Quickie: Godey's Lady's Book December 1863

Are they not gorgeous? This is an illustration of fashions, but not a fashion plate proper. No ladies are drawn modeling the clothing, and these are not colored. So while in the descriptions that would probably be on the facing page tells you what fabrics and colors these are supposed to be, in the end that is purely up to the imagination of the seamstress wanting to tackle projects like these. This is from the December edition of Godey's Lady's Book, 1863. Image located at NYPL Digital Gallery.

I told you we were insane, redux.

These two videos are of the night firings of our artillery during the Twin Lakes Arts & Heritage Festival. Obviously, these were after hours. It's a tradition with our groups to do this at least once, usually the night of the 4th of July. There's some mild profanity in here, so if your home or work surroundings are touchy, watch these later.



Lee and I were the two manning the mountain howitzer, which is the first one to fire. That red light? That's Lee. Red light doesn't kill your night vision as badly, and with something like this, you absolutely need to be able to see what you're doing. That would be my sister's voice throughout the majority of the videos, since she was the one recording. And my daughter. The "ready...prepare..." is Lee. Brian is commanding the mortar.



The second gun to fire and the second video is a coehorn mortar. Makes a nifty lightning effect when it fires at night.

Quickie: Harper's Magazine 1860

Now, maybe it's just me, but I think I'd leave the bird at home. This ballgown has some very interesting lines in the bodice however, and the classical style sleeves I'll confess I've never seen on a gown like this before. Also, get a look at her hair and how she has it decorated with sprays of flowers. Illustration by Louis Towson Voigt, Harper's Magazine. Located in the NYPL Digital Gallery.

On the sound and light failings of canvas tents.

My dear ladies, there is one warning that I always give new living historians and remind those veteran to this hobby, because it bears repeating. To reinforce my point, I give the following quote from Adelaide W. Smith, in her book "Reminisces of an Army Nurse During the Civil War":

"Though our tents were not transparent, the candle distinctly formed our silhouette on the walls as we sat talking with friends, so that passers could recognize visitors and perhaps wait for a more favorable time to call. "

I'll give you a moment to think on that.

Moment up yet?

Let me spell it out a little more. Canvas tents are not stone, nor timber, nor yet plaster walls. There is no insulation - indeed, it's just some particularly heavy fabric between you and the elements. That also means that there is no real sound dampening qualities to your tent.

Ever play shadow puppets?

While by and large other people are polite and discreet, and do not point out things that could be of potential embarrassment to one of their own, it helps if you do not supply them with things to conveniently forget in the first place. Like say...changing in your tent with a candle or lantern lit inside. Or taking a camp bath. Or, heavens forfend - having intimate moments with your significant other.

Even if you blow the candle out, there is zero sound dampening. Zero. They are. Hearing. Everything. Even if you're trying to be quiet. Capisce? Yes, I'm sure you do.

So please, ladies. Lay out your clothing and learn to change in the dark, or change and/or bathe before night falls, or I can't promise there won't be cheering and applause involved outside. It may be good-natured and amongst friends, but mortifying all the same.

You'll thank me this season.

Civil War Letters: William H. Risk, Co. G, 11th PVI

(This is the transcript of one of the letters in the collection of myself and my research partner. William H. Risk was in Company G of the 11th. At the beginning of the war, the 11th was in a three month term of enlistment. Camp Wayne was a training ground for infantry near West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania.)

Camp Wayne May 25th/61

My Dear Mother

I suppose you will wonder at another letter, but I will try and explain. We received part of our uniform last evening and will receive the rest to day. We get an over-coat. We will be equipped very well indeed. You will see from my writing that something is wrong. Yesterday while on guard I was learning to load with a bayonet on, and in ramming cartridge my little finger struck the bayonet. It cut my finger a good deal, but still not dangerously. I suppose you know the war news. Col. Elsworth killed. On Monday morning we will move most likely to the same war. It will most likely be to Harpers Ferry. That is one of the points where the destiny of the cotton ocracy will be settled. It will be a bloody day. None can tell who will survive. All I ask is that if I am to fall, that my spirit may be received in that bright land where the war bugle never sounds to arms! to arms! We have been treated so very kindly by the citizens here, that I must admit I feel a little sad at parting. Mother if I am not spared to hold the citizens of this place in grateful remembrance; I would ask you to think how kindly your son was treated by them when he was a stranger and in a strange land. Mother those who hold infidel principals do not think of the battle with the same spirit that those who have a hope in Christ. The day is dark for such. They may be marching to death and if so to hell. You can direct your letters to Camp Wayne until otherwise told so that they will be forwarded to me. Capt. Bowman just now says we will march on Monday morning at 5 A.M. I will write as soon as I can after I am stationed. The camp is all uproar, hurrying to and fro preparing for a march. The citizens or some of them gave us another present. Cream pies, cakes, &c. Give my kindest regards to Mr. Life and Lady, Abe Bates and all the rest of my friends. Reports say now that we will go to Elkton on the chesapeak. I will now close with the love to the whole family.


Your affectionate Son,
Wm. H. Risk

Quickie: Godey's Lady's Book Fashion Plate, 1862

Well, ok. Technically this is half a plate. But NYPL does date it to 1862, and from the looks of things it's for the summer months. I must say that I adore the hats the second and third ladies are wearing, but the only dress I can see myself wearing is the one in the middle. The rest are entirely too...fussy. At least for me. Image source: NYPL Digital Gallery.

From The Housekeeper's Encyclopedia. Mrs. E. F. Haskell, new edition edited by R. L. Shep. Originally printed New York; D. Appleton and Company, 1861.

The Care of Flowers in a Drought
Unless a plant is efficiently and regularly watered, it had better be left to nature alone. If the soil is deep, a frequent stirring of the surface will be much more advantageous to the garden than a mere sprinkling of water. Shading will protect the plants materially from the sun and heat. When watering is absolutely necessary, remove the soil around the plant without exposing the root, pour in two quarts at least to each, and after it has well soaked in the ground, cover with the dry displaced earth; after this, a mulch of moss, or something else, will keep the plant moist several days; but if watering is once commenced, and the roots again allowed to dry, the plant will suffer more than if no water had been used. Water to be used in the garden should stand in the sun during the day, and be applied to the plants after the sun has set. Liquid manure is the most beneficial, when applied during, or just before a rain.





Seed Saving

Be sure the seeds are ripe. Dry them well before putting them away. Bottles are very convenient for seed; they should be labeled thus: "Balsams, 1860." If the label reaches round the bottle, it can be used many years, erasing the previous and adding the current year each season. To those who practice giving their neighbors seeds yearly, it will save much trouble, and will also insure the seeds from the depredations of mice.