Turkeyville Civil War Reenactment 2016

My lower lip is split. Thankfully, it doesn't hurt like it did yesterday. However, that remark about a split lip means nothing to you, unless you know that for two days (plus some), I spent the majority of my time out of doors, in glorious sunshine, getting a little burnt and dehydrated...

That's right, Katherine and I felt the call of another reenactment this past weekend and hit the road Friday afternoon after a wild race of a morning (for me). I had to round up and pack everything--which I normally would have done the day before we left--because Thursday had two obstacles to that. Number One: I was single-mindedly focused on finishing up my new underpinnings. I'm pleased to say that I now have enough underpinnings for three days of fresh wear. Number Two: I was not sure I was going to feel well enough to go anyway. I was down and out (still not sure how I managed to sew) all day. 

Katherine minded the shop Friday morning and so I gathered the tentage and sleeping gear out of the hayloft, brought the clothing, bedding, and kitchen boxes up from the basement, ironed the dresses, and scrambled to finish assembling the food. Mom ran to town and picked up a few more items to fill in our cooler before coming home, eating, and heading to the Farmer's Market.

When we did get out, it was someplace near 3 pm, give or take. I stopped just east of our town to see if the smell we were smelling came from our engine--couldn't locate anything off--so we continued. I did actually remember to check the gauges fairly often (I normally forget) and checked the oil at a rest stop further up the road. Everything seemed fine, so I quit worrying.

It was probably about 6-something when we arrived at our destination. We headed into the camp to find registration when we were hailed by a twice-before met acquaintance. I think it's rather safe to say that Hawk and Jill are now friends. :) But anyway, we talked for a bit then went over and registered and then crossed the road to set up.

Wouldn't you know it...we had our modern tent set up and were just starting to bring in the bedding when Hawk comes over and says something like this, "I don't know why I didn't think of this before...but we have an extra A-frame if you'd like to use that...."

​We did and we did. :)

After Hawk helped us set up (and he was right--an A-frame is easier to set up than a modern tent) we ate us a bit of supper then strolled back across the camp to Hawk and Jill's where we would stay until probably about 11:30 talking...and listening to Hawk tell Bible stories. He has quite a knack for livening them up, staying within the bounds of Scripture. The story of Jonah for instance...well, you'd have had to heard it--even with a ten minute intermission. 

I might add here, we also made the acquaintance of a young man (who reminded Katherine of one brother and me of another, but no matter) named Josh. He has an infectious grin and a sense of humor to match--so between the two men, the ladies had a deal of laughing. No complaining on that front. Anyway, it wasn't until the next day when I saw him in uniform that I realized that Josh was none other than the fella at the Coldwater dance that I had saucily asked if he were dyslexic (not very nice as I realized in reflection). I had actually been going to ask him if he were homeschooled (we have a reputation for getting our left and right mixed up, ya know), but I changed my mind at the last minute because if he hadn't been he wouldn't have understood! Turns out he was "home-teached" as he put it with an ornery look. I got to confess my folly and was forgiven of it after an, "Oh, that was you! I recognize you now..." (I was wearing the same dress and even had my hair the same!!)

Anyway...we finally straggled off to bed and poor Katherine didn't have enough blanket on Night One.

Saturday morning, I woke up and had to ask Katherine for her camera...I had a couple of views out from under the tent edges that I had to shoot.

After dressing, I fired up the propane single burner (yes, yes...I know, so authentic! But remember--we were planning on modern camping) and made coffee then...scrambled eggs. 

Last time, I forgot the butter and the K's were so gracious as to speedily hand me a stick when I shamelessly asked if I could 'borrow' some. This time, I remembered the butter--but I forgot the spatula to turn the eggs with! Thus, scrambled it was. Can't get anything perfect when you're out of practice, you know...

After breakfast, we then meandered back across to bug Hawk, Jill, and Josh as we would end up doing for the majority of the weekend. Hawk was fixing to make a Celtic knot "thump mat" for a hot pad and I ended up "helping" by pulling the on the rope. Josh pulled out his smart phone (so the things do come in handy from time to time) to get directions. Hawk said he's made a ton of these things, but he just couldn't remember how to get it started because it had been awhile.

Obviously, Hawk just said something funny...and check out that horridly inauthentic water bottle! (It had ice in it! :) )

There was to be a "wash-day" scenario that devolved (planned) into a water fight in the morning. Well, I got talked into helping out since they had a dearth of ladies to help. (Who am I kidding? I didn't require much by way of arm twisting to get me out there, despite I didn't have another outfit to change into.) I was really only supposed to get mildly damp, but a little girl who joined in the fun didn't know that and dumped a tin cup full of water down my back. Well! I got her back a couple of times. ;) Probably the most disconcerting part of the whole thing was this little boy who had joined in the water fight. He was already quite wet and was soaking other people thoroughly, so I picked up a small bucket of water and snuck up behind him and dumped it on him. I was not expecting the nasty look I got. If he'd have been a dog, he'd probably have growled and bit me. As it was, he took after me with a vengeful air. Some sport, what? (The difference between me going after the little girl and the little boy coming after me was that I was really not upset by the cold water running down my back and the young man was angered by it. That's the difference. I was playful, he was vengeful. I just don't quite understand that.....)

Next on the agenda, after lunch, and more talk, and strolling through the sutlers (I did not purchase anything this time), was the battle!

The event planners split the six-hour battle of Ball's Bluff, Virginia into two days. Saturday, "we" were repulsed by the Yankee's on the high ground, but on the Lord's Day, the tyrants were firmly defeated.

Here's the first day in pictures:

And the second (Katherine's camera battery died before the end of the battle):

Anyway...back to Saturday. After the battle, we ended back up at Hawk and Jill's and a couple of us pulled our guitars out and singing and playing commenced for a bit. We had a little visitor who just loves music and really didn't care how bad or beautiful any given person sang, just so long as they sang!

Miss Jill has a lovely voice--she's a voice teacher!

Introducing--Josh! See...he's got a goofy-side...

And a less goofy-side. (And an awesome pair of boots...)

While this was going on, suddenly, firing broke out from the battlefield! It's too bad that Katherine didn't get a picture of Josh dashing through the line of tents, rifle in hand. 
We ladies ended up by the battlefield where we observed the impromptu skirmish--and a bit of an anomaly: 

Time Travelers??

Later that evening, Hawk would prepare some fish in one of the neighbor's fires...Rainbow trout. It was good. :) Katherine took a few more interesting pictures before we headed off to bed.

Sunday's church service was the best attended reenactment church service I have ever been to. There were even a number of spectators who participated. I was pleasantly surprised to see the entire seating area was full. Hawk and Jill guesstimated somewhere between 45-50 people. More importantly than numbers however, was the spirit of the thing. While definitely not what my Reformed Presbyterian self it used to, the atmosphere was reverent (more than what I can say for some "reformed" churches I have been to). But all the elements where there--singing, prayers, and teaching from the Word of God. (Josh asked me in a half-scold, "You didn't bring your guitar?" I wasn't quite sure how serious he was the night before when he asked me what I wanted to play next morning...I guess whenever next time is, I'll help him accompany the singing!) The message, while not long or deeply "theological", was both informative and edifying. Katherine and I had actually already heard the body of it Friday evening, but it didn't hurt to hear it again. :) Did you know that in the first verses of John 14 (Passover), that Christ was quoting the Hebrew marriage ceremony? Let that sink in....

Shortly after the church service, the event planners had scheduled another "washing" scenario--only this time, it was giving a couple of soldiers a bath! (We did not participate. And the men were still fully clothed, by the way--just so's you know.)

At roughly the same time, a young man showed up at Hawk and Jill's tent in nothing but his undershorts--because he was supposed to get into Hawk's long red underwear and be paraded around in the barrel that proclaims "Do not Drink or Gamble". Well, it became apparent after a bit that he was too large for the red flannel underwear--so he crawled into the barrel in just his shorts (with a little help from Josh):

He was then summarily paraded through the camp, Jackie ringing the bell to declare the way before him and the rowdy crowd of his pals. He was such a great sport about it, even offering to do it again next time...At the end of the line, he got an admonishment from Hawk (I really have no idea what was said)... 

It wasn't too long after this that we ate our lunches and converged on the battlefield. This time, Katherine and I sat up by the Union artillery (why? Dunno...) and watched the battle as it unfolded and the Yankees got wiped out. I do admit though, that only two or three "dead" Confederates was a little unrealistic.

After the battle, we sat around with Jill and Hawk for a bit, discussing church and such things, said "adios" to Josh, who left almost immediately, and then went and broke down camp ourselves. Returning the tent to Hawk, we said our farewells (we would have stayed and helped them breakdown, but I actually think we would have been more in the way than help because when one knows where everything goes and how things get taken down, having to stop and give directions slows them down), and hit the road. I think I munched most of the way home to keep myself alert. I'm also glad we stopped and got a cup of coffee north of FW. I needed it.

Upon arriving home, we unloaded the stuff that came into the house and I forthwith slid into my bee gear to do some unplanned and unusual for Sunday bee-work. The bees were bearding bad enough to get attention. I think they were simply hot, but I went ahead and added a super on to each hive since both colonies were quickly running out of room.

Thus far is the story of the Turkeyville Civil War reenactment....

      Racheal

And I suddenly realized--I don't have that lovely picture of Katherine up!! (I am not bragging on my photography skills--snapping pictures has nothing to do with the photogenic-ness of your subject...)

Girl looks gorgeous in my hat! (Better'n me probably. :D )