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Current mood:  tired Category: Travel and Places
This past weekend was the 144th Anniversary of the Battle of Selma, Alabama. It was also the first Civil War Re-enactment that I have been able to participate in in the past 3 years. I could actually fit in my uniform again and could at least walk a fair distance so I figured what the heck!
I got there on Friday morning to help out with "SCHOOL DAYS". This is a very important part of the event as it allows kids from different schools come and see & learn how life was in the 1860's. I was in charge of the Medical Impression. I and Lori Cohan were at station #2. We talked to the kids about Civil War surgery and the duties of a "Medical Stuart or Orderly". I discussed bullet retrieval and amputations. I also talked about many of the wounded who died not from their wounds but from infections. I would pick a young boy from the crowd and use him as my "wounded soldier"...They all thought it was very interesting...I also drove home the importance of washing their hands before eating as food born illnesses were rampant in both Union & Confederate camps.
On Saturday, we found out that the Surgeon was NOT going to attend the event so instead of me just sitting in camp doing nothing, they needed help with the 1st Artillery battery. I thought that I would have so much fun and I was right! My position was behind the Weapons locker and when told to I would "Advance the round" ( a 1/2 lb. package of black powder, rolled in alum. foil) and take it from the locker and place it in a pouch held by the "Powder monkey" who would then take it to the #2 man who would then load it in the cannon.
It was a Complete Confederate victory as we held back the Yankee invaders and routed them from the field of battle...
Man it was loud and I was like a kid in a candy shop! Afterwards, they initiated me into the "Brotherhood of the Cannoneers" by tasting the water used to clean the cannon after firing and then they smeared my face with black poder...I will post the picture...
Saturday night was the Military Ball at Historiuc Strudivant Hall in Selma. This event was only for those in Civil War Military uniforms and Civil War Era attire. The evening started out with a Recieving line where after your name was announced, you were greeted by the General and his staff officers. You then walked thru this 200 year old manion to the statly back yard area where the 5th Alabama Band was there waiting to play "DIXIE" and other tunes of the day. The ladies were lovely in their anti-bellum dresses and the men dressed in their finest dress uniforms nad period clothing. They all danced the Virginia Reel, Polka, and the Waltz. The night was reminisant of days gone by...
On Sunday, my feet were telling me that staying in camp resting would be best so I did. I should have fought because the Yankees won the day and the battle...See? I was needed after all...LOL!
If any of you get the chance to attend one of these events, I urge you to do so. They are not only educational but very entertaining as well...
Loong live the Confederacy!
4:01 PM
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