December 2000 Weekly Firesides
Hear Ye.... Hear Ye!!
American Civil War History
Submitted by HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG, and HOST GFS Amy
Our Focus: the history
of the American (United States) Civil War
Our Goal: to
enhance your genealogy activity, knowledge, and wisdom by talking about the
history surrounding their lives and actions; specifically the Civil War that our
ancestors lived through and died because of.
Captain Oliver
Wendall Holmes of the 20th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment said it so well:
"I think it is a
noble and pious thing
To do whatever we may by written
Word or molded bronze and sculpted
Stone to keep our memories, our
Reverence and our love alive and
To hand on to new generations
All too ready to forget."
Our Promise: to
provide an online environment that is not judgmental and to address all aspects
of this pivotal period in our history, with honesty and truth (as we know it).
Welcome to
First-Timers! Every first-time visitor to the American Civil War History
SIG gets put on the newsletter distribution list automatically because we like
to send you a thank-you card for coming to visit. We hope to give
you an opportunity to jump right in with us. If you desire not to receive
the newsletter, then just drop us an e-mail saying unsubscribe and we will
quickly remove your screen name from distribution. Also many of you pass
on the newsletter to others that don't subscribe to AOL. We really want to
thank you for spreading the word. We would also like to let you know that
we would be happy to add them to our list if they have an e-mail address of any
sort. We distribute everywhere to those who have requested it.
We encourage you to post any Civil War letters, stories, or articles that you
have in our Civil War History Files. There is also an area for you to
upload photos if you desire to share those with the Civil War History community.
From keyword: ROOTS which takes you to the main screen of the Golden Gates
Genealogy Forum on AOL, select "files," then selected "history
and culture." Here you will find the two upload areas mentioned.
Please note that our weekly newsletter, as well as regimental histories,
and meeting logs can also be downloaded from this file library area.
MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS
Here's how it works .
. . If you are trying to get photographs of a gravesite or a battlefield to
collect for your Civil War ancestor research and records, then send us a request
and we will post it here. Other members seeing your request and being in
the near vicinity, are willing to assist and can e-mail you directly to work out
the details. (This protects your privacy.) We highly recommend the
requester pay for all film costs and any postage involved to the helping member.
This is intended to be a free assistance between members, with the
exception of defraying film and postage cost. "Do unto others . . .
" as you know. :) Keep us posted on how this is working
so we can share your experiences in the Fireside! If you have any
questions, please e-mail HOST GFS Jim.
Also, if you have received answers to your questions, be sure to let us know.
Thanks!
A BIT OF COMMUNITY
We think you will
enjoy the following member inputs!
The following story came thru Moweq and while it is pre-Civil War, we think it's
a great story! It is about "Moweq's" maternal, 3rd great
grandparents John and Jane "Jennie" (Roach) Armstrong. John Armstrong
(1803-1883) and Jane Armstrong (1802-1877). In 1825 John Armstrong built their
home in Flat Branch Township, Shelby County, Illinois. They are buried in the
Tolly Cemetery about one mile from their original home place.
Jane
"Jennie" (Roach) Armstrong was the typical pioneer housewife and
mother as indicated in Christmas on Flat Branch In 1833.
"Christmas would be a busy time, so I started early
to prepare. The elderberry and wild crab apple jelly had been stored away for
that special occasion. Corn, apples, and pumpkin had been dried. The nuts were
all gathered. We had crocks of good honey and molasses. All had been stored in
the big safe or lean-to.
"I had found time to make corn shuck dolls for Elizabeth
who would be 8, Mary 4, and Catherine 2, and a soft sock doll for Aaron who
would be 3 months on Christmas, Beverly, our big boy was 6 and John had made him
a bow and arrow and a fine sling shot. I had also woven a warm woolen scarf to
surprise John. All this I had hidden behind the loose bricks in the fire place
where John had made a hidden compartment.
"Our first school house, which was really a log cabin,
had been erected in the summer of '33. Mr. Daniel Sloan was the first teacher
and he lived with the Tolly's. Our two children in school had invited all the
children, parents and teacher to spend Christmas with us.
"We would have the Tollys, Caseys, Hills, Chadwicks,
Gordons and the Dentons with us. Christmas was pay day. Everybody was trusted
and everybody paid their debts. Having them together would make the settlement
easier.
"St. Louis was the nearest town where produce could be
exchanged for needed supplies. That was 125 miles as the crow flies to the west
and south. John and some of neighbors had gone down before Christmas. John had a
supply of hides, pelts, moccasins, pants and hunting shirts ready to exchange
for salt, coffee, and whiskey. I was in hope that he could barter for some fancy
cups which could be filled with raisins for the children's Christmas treat. I'm
sure all of our supplies will be gone before Christmas.
"Our friends started to arrive on the 24th by ox wagons
with their cows tied securely behind the wagons. The men and boys had plenty of
buffalo robes so they could bed down in the wagons. The women brought quilts and
comforts for pallets on the floor. The girls climbed the ladder to the loft and
were bedded down on corn shuck pads. We had a difficult time getting the girls
settled down.
"After they were asleep, John brought in a cedar bough
which all the women helped to decorate. Each woman had brought her cherished
trinket to tie to the bough.
"Our Christmas Day started with a good breakfast for all.
Then our school teacher read from the Good Book. We were pleased that he had our
Elizabeth read a few verses from Matthew, chapter 2. After that, all the
children received a gift; the best we could afford.
"Finally, it was all cooked and our table was laden with
good eats: venison, wild turkey, prairie chicken, pork, mashed turnips, boiled
corn, hominy, pans of corn bread with plenty of butter, jelly, honey, buttermilk
for the children, coffee for the adults, hickory nuts, walnuts, chestnuts,
plenty of dried apples, and pumpkin pie for dessert.
"While the women finished the work, the small children
played. The older boys had a tug of war, and wrestled, and talked about hunting
and hound dogs. The men talked about the wolves killing the stock and then
organized a hunting party. A water mill was also discussed and everyone hoped
that it could be built. Remember, at this time there were no party politics to
discuss and the following quote is a sign of the times: 'Men were pure in their
thoughts, honest in their acts and mannerly in their deportment.' The
women talked about bee keeping, new quilt patterns, carding and spinning, and
the new school and teacher, Mr. Sloan.
"Before dark, our friends had to return to their homes,
but sharing Christmas together in a one-room log cabin with 30 friends and
relatives was living proof of 'peace on earth and good will toward
men.'"
Jane Armstrong, age 31. [ ] The Moweaqua News, Dec. 25, 1975, Vol. 90, No.
52, p. 1.
The above Christmas story was told to Ruth Campbell by her
great grandmother Elizabeth (Armstrong) Housh (1825-1910) The original log cabin
and lean-to that the Christmas of 1833 occurred in, stood until 1915 when it was
razed.
Merry Christmas to all,
R. Garey Hodge aka "Moweq"
TF 2-5 Cavalry Support Kuwait -- Winter 2000-2001
http://www.feist.com/~sgt/kuwait.htm
Please participate and refer others to the site for details.
(Received by HOST GFS Jayne and ZoomUp from JENN5CAV)
Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System
http://165.83.216.56.cwss/
(Received from SusiCP)
W.W.I & W.W.II Soldiers Who Fought for Us -- Lancaster Co., NE
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~irishrose/lancww1vets.html
(page 2)
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~irishrose/lancww1vets2.html
Holiday Traditions from the staff of StateGenSites --
http://www.angelfire.com/zine/StateGenSites/SGS122500.htm
Due to technical difficulties with the StateGenSites service
provider, you can find their December columns at http://www.angelfire.com/zine/StateGenSites/SGS12Col.htm
Jayne says: "HOST GFS Jim was very gracious and allowed
me to use one of his favorite Christmas stories as my December column,
"Along the Rappahonnock River -- December 13, 1862." http://www.angelfire.com/zineStateGenSites/bobg.htm
(Archives of HOST GFS Jayne's column "Bits of Blue and
Gray" can be found at StateGenSites -- http://www.stategensites.com/bitsofblueandgray/
FROM YOUR HOSTS
HOST GFS Amy says:
"Well, here we are at the holiday season again. Seems
like it came so fast! This time also marks the end of my first year with
the American Civil War History SIG. I would like to thank everyone for
welcoming me and making me feel so at home with the group! I feel like I
have gained a wonderful and large extended family. I have really learned a lot
from the members.
"As we travel through this holiday season, we should all take
time out from the 'hustle and bustle' of shopping and preparation, to be
thankful for our families and the true meaning behind whatever holiday your
family is celebrating. We should reflect on simpler times (like during the
Civil War, of course!) when the holidays meant being with family, whether there
were gifts available or not, and thanking God for what we do have.
"I wish all of you a wonderful holiday and a prosperous New
Year! Thank you all for being such a special part of my life!"
HOST GFS Jayne says:
"At this time of the year we all pause to count our blessings
and to be thankful for family and the special folk who have touched our lives.
I had the good fortune this year to meet and talk with some of those
special folk. There was NEVassau/Eileen. What a great time we had
although that time was much too short! While in Michigan we had lunch with
FyrfytrBob and his wife. I had a couple of great phone conversations with
JRose10700 when she was in my neck of the woods and I, unfortunately, because of
hubby's hospital stay, wasn't able to meet with her. Amy, TEG, Bulldogtjr,
and I all met in Gettysburg for the dedication of the Delaware Memorial, which
was quite a memorable event in itself. What fun it is to put faces and
voices with friend we have gotten to know so well through the wonders of
cyberspace!
"To my three partners -- you are the best. You are truly
special to me!
"To all of you, the 'faithful' -- you are like an extended
family to me and I thank you for allowing me to come into your home every week.
I am wishing each and every one of you the blessings of a heart full of
love and joy for the holidays and throughout the coming year."
HOST GFS TEG shares the following poem:
CHRISTMAS IS . . .
From Tom Gladwell
The look of wonder on a young
child's face when they see all
the lights and decorations.
The smile on a mother's face
as she holds her newborn for
the very first time.
The love a young couple have
for each other as they start
down the path of life together.
The special glow an older couple
has about them after many
years together
It's the beauty of the moon
glistening off fresh
fallen snow.
But most of all it's the birth
of a very special child in a
far off manger.
FROM HOST GFS Jim:
"Jayne, Amy, Tom, and Jim are wishing that all of you
have a great Christmas season and holidays. We've lost some friends this
year and gained many more. It's a great time for family, and time
together, and memories. From us to you, we wish you all an incredible
Christmas and New Year's."
DID YOU KNOW . . .
As the trumpet player signals for "Taps" on our monthly column and
the Christmas season closes (it lasts until the 6th of January) we'd like to
close with a story that is one of our host's all-time-favorites.
"Along the Rappohannock"
It has been documented in many, many places, from diaries and
letters of Civil War Veterans, to newspaper stories, about a tradition that
occurred over and over in Federal and Confederate camps at the end of the day.
At twilight, the regimental bands would begin their evening concerts. When the
armies were bivouacked close to each other, the bands would play of an evening,
and sometimes they would compete with each other or they would alternate playing
different songs back and forth. Toward the end of their concerts the music would
become tender and soothing calling up memories of home, family and better days.
One such occasion, I would like to tell about. It's twilight in
Virginia, along the Rappahannock River. The Union Army of about 100,000 is
camped on one side of the river and the Confederate Army of 70,000 is camped on
the other. It's bitter cold that night on the 13th of December 1862. A few weeks
earlier they had fought the Battle of Fredericksburg, at that time in the
conflict, the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil. 12,000 Federals and
5,000 Confederates had been killed or wounded. The bands from both armies had
been playing that night and they were coming to the close of their concerts.
That night they had alternated back and forth, the music becoming more and more
tender, bringing tears and longing to the hearts of the soldiers. Finally one
Federal band started one of the Civil War's favorite tunes. The music floated
over the river, while men and boys, were writing letters home. The moon was out
and it's light shown down on thousands of campfires sending streams of smoke up
into the cold night air. The music was so light, and haunting. No sooner had the
Federal band started than a Confederate band joined in. One at a time, other
regimental bands on both sides joined in, adding their "voice" to the
music. Pens were put down, card games stopped; all talk and sounds of cleanup
and preparing for bed stopped except for the music. Finally every regimental
band had joined in to meld the music together into a harmony none had even
heard. Still not a sound from 170,000 souls as they sat motionless with their
frosty breath and the campfire smoke rising into the moonlit sky and listening
to an "unearthly" song........
For AOL Members
Only
We meet every Thursday night at 11:00 PM Eastern Time in the Golden Gates Chat
Room (available only on AOL, through keyword: ROOTS) We do Fireside
Stories about battles, the people, and the social happenings. In addition,
we dedicate one Thursday a month to the sharing of songs, poems, and letters
from that era. So come and visit! We'll save you a seat at the
fireside and keep the cider warm. Here is a list of upcoming events for
January:
01/04/2001 - OPEN
CHAT
01/11/2001 - Letters,
Songs and Poems Night. Don't forget to email any that you want read to
HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG, or HOST GFS Amy
01/18/2001 - OPEN CHAT
01/25/2001 - To be announced
Also visit the
War Between the States (Tracing Your Civil War Ancestors) with HOST GFS Amy and
HOST GFS Wolford on Friday evenings at 9:00 PM EDT in Golden Gates.
From your ever loving hosts HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG, and HOST GFS Amy