end all the men stand up and are safely free of all injuries!

And our dear young Edward worked bravely bandaging the fallen with his fellow corpsmen.  He was dramatically killed at the end of the battle as well.

The boys thoughts after the second battle:

Michael- The first battle was a Union victory, but the second battle favored the Rebs.  Having Confederate soldiers checking out your shoes to see if they would fit was a nice touch...but odd.  At least they knew that the proper order was Loot, then Burn.

Sean-  I felt like a hero because I was able to fight until the end...holding ground against the Rebels.   

Henry-  It felt like we were losing before we even started.  I was glad that this was just a reenactment.  However, I was told if this had been a real battle, we would likely have retreated instead of continuing to fight.

Edward-  The battle was really awesome because I was able to save the lives of so many soldiers.  I had a dramatic death but thankfully it was all an act.  

The little ones were happy to meet everyone back at the encampment.  I am so proud of all the family for working so hard throughout the day.  They worked hard and played hard...a very exhausting day for all of us.  It was nice to end the day with a nice meal.  

As we waited for our meal, I took a few pictures of our returning soldiers, along with Captain Star.  We also found a few distinguished citizens walking through the camp praising the soldiers efforts before attending their fancy dinner.

Then we enjoyed a fun dessert and a dance for all regardless of which side they fought to defend.  We took turns dancing for a short time before heading back to our tent for bed.  

However, as I tried to take pictures I found that many had an interesting effect caused by the light and movement of the dancers.  It made me think that those who were truly from the Civil War era were looking upon us with smiles knowing that they were being remembered this weekend.  They live on through the telling of their stories.   

That night as I lie in our tent, I was uncomfortable for the second night in a row.  My days of sleeping on the ground, especially without adequate blankets for the cold have ended.  However, I again reflected on those of the past.  Who am I to complain about a few discomforts over a short period of time?  The soldiers of the Civil War were often without food and other comforts of home for days at a time.  I slept better after thanking God for the blessings in my life due mostly because of others who have given up these comforts in the past and even until this day.

The next morning we woke up before the bugle's reveille.  We packed our few possessions.  Then we attended Mass at a church in Fresno (randomly chosen for the earliest Mass available).  We were blessed with a beautiful view of religious art surrounding the altar.  Then a missionary priest spoke about the way to "work out our salvation."  He shared five key ways to grow closer to God:

• Be faithful to daily work (God has placed you where you need to be and will work through you where you are in life.)
• Be other-centered (as opposed to self-centered)
• Understand the reality of vice and virtue (If we have the desire to live as God desires we will work to grow closer to God.)
• Practice and live the sacraments (The sacraments are opportunities to receive grace.)
• Live a trinitarian spirituality (Live as we are inspired by Jesus to be better formed for a life eternally in heaven.)

It seems that God is always calling us to be closer to Him in all we do...in our every day lives...through the graces we are open to receive...in our lives we are examples of this love.

I saw this through example this weekend.  Everyone returned to a simpler time...although under distress due to the war, we all felt the desire to assist each other to live in harmony.  Then the time machine takes us back to our time period, but we do not have to stop living a simple God-centered life.  Some of us are called to preach the Gospel through our words, but it is often through our witness to grace that we can share.  We might even need to give up our life one day to save another, just as soldiers of the past and present must commit.  Again, I say...let us pray for the soldiers who protect our freedoms...may we never forget... may we appreciate their sacrifice...may we never take for granted this choice they make for us.

 
A long post...and so much more that I could share.  A big thank you to Captain Star for recruiting our family.  You can see his love for the history and for the young ones to understand and learn about this history.  Also, a thank you to the entire 20th Maine Infantry for making us feel so welcome.  We enjoyed our time and hope to participate again.