Historical Reenaction: Civil War
Historical reenaction is a popular summertime activity in America.
The single most popular reenaction events are those associated with the
Civil War. Menare the primary aficionados, but often the entire
family participates.
Thousands of children were directly involved in the Civil War. Older
boys served as soldiers. Many younger boys were also invoved,
some boys as young as 11 years old. The younger boys generlly
served as drummer or buggle boys. Both the Confederate and Union
soldiers tried to look after the younger boys. In major engagements they
were often sent to the rear when charges into fortifications were planned.
In some cases they had to be forced to the rear crying. Such a
scene is portrayed in the movie Glory.
Related Books about the Civil War
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt: Set in Illinois. Story about a boy whose family is split by
the Civil War when his brothers enlist on opposite sides.
With Every Drop of Blood by James Lincoln Collier: While trying to deliver food to
Richmond, Virginia, a 14 year old boy is captured by a Black Union soldier.
Bull Run by Paul Fleischman. First battle of the Civil War.
Turn Homeward, Hanalee by Patricia Beatty: A girl and her brother are taken from their
home in Georgia to the North by Sherman's Yankee soldiers to work in textile mills.
Hanalee tries to return to her mother still in Georgia. This is loosely based on an historical
incident. The sequel is Be Ever Hopeful Hanalee.
The Root Cellar by Janet Lunn: Time travel to the Civil War era. An orphaned girl is sent
to live with relatives in Ontario, Canada. She finds herself in the Civil War after entering an
abandoned root cellar. She makes friends with a servant girl. Together thay travel to
wartime Washington, D.C. to find a friend of the servant girl who ran away from home to
join the Union army.
Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reeder: A 12 year old boy goes to live with his aunt and uncle
in the Virginia countryside. He considers his uncle a traitor because he did not take a role
in the war.
Mr. Lincoln's Drummer by G. Clifton Wisler: About an ll year old Civil War drummer who
becomes the youngest receipent of the Congressional Metal of Honor.
A Dangerous Promise by Joan Lowery Nixon: Two twelve year olds join the Union army
as musicians and see the horrors of war.
Jayhawker by Patricia Beatty: A teenage boy from Kansas becomes an abolitionist raider
freeing slaves in Missouri and then becomes a spy.
Who Comes with Cannons by Patricia Beaty: Twelve year old Quaker girl from Indiania
stays with relatives who are running a North Carolina station in the Underground railroad.
Links
: Careful these will take you away from the HBC Web Site
Union drummer boy:
Letters
19th century clothes (including Civil War):
Patterns
Civil War:Reenactors
Drummer Boy of Shiloh:
Activties
Drummer Boy of Shiloh:
Poem
Drummer Boy:
Lifr
Figure 1.--.
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Christopher Wagner
histclo@lycosmail.com
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