Entertaining Officers

[MissElizabethBrandt]

I'm thinking of a possible scenario that I could do at a re-enactment this summer...

But I want to be able to back it up with documentation...

I have access to an upper middle class house for this particular re-enactment, and would like to portray, along with some willing people, a family living in this house. At some point I would like to have the confederate officers (not the general soldiers, just the officers) over for dinner some afternoon/evening to eat with the family, as guests of the household.

I would like to set a table outside and eat under the shade of the trees, and of course have a hostess/host role ID'd, some participating officers and a whole lot of dishes. I think it could work, and would provide for an interesting afternoon. I'm suggesting we have a family unit, not just me as a young lady, play this entire role.

Would a prominent family do this with the units camped in the area (assuming that the family was on the side of the units camped?)

If so, what would happen after dinner? I'm not sure but parlor games may work, or some music afterwards, or a light game or some outdoor activity?

[BrianHicks]

Re: Entertaining Officers

AS I'm sure you are aware, there are numerous original accounts of local households guesting Officers, during which a meal, and afterwards piano playing and singing are described.

As source of other period amusements, may I suggest the following book:

The Sociable; or One Thousand and One Home Amusements

The original addition of this book was published in 1858 by Dick & Fitzgerald of New York.

The reprint is published by Applewood Books, and can be found on their website (along with numerous other great reads) here:

http://www.awb.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=1034

I think you'll find this particular book rather fascinating.

[CYoungJSU]

Re: Entertaining Officers

Here are some quotes from Chesterfield's LetterWriter and Complete Book of Etiquette New York: Dick & Fitzgerald, 1857.

Until quite recently, dinners were given in the most agonizing ceremonious manner. But we are happy to inform all mankind that a little common sense is now used in dispensing the principal meal to hungry mortals. What was though to be the height of good taste and superlative refinement a few years ago, is now declared vulgar, and the dinners of this day are not such tiresome affairs as those inflicted on our parents. A dinner party in the year 1860 is almost as difficult to describe as the gyrations of a pic-nic, so different are the customs of different people, and so few ceremonies are really necessary. It used to be said that many a man would pass muster in society as a gentleman until he accepted an invitation to dinner. But unless he was perfectly au fait, dinner would surely betray him. All this is changed now.
An invitation to dinner is generally given several days beforehand. It may be written or verbal. If you send out notes, they should be brief and unpretending, something like the following:
TUESDAY, Sept. 16th, 1860.
MR. GEORGE JONES requests the pleasure of your company at Dinner, on Friday, the 19th inst., at six o’clock.
W.B. ASTOR, Esq.

Persons who so choose, may at all times decline invitations to dinner without any breach of etiquette. But if they accept, they should be punctual at the hour appointed. The gentleman should be neatly dressed, and wear either a frock or dress coat. The lady should always appear in full dress.

Games and Sports

In some of the evening social gatherings a variety of sports, or plays, are frequently introduced. Entering into the spirit of them we throw off the restraints of more formal intercourse, but they furnish no excuse for rudeness. You should never forget your politeness, or allow yourself to take liberties, or lose your sense of delicacy and propriety, while engaged in these amusements.
The selection of games or sports belongs to the ladies, though gentlemen may

I would suggest trying to find a copy of this little book. In the inside of the back cover are several other books. Here are some of their titles:
The Sociable; or, One Thousand and One Home Amusements
Book of Riddles and 500 HOme Amusements
Parlor Tricks with Cards
The Book of Fireside Games
The Play-Ground; or, Out-Door Games for Boys and Girls
The Book of 500 Curious Puzzles

Chris

[Mrs. Buttrick]

Re: Entertaining Officers

Miss Elizabeth,

I have a copy of The Sociable if you'd like to borrow it.

[Hank Trent]

Re: Entertaining Officers

One situation that occurs to me, if location doesn't matter, is Mosby, who often dined and stayed at plantation homes in his little area of Virginia. His autobiography and similar published accounts by his other officers include descriptions. I believe a few memoirs are on Documenting the American South and/or Google Books, and a search for Mosby and dinner or supper ought to turn up something.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[MissElizabethBrandt]

Re: Entertaining Officers

Hello!

Hank - the documentation you led me to is perfect!

Miss Patricia - I would love to see The Sociable to get some parlor game ideas. I'll email you about that.

[Virginia Mescher]

Re: Entertaining Officers

_The Sociable_ as well as a book from the 1850's _Parlour Games_ and a booklet written by Michael Mescher, _Mid-Nineteenth Century Parlor Games_ are all available from Ragged Soldier Sutlery (raggedsoldier.com).