American Civil War Society, Inc.

Official Newsletter of the American Civil War Society

American Civil War Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of our history for future generations.

Signed editorials and letters are the views of the author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the American Civil War Society.

CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENT Sponsored by the

American Civil War Society

May 6th and 7th 2005 At

Wooden Nickel Ranch

25690 Holland Road Menifee, CA92584

Two battle re-enactments at 11:15 am and 2:15 a.m. daily

North & South Civil War encampments Hear the cannon fire, smell the gunpowder

Visit our Civilian Town, Fashion Shows, Ladies Tea, Period Dance Sat Night and much more.

For Directions

Visit us online at: http://www.acws.net/wooden_nickel.html

To all ACWS Civilian Reenactors,

Please mark Saturday, April 15, 2006 on your calendars for our Civilian Corps meeting.

We will be making the final plans for our May 20 Tea Social Fundraiser! Please remember to bring the items that you have begged, made, donated, or

procured for our silent auction and door-prize drawings. Remember, if everybody brings one or two items, we will have our prizes covered.

We will also be constructing favors if needed. If you have any authentic articles of clothing, or mannequins or dress forms, and cannot be in Redlands to

set up on Friday, May 19 at Pharaoh's Lost Kingdom, please bring them to Barbara's house and she will carefully store and bring them.

We will also be planning what the Civilians will do at the reenactment at Wooden Nickel May 6 & 7.

The meeting will be at Barbara Burden's home in Banning.

11 AM to 5 pm (You may arrive earlier for "show and tell".) 3800 W. Wilson #56 (from the 10 freeway get off at Sunset, turn left or

North under freeway, left on Wilson and the mobile home park in on the left). Banning, CA 92220 (951) 922-9555

She will be preparing a delicious repast to fortify us as we plan. I suggest a $4 donation to her food kitty.

See you there! Shelley Peters

ACWS Civilian Corps Director (951) 928-9601 home

C o n t ac t : S he lle y P e te r s , D ire c to r 9 5 1 - 3 3 4 - 8 0 5 4 S he ila S mo le y 9 0 9 - 8 2 1 - 1 3 0 7 Em ail: ladiestea@ pacbell.net

T icke ts w ill not be m aile d. Se a tin g w ill b e a ss ig n ed so please in d ica te wh e n m ak ing yo u r re se rva tion if you wo u ld like to s it w ith a spe c ific g rou p or in d iv id ua l. Ev e ry effort w ill be ma d e to a ccom mo da te you r re qu es t. Rese rva tion s a re $ 3 0 e a ch pa ya b le to : A CW S-La d ie s Te a M a il to : 25 4 -A Ott Stree t, Co ro n a, CA 92 8 82 -71 07

C a th e r i n e E ll io t t w il l p re se n t “ M ed ic a l P ra c ti ce s d u r in g th e C i v il W a r” • Vic to r ian att ire is e nco urage d but not re quire d

• P rize s, drawings and gif ts !

• Vintage te acups availab le as a kee psake

P h a rao h s L o st K i ngd o m 1 1 01 No r t h C a li f o r n ia S t re e t R ed la nd s , C A 9 2 3 7 4

S a tu r d a y , M a y 2 0 , 2 0 0 6 R e ce p tio n 1 0 :3 0 A M T e a T im e 1 1 :0 0 A M - 3 :0 0 P M

L a d i e s T e a So c i a l

A m erican C ivil W ar Society, Inc. C ivilian C orps

Cannonball Kitchen at the Live Fire

Many thanks to the Cannonball Kitchen Crew for traveling out to the Imperial Valley to man the Cannonball Kitchen. This year we not only ducked those cannonballs, but we manned the tent poles as the 25 MPH winds threatened to make sails out of our canvas.“ ...I am very proud of our civilian corps for sticking with it and keeping everybody fed...If only I could have had time to eat....:(“ said Dennis Gibbs, the man behind the organization of the 8th Annual “Live Fire”. The wind didn’t seem to bother the Blue Angels as they practiced overhead. “It was very exciting watching them practice some of their maneuvers right over our heads. We could see the belly paint jobs they were so close”, Diana said in awe. Despite the wind, the days were pleasant and we offered a delicious menu to the Live Fire participants that all seemed to appreciate. “As for the food, that was probably the best chili-dog I've ever had”, said Travis Crow, a new participant to this event. Thank goodness the winds died down on Saturday night, which allowed us to enjoy the bonfire fueled by dried out Christmas trees! We were especially touched by the flag retirement ceremony and also enjoyed the fireworks that the Washington Artillery shot off. A mighty big thanks to Diana Fickas for taking your money, Kimberly Fickas when she wasn't out shooting! (She says that this was her best weekend ever!), Glen Tunnell for doing a great job grilling them dogs and re-setting the tent stakes, Lois Tunnell, for dishing up those portions and portioning out the dishes, and John and Sheila Smoley for Varina Davis’ Southern Sausage Gravy and Biscuits! Thanks to all the civilians who contributed to make this ACWS Fundraiser a success! Shelley Peters ACWS Civilian Corps Director Please email dennisgibbs@adelphia.net if you wish to be on his Live Fire list for updates and information for Live Fire 2007 Calico February 2006 – Rebel Parade Stonewall and Stuart

Submitted by Shelley Peters

"Sew Your Own Corset" Workshop What: Civil War Era/19th Century Corset using the Laughing Moon Pattern Who: Shelley Peters will be teaching this workshop Date: Saturday, April 29, 2006 Time: 9 AM until 5-7 PM Place: Nuevo Community Church Annex 29734 Nuevo Road, Nuevo, CA 92567 Cost: $95. This will cover: Use of room at Nuevo Community Church Annex All materials (Pattern, white coutil outer layer, cotton twill lining, busk, thread, flat steel or spiral steel bones, grommets, lacing, bias binding, pattern paper) Custom measurement and fitting help by Shelley Step by step instructions Use of grommet setting tool Chocolate You need to bring: Sewing machine, extra sewing machine needles, sewing and cutting kit, awl, iron Thin T-shirt or chemise to wear for fitting the corset Fancy fashion fabric outer layer (if desired-takes more time-you might not finish it) Potluck lunch/snacks/dinner Intermediate sewing skill level required. Maximum class size is 10 people. To hold your place in the class please mail a check for $95 to: (Payment plan available) Shelley Peters 20071 Hansen Ave Nuevo, CA 92567 Any questions call: Shelley Peters (951) 928-9601 home (951) 334-8054 cell

Scholarship Essay Contest Rules & Application Process

$500 SCHOLARSHIP Can be used to pay tuition, books, or expenses.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ESSAY CONTEST:

February 18. 2006 Calico

APPLICATION QUALIFICATION: Open to students who are ACWS members, or immediate family

Applicant to be a Sr. in High School or Students in Jr. or College Level

Application topic: If you were to choose a persona or special impression to impersonate at a Civil War Reenactment, Who would you choose, Why would you choose

this persona and What reference or research would you do to support your choice?

ESSAY RULES & OUTLINE: Essay to consist of the following Page 1 Cover sheet with Name / Address / Phone & email information 25 words or less: “My education goal is…” Grade level and school currently attending Page 2 & 3 Two (2) full pages of essay text. 1 inch margin around. Printed 1 ½ line spacing Font of your choice, in 12 point size 300 to 400 words Page 4 Any references that were used in writing / researching this essay

Postmarked or emailed no later than: midnight July 15, 2006

Mailed to: Lynn Hamilton

ACWS Scholarship Application 652 Paraiso Avenue

Spring Valley, CA 91977 Email application may be sent to: Email: acwsscholarship@cox.net

JUDGING

Winner will be announced August 15, 2006 Scholarship will be awarded August 22, 2006

Judging panel will consist of one committee member

2 other non committee members (preferably educator, or historian) Judges will receive all applications ‘blind’ A designated Committee Member will remove cover sheet and issue number to applications. Judging Team will only know application by numbers. Committee Member will prepare Judges’ book consisting of applications & score sheets, and deadline for returning scored entries. Committee Member will calculate all entries and present winning essay to board. In case of a tie, those entries will be reevaluated and scored again.

WASHINGTON ARTILLERY RIDES AGAIN

CIVIL WAR TRIVIA

Who was known as the "Calico Colonel"? Civil War Nurse Mother Bickerdyke

Grant was once asked which of the many war songs he liked best. He mentioned that he was a poor person to ask such a question because, "I know only two tunes. One of them is Yankee Doodle. The other isn't."

Who said, "No pack of whining, snarling, ill-fed, vagabond street dogs ... ever more strongly produced the impression of forlorn, outcast, helpless, hopeless misery."

This quote by Frederick Law Olmsted describes the retreating Union Army after the First Battle of Bull Run.

VICTORIAN MOURNING RITUALS

Victorian women wore special apparel when they were in mourning. Victorian widow's mourning would last twelve to eighteen months. During the first six of those months, only wool or crepe dresses were worn. The widow would remain in seclusion as well. The next six months, jewelry of jet and black lace were permitted to be worn and activities of a more serious nature could be resumed at that time. For the last six months of the mourning process, the widow would wear half-mourning colors of gray, white, and mauve. Her attendance at most social engagements was socially permitted. The mourning dress was made of black crepe (a fabric material with a grained or crinkled surface). Mourning hats and bonnets were black and usually made of crepe as well. Sprays of black leaves, black silk wheat, silk roses and buds could be worn in the hat as a simple adornment. Parasols made especially for mourning periods were available to the Victorian woman as well. During the first mourning, dull black gloves were worn. During the later mourning period, it was proper that the lady could then wear black silk, grenadine or other materials other than crepe. Mourning jewelry was quite simple in comparison to the non-mourning jewelry. Victorian mourning jewelry was often made of black onyx and could either be cut, polished and faceted or dull finished. Mourning handkerchiefs, usually made of linen, were bordered in black color. Victorian correspondence cards for mourning were bordered in black. It was considered honorable, respectful, and proper that the widow follow this dress code when she was in mourning.

APPOMATTOX APRIL 9, 1865

t Appomattox Court House, on the afternoon of Palm Sunday, April 9, 1865, the slow process of national

reunification began after four bloody years. When a final Confederate breakout attempt failed, Gen. Robert E. Lee accepted the inevitable, saying, "There is nothing left me but to go and see General Grant, and I had rather die a thousand deaths." That afternoon, Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, ending the war in Virginia and removing the largest Confederate army from the field. Other surrenders followed, the next on May 3 in North Carolina under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and the last on June 23, when Gen. Stand Watie capitulated in the Indian Territory.

Lee and Grant met in the village residence of Wilmer McLean - who had moved there to escape the war after the First Battle of Manassas had raged around his Northern Virginia home - to sign the surrender documents. The branches of Lee's army formally laid down their weapons and flags over the next few days. On April 12, it was the infantry's turn. As Gen. John B. Gordon led the depleted ranks up the hill to the village, Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain, supervising the ceremony, ordered his troops to salute as the Confederates approached. Gordon reciprocated, "honor answering honor," as Chamberlain later put it, and then the Army of Northern Virginia passed into memory.

At Appomattox, on April 9, 1865, Robert E. Lee, commanding general of the Army of Northern Vir-ginia, surrendered his men to Ulysses S. Grant and the Armies of the Potomac and the James. Though several Confederate armies under different comman-ders remained in the field, Lee's surrender signaled the end of the Southern States' attempt to create a separate nation. Three days later, the men of the Army of Northern Virginia marched before the Union Army, laid down their flags, stacked their weapons and began the journey back to their weapons and began the journey back to their homes.

A

MESSAGE FROM OUR ACWS PRESIDENT

We have been asked to participate in the Rose Bowl District Boy Scout camporee. Sorry about the late notice but the Boy Scouts just do not move fast on something that is new. And this is new, instead of our regular program of providing battles and open camp living history we take part in each of their badge stations, either actively or in "scene setting" so that the Camporee has a "Civil War atmosphere". The reenactor info flyer has more detail. We agreed to do it because even though it is one week before Wooden Nickel for several reasons. One is that it requires few people and will not detract from Wooden Nickel attendance.

It will be successful with only 25 to 40 reenactors. Another reason is that it will open Boy Scout doors for us, we are already getting calls for inquiring about an annual event. This will turn out to be our Service Club event and will round out our season with a good feeling of helping a worthwhile organization raise money. Please contact me directly for attendance. Right now I need Medical stations and infantry. Also if you can only make one event in this time period pick the Wooden Nickel. Paul De Nubilo 805 497-7020 denubilo@adelphia.net

Rose Bowl District Boy Scout Camporee

Date: Friday April 28 and Saturday April 29. Units wishing may stay over Saturday night. Location: Trask Boy Scout camp Monrovia California. Directions: Eastbound 210, Exit North on Mountain, Left on Foothill, 7 blocks to a right on Canyon Blvd. Follow any forks to the right. Westbound 210, exit Myrtle, turn right on foothill and 4 blocks to a left on Canyon Blvd. Follow all forks to the right. There will be signs to Trask Park and Monrovia Canyon Park. The park is about 10 miles from Foothill, it is all paved but the last few miles have some tight turns Amenities: All meals on Saturday Program: We provide a Civil War theme to their camporee by participating in their badge competition events. Approximately 500 scouts in patrols ranging from 4 to men scouts are expected. We actively participate in the following scenarios;

1. Patrol Inspection, Friday evening 5 to about 7 PM. As the patrols march in they are greeted at the gate with a Civil War setup consisting of flags, guerdons, cannons. We will “troop the line” with each Patrol accompanying the Scout leaders as they inspect the “troops”.

2. Signaling; We will provide 2-3 people to send a civil War era signal to patrols for decoding and grading by the patrol leaders. We will supply them with a diagram for their web page so the boys can study the signals prior to the event. The signal will be short and be related to Gettysburg.

3. Field Hospital Living History presentation. We will provide at least 2 Hospital living history set ups for a 10 minute hospital presentation to 35 to 45 scouts at a time.

4. We will provide 3 cannons for the scouts to perform a “loading drill” with no black powder. The leaders will grade them for their organizational and command skills. They will work to simplified cannon service procedures for 2 to 8 man teams. We will also supply these procedures for the scouts to study and make assignments.

5. We will provide a program at the fire on Saturday night. A short talk on the Civil War, the importance of knowing history. We will then demonstrate the firing of Muskets, pistols and the cannons.

6. Civil War open camp. Sometime on the schedule for late Sat afternoon the boys will be released to visit our camp. Musket loading demos can be done at the firing range at this time. The camp may include a ladies

display, artillery projectiles, personnel gear, and food stuff. And perhaps a sampling of hardtack if we can get enough made.

We “set the scene” for the following activities;

1. Orienteering. We meet the scouts who are provided with maps of Gettysburg. We set the scene by advising them that there is an impending battle that may be a major event. And that their task is to gather information that will be important to the commanders and the outcome of the battle may depend on their results. The Scout leaders will then put them through an oral test.

2. Fire building: The scouts will be met and informed that they are on a forced march to Gettysburg but will be given a short rest to lay a fire to cook their rations. They only have a set amount of time. The Scout leaders will grade the boys on how well they do.

3. Tent building by the invalid corps. The boys will be assigned “injuries” such as broken leg, arm, even blindness by the Scout Leaders. They will be told that there has been a terrible battle near Gettysburg and they have been taken from the hospital to provide labor to set up a camp for the returning men. The Scout leaders will assign them modern tents to set up and be graded on.

Volunteers are needed for each scenario. Please contact Paul De Nubilo 805 497-7020, denubilo@adelphia.net with the task you would like to take on.

2nd Annual

Blue and Gray Summer Cotillion Proudly Presented By

2nd U.S. Cavalry, Co. I Saturday - July 29, 2006

AT THE SOCIAL HALL—RESURRECTION CATHOLIC CHURCH 1445 CONWAY DRIVE, ESCONDIDO, CA 92027

(new location with larger dance hall) MUSIC PROVIDED BY “OCCASIONAL STRINGS”

YOUR DANCE MASTER—CAPT. TOM ATKINS, 1ST LOUISIANA • 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. — SOCIAL HOUR

• 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. — DINNER • 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. — DANCE & LYCEUM

(Don’t miss the continuing saga of Aura & Sara Lee) Complete Baked Ham Dinner with all the Fixins’

(Includes Dessert, Coffee, Lemonade—No-Host Beer/Wine Cash Bar) TICKET COST: $35/Single ~ $60/Couple (Children under 12—$15)

DEADLINE FOR TICKETS: JULY 1, 2006 (Tickets limited to 200 people) FOR MORE INFORMATION AND DIRECTIONS GO TO

www.2ndCavalryreenactors.org

CUT HERE AND RETURN WITH CHECK NAME(S): ___________________________________ Single-$35 #______ Couple-$60 #_______ Children-$15 #_______ NAME(S): ___________________________________ UNIT Name: ______________________________________________ ADDRESS: __________________________________ CITY:__________________ STATE:_______ ZIP:_______________ PHONE: (______) _____________________________ EMAIL: ___________________________________________________ Make Check Payable to/Mail to: Frontier Army of the West, c/o JoAnne Powell 7558 Hawks Peak Way, San Diego, CA 92026 I am interested in participating in the Lyceum: � Yes � No