Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation was a powerful document - written in stages . . .did you know that? I watched a short film in the Center's exhibit, In the Cause of Liberty, where I learned more than I ever knew about the "EP." Then, I had the chance to view a version of it in an artifact case nearby!

Common Soldiers

Today I learned about the Common Soldier. Dressed in a hot, heavy, woolen uniform, the historic interpreter showed me how to properly march and hold a rifle musket. I even got to hold one of my own (just a toy, though.) What the soldiers ate, how they lived, what they wore, and how they fought were all things I learned more about. It was no easy life, walking hundreds of miles across battlefields. . . Whew! I'm tired just thinking about what those men sacrificed to secure liberties for our country.

Treasures at Tredegar

What a view! After quite a journey, I arrived safe and sound in Richmond, Virginia. My hosts at the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar let me take a nap to refresh myself before I began to learn about this unique historic site. This photo shows me with Jenny Didas, my host and personal tour guide and educator. We're standing along the James River in downtown Richmond, just across the street from the Center! You can feel the river breezes as you walk along the Center grounds . . .it's a great way to cool down from the southern heat and humidity! Be sure to visit my blog this week to learn more about my visit and about the American Civil War Center! Or, click here to see more photos of my visit in Richmond.

More from Gettysburg

Hello! Sallie here,

As you know, Gettysburg is one of my favorite Civil War Battlefields to visit.  During a recent visit, I spent some time around Spangler's Spring with some Civil War Reenactors from Sykes Regulars and I thought I would share what I learned.

Here I am at Spangler's Spring.  This area of the battlefield is located at the base of Culp's Hill and was the site of some very heavy fighting during the battle.

Here I am with the commanding officer of the troops at the encampment.  He was showing me his writing desk where he would write letters and orders, review maps and compile reports.

Next I met Captain Steve Hanson.  Captain Hanson is the commander of Sykes Regulars and a very nice person.  Notice the tents behind him, this is how Civil War soldiers would have camped and slept.

Here is a close up look at Captain Hanson's tent.  You can see his sword and haversack behind me and the blanket he would sleep on inside his tent.  I'm not sure what is in the bottle, but I've heard that sometimes officers would buy whiskey.

Here you can see Captain Hanson giving orders to his troops.  He was trying to get them to "fix bayonets" where they take their bayonets from the scabbards and place them on the end of their muskets.  

Next I spent some time helping make lunch for the soldiers.  We made some ham, potatoes, and had some fresh fruit and bread for them to eat.  

Next I met one of the many park rangers who help the Gettysburg National Military Park safe and clean for the millions of annual visitors.

After a long day of hanging out with Sykes Regulars it was time for some rest.  Here I am snoozing in the shade of a tree.  My head is resting on a soldier's great coat and next to me are his haversack, cartridge box (with the US plate on it) and his bayonet scabbard. 

You can check out more photos of my visit on my Flickr Page.

There are so many places to visit and see related to the Civil War.  Do you live near a Civil War battlefield or museum?  Do you know of a teacher who teaches about the Civil War?  If so, why not Sign Up to have me come for a visit?

Until next time...

Around Andersonville

Sallie, in the courtyard behind the National Prisoner of War Museum. The fountain is dedicated to those who were imprisoned during the Civil War and Camp Sumter. The story behind Providence Spring came about because lightning struck in the Prison Site, striking a fresh spring. The spring provided fresh water for all the prisoners.

On my way to Andersonville, I stopped by the National Prisoner of War Museum. This museum is the only museum dedicated to ALL Prisoners of War. I also met Michelle. She works in the bookstore.

Sallie Visits Andersonville

Hi there!

I am already on my way to Virginia but in the mean time, I wanted to tell you of my travels to Southwest Georgia. I arrived at Andersonville National Historic Site right in the middle of the Memorial Day events. When I got there, I saw 400+ boyscouts and volunteers from all around the area, placing a flag on each grave. There are over 16,000 graves in the cemetery, so that was a sight to see.

During my trip to Andersonville, I learned soooo much! Originally known as Camp Sumter, this was one of the largest military prisons established by the Confederacy during the Civil War. In existence for 14 months, over 45,000 Union soldiers were confined at the prison. Of these, almost 13,000 died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, and exposure to the elements. The largest number held in the 26½-acre stockade at any one time was more than 32,000, during August of 1864.

There is also the National Cemetery at Andersonville. The cemetery is the final resting place for those who perished while being held as POWs (Prisoners of War) at Camp Sumter. It is now a National Cemetery, serving as a honored burial place for present-day veterans. The National Park Service maintains fourteen National Cemeteries nationwide. Only two of these, Andersonville National Historic Site and Andrew Johnson National Historic Site are classified as active, continuing to bury veterans and their dependents.

I went on a guided tour with one of the Park Rangers and learned about the Prison Site and how the park became a National Historic Site. Of course, it was so hot outside and humid, that this made me understand what the prisoners went through when they were here for the 14 months, with little to no food or water.

Clara Barton's Home Part 2

Hi Sallie here, On Sunday around 2pm, I went back to the Clara Barton House after a great picnic lunch with my friend Sarah and her family. I went to listen to an actress, Ms. Mary Ann Jung, who portrays Clara Barton. Ms. Jung does a terrific first-person impression of Clara Barton. 

Here are some facts that I learned during the presentation: 

• Clara started school at age 3 
• When Clara first became a nurse, she had no experience
• She became a teacher at age 17, again with no formal training 
• Clara went to Bordentown, NJ where she setup a free school in 1852 
• There were 6 kids in her first year of teaching and 600 in her 2nd year 
• She quit teaching because she was being paid less than the male teacher 
• In 1854, Clara moved to Washington DC (called Washington City by Clara) 
• She got a job in the Patent Office and was the first female to work for the Federal Government 
• The U.S. flag had 33 stars prior to the start of the Civil War in 1861 
• The North had about 1,000 more casualties than the South during First Bull Run 
• During the Civil War nurses were not trained 
• Clara worked with male nurses who did not respect her 
• Clara had 5 tons of supplies for wounded soldiers that were donated by friends and supporters 
• Her first battle was at Cedar Mountain 
• Clara also helped Confederate soldiers because they too needed her help 
• Her first battlefield surgery was at Antietam in September 1862 where she removed a bullet from the cheek of a Union soldier 
• After the war, many soldiers named their daughters after Clara to honor her and it became the most popular name of the time 
• When President Lincoln died, Clara couldn't leave her apartment for 10 days 
• If you wanted to hear Clara give a speech, it would cost you $.25 
• It took Clara 9 years to sign the agreement creating the American Read Cross 
• In March 1883, the United States signed the Geneva Convention treaty 
• Established the National First Aid Association of America in 1904
• In 1905, Clara created the very first 1st Aid Kit 
• Clara was not in Gettysburg because she was at Charleston, SC expecting a big battle 

After the presentation, I got a chance to interview Clara. She told me that when her brother David fell off the barn roof and she nursed him back to health, it showed that she had a caring heart not leading for her to become a nurse. Seeing all of the wounded and sick soldiers in Washington City caused her to become a nurse. She also said that it was very hard work at the Poffenburger farm at Antietam. There were so many wounded soldiers that she had to make sure there were enough supplies for each soldier. But according to Clara, there were never enough supplies: bandages, blankets, socks, food, soap and the surgeons never had enough medicines, especially painkillers. During the battle of Antietam, when she was giving a young soldier, a bullet passed through her sleeve and killed the soldier in her arms. She never fixed the hole in her sleeve in honor of that soldier. 

Finally, I asked Ms. Jung What about Clara Barton inspired her to portray Clara. She chose Clara because she has ties to Maryland, but more importantly, to the nation and the world.  Here was a shy woman told she didn't belong on the battlefield yet she continually faced the most harrowing and gruesome circumstances to save lives.  There are few people in history whose actions have literally affected millions of lives and continue to to this day

For pictures of Clara's house check out my Flickr page