Juanita and I would like to appologize for the delay in posting this chapter.  This week was busy for us both.  

As Juanita said, most Civil War soldiers were civilians.  The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a post war fraternity.  The war brought these civilians together and formed bonds that changed society for years to come.  The GAR was tremendously powerful in national elections and was instrumental in society, so I've included some clips pertaining to the GAR.

Additionally, soldiers taught one another how to play games.  They would take these games to their communities and families after their time in service.  So I've included some videos about that.

The Society for Women and the Civil War holds annual conferences with talks on subjects related to civilians and the Civil War.
Their conference this summer will focus on the impact of the war on civilians. www.swccw.org.

Challenge:

1.  We tend to focus on how war harmed civilians. Name, instead, the three most beneficial  impacts the war had on civilians and their lives. 
2. What book would you like to see for a future book study?

Share your stories in the comments below.

Thank you for participating in this book study.  Thank you to the Homefront Herald for hosting us, especially Mandy and Joy!  A special Thanks to Juanita Leisch for authoring this work.  Thanks to her for helping me come up with supplementary material and questions for each chapter.  I hope everyone learned something, and I personally thank those of you who made it to the end.  It sure went by quickly.  ~ Den Bolda

Are you an author?   Would you like us to consider your book for a future book study?  Send me your work!

Chapter IV spoke about the many different ways that civilians participated in the American Civil War.  To supplement the reading, we've provided three videos from the Civil War Digital Digest.  These videos were selected because they showcase items that were made by civilians.  The reading described how civilians made clothing for the troops, and these videos talk about a depot where civilians worked, garments that civilians made, and garments that civilian men wore.  I promise, we will highlight women's and children's garb in the very near future.  When watching the videos, I would ask that you pay close attention to how the garments were constructed as well as the materials and buttons that were used on civilian garments.  

Assignment Instructions
In the comments below, please answer the following questions and respond to someone else's comment.  
1. What surprised you in the reading?
2. In reference to participation in war, what similarities and differences exist between Civil War civilians' and modern Americans?
3. Why do you think there are differences in how we participate in war as opposed to our historic counterparts?

Please post your comments within a week, so we have the following week to make responses.  Please read Chapter V: The Effect of War on Civilian Life by March 29th and return on that day for the next installment of this exciting discussion.  
Thank you for participating.
Den Bolda

From Mrs. Leisch: 
"This first is a  tintype of two women who posed for their photograph with Enfield bayonets.  I interpret this photo as being representative of the moral, social, and psychological support of women for the war.
This second is an albumen print of a group of workers posed in front of the Washington Arsenal.  Nearly two dozen individuals died in an explosion at this facility in June, 1864. They, and tens of thousands of other civilians worked in manufacturing facilities like or in their own homes during the war producing the food, shelter (tentage) clothing (uniforms), arms and ammunition (like this facility) that was absolutely essential to soldiers.  This photo is often cropped to exclude the men at the left, but they are part of the story, too.
The third is a group of women with needlework/sewing projects. Millions of women ‘fought with needles’ of various sorts, providing soldiers with uniforms, socks, and other necessities."

​Again, I thank our author for providing us with supplementary narrative and imagery.
Assignment Instructions
In the comments below, please answer the following questions and respond to someone else's comment.  
1. What is it that determines – or should determine -- whether a civilian’s particular role in the Civil War was important?
2. What information from this Civilian Influence on the Military do you think would be most  important to share with our military reenactor friends?
3. What information from this chapter was most useful for you?  Why?

Please post your comments within a week, so we have the following week to make responses.  Please read Chapter IV: Civilian Participation in the War by March 15th and return on that day for the next installment of this exciting discussion.  
Thank you for participating.
Den Bolda

Chapter two dealt with day-to-day life events.  We might have read this information and reflected upon our own lives.  You are an expert in modern American society, you live it everyday.  Making modern connections to Civil War civilians is a great way to hook a crowd.  Folks will be more interested to engage you in a topic if you show them how Civil War civilians were similar to them.  

Chapter II also talked about how the nation was an agrarian society.  Because of this, I've included some videos for you to watch.  These Civil War Digital Digest videos talk about farm tools.  It would be good for us to have some information about harvesting since the society was agrarian.  Enjoy.

The image above comes from the collection of Juanita Leisch.  She said "Here is photo of domestics at Harvard, one of photos taken for Year Book inclusion."   You can see how the staff dressed, presented themselves, and included their tools of the trade for the picture.

Assignment Instructions
In the comments below, please answer the following questions and respond to someone else's comment.  
1.  What information could use from this chapter to make a connection with a spectator at an event? How would you use it?
2. What sources of information would be best for providing more information on 1860's professions/trades?  
3.  What other connections can you make between contemporary society and Civil War society?

Please post your comments within a week, so we have the following week to make responses.  Please read Chapter III: Civilian Influences in the Military by March 1st and return on that day for the next installment of this exciting discussion.  
Thank you for participating.
Den Bolda

Above is a previously unpublished image from the private collection of Juanita Leisch.  This is what she had to say about the image:  
​"I call it the 'The Burnt School.' 
The back has a label for H. F. Warren, Photographer, Waltham, MA, and an inscription
'Arthur C. Willington
 Little boy leaning against rocks - about 8 yrs old'
It's a photo that really wants to tell a story. If you look at the left, that building looks like it's had a recent fire.... you can see the rafters.
Everybody is standing outside.  There's snow, but few people have coats .
Some people (mainly girls) have books and a couple are trying  to read.
Some people (mainly boys) are celebrating their freedom, and a couple have climbed trees.
Many people are huddled near what appears to be a church door.  There is a Historical Society in Waltham, and I am hoping that by contacting them I might get 'the rest of the story'."

Many thanks to Mrs. Leisch for all of the work which she has done for the book and for working with this study group.  As you can see, Mrs. Leisch has provided us with supplementary material and will work with me to form assignments for the book study.  

Assignment Instructions
In the comments below, please answer the following questions and respond to someone else's comment.  
1.  What information stood out, or surprised you, in Chapter I?
2. What sources of information would be best for providing more information on these topics?
3.  Look at the image above.  How can you use it to grow your knowledge of Civil War civilians?

Please post your comments within a week, so we have the following week to make responses.  Please read Chapter II: Everyday Life in America by February 15th and return on that day for the next installment of this exciting discussion.  
Thank you for participating.
Den Bolda

A bell ringer is an activity that teachers use to kick off a class.  This gives the students something to do while things are being prepared (attendance is taken, materials distributed, etc.).  In our case, the bell ringer is something to tide you over until everyone's book arrives and we start the book study on February 1st.  

Bell Ringer
What is your favorite historical dish? Where did you get the recipe?  Share your answers in the comments below.

I'll post my answer in the comments this time, but I'll provide you with two places that I commonly look for great recipes.  The video is from the Civil War Digital and the book is...

Spaulding, Lily May and Spaulding, John. Civil War Recipes: Reciepts from the Pages of Godey's Lady's Book.  University Press of Kentucky, 2014.
www.kentuckypress.com/live/title_detail.php?titleid=1818#.Wl-KAa6nHX5
www.amazon.com/Civil-War-Recipes-Receipts-Godeys/dp/0813120829

​

This blog is an interactive book study researching American civilians during their Civil War.  The intent is to increase knowledge among readers through an introductory course of study of An Introduction to Civil War Civilians by Juanita Leisch.  The course will provide primary sources not found in the text and will encourage readers to explore additional information to share with the cohort.  Readers are encouraged to participate at their comfort level and to understand that this is an introductory level book.  Leisch, Juanita. An introduction to Civil War Civilians. Gettysburg, PA: Thomas Publications, 1994. ISBN 9780939631704. 

​

The class will begin February 1st, so check back then to see the assignment.  ​I will facilitate the conversation by posing  questions for each reading assignment.  We are all here to learn and share knowledge so that we can provide more authentic information to the public.  Don't be afraid to ask questions! 

Please introduce yourself in the comments below.  
1. Who are you?
2. What is your living history experience?
3. What brought you here? 









​Me: I'm Den Bolda.  I'm a teacher and co-mentor for a high school History Club.  I'm a father of three boys who have special needs and are all one year old.  We were chosen to adopt twins from the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota (They are Hidatsa), and found out we were pregnant two weeks later!  I've been reenacting since 1993 and have done military, militia, and civilian impressions for Roman, French & Indian War, Revolutionary War, American Civil War, and World War Two.  I'm a part of this book study because I want to learn more about my real life career during the Civil War and the everyday life of people during that time.