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Rachel's Civil War Page

(Rachel and her sister Lisa model Aunt Ann's first attempt at sewing girl's dresses!)

(Rachel in her "cybil war" dress and hat, she's holding a ladies fan)

   
Welcome To Rachel's Civil War Web Page.  This page is a tour of both civil war battlefields and re-enactments through the eyes of a 6 year old in her own words.  Proof that one is never to young to enjoy history!  More to come as her aunt the webmaster takes her on more historic excursions.  We hope you like it.

Some of these pictures also have audio files of  Rachel's description of  the pictures and the tour.  Simply click on the blue boxes to hear her description below the picture.

First Manassas Tour with Ed Bearss, August, 1998

Ed Bearss retired from the Park Service as their Head Historian and is now their Historian Emeritus.  He's been featured in the Ken Burns Civil War series as well as the Civil War Journal and has written countless books and articles on the civil war.  He's been called the "Dean of the American Civil War Battlefield" and also "A National Treasure".  His tours are the best, no-one knows the battlefields nor the personalities of the civil war as well as he does.    The man is truly amazing, he's 76 and never tires!  I made it a point to get my young nieces to experience a battlefield tour with him.  If you get the opportunity, take one of Ed's tours, you'll not regret it!  This tour was sponsored by the Civil War Trust, the money raised was used for battlefield preservation.

(Rachel views Blackburn's Ford)

When taking small children on tours, its a good idea to bring plenty of water and something to amuse them.  In this case, I brought lifesaver lollipops in cherry, blueberry and orange.  To her delight the blueberry lollipops turned her tongue blue which she happily showed Ed.  Ed, being a grand-dad himself, didn't miss a beat and told her she had a union tongue, which had this 5 year old beaming all day long.

(Rachel finds Ed more interesting than the Stone Bridge!)

(Rachel and Ed near the Stone Bridge - Ed's wearing the white hat and black t-shirt)

(Henry House after the battle)

Eighty-five year old Mrs. Judith Henry was killed by an artillery shell the afternoon of the battle.  She was bedridden and insisted on remaining in her house despite the battle going on.  She's buried right outside the house.

Ed Speaks to the Bull Run Civil War Round Table on Chickamauga, May 13, 1999

(Rachel with Karen and Ed)

Here's a picture of our newsletter editor Karen Fojt, Ed Bearss and Rachel. Rachel wanted a picture with Ed and her "cybil war friend" Karen.  Karen graciously let Rachel and I spend the night at her house the night before the Manassas tour back in August.  For the night Ed spoke to our round table, we made "cybil war cake" from the Lee family cookbook  which luckily turned out ok and was devoured by all.

Rachel's Re-enactment Pictures

We joined the 7th MD Infantry living history group 2 years ago.  Its a Union unit with some wonderful people in it.  Ironically, we are of 100% confederate blood, having had 10 confederate soldiers in our past.  But the war is long over and I'm sure they (our ancestors) don't mind anymore!   Both Rachel and her older sister Lisa accompany the webmaster their aunt to some of the re-enactments and both enjoy it throughly.  Check out both our military and civilian websites.

(Rachel with her friend Gary, who portrays a Union Engineer)

Our friend Gary, who sometimes camps near the 7th MD, has probably the most impressive tent and set up of any re-enactor.  He has a wooden bed stand, tables and chairs not to mention desks and cupboards in his wall tent.  Much more well equipped than our humble A-frame tent.  Those engineers know how to camp in style!

(5 year old Benjamin, his mom Audrey, Rachel, Susan, 11 year old big sister Lisa and Aunt Ann)

(Rachel and her big sister Lisa)

Rachel's Civil War Observations

Below are some pictures of civil war generals Rachel has admired from seeing their statues on various battlefields as well as glimpsing their photos in several of my books.  Click on the blue box below the photos to hear her descriptions.

Civil War Generals

( Union Generals Custer and Grant)

   
(Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson)

   
(Robert E. Lee, Lee on Traveler after the war)

(James "Old Pete" Longstreet)

(Nathan Bedford Forrest, he happens to be Ed Bearss' favorite civil war general)
(he had several horses, but one was named Rodney and followed him around like a puppy!)

More pictures to come as this little girl sees more battlefields and goes to more re-enactments.

This page was created on 5/23/99 by Ann Collins and was last updated on 09/25/03.

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Web created by Ann Collins.
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Revised: 25 May 1999 13:13:11 Eastern Daylight Time.