The Civil War

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Comment by Carolyn Stearns 22 hours ago

I would suggest long lost facts of favorite souhern Generals there was also a lot of pride in their West Point training. The horses the generals of the south rode were another angle I have explored the most prominent being Genral Lee's "Traveller" My son visited Travellers grave one day and a fan had laid a florists bouquet of carrots with greens on the grave. His war history is still honored by many. Food was another common theme and how poor it was and how scarce in the south. Comfort boxes fom home were often the lifeline along with trading tobbacco with Northern boys across the lines. Another common theme in the north and SOuth was music as they all sang amny of the same hymns and war songs often one side would start a song and the enemy would join in from across the trenches or fields. All kinds of avenues to choose from. Hope you get the booking! I have always wanted to visit the Shenandoah valley, it sounds so beautiful. Been near the edge once and what I saw was gorgeous.

Comment by Jonathan Kruk 1 day ago

Though curious about the Civil War, the Revolution has been my passion and a big part of my career. I am vying for a booking in the Shenanadoah Valley Virginia. I have tales from the main foundry making the North's cannons during the Civil War, West Point Foundry. No battlefield deaths, but I can tell of Gen G.K. Warren's greatness and "disgrace" - Any suggestions on what folks most want to hear in the South. Thanks!

Comment by Buck P Creacy on September 30, 2008 at 6:56pm

Hello Everyone;

Please check your freindship request and either accept them or reject them. But please don't let them sit idle. If one hundred people do that, if keeps others from making new friends. Just go to your friends tabs, the little silloettes at the top right of your page, under your name and click it. I expect if you haven't found it by now... you may have many pending new friends.

Just a tip.
Buck

Comment by Carolyn Stearns on July 28, 2008 at 6:09am

HI Buck, nice to see you back in the mailbox! Bill was the one who got this idea going in my head, but I did just go back and invite him in personaly. Wouldnt it be fun for the bunch of us to meet up at a reenactment.

Comment by Buck P Creacy on July 27, 2008 at 8:03pm

This is going to be good. You should contact Bill Watson.. he does a Civil War story... "My Name is James"

Buck

Comment by Carolyn Stearns on July 22, 2008 at 8:46pm

Rivka, I grew up totally immersed in the Rev war. The house we grew up in was built by a Capt in the revolution. It was built in 1751 My father's second career was restoration of 18 th century buildings which included a lot of homes in Ct. but also a great many museums. My brother is still in the business. My first job was a tour guide in the Nathan Hale homestead I thik I was 14. Rebecca Hale might make an interesting woman for you to look into she was Nathan's niece. My mother is an expert on 18 th century textiles and created many and restored a great many for museums as well. A lot of that up bringing became seconfd nature to me. Weekends were spent at Antique shows and shops, or a house project. We went to a million museums before I was 16. My sons interest always was with the Civil War and I used that interest as the driving force in homeschooling him from 5-8 th grade. I just added an era to my timetable. Living in Ct. there is so much history so close at hand. I hadnt even thought about grouping womens stories but I have a few that would be a good angle, there are a lot of womens groups who might like that program. Your Labor Daze reminds me of that scene in Gone With The Wind where they put a knife under Mellie's bed to cut the labor pain...HMMMM! Hope more join in soon the re is much on this topic to share. Carol

Comment by Rivka Willick on July 19, 2008 at 10:36pm

So far I have only explored the Revolutionary period and Teddy's times but I'm especially interested in the stories of women throughout American history. I have one story I tell in my show LABOR DAZE about birth practices forced upon enslaved women pre-civil war. I have another story about a birth in a Northern Prisoner of War camp. I'm sure I'll glean some good stuff here. RW

Comment by Carolyn Stearns on July 16, 2008 at 10:09pm

Welcome to the home for Civil War Storytellers. I do several different things. I do a impersonation of a woman from our family.. Adaline tells about her 4 brothers and her involvement at the close of the war.
I do a group of civil war stories dressed in costume but not "playing" a part just a teller in costume for that group. I also often throw a civil war story into a mixed performance. I love to share history when no one is expecting it. Another story I share is about homeschooling my son and how we did reenacting and ended up camping in a tent filling up with worms and flood water. It is rather funny personal story( now that I'm dry). I shared it at the Ct. Storytelling festival 2007 at the lunch swap and those folks loved it. A homeschooling group of Mom's really appreciated it as we are such hands on teachers.
On the TWU talk list there has been a thread about storytelling bags and suitcases. What props do you all use in civil war storytelling? In my impersonation I use a kerosene lamp and teapot and cup. As Adaline serves tea she tells the story. Of course the costume helsp so much. For a very special performance in Adaline's home town school grade 8 my son came in uniform with me and the school gave permission for him to bring his musket so they could see what the weapon looked like. We left all the cartridges home and he showed them the empty case. I hope he will join me again. This was a special circumstance so we went all out for the school in the town all those 4 brothers grew up in. My son had just recieved one the mens posthumous State Veterans Hall of Fame Award from our Governor. So we were celebrating while sharing. In my personal page is a picture of myself and my son in the Memorial Day parade in that town.
I have ridden horseback over the battlefield at Gettysburg, walked to every monument and up the Little Round Top hill. We have walked the Sunken Road at Antietam at sat in the Dunker Church, we have watched the water flow under Burnsides Bridge and Looked into the face of the Dictator Cannon at Petersburg. For every historical visit we make I soak up atmosphere, sights and sounds, all of it becomes part of the living story. Join the Civil War page and share your experience. Thanks, Carolyn Stearns