Virginia Tidbits

The mood in Virginia at the time of the breakout of the Civil War was anxious and unsettling. Consider the scene of a grandmother presenting her grandson with an umbrella as he marched off to Bull Run:

How surreal it was for for the women, mothers, grandmothers, sisters and beau's to stand by and watch their men march off to war. Of course, the soldiers were not using unbrellas. Carrying their supply kits, arms and gear were difficult as could be. Often soldiers left behind equipment and supplies, that they really could use, out of sheer fatigue and exhaustion.

Look at these young army men posing for pictures in their Confederate Uniforms:

Many recruits did not take the raw drill seriously , yet the raw drill was very arduous to master, as one raw recruit remembered:

Mothers, sisters, grandmothers and wives put together "kits" for their men. They consisted of:

a leather or cloth pouch containing needles, pins, thread, buttons and scissors. They also supplies the troops with many edible gifts-- pies, cakes, doughnuts and jellies.
The troops marched off in solemn determination with knapsacks containing--trousers, two pairs of drawers, thick boots, stockings (4 pair), flannel shirts (4), a blouse, mirror, razors, bibles, writing utensils, reading books, canned peaches, wool and rubber blankets (In addition to their bayonets, canteens, tin cups and cartidges),

Here are a group of women on the train tracks listening for the first guns at Manassas in 1861.

There are many re-enactments of the Civil War in Virginia and Maryland throughout the summer if you would like to attend one.

If you'd like to buy or sell a home, call me today to make the most of your real estate experience.

                                                           Carla Brooks

                                                          703-577-4960

                                                         brkslong@aol.com

Early Preparations for the Civil War

In December of 1860, it was obvious that great changes would be taking place in the country regarding the conflicts over slavery and states rights. South Carolina had given notice of its intent to secede from the Union and other states were certainly thinking in the same direction.

After many years of peace and tranquility, there were few armed forces to speak of in the capital. There was the Potomac Light Infantry(1 company), The National Rifles (1 company), the Washington Light Infantry (160 men) and a small group called the National Guard Battalion.

President Buchanan put his feelers out for the formation of a "union" defense team that would keep the capital safe. Lieutenant General-in-Chief Scott was summoned to Washington and chose Brigadier-General Charles P Stone to assist him in "rallying" the loyal Union supporters together. Letters were sent out to at least 40 respectable and well known District gentlemen to advise them that their support was needed to sustain the District. The responses were varied, some outright declining their services, some sarcastically retorting, and many enthusiastically offering their support.

While support for the District was being organized, support for the Confederate side was organizing behind the scenes as well.

Oddly enough, as General Stone was progressing with his volunteer army, he was incredulous to learn that President Buchanan has issued an order to the Ordnance Department not to issue arms. This was  on the advice of the District Attorney--Robert Ould.

Eventually, Mr President was convinced to issue the order to arm the volunteer army lest he lose the support of the citizens and the Union crumble... Here is Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy under President Lincoln:

As the inauguration of President -Elect Lincoln approached, many attempts to sabatoge the inauguration and assassinate Lincoln were averted. Most likely, President Lincoln would never have held office without the support of the volunteer army.  The volunteer army saw to it that the President elect arrived safely in Washington DC for his inauguration.

The military forces of the United States army in December of 1860 were comprised of 1108 officers and 15,259 men.

Who was running the country at the time the Civil War broke out?  Here are some of the leaders in the administration in 1861.

The Secretary of War from 3/4/1961 to 1/15/1862 was Simon Cameron:

The Secretary of State under President Lincoln's entire term was William H Seward:

General Winfield Scott was the General in Chief of the army when the Civil War broke out. At 75 years of age, 6 ft 5 and approximately 300 lbs, General Scott was not in good enough physical shape to lead the Union forces.   He was replaced by General George McClellan at the end of 1861.  

Salmon Chase was the Secretary of the Treasury under President Lincoln until July of 1864:

If you would like to make the most of your real estate experience call me today.  Your transaction will be treated as if it were my own.

                                                                 
                                                                 Carla

                                                           703-577-4960
                                                         brkslong@aol.com

ps.All pictures and sketches were taken from THE CENTURY WAR BOOK

                                                                 

Scenes in Virginia 1861

Ever wonder about the visual scenes in Northern Virginia and Washington around the breakout of the Civil War?   Constance Cary Harrison recounts her observations in an article in the Century War Book:

Her family was the first family in the state to "manumit" slaves.  (I had to look this word up) It means to "free from bondage".  Her family lived in the same neighborhood as Colonel Robert E Lee.  In the holiday season of 1860, friends and neighbors were very reluctant to accept the notion of war breaking out in the Union. Holiday parties were scheduled as usual.

The annual Holiday (Christmas) get together in the neighborhood at Plantation Vauclause was held and the reality of impending war was observed yet the celebrations proceeded as planned.  Egg nog and apple toddy's were in ample supply and enjoyed by all.    All the youth attending the party eventually became a part of the Confederate forces.  A year later, Vauclause Plantation did not exist. Surrounding trees were cut down and used to construct a fort to defend Washington.

Once the war was declared imminent, the women and children were relocated to Manassas for safekeeping.   Constance observed one neighborhood family burying their family silver in boxes in their yard for fear the possessions would be stolen by looters.  After the war, she observed the silver lying loose in the soil, the boxes having long rotted away.

 The women and children that were relocated to Manassas, recalled saluting each passing train as the rail cars moved soldiers from one point to another in preparation for battle with Union troops.

On 7/18/1861 the first guns at Manassas were heard at Blackburns Ford.  As the day wore on no word arrived until the slow trickle of wounded soldiers began.  Some wounded soldiers were treated on site, others were taken to the hospital in nearby Culpeper.  Some soldiers appeared with notes attached to their clothing explaining the status of various soldiers to their loved ones.  One mother heard, in regards to her 15 year old son, that due to extreme fatique he lay sound asleep on the battlefield with guns blasting all around him.

Constance and her cousins were summoned to make the first 3 battle flags for the Confederates.  One flag was for General Johnston, one for  General Beauregard and the last for General Van Dorn.  When the latter died in Tennessee, the battle worn flag was returned to Constance.  Today the flag rests in the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia.


The Maryland Historical Society @ 201 W Monument Street, Baltimore MD (410-685-3750) has a 5000 square foot exhibition describing the three phases of the Civil War. (http://www.mdhs.org/)  $6 admission ($5 seniors, $4 3-18, free for those 2 and under


If you would like to make the most of your real estate experience call me today.  I am here to earn your trust and I will treat your transaction as if it were my own.

                                                        Carla
                                                 703-577-4960
                                             brkslong@aol.com