Welcome to members of the Ultimate Blog Challenge, new and old.
I am in my late 50's, living in upstate New York in the United States, and I like to write about anything that strikes my interest. I do not do this as a business, but because I enjoy writing. I also enjoy photography, as you'll see from time to time.
This is my third time participating in this Challenge. On Sundays, I write a United States Civil War post. (I'm not a historian or a "buff"- just a person who likes to investigate the human side of the war.)
On Wednesdays, I have a Winter Wednesday feature, chronicalling this most strange of all winters in our area.
Every other day I write about-well, you'll have to visit daily to see. Because my area, and my neighborhood, was damaged by flooding in early September, I write from time to time on the flood recovery. Otherwise,there is no steady theme. On the 15th of each month I participate in a Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. And, I can not wait for spring.
Today, of course, is New Years Day so I was curious to see what happened 150 years ago today. Next year will be the 150th anniversary of the implementation of the Emancipation Proclaimation. But what about 1862, the first New Years Day our divided country was at war with each other?
I found this item of interest - a scan of a diary page. This is from the diary of a soldier from Delaware, Cyrus Forwood. "Recieved our second requisition of clothing." So ordinary. But think about it....
Today, if the Civil War was being fought, the soldiers would be sending emails back and forth. They would have Facebook pages. They would be on Twitter. (I can't believe they wouldn't be keeping electronic records.) The battles would be carried on the evening news, the results known immediately. Pundits on national channels (either pro Union or pro Confederacy) would debate the merits of every action of either President Lincoln or President Davis. Each general would have his supporters.
But the soldiers would still need clothing. And, they would still miss their families back home.
The Civil War was fought 150 years ago, and the soldier had only a couple of tools - the diary and the letters home. The newspapers sent out reporters and battles (except for some few photographers) and camp life were drawn by artists for the people back home. The clothes were wool and cotton, not synthetics that wouldn't get wet. Shoes were a far cry from what our soldiers enjoy today.
It was such a different world, 150 years ago.
And I think that is why I am so attracted to it. Not as a reinactor but...someone who wants to understand how we got to where we are today.
So I hope you will visit me again during this Challenge, and learn about the Civil War (and life in Upstate NY) along with me.
Again, welcome!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
3 comments:
Thank you for visiting! Your comments mean a lot to me. Due to a temporary situation, your comments may not post for a day or more-I appreciate your patience.I reserve the right to delete comments if they express hate or profanity, are spam, or contain content not suitable to a family blog.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi...I am a newbie with UBC and looking forward to connecting with many bloggers..I must say your blog piqued my interest and I will return to follow you...not only because the past is interesting to me but also because we are fellow NYers...although I am in the city...Brooklyn. I have gone upstate (one of my children is in Westchester) - another lived in Buffalo for a while....love to learn and your blog looks interesting...have a great 2012.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, and thank you for visiting my blog. My father was from Brooklyn and I grew up in the Bronx. I think you will enjoy the UBC. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThere are certainly many contrasts from 150 years ago to today. But still many of the same human factors.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to more next week!