10. Civil War Field Trip

Today's History lesson; a branch off of our March 2013 mini unit on the War between the States (Civil War). We were THE FIRST to show up at this School Day event. So, we had the privilege at having all of the workshops to ourselves. We got one on one information and interaction with the lady or gentleman at each station. One "soldier" giggled as he seen me writing notes at each station, knowing there would be a quiz in their future.

Located in Mexia, Texas. About 1 1/2 hours from Gun Barrel City. A beautiful drive to and from on a spring day. Plenty of time to recap, review and enjoy an educational (and spiritual) conversation.

< Mother of the Year award goes to.... Yes, they are cold. I felt so bad about this. But this incredibly polite gentleman asked Nathan to fetch one of his blankets for the girls. I certainly didn't mind.

During the War between the States, camels were used in a variety of ways. Carrying 30 gallons of water on each side, being one. Horses were frightened of the unfamiliar animals, and their unpleasant dispositions made them difficult to manage, so the army did not use them for military use. The camels proved to be exceedingly strong, and were able to move quickly across terrain that horses naturally could not. And, of course, the fact that they could go long times without water was a plus. 

While Doug is giving us the history of the camel in relation to the Civil War, the camels were being groomed for the season. Every spring, a camel loses five to eight pounds of hair. Doug uses special tools to remove hair and mats. After a winter season of thick hair that has collected grain, dirt, mats, and mud balls, a camel is eager to stand in line for grooming.

< As the girls were stood close, they witnessed the camel go "potty". Doug asked Nathan to fetch the pitchfork. Dough scooped it up and asked Nathan to pitch it in the trees. LOL!!! Nathan was pleased to help.

"Imagine firing a rifle at a distant enemy on a battlefield covered with powder smoke, with shell fragments flying around, and with the enemy riflemen and artillery in turn finding you a very desirable target. It took cool nerves under those conditions to estimate carefully the distance to the target, determine the high trajectory needed at the time, and allow for any wind. But that was the task of the Civil War sharpshooter, both Union and Confederate." - The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable.

Nathan wanted to feel how heavy it was. This 10.5 lb "sharpshooter" was extremely loud with only shooting off a "paper bullet" (from my memory). I can't imagine how awfully loud this would be for a soldier ALL DAY.

< This gentleman was playing When Johnny Comes Marching Home. The kids recognize it as The Ants Go Marching. A loud voice called from within the tent and startled Nathan. A woman's voice yelled, "Why don't y'all sing along with him!" It was the man's wife. Friends of Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site camp the entire weekend as they await the public's arrival and begin the event.

This mother is a homeschooler as well. She began to tell me a little about homeschool life in the 1800s and allowed me to look at a reproduction of a 19th Century McGuffey Reader. More info here. 

< A stone chimney was once part of a house built by the Pure Oil Company during the Mexia oil boom of the 1920s.

This woman was very interesting to listen to. She discussed several ways in which young ones were taught at home. "Once upon a time, all children were homeschooled". The item on her head is called a "snood". My girls bought one at the gift shop.

 

This is Bo, a 20 year old re-enactment Calvary horse. He was much more calm than JK, who is only 8 years old. The sound of the cannon going off didn't startle him once. We learned that a horse with his head down shows they are calm. The ones that are up are on alert.

1893 Dance Pavilion listed on the National Register as a historic architectural site. We were told that sometimes homeschoolers will have their proms here. They HAVE to dress in period clothes. What is period formal wear? Look here.

 I was unable to find the name of this band, but they played traditional music of 19th-century America. Instruments included: (from left to right) Jig Doll (Limberjack), fiddle, banjo, clavichord, mandolin and harpsichords. 

Here they are preforming for us.

< This is a Jig Doll, or Limberjack. Dancing dolls have been popular street entertainment for hundreds of years.

The most popular types of cannons used during the Civil War were the gun and the howitzer. The differences in the two were many; while a gun is a long-barreled, heavy weapon made to fire at long range, using solid shot and a large powder charge, the smaller, lighter, shorter-barreled howitzer is intended to fire at a short range from higher elevations, using smaller powder charges.

This was not entirely Civil War related, but this informational travel "trailer" was

situated near the concession stand. Did you know that Glad Clingwrap is made from some part of the cow? And, the hide from one beef animal can be made into 144 baseballs!?

Did you know it takes about two days for milk to go from the cow to the grocery store?

What do bandaides and cotton have in common?http://www.band-aid.com/brand-heritage

A mini cotton gin was used to show how cotton was harvested. The seeds themselves have interesting uses, such as potato chips. And, Cottonseed meal is a good source of protein.

The kids got to take some home. If I hadn't kept my eye on it, it would have stayed in the floorboard of the truck on the way home.

Lunch time! We made a picnic lunch in a quiet area, away from all the school groups that arrived.

Indeed, they all earned their incentive money. The goal was to dive in and ask questions. They were super little learners today. I love my children so much.