Civil War Days

Recently we were privileged to attend a Civil War Days, and re-enactment of Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg. This past week marked the 150th anniversary of the  Battle of Gettysburg - an epic turning point of the Civil War. I really believe that if the South would have won Gettysburg, the war may have turned out differently. Although I have studied Civil War history quite a bit, I feel I am still just scratching the surface of this great conflict of ideals in American History. The Civil War is sad to me on so many levels. So much waste of human life. Was it really necessary? I guess that is a different post for a different day....

It was neat to see the re-enactment of Pickett's Charge. Although the re-enactors did not have nearly the same numbers of men that were involved in the original battle, they kept the ratio of Union and Confederate soldiers the same, so we were able to really get a feel for how lopsided the conflict was, and how brave the Confederates were to rush out of the woods and across the field, uphill, running towards the Union line just trying to break through.

At the event we attended, there was a scavenger hunt for the children, listing all kinds of items you might find in a Civil War era encampment. We got to meet a lot of new people, and ask a lot of questions, thanks to that scavenger hunt. The girls found almost everything on the list!!

Right now I would like to post some really neat pictures that the girls took of our Civil War Day. We are in the middle of planning for a Civil War themed VBS this summer, so we took special note and interest of decorations and scenery to aid us in our planning.

A company of Union soldiers preparing for battle.

Meeting some Confederate wives, and learning about their costumes.

Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address.

 Learning about cooking in the outdoors.

 

The Field Hospital was very interesting.

 

 A Confederate commander who spent a lot of time with us, and explained a lot of things!

 

 Holding a genuine blackpowder rifle (a 2-bander!)

 

 Watching the ladies work the looms.

 

 A field writing desk, such as what the generals may have used.

 

 Close up picture of a battle, set up with model horses and soldiers.

 

 Flags set up outside the commander's tent.

 

 The field hospital really brought home the reality of how hard it was on the battlefield.

 

 More field hospital pics - please, no bad jokes about "can you give me a hand here?"

;-)

 

 Close up of medicines available to the battlefield doctors and nurses.

 

Visiting the chaplain's tent.

 

 

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This post is linked with "Field Trip Friday Blog Hop", a fun source for ideas of great things to do with your kids at "Chestnut Grove Academy"