CIVIL WAR DEMO~ January 12, 2008

American Civil War, December 1862: Major General Ambrose Burnside, in command of the Union Army of the Potomac, sent troops to occupy the vicinity of Fredericksburg. General Robert E. Lee reacted by entrenching the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia on the heights behind the town. Burnside originally planned to cross the Rappahannock River 10 miles downstream from the town of Fredericksburg, but Confederate troops arrived there and blocked him. So he decided to cross directly at Fredericksburg. On December 12th, the Federal army went over the river and through the town. Over the next couple of days, Burnside mounted a series of assaults on Prospect Hill and Marye’s Heights which proved futile. Consequently, Burnside called off the offensive on December 15 and retreated across the river, ending the campaign and resulting in a Confederate victory.

Public Domain Image: Battle of Fredericksburg by Kurz and Allison

Several families in our homeschool group stepped back in time to the day when the Union Army attacked the town of Fredericksburg in December 1862. The boys in particular really got into it and had a blast! The Battle of Fredericksburg re-enactment took place at Pioneer Village, Arizona's most historically accurate living history site, with 90 acres located off I-17 just south of Anthem.

Considering all of the unusually rainy weekends we've had lately, we were lucky that it was a beautiful clear winter day. The re-enactors said that it was perfect weather for wearing their wool uniforms - but even so, they still got hot marching out there under the bright desert sun!

We arrived at 9:00 am when the gates opened and that gave us plenty of time to visit the Union soldiers' camp before the fighting began. Both Union and Confederate re-enactors are a great bunch of guys, eager to offer information and answer questions.

A Civil War Encampment, where soldiers slept in canvas tents.

The troops would practice loading their weapons, attaching bayonets, and performing various maneuvers. The boys in our group lined up to drill with the soldiers.

"The first thing in the morning is drill. Then drill, then drill again. Then drill, drill, a little more drill. Then drill, and lastly drill."

Live demonstrations focused on Weapons, Cooking, and Camp Life. The kids rolled paper ammo cartridges, got to hold a gun (the average musket weighs 8-9 pounds), and ate a piece of hardtack (a flour-and-water biscuit, which in those days often became infested with weevils and maggots).

Relaxing around the campfire. When not drilling, standing guard, or faced with the sheer terror of battle, soldiers would spend their spare time reading, writing letters to loved ones, playing cards and other games.

Union troops getting ready for action. It was a great honor to be the flag bearer and when a flag bearer fell in battle, someone else would leap forward to take his place. But their mortality rate was quite high since the goal of the opposing force was to seize the enemies' colors.

The Union Troops Advance Through Fredericksburg!

Confederate citizens either went into hiding, ran away, or prepared to defend their homes and businesses as the Union army invaded their town.

Some of the townspeople got involved in the street fight. (It was an exciting interactive experience for the spectators, too. A gang of boys - mine included! - ran after the Union army, tossing rolled-up newspaper "rocks" at them, but there was so much commotion at the time that I didn't get a picture of that!)

The Confederate troops fall back as the Union army advances. (Newspaper ball "rocks" can be seen on the ground behind them.)

Union soldiers ransacked the town (and got back at the boys who had pelted them with "rocks" by throwing ladies' clothing at them).

Union troops gathering in front of the bank.

Hanging out at the Sheriff's Office.

The Union Army's orders were: "Push a column of a division or more along the Plank and Telegraph roads, with a view to seizing the heights in the rear of the town." In the battle of Marye's Heights, Union troops tried to take the hill, but the Confederates were already entrenched behind a stone wall.

Confederate troops on the march.

Casualties lying in the street.

The Confederates are victorious, and the Union Army retreats. The actual battles lasted from approximately 10:30 - 2:30 with a lunch break in between. We stayed for a while afterwards to wander around and chat with the Confederate soldiers, then left at 3:00 pm although we could have stayed until 5:00.

This event was sponsored by the Arizona Civil War Council, Inc. The Arizona Civil War Council (ACWC) is a non-profit association of volunteer history enthusiasts who re-enact events of the Civil War and Arizona's Territorial Period.

WANTED: ARIZONA VOLUNTEER REENACTORS: No experience is needed and gun NOT required. Instructions will be given on making or buying uniforms, men’s civilian clothes, and costumes for ladies and children. You must be over 16 to use any weapons; under 16 may be drummers, flag bearers, or cannon-assistants IF accompanied by a parent. Dues are about $20/year to cover liability insurance. Visit their website at http://www.arizonacivilwarcouncilinc.com/ for more information.

Did you know...? Gods & Generals (the prequel to the hit movie Gettysburg) showed the Battle of Fredericksburg with its street fighting scenes. In fact, one of the re-enactors on the Confederate side with whom we were talking afterwards explained how he actually played a major role in the movie Gettysburg, as well as Glory.

Additional Info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fredericksburg - Battle of Fredericksburg

http://www.nps.gov/frsp/fire.htm - Fire in the Streets

http://www.nps.gov/frsp/assault.htm - Assault on Marye’s Heights

http://www.nps.gov/archive/gett/soldierlife/cwarmy.htm - What was life as a Civil War soldier like? Get more details in this fascinating article from Gettysburg National Military Park.

LIFE & TIMES OF LAURA INGALLS WILDER ~ November 10, 2007

This field trip combined lots of fun with learning about history, and it was a gorgeous day – neither too chilly nor too warm, but just right! About 20 kids (ages 4-12) and 14 parents showed up with the Desert Hills CHristian Homeschoolers group. Sharon Cullers, a homeschool mom, was our tour guide. She was assisted by her daughter and daughter-in-law.
First we went to visit the Bank and Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff locked up our lunches in the jail for safekeeping.

Then we got to sit inside the old church and take a group picture on the front steps, and after that we peeked into the teacherage.
Next door, we had “class” in the one-room schoolhouse.

The kids got to sit at the old school desks, while Mrs. Cullers taught us about the life and times of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the author of the Little House on the Prairie book series.

At recess the kids played old-fashioned games – they rolled hoops around, played tug of war, and jumped rope. My son Jon exclaimed, “Wow, who knew that these old games could be so much fun!”

We got to watch a gun fight and pose for a picture with the gunfighters after the show.

After that, we ate a picnic lunch on the village green and learned how to do the Virginia Reel.

Then we went to the blacksmith shop, where the blacksmith showed us how they used to make tools, horseshoes, and nails.
We looked at the Exhibit Hall, and from there we walked over to a large log cabin from the1880's. This is where we made butter, candles, and rope.
Even though we were at Pioneer Village the whole day long (8:30 am to 4:30 pm), the time sure went fast! One girl said “This was the best day of my life!”

Here is an article that I wrote several years ago about Laura Ingalls Wilder: www.knowledgehouse.info/njfklaura.html . It has a recipe for making homemade butter, similar to what we made at the place. Yum! This was the third time that our family has done this field trip and we always enjoy it!

Did You Know…? Whenever school attendance was impossible because of distance or weather, Laura was taught by her mother at home. Later, Laura homeschooled her own daughter Rose.

“I believe it would be much better for everyone if children were given their start in education at home. No one understands a child as well as his mother, and children are so different that they need individual training and study. A teacher with a room full of pupils cannot do this. At home, too, they are in their mother’s care. She can keep them from learning immoral things from other children.” ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

ARIZONA ARCHAEOLOGY EXPO ~ March 17, 2007

March is “Arizona Archaeology Heritage Awareness Month.” Museums, historical societies, tribes, parks, and archaeological organizations across the state host archeology events during this month. The main featured event is the Arizona Archaeology Expo which is held at Yuma Crossing State Historic Park.

We’ve been aware of Archeology Month for years and this was the first time we finally had a chance to attend the Expo. I don’t know why they always have it way down there, but we found out that it was well worth the trip. First of all, the event itself is FREE. Plus it’s like getting a two-for-one deal because while you’re at the Expo, you can also explore the entire park grounds and learn about the history of the Yuma Crossing (which was quite interesting in itself; please go on to read the next post after this one).

The Archaeology Expo offers many educational attractions for archaeology and history buffs, as well as for children. Visitors learn about the prehistory and history of Arizona, why it is important to preserve archaeological sites and historic places, what archaeologists and historians do in their jobs, and more. The two-day event features workshops, hands-on activities, craft demonstrations, and other fun and educational events. There are special displays and booths by archaeological and historical organizations, museums, Native American tribes, state and federal agencies, and others. Entertainment includes living history re-enactors, storytellers, and American Indian dancers.

The kids got to make clay pots, petroglyphs and rubbings for bringing home. They also liked looking at the sample dig site that was set up, and digging for their own finds in a tub of sand. They got to use a primitive wooden drill, toss a boomerang, and throw spears at a mammoth. There was lots of literature to pick up, and souvenir canvas totes to carry it all in. We even got to see a weaving demonstration. They also offer guided tours of historic period sites in the Colorado River Valley area, but we didn’t have time to go on any of them.

We spent about three hours in the afternoon at the Expo and looking around the 10-acre park grounds. Many of the exhibitors were packing up their stuff and leaving before we did. Who could blame them, they were worn out after spending two days in the heat. Unbelievably, it was the second hottest day ever recorded in March – officially 101°F at the Yuma Airport, but the park rangers said that their thermometer read 103°. Either way, no one was prepared for it to be that hot in March! My kids even went in the pool that week – the first time they ever got to go swimming when it was still winter! Thankfully the park staff provided ice cold water in coolers. We refilled our little paper cups often!

I was surprised, though, to see that there weren’t too many visitors. It wasn’t crowded at all and the kids didn’t even have to wait in line to do the activities. I don’t know if it was the heat that kept people away, or if it’s never very crowded because of the remote location at the southwest corner of the state, or perhaps their busy day is Friday for school tours. I sure hope enough people attend these annual archeology open houses to make a difference in promoting a sense of stewardship for our state’s nonrenewable heritage resources.

A free listing of Arizona Archaeology Month events as well as brochures on archaeological sites in the state of Arizona—complete with descriptions, hours of operation, directions, and a map—can be obtained by calling the Arizona State Parks State Historic Preservation Office at 602-542-4174. Archaeology Month information can also be found on their website at www.pr.state.az.us.

Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott ~ September 30, 2006

The Smithsonian Institution and other participating museums celebrated Museum Day, September 30, by offering free admission. I’d been wanting to go to Sharlot Hall Museum for a long time, so we decided to go there on that day. However, even their regular admission prices are quite reasonable at $5 for adults and free for anyone under 18. That makes it a great place to go if you have a large family!

Sharlot Hall (1870-1943) was a ranch woman, poet, newspaper reporter, historian, and founder of the museum that bears her name. In other words, my hero! She had traveled from Kansas to Arizona by wagon train with her family when she was 12. Largely self-educated and highly literate, most of her learning took place on the ranch. However, she did attend a few terms in a log-and-adobe schoolhouse near her family’s Lynx Creek homestead and boarded in Prescott for one year of school in town. Hall was appointed Territorial Historian in 1909, making her the first woman to hold a public office in Arizona. In 1927, she started a museum in the Governor’s Mansion to store her extensive collection of documents and artifacts, thus preserving the history of territorial Arizona.

The Sharlot Hall Museum has since been expanded to include an assortment of buildings on three acres, making it the largest museum in the central territory of Arizona. Structures include: the old Governor’s Mansion (1864); Fremont House (1875); the Victorian style Bashford House (1877); Fort Misery (1863); a Ranch House replica; an heirloom vegetable/herb garden; a Rose Garden; a replica of Prescott’s first schoolhouse; a print shop; an 1885 Iron Windmill; a transportation building (1937); the Sharlot Hall Exhibit Building; and the Visitor Center.

The large log mansion and Fremont House are filled with period furnishings. It’s amazing to see the difference in sophistication between them considering the fact that they were built only ten years apart. The mansion is rather austere and rustic but walking into the Fremont House was like visiting my great-grandma’s house!

The Sharlot Hall Building contains extensive exhibits on Prescott history, along with Native American artifacts. The Transportation Building, once an automobile-repair garage, now houses the Museum’s vehicle collection. On display are Sharlot’s 1927 Star automobile, a stagecoach, covered wagon, high-wheeled bicycle, and more. The Victorian style Bashford House is now a gift shop. The rooms are small and there are breakables, so watch the kids or let them play outside while you go in. They do have a children’s section with museum-quality books and toys.

The Visitor Center houses a research library, offices, lecture hall, and additional exhibits. I was surprised to see at the back of the lecture hall they had a big exhibit on the history of prostitution in Prescott – do they really want to glorify and memorialize sin? I certainly didn’t appreciate that, but it was pretty easy to skip over and I would hope they don’t include it on the school tours!

You definitely won’t want to miss the Sharlot Hall display adjacent to the front lobby which features her famous copper dress. Whether you’re into fashion or not, you will admire the workmanship that went into that amazing dress! And if you’re wondering what a copper dress could possibly look like, just imagine delicate copper chain mail with fancy trim, or a copper version of Frodo’s mithril vest from The Lord of the Rings!

The museum is staffed by volunteers and living history re-enactors, so expect to be greeted when you visit the houses and feel free to ask them questions while you’re there. Also, at the information desk in the Visitor Center you can ask for a scavenger hunt paper for the kids to work on. It will keep them busy looking for things in each of the buildings and they’ll be sure to learn something while doing so.

The Sharlot Hall Museum regularly hosts special events such as lecture series, book festivals, living history programs and cowboy poetry gatherings, especially during the summer months. We just happened to be there when a speaker was presenting a slide show on the history of Colorado River rafting. So we got to sit in on that which was pretty interesting to see how the boats changed over the years from General Powell’s wooden barge to modern inflatable rafts.

The Sharlot Hall Museum is located at 415 W. Gurley Street in the heart of downtown Prescott, Arizona, two blocks west of the Courthouse Plaza. Visit the museum’s informative website at www.sharlot.org where you can find out about upcoming events, view photos, read descriptions, see maps, and study the online archives.