I just discovered this forum and I am so very glad that I did.  I want to get started in Civil War Re-enactment, preferrably in the role of a nurse serving the Union side.  

I am very impressed at the civility and politeness of the folks I've seen on this forum so far, and so decided to introduce myself.

But I really don't know where to start with my research.  Can anyone recommend some books to start with?

In regards to clothing, I have been doing historical clothing on my own for over 20 years in various time periods ranging from 600 AD northern Europe (S.C.A.) through 1906 Colorado (I was a docent at White House Ranch Historic Site in Colorado Springs).  So that aspect of creating an authentic impression doesn't worry me.

But I'd like to be as knowledgeable as possible in regards to how things were done.

In regards to my name, I'm honoring my deceased mother's love of Civil War history, and also the very first fiction book I read back when I was 14 that was set in the Civil War (Elswyth Thane's YANKEE STRANGER) which she gave to me that got me hooked on finding out how it really was.

I had been under the mistaken impression that CW re-enactment was for men only for many years.  I'm so very glad to discover that there's a place for the ladies too.

I do not yet belong to any unit, although I have been pointed to the 6th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  I've sent an email off to inquire about their group, but would love to hear about any others within a reasonable distance of the Dayton, Ohio region.

Very pleased to meet you!

Sincerely,

Susanna Day Spraque
Union, Ohio

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SusannahDaySprague wrote : I just discovered this forum and I am so very glad that I did.  I want to get started in Civil War Re-enactment, preferrably in the role of a nurse serving the Union side.   I am very impressed at the civility and politeness of the folks I've seen on this forum so far, and so decided to introduce myself. But I really don't know where to start with my research.  Can anyone recommend some books to start with? Sincerely, Susanna Day Spraque Union, Ohio

Susanna,

Welcome to the Forum. We do our best to maintain a certain degree of politeness!

I would suggest you do a "Google" search using "Civil War Nurse" as a subject. You might be surprised on how much information surfaces.

Hi Susannah,

I'm glad you found us too!  You will get lots of advice here.  Our moderators as well as our members are very well informed about this hobby.  

Strange enough, I have been a member of the Sixth Ohio for nearly ten years.  I've been an organizer, their First Sergeant, and webmaster. I am the current recruiting officer as well.  Send me a PM for exactly what you are interested in and I will tell you everything about us.

Greetings Susannah,
I am also glad you found this great forum.
I am a member of the 6th Ohio also. We have an active civilian group and they are a good part of our activities.
We soldiers like to have ladies around camp.
If you would like to check us out , we have our first battle of the season this weekend at Sharon Woods in Sharonville , Ohio.
(Sharonville is north of Cincinnati) We would be glad to see you.
Stop by our camp and I will give you a cup of coffee. [ I am the Commissary Sargent, ( Which means I command the coffee pot) and you can see the company in action.]

You got in touch with the right fellow the first time. Ken Cornett is one of the most knowledgeable and helpful guys I know.

Thank you for your interest.

Your Obedient Servant, Comm. Sgt. Dan Girton , Co. A , 6th Ohio

Don't know how much research you've already done, but you can find an absolutely delightful work by an actual civil war nurse in Louisa May Alcott's "Hospital Sketches" (thanks to Noah Briggs for bringing it to my attention):

http://books.google.com/books?id=i4I0AAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=intitle:hospital+intitle:sketches+inauthor:louisa+inauthor:may+inauthor:alcott&lr=&as_brr=0&ei=G4UpSLKxK6e6jgGgjKzIDQ#PPA5,M1

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Sink Rat wrote : Greetings Susannah, I am also glad you found this great forum. I am a member of the 6th Ohio also. We have an active civilian group and they are a good part of our activities. We soldiers like to have ladies around camp. If you would like to check us out , we have our first battle of the season this weekend at Sharon Woods in Sharonville , Ohio. (Sharonville is north of Cincinnati) We would be glad to see you. Stop by our camp and I will give you a cup of coffee. [ I am the Commissary Sargent, ( Which means I command the coffee pot) and you can see the company in action.] You got in touch with the right fellow the first time. Ken Cornett is one of the most knowledgeable and helpful guys I know. Thank you for your interest. Your Obedient Servant, Comm. Sgt. Dan Girton , Co. A , 6th Ohio

I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, and that of all the other fine people here.  I do intend to come down to Sharon Woods on Saturday morning, hopefully my husband will be able to come with me as well, but it depends on how late his night shift runs.  I appreciate the offer of the coffee, but I'm afraid that I cannot partake of that particular beverage.  I do appreciate the kind offer of your hospitality however.

I look forward to properly making your acquaintance this weekend.

Sincerely,
Susannah Day Sprague

Bernadette M. Crumb
Union, Ohio
rhysylle@gmail.com

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Michael Schaffner wrote : Don't know how much research you've already done, but you can find an absolutely delightful work by an actual civil war nurse in Louisa May Alcott's "Hospital Sketches" (thanks to Noah Briggs for bringing it to my attention):

Thank you for the recommendation, sir.  I saw that in the bookshop at the new Gettysburg Visitors Center when I was in town for a Leadership Seminar last week, but since the airlines had lost my luggage enroute I had to use my book buying money for replacement clothing.  I'm making an interlibrary loan request for it and hopefully will have it within the next week or two to study.

Sincerely,
Susannah Day Sprague

Bernadette M. Crumb
Union, Ohio
rhysylle@gmail.com

Oh Susannah,
(Sorry I could'nt resist)
The 6th has more to offer than just coffee. We have tea, hot chocolate and a spiced apple cider drink. (spicy)
And a cool drink of water.(And not out of a canteen either. ) We have a well equipped commissary. I will be cooking something all day and I will have some rations on display.
You can recognize me by this old avitar picture. I am friendly,but not much to look at.
Come one , come all, the whole family is welcome.
Think positive, NO RAIN.

See you this weekend.

Your Obedient Servant, Comm. Sgt. Dan Girton , Co. A 6th OVI

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SusannahDaySprague wrote : but would love to hear about any others within a reasonable distance of the Dayton, Ohio region.

Hi Susannah,

First, I'd also highly recommend Hospital Sketches, and it's online at http://books.google.com/books?printsec=titlepage&dq=intitle:hospital+intitle:sketches&lr=&id=i4I0AAAAMAAJ&as_brr=0&output=html

If you're interested in period medical information in general and want to ask medical-related questions specifically, a lot of medical reenactors hang out at the Medical and Relief Society sub-forum at http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=25

My wife and I are located in Gallia County, Ohio. We both portray civilians, and she also first got interested in reenacting because she wanted to portray a female Union-sympathizing nurse. When we met, I was portraying a military doctor, though since then my preference has shifted to civilian, as opportunities for male civilians have opened up.

Gas prices what they are, I'd also love to find a semi-local reenacting group, where someone could spend the day doing what a civilian might do in the period, preferably medical-related but I'd take anything! (Okay, everybody who knows us, don't snicker, I'm serious... it would be so cool to drive a couple hours rather than 500 miles to attend an event.)

Not sure whether I'm hijacking this thread and should start a new one, or if this is just all part of the same question...  

Here's my problem, though. I just can't deal with not being busy doing period things, but I don't want to show up with a self-contained impression to keep busy with and isolate myself from what everyone else is doing.

Those who have Ohio groups with civilians, what do the civilians do during events? We've stopped by a couple of local events, and there seems to be a lot of cooking and sitting or wandering around, or non-historic activities like attending lectures. I like to cook, but can do it for myself quickly, and cooking for a group requires, well, a group, plus enough other people *not* cooking so you're short-handed enough to keep busy.

So for those with civilians attached to groups in southern/central Ohio, what's a typical day like at an event, for the civilians? How could a civilian keep busy with interpretive or period activities from morning till bedtime and yet not be isolated?

(If I should've started a new thread for this, please tell me!   I'm wondering, though, if it might also be helpful to Susannah to hear different options for civilian activities/impressions at reenactments in the area.)

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

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Sink Rat wrote : Oh Susannah, (Sorry I could'nt resist) The 6th has more to offer than just coffee. We have tea, hot chocolate and a spiced apple cider drink. (spicy) And a cool drink of water.(And not out of a canteen either. ) We have a well equipped commissary. I will be cooking something all day and I will have some rations on display. You can recognize me by this old avitar picture. I am friendly,but not much to look at. Come one , come all, the whole family is welcome. Think positive, NO RAIN. See you this weekend.

No need to resist.  It's good to be able to make people smile by a kind play on words.

Rain or shine, I'll be there.  I'll have an elbow basket full of research books, knitting and cornbread with me.

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hanktrent wrote :   Hi Susannah, First, I'd also highly recommend Hospital Sketches, and it's online at http://books.google.com/books?printsec=titlepage&dq=intitle:hospital+intitle:sketches&lr=&id=i4I0AAAAMAAJ&as_brr=0&output=html If you're interested in period medical information in general and want to ask medical-related questions specifically, a lot of medical reenactors hang out at the Medical and Relief Society sub-forum at http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=25

I've got Hospital Sketches on order for Interlibrary loan and should have it in about two weeks they tell me.  Thank you for the recommendation on the other forum.  I'll check it out.  

A real-life surgeon friend of mine emailed me today about a book called Bleeding Blue and Gray about Civil War surgeons, and also told me about Dr. Mary Walker  http://www.medalofhonor.com/TheOnlyWoman.htm, a female Union Assistant Surgeon.  I read the things at the link on my lunch hour and it was quite interesting to me.  

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Here's my problem, though. I just can't deal with not being busy doing period things, but I don't want to show up with a self-contained impression to keep busy with and isolate myself from what everyone else is doing. Those who have Ohio groups with civilians, what do the civilians do during events? We've stopped by a couple of local events, and there seems to be a lot of cooking and sitting or wandering around, or non-historic activities like attending lectures. I like to cook, but can do it for myself quickly, and cooking for a group requires, well, a group, plus enough other people *not* cooking so you're short-handed enough to keep busy.

I can see that could be a problem... and it's always more interesting for spectators if the reenactors are doing something instead of just sitting about.  I have the benefit of being able to knit socks on double pointed needles and so anytime I'm not busy doing anything else, I'm working on new wool socks for my husband. (Or I could always roll bandages... )

I agree that it would be helpful for me to hear the different opinions as I get started.  Anything anyone has to offer would be helpful, I'm certain.  

When I first got started in reenacting it was with a medical unit that no longer exists.  What I liked about it was that I was able to talk to the visitors about the medical aspect of the war, and to remind them that the surgeons were not the butcherer -- it was the surgeon's role to heal the sick and the wounded and oftentimes that required amputation of limbs, or use of some harsh medicines.

At events I assisted in a very minor way with the surgeries and such, but the problem was that our role was always so short.  The military would fight for 30-60 minutes and the medical side  (if we were lucky) had all of 5-15 minutes to do something with the wounded and then the reenactors wanted to go off and do their own thing and were all resurrected.  So we really had little time to do much of anything.

I'd very much like to get involved again with local groups, but I've been unable to find anything that would be challenging.  Like Hank, I just don't like sitting around twiddling my thumbs, and I also don't like forcing others to do what I want to do, so over the years we've been traveling anywhere from 150-1100 miles to events that are more challenging.  We'll continue to do such, but with gas prices and such it sure would be fun to find something closer by.  Heck, even without the price of gas, just being able to drive in a few hours would be simply wonderful.

About a month ago we attended a local event as spectators, and I asked a couple of women what the ladies do all weekend.  One of the ladies replied that she cooked, attended lectures on how to reenact or making proper clothes, and sewed.  But what was sad was how bored everyone looked.  One soldier sat in his car and did a crossword puzzle!  What I want is to be able to do things that a person would have done in the period and talk to the public.  
 
Dayton is a mere 2.5 - 3 hour drive for us, which isn't bad at all.  The only time we get an event that close to us is when either Hank or I've put it on in Frankfort, KY and even then it's a four hour drive.  So anywhere along a line from Dayton to Dover would be quite doable.    

I'm willing to do medical or civilian, of course I can't do military being a lady, but I'll fill any other role that's needed.

Just my two cents worth,

Linda Trent
** email protg **

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Linda Trent wrote : I'd very much like to get involved again with local groups, but I've been unable to find anything that would be challenging.  Like Hank, I just don't like sitting around twiddling my thumbs, and I also don't like forcing others to do what I want to do, so over the years we've been traveling anywhere from 150-1100 miles to events that are more challenging.  We'll continue to do such, but with gas prices and such it sure would be fun to find something closer by.  Heck, even without the price of gas, just being able to drive in a few hours would be simply wonderful. But what was sad was how bored everyone looked.  One soldier sat in his car and did a crossword puzzle!  What I want is to be able to do things that a person would have done in the period and talk to the public.     Dayton is a mere 2.5 - 3 hour drive for us, which isn't bad at all.  The only time we get an event that close to us is when either Hank or I've put it on in Frankfort, KY and even then it's a four hour drive.  So anywhere along a line from Dayton to Dover would be quite doable.

After driving cross country from Colorado to eastern Pennsylvania once or twice a year for family weddings and such, a mere 2.5 -3 hour drive isn't much problem for me either. *grin*  Gas, though.... *sigh*  

Is there any chance that you'll be at the Sharon Woods, 6th OVI event this weekend?  I'll only get to go for a few hours thanks to my husband's schedule and his vehicle being questionable for long distances.  We will get up way early Saturday morning and drive down to try to be there by 8:30, but will need to leave by noon in order to get him to work on time.  We are going as spectators but hopefully, the next opportunity will have me there as a registered participant.  

No, unfortunately we're already planning a trip to Cincinnati (or Covington, KY, actually) next Thursday to see the site of the fort where Linda's great grandfather served, and then down to Lexington to do some research for an 1869 horse auction event in June, so that's going to be our travel for the next few weeks.

Actually, the horse auction is a good example of an event with plenty for civilians to do, but it's not all that close, down in Perryville KY (south of Lexington). The home page is at http://www.perryvillereenactment.org/html/farm_day_1862.html

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

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hanktrent wrote : Actually, the horse auction is a good example of an event with plenty for civilians to do, but it's not all that close, down in Perryville KY (south of Lexington). The home page is at http://www.perryvillereenactment.org/html/farm_day_1862.html

Thanks for the heads up.  I'll have to look at my travel schedule for work, and also to see whether or not I'll be geared up enough to do Perryville.  Everything I'm sorting out to make is on hold until the corset issue is addressed.  The one I have just doesn't fit correctly and I have to have one custom made. $$$

Got back from Sharonville (Northeast of Cincinnati OH) a couple of hours ago, and hated having to leave to get my husband to work on time.  Met a lot of great folks and look forward to meeting them again, hopefully soon.

Hi,

Welcome aboard! Another book I would reccomend in developig your impression is "Who Wore What" which covers quite a bit about ladies wear of the period. The author's name escapes me at the moment but I will post it as soon as my swiss cheese memory comes back.  

--Last edited by toptimlrd on 2008-05-18 15:00:22 --

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toptimlrd wrote : "Who Wore What" The author's name escapes me at the moment

That would be Juanita Leisch. As I recall it is relatively expensive, which is why I interlibrary loaned the book.

As far as the Kentucky Horse sale, that event is one where we're given real people to portray, and requires study before hand.

Our characters are Colonel and Mrs. Sanders D. Bruce, formerly of Lexington, Kentucky, but now from New York City.  Col. Bruce was the author/founder of the American stud book later taken over by the jockey club, and continues to be the official stud book of the Thoroughbred industry.  He also ran a sporting magazine and was an agent for many of the top names in the industry buying and selling horses.  He'll be an agent for Mrs. August Belmont, yes founder of the Belmont Stakes, and something like the fourth or fifth richest man in New York City during the war.

If you do have an interest in attending you'll need to let the organizer know ASAP.  It doesn't deal with the war, medicine or any of that sort of thing, it's purely about high society, big name horses, and the Woodburn horse sale of 1869.  Sounds like something only Kentucky can truly offer.

Hank really only mentioned it as an event that we're signed up for, and that's a good example of an event with things for civilians to do.  But if you can make it, great!  Let us know, and we'll try to plan something together.

Linda.

Susannah,

Each year Perryville Battlefield's June 'On the Farm' event concentrates on some aspect of civilian life.  The site is open to visitors as well as particpants.  

While this  year's event is a few years post-war, there is still much to see and learn that is applicable to the wartime period.  And, because so many civilians are in one place, without the impediment of an army coming through, there is more time to learn about that aspect of life.  

There is also an informal market in used period clothes.  While many of these tend to be children's clothes, adult clothes are available as well.  These tend to be of a higher quality in construction and materials than those you can find at a typical event. And occassionally, there has even been some corset swapping and repair going on.  

So, even if your clothing is not ready for an event, it would still be worth your while to come visit.  Make your specific interest known.

And I'll be an old servant in a large apron--easily recognizable amoungst all the fancy folks, that is, if my mistress even lets me raise my head from all her household tasks.........

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I wrote:  He'll be an agent for Mrs. August Belmont, yes founder of the Belmont Stakes.

Dunno if I need to clarify, her husband August was the founder of the race, not Mrs. Belmont.  

And I second what Terre Lawson said about all the reasons to come to Perryville "On the Farm" this year.  

Linda.

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Linda Trent wrote :  That would be Juanita Leisch. As I recall it is relatively expensive, which is why I interlibrary loaned the book.

Thanks Linda,

My lovely bride has that book somewhere and I could not find it to check the author. I should have known it on the top of my head, but I was having one of those CRS (can't remember stuff)moments.