Babes in the Woods

[IowaYank]

Re: Babes in the Woods

Another thing that myself and several others in Company A found quite amusing was the labeling that was written on one of the cans. Written in pencil on the label was the word soup spelled SOOP. We all found that amusing. It also was quite a surprise to see what was in the cans. It was like Christmas all over again waiting to see what would actually be in the cans. Man those were some funny looking and tasting small, round green "tomatoes"(turned out to be peas).

[Cottoncarder]

Re: Babes in the Woods

Don't let Joe fool you, he has charity in his heart---he just wants other folks to extend it. :D

A quiet word from him as he left our place let me know that y'all were totally cleaned out, and I sent a bucket of hot fresh cooked hominey out by that preacherman. Who knows what made it through the lines, but like lighter pine for a quick start and young wagon boys to make you a fire, it was sent.

Mizz Terre,
I was wondering why all that good stock was coming from our larder and into the hands of the Preacher man along with the sending out of the young man. I should have realized it was going for a most desperate cause. A kind, compassionate and gentle heart is always looked upon in good light from our maker....Mizz Bertie

[Spinster]

Re: Babes in the Woods

Mizz Bertie,

This event proved one of my maxims---there is no such thing as too many blankets, buckets, or bars of chocolate.

From the complete bedroll and set of rations that went out in the hands of our English writer, garnered near midnight as we dropped him into an army off schedule, to the cakes of chocolate, jugs of molassas, cans of condensed milk.......one notes no 'real food' in my larder, for folks had that and plenty. What I packed was the sort that sent a man just one more mile, or two or three......

Buckets, lord, buckets, for men and animals and cleaning and cooking 25 pounds of hominy----and then keeping it cooked for the next three days when the army fell behind.

The same thing went for blankets--I started the event on a period camp bed, with two feather ticks, 3 blankets, 3 more in reserve, and a stack of painted cloth. All went a traveling, until the last night found me snuggled in that most delightful of places--on the ground with a two year old and his Mama under a single blanket and an old quilt, listening to the sound of invalid soldiers snoring just outside.

[Alamo Guard]

Re: Babes in the Woods

Miss Bertie,
You know a man such as myself could never see the babes suffer or starve.
I took Ms Terre's hominy as well as some of my own rice, coffee, sugar and even a bar of soap when I heard of their misfortunes with those "sub human dutchmen". After visiting these lasses for days to give them both moral and spirtual comfort I expected and feared the worse.
I was just wondering what cruel fate had become them after the harsh treatment we had received in our own camp? I myself was whipped around like a ragdoll so hard the buttons were torn off my clothes. Women with babes in their arms held at bayonet point. Men of all ages rudely accused of belonging to Confederate Forces. Some fiendish lad attempted to pat search a lady till she connected with a open palm.
The gravest insult of all was not being trusted as man of my word after giving my christian promise. Did these northern hordes have no morals?
I must say Christian Charity was sorely tried while the yankees sacked our little homes. Despite the fact we were in fact tending their disabled and were still under Federal occupation!!!!!!!!
I know the reporter for the London Times shall get a detailed report for his British Reader on the brutal way these lovers of Lincoln treated us.
Regardless It was alot of fun and without hard feelings or reservations I would love to do it all once again.
Finally any food I did beg or barter from you forces did in fact go to the refugees, and no you cannot have the location of that Natchez Spring either.

[Ginger Lane]

Re: Babes in the Woods

I took Ms Terre's hominy as well as some of my own rice, coffee, sugar and even a bar of soap when I heard of their misfortunes with those "sub human dutchmen".

I don't think I ever really got a chance to thank y'all for that. It was such a wonderful surprise to get back to our dark camp (I was half afraid of what I'd find, after being gone for so long) and discovering a little treasure trove on the table. :)

I'm not going to pretend eloquence, especially since I'd only be parroting what Anna and Silvana have already said so far. But it has truly been a thrilling and unforgettable experience for me. Being beholden to so many tireless workers, and to so many (to me) strangers, like the Federal soldier who pressed a piece of hardtack and bacon in my hand when our own stores were being devoured, is simply overwhelming. This is what pulling together means, to not only bring an event off but for everyone to participate and interact with each other.

Finally any food I did beg or barter from you forces did in fact go to the refugees, and no you cannot have the location of that Natchez Spring either.

Aaah! What on earth was that Natchez Spring "water"? That was a libation with plenty of oomph!

Another thing that myself and several others in Company A found quite amusing was the labeling that was written on one of the cans. Written in pencil on the label was the word soup spelled SOOP. We all found that amusing. It also was quite a surprise to see what was in the cans. It was like Christmas all over again waiting to see what would actually be in the cans. Man those were some funny looking and tasting small, round green "tomatoes"(turned out to be peas).

Um, Silvana? Sounds like we might have had a rather, um, interesting dinner even if we had been able to cook. Oops...

I was wondering where the pile of cans came from - for a foolish second I thought the Yanks had traded you prepared stuff for their cans...should have known it was just too heavy for them to carry.

Personally, I suspect a scheming muleteer. Probably tipped off you fellows with a "Free Food" sign. :tounge_sm

[Michael Comer]

Re: Babes in the Woods

We left the canned goods behind because they were too heavy to carry. There was no charity in it.

Well they weren't too heavy for me. I spotted them under the tree while escorting a water detail and toted them back stacked in my arms on my musket. There was another fellow got a few too. It was tasty indeed.

I felt bad when I was told the ladies had no food left and I did apologize for my denying them sustenance but it sure was good! I did donate some rice to help them out and assuage my conscience. Plus, I didn't need it - I was full of salmon, peas and mushrooms etc.

[Silvana Siddali]

Re: Babes in the Woods

I feel that I should explain something about the canned goods. We painted the cans and glued period labels to them that were specifically based on northern (mostly from Massachusetts) period labels. The idea was that the traveling preacher, who was doing a lot of yeoman service as a wily peddler and trader, had taken pity on our refugee state and had brought us canned goods that we wouldn't otherwise have been able to obtain. Other than those canned goods, we only had food that was on Ms. Vicki Betts' carefully researched list.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Babes in the Woods

Silvana,

It was nice running into the three "babes in the woods" at the Coyote Camp spring, whilst you gals were dropping off the package for Fred Baker. We assumed it was some sort of medical supply, such as moleskin, and later learned much to our amusement the parcel contained letters (mail) for the boys. That was a most opportune point to find a spring before heading through the burned area.

[Hairy Nation Boys]

Re: Babes in the Woods

Anna,

2nd Platoon Co.A came to your campsite after the battalion so we did not get as much as we would have liked. But, I did get a candle and a bar of soap. The bar of soap made it back to Iowa and I gave it to my daughter who just so happens to collect soap.(she is four and has three drawers full of soap) Not only did she love the bar of soap but she took it to school for show and tell. She told the class that her daddy got it from the rebels while playing Civil War.

Looking forward to Athens in August.

[Drygoods]

Re: Babes in the Woods

My goodness, what a story! I wonder, were the women robbed? Did they take your brooches as well? Oh, I'd have blistered those yankees all the way up and down the road to kingdom come if that had happened to me. Also, about those tin cans of food, did you make your own cans? Not the labels, did you make your own hole-n-cap cans?

[Rob Murray]

Re: Babes in the Woods

Ladies, I was the Capt. that was ordered to search your abode. You had stated that you were Christian women and loyal Unionists. With that in mind I began gingerly searching your belongings. When the Sergt. Maj. found a letter from the commander of the CS forces in a box I had already gone through, the gloves came off. I don't believe anything "bad" happened until that point. The cornbread and mollasses were exellent (ask Co.B) as well as the preserves. The matches came in handy, I was out. Thank you for a wonderful "period" moment. I felt no guilt whatsoever leaving you destitute. Such is war.

Rob Murray
last seen commanding
Co.B, 81st Ill. Vols

[BrianHicks]

Re: Babes in the Woods

I'm afraid it was the Ladies misfortune that I crawled into the tent to aid in the search. Alas... I've had some real world experience at such things... and it paid off.

What I'm curious to know is.... with the Conf. Colonel writing letters to each of the three Women... where they aware of the others receiving letters? Was it one huge free-love affair? Or was the Col. just a rake, and playing all three women from multiple angles.... or... where his intentions honorable?

I still have the confiscated letters! Perhaps there may be some hush money required to preserve the Colonels integrity and the womens honor? :embaresse :secret: :teeth_smi

[hooyahmicah]

Re: Babes in the Woods

As we were advancing into the burned forest opposite the ladies' tent, I stopped to rifle through some things...namely a breadbasket. I was very disappointed to find nothing but crumbs. After quickly glancing at a few other items, I ran back to meet up with my unit, sorely disappointed and hungry.

[Drygoods]

Re: Babes in the Woods

hmm, well, I wasn't there, but I sure would have had a tough time holding my tongue while all that thieving was going on. Why gracious me, you should hear what I'm telling my pixel right now. Robbing young women indeed! The good Lord saw what you did and hopefully loaded you petty pilferers over with ticks!!!:p

[Rob Murray]

Re: Babes in the Woods

Mrs. Peebles, No ticks here.:D

Rob Murray