Lynn’s Individual Gettysburg Address

1865- blog Fitzhugh Pettigrew (Kyle Z)

Dear, Sally

I write you this letter to tell you that the war is coming to an end. I am coming home, but the war is lost. We have to give up our slaves, our pride, and our life. I am one to say that this is going to tear me down, and pull me apart. More news for you is that both George and Clark our sons are alive. They are in bad shape like me but alive. We will become a happy family again like the good days. I will see you soon.

Love

Fitzhugh

1865 Blog-Orlin Kist (Sloan Miers)

My Dearest Cornelia,

I regret to inform you that the Confederate army has surrendered. After Richmond fell to the north the moral of the entire army was extremely low. After Richmond there ended up being another battle at Saylor's Creek but 1/3 of Lee's troops surrendered and many people were captured including his own son. We had no chance of reinforcements and we were very low on supplies. We were running out of options. Lee had to send a letter of request to surrender. I had the honor of being one of the few that got to accompany Lee into Wilmer McLean's household. I will tell you, the mood in that house change so quickly. Hate grew into respect for one another. It was absolutely astonishing. After Lee and Grant agreed on terms of the surrender I walked out of that house with my head hung low. I returned to the camp were I am writing you this letter. I miss you and will be returning home soon.
Sincerely,
Orlin

1865 Blog - Steve B Madden (Arham Imaduddin)

Dear Mrs Madden and Children,

                        Your husband Steven B. Madden has died due to our recent battle at Saylor's Creek. Your husband was a very good soldier who served the Confederate army, and we salute him for taking his increased devotion to that cause in which they gave the last full measure of devotion. We are terribly sorry for your loss. I personaly knew your husband... He was my best friend. We were the best of friends until the god damn Union took him away from us. General Lee would not be alive if it wasn't for him. He took the shot of the bullet intended for the General. He owes his life to your husband. Again I feel truly sorry for your loss and can't imagine the excruciating feeling you have right now but don't let it get to you

                                                                                             Sincerely,
                                                                                                        Major Miles

1865 Blog - George Otott IV (Lynn)

The Last Round

Characters

General Robert E. Lee

General Ulysses Grant

George Otott IV

Ruth

Orlin Kist

Steven Madden

Fitzhugh Pettigrew

James Richordson

Scene 1: The Upcoming Death
(Location: Reign of Dixie)

Pettigrew: Rise and shine! Report to the courtyard at 5!

Otott: Ow. My head hurts like a thousand dreaded ants bit me.

Madden: Maybe you shouldn't have gone out!

Kist: T'was peer pressure, I swear!

Madden: This is why you're a private, Private Kist.

(Kist rolls his eyes. All of the soldiers get up and get ready to go to begin their day. All of them report to the courtyard)

Pettigrew: Private Kist!?

(Private Kist runs, his clothes not fully on.)

Kist: Present Sir!

Pettigrew: You're late, again.

Kist: Sorry Sir.

Pettigrew: (head held up high) Today, today is going to be the worst of your days. General Robert E. Lee has assigned us to accomplish support for his side. We, have been assigned to blood. 

Kist: Sir!?

Pettigrew: Shut it Kist. We must overcome the path of death, for this will be a viscous fight. The enemy has taken our advantage, and we must steal it back. Remember your lessons because they are implied in Richmond. Company Dismissed!

(The soldiers all salute Pettigrew and walk away.)

Kist: What do you thin' he's talkin' about?

Madden: (chuckles) He's talking about defending Richmond.

Otott: The Union is attempting to capture the city.

Kist: (sigh) I need a drink.

Madden: Remember last time?

Kist: Well, I'm bout to die. I want a last drink at least.
Otott: I agree, except let us not get too intoxicated. Care to join us Steve?
Madden: No. I have a duty to serve, but you all must best be here early before the Union attempt to conquer.

Scene 2: The First Round

(Two soldiers locate in a tavern, located in Maryland, to have their "last" drink, before dying or the end of the war.)

Otott: Waiter, could we get some whiskey!?

Kist: I'm apart of we!

Otott: (saying it in misery) Can I get extra then!?

Waiter: Hello, the name's Ruth. I'll be servin' you today. Our special is our infamous Union fries, spiced with garlic and a ton of salt, ninety-nine cents.

Kist: We're part of the military.

Waiter: Yes?

Otott: He means nothing, just a show off. Can I get that special with extra salt?

Kist: M'am I would like the fries, but it's too much money. See, I serve for the army, and I risk my life most of the times.

Waiter: Mhm hmm.

Kist: What I'm saying is this will probably be my last drink and I'd rather have it, let me see here, free?

Waiter: You sayin' that I have to give up my home to you. I been working my a** off! But you don't see me here askin' for more dollars, do you? Do you?

Otott: Sorry m'am for the fellow, but we're going to pay full price, I know that this tavern is not exceeding its expectations.

Richordson: Good day m'am. Are these fellows bothering you?

Waiter: Why yes they are!

Richordson: (talking to the soldiers) Well, if it ain't some Johnnies. What're y'all doin' in parts like these.

Kist: We ain't scared.

Otott: (whispers to Kist) Private Orlin, I command you not commit to combat in Northern territory.

Kist: (whispers to Otott) Sir Otott, we can't go down without a fight!

Otott: Let this not be our last last round, but the last round of this war. Don't make me punish for your disobedience.

Kist: (sighs) Well, Yankees. Meet you in Virginia.

Richordson: (chuckles)Hmm, stupid and weak.

Scene 3: Bloodshed

(All of the Southern soldiers, about thousands, gather to hear Lee's speech empowering them. They are all ready for the Battle of Appomattox Court House)

Lee: Soldiers, in a short amount of time, we commit ourselves, our whole selves, to end this war once and for all. Our objective is to protect our nation for which thousands of us have died for, and what we accomplish results in everlasting rewards. Although some of us may not see the dawn after dusk, everyone will. Everyone. And, if we do not do so and fail, so will this nation. We have the world on our shoulders, and we can not forget. 

We'll have these soldiers advance to here (points somewhere on a map), and these (points in a different area) move here. With these movements, we can overcome them, allowing us to defend our nation.

Soldier: General Lee, sir, what if this plan fails?

Lee: Well. Let us see.

We must run and burn. If they are to conquer Richmond, we must leave them something unlike Richmond.

So, soldiers. I expect devotion to our nation. ARE YOU READY!?

All: Yes, sir, yes, sir!

(The marching band begins their music, signaling the army begins their fight. The Union head to Confederates, awaiting their arrival. The sound of a loud sharp bullet signals the battle.)

Pettigrew: Soldiers, don't stop shooting! Head forth!

(The regiment advances ahead, attempting to take the high ground. Smoke goes on for miles, no one can hear no more, blood is splattered everywhere.)

Pettigrew: We have the high ground! Keep shooting! Aim for their eyes or chest! I'll demote you if don't meet my commands!

Kist: I'd rather be promoted, sir!

Pettigrew: STAY FOCUSED PRIVATE!

(Time seems to be moving slowly, although some time goes on. Some rest and get back up, some die, some keep going. But, the army is progressively getting smaller and smaller.)

Lee: (inhales deeply, and whispers) Bastard.

(Lee spots thousands of soldiers surrendering)

Lee: My God! Has my army dissolved?

Scene 4: The Death of a Kist

(Near the end of the Battle of Appomattox Court House)

Madden: Sir Pettigrew! We're running out of supplies, men are dying, they need food and water, they seek medical help, we need bullets.

Pettigrew: We don't have the supplies! We, we must run. (points at others running) Follow them, Lee has ordered them to run.

(The regiment runs along with the herd. But, for some reason, Orlin Kist stops to aim.)

Otott: Orlin! What the hell are you thinking!?

Kist: I need to shoot!

Otott: Over my dead body! Run, we're outnumbered and the man ordered us to. KIST!

Kist: (turns to Otott) I've countlessly failed my nation, but I never sought to die for it. If I fail, then this nation fails. I --

(Kist gets shot right in the ribs.)

Otott: KIST! Oh my lord. (turns to Pettigrew, who is far away, and screams from the top of his lungs.) PETTIGREW, KIST NEEDS TO BE TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY!

Pettigrew: (turns around from a far distance) WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING, OTOTT!? (tries to look closely from a far distance, and then turns back forward) Oh my, REIGN OF DIXIE! YOU AND YOU, CARRY KIST TO A HOSPITAL FOR HIM TO GET IMMEDIATE ATTENTION! NOW!

Otott: I'm coming!

Scene 5: The Round

(Location: Hospital)

Doctor: Put the soldier yonder.

Madden: Doctor, he's losing a lot of blood. He's been shot in the ribs.

Otott: He's passed out on the field and seeks medical attention.

Doctor: If you gentlemen could please stand back to allow myself to operate. GEORGIE! Come here darlin! Hand me the tongs!

(The Doctor attempts to find the bullet, takes the tongs, jabs it in the wound, and searches through. Then, he pulls out the bullet, a minie ball, and Kist wakes up screaming. Blood splaters everywhere, and the nurses put chloroform on Kist's mouth. They bandage him up.)

Doctor: S***, he's losing too much blood. Someone get some whiskey! And for me too!

(They take the bandage off and pour whiskey, making the skin red and more bloody. They take a used towel and attempt to wipe the blood from the body. They need to stitch Kist's wound. The doctor carefully takes a string and jabs it through a piece of skin and so on, closing the wound. Then, he is bandaged up with blood still on the bandage although the efforts to close the blood splatter.)

Madden: Kid, don't do it.

Otott: He is no kid. He was quite brave actually. (Turns to Madden) He told me how he had failed before, but was not willing to fail at the end. Well, I mean, he did not finish his sentence, so I wouldn't know. (Turns back to Kist's body) But he is starting to grow, he reminds me of my brother, well except my brother is dead.

Madden: The MAN might die too, the Civil War doctors don't do too good.

Otott: That looked good to me.

(Some time later... Kist wakes up, but not in a good way)

Kist: (catches breath) My Sweet Jesus! Where am I? Holy s*** something hurts! (Head hits the "pillow") Ow. Ow. OW. OW!

Madden: Kist, calm down. You're in a hospital. Do you remember what happened?

Kist: Yeah, some dummy shot me and now I'm in pain. Is that correct?

Otott: Why yes it is, and be glad you're still alive, dummy. Can't you be thankful at least?

Kist: Well, thank you I guess. But, I though that would be my la-- S***! OW! OW! No! OW!

(Madden and Otott hold Kist down while doctors come running. Kist coughs up some blood, the doctors don't realize they did not fix his internal bleeding. Kist had been diagnosed with a special bleeding disease.)

Kist: Sirs, I-- I, I don't want this to be, m- m- my last, la, last ro, rou (coughs up some blood) round. I, I, I wanna see the su, sun.

Otott: You will Kist, you will. I know you will. Everyone does, and so will you.

Kist: But-

Madden: No buts, Kist. You will, you'll see the sun.

Kist: George, I don't want to le, leave. Ste, Steve, tell my mo, mother I said "te amo in aeternum." 

Otott: You'll be here, I swear.

Kist: No, no, no--

Scene 6: The Surrender

Lee: Although soldiers, we are imprisoned in the Union, a nation can never die, our thoughts can never die, ideas can never die. Our idea was to allow ourselves to choose our likings, but we were not allowed to, by our will. But, no matter what, we are moved to a new home. Although some may not like our home, it IS our home. Let that be a known fact to you, for we have no need to lift a fighting finger, for it has been tired out. Thank you for you.

(Lee moves towards the building in which Grant is in. They shake hands and sit down)

Grant: In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of the 8th inst., I propose to receive the surrender of the Army of N. Va. on the following terms, to wit: Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate. One copy to be given to an officer designated by me, the other to be retained by such officer or officers as you may designate. The officers to give their individual paroles not to take up arms against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged, and each company or regimental commander sign a like parole for the men of their commands. The arms, artillery and public property to be parked and stacked, and turned over to the officer appointed by me to receive them. This will not embrace the side-arms of the officers, nor their private horses or baggage. This done, each officer and man will be allowed to return to their homes, not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they observe their paroles and the laws in force where they may reside.

1865 Blog- William Matthews (Rayne)

Dear Father,
Laced with shame detonated by grief, our army has been defeated. Alas, I bow my head down humiliation as I will be returning home soon. I know you have evacuated Richmond, Father. I heard it from our commander earlier today. I would like to assess the damage done when I return to what may be left of our home. I wonder if our livelihood, the Golden Nugget, is still standing. (The Golden Nugget is my father's hotel.) I will report to Danville afterward. I miss you and Mary (my sister)... Financially, I am sure we are okay, but economically as a government. I feel as though we have collapsed. Do you think the putrid North will abolish slavery? What will that do to our blatant necessity of slaves? In other words, we have come to screeching halt. I was fortunate throughout this sullen war, but there are many things I have to tell you. Our army has been annihilated and destroyed this past battle at Appomattox Courthouse. Nearly a third of our forces surrendered, however, I stayed vigilant until the very end. Our few men left are starving, supplies and food severely scarce. I would say the best mood to capture the feeling rotting within our feeble soldiers is melancholy and sorrow. I do not know what has become of us. While I myself am not hurt, those around me have all fallen ill from numerous conditions. It's like I am walking through a grave site. Do not let Mary read the paper; I cannot stand to let her see our inexcusable failure. I feel as though I have lost all pride being unable to claim victory. Is this what defeat is like, Father? I'm so young, but I feel as though I have aged a thousand years during this war. I will return shortly after the official surrender ceremony on April ninth. Please, carry on as best as you can and let Mary know that I am not wounded.

William Matthews

1864 blog post - Steve B Madden (Arham Imaduddin)

Journal entry #354

It is now 1864. This war has been going on for 4 years. All this time in the war just wasted. I guess it was my fault for re-enlisting in the army. This is bad. Real bad. It is not looking good for the Confederates. The Union has every single advantage they can except military experience. That is the only thing we have against them. It seems quite hopeless for the Confederate. That being said I might be able to return home to my wife and children soon.I haven't seen them in quite a while, and can't wait to see their smiling faces. So close, but yet so far. I'm waiting for the time for this to end. I miss them, and I hope to see them again any time soon. One way or another I will see them...

1864 Blog-Orlin Kist (Sloan Miers)

Dear Sweet Cornelia,

A lot has happend since I last wrote you. The war has become even more mentally and emotionally draining than it ever has been. For one moral in our regiment has gotten very low due the the reports of the massive amount of casualties on the battle field. The Union's tactics just seem to be getting better and better along with every new general. I have been doing the best I can trying to keep my spirits up. I just can not wait to get home to you and you delicious cooking. As I stated in my last letter all they are feeding us are nasty meal rations like hardtack but we have recently been introduced  to a slightly better one called salt pork. It is basically pork with extra salt to keep it from going bad. It's the best thing they have feed us so far but it doesn't even compare to your warm apple pie. Send my apologies to John and his family regarding their destroyed plantation. I am absolutely furious that the yanks think they can march through Georgia and steal from plantations then burn them. I must go now but I miss you and the kids so very much. Give them each a hug for me.

Sincerely,
Orlin

1864 blog- Fitzhugh Pettigrew (Kyle Z)

 Sausage & Apples

Ingredients:

- 1 pound of sausage meat

- butter

- 3 apples

- ½ cup brown sugar

- tablespoon of cinnamon

This old Virginia dish is easy and delicious. Start with about a pound of sausage meat. Form into patties and fry lightly in a pan until just browned. Remove the sausage, pour out the fat (not in the fire) and melt some butter in the pan, enough to barely cover the bottom. Core and slice three apples to a thickness of about 1/4 inch and place in pan setting it over a low heat. When apples have softened slightly add a half cup of brown sugar and a tablespoon of cinnamon. As soon as the sugar has mixed with the butter and formed a thick syrup add back the sausage and cook for another ten minutes or so. 



The food here is not the best. I can’t wait until the Confederates win the war. I miss the cooking of my wife Sally. This is the one meal that I think is best. Sally’s cooking is way better than this but it will have to do for now. It is simple but I like it enough for it to last me till the end of the war. 

1864 Blog - George Otott IV (Lynn)

Dear Bob,

     Good morning son, I write to you for a simple reason, this wretched war. I wish you never experience my shoes, I go through too much poppycock that a child should never feel. Don’t take for granted your mother’s dedication, and the Negroes. They’re going away for a little, I know you’ve acquainted them, but they’ll come back to visit you and your sister. The deaths were tremendous, thank God I have the strength to continue, stay with me. However, we were granted luck because of the North's arrogance, the soldiers enlisted for three years and journeyed home. Although, I was required to take combat in a march in Georgia, where they burned everything and took our hard earned supplies. They're foolish and viscous, Bob, you don't want to be around the Yankees. I wonder what’s in that green box I sent for you and your sister, hopefully you’ll write back.

Sincerely,

George

1864 Blog- William Matthews (Rayne)

Blank 1864 Crossword Puzzle

Crossword Answers

1863 blog- Fitzhugh Pettigrew (Kyle Z)

Day 1: General Lee wants my regiment close to Gettysburg and i am ready to fight and win this battle. We are pushing the Union troops back and we are ready to win this battle and next the war.

Day 2: We sadly pushed the Union to the high ground and they are killing more of us. I have lost a lot of men today and they are picking off my troops one by one. The Union is winning but Lee has a plan that will take over the Union.

Day 3: Lee’s plan failed because a union general moved his troops forward witch ruined his plan. We had to escape back to Virginia and now they have a better chance of winning the war. Lee needs to make an incredible plan that works or we will lose the war.

1863 blog - Steve B Madden (Arham Imaduddin)

This war... It has gone on for far too long and it needs to be stopped. This is too damn absurd. All this time over what? Slavery. That's actually it. It's honestly the dumbest thing ever in the world, Slaves are meant to be property. I mean look at this. So many casualties. So many white casualties. So much precious white lives over these worthless black ones. This war has gone too long over slaves. We need to end it all. Screw slaves. Who cares about them. We are far superior then them. Slaves are property of mankind. These black people are getting ahead of themselves thinking they can hold guns. Someone needs to take control of them again. We need to take control of them again

1863 Blog-Orlin Kist (Sloan Miers)

Vocabulary Cards 37-47: https://quizlet.com/288295810/vocabulary-37-47-flash-cards/ 

Study Everyone! 

Sincerely, 

Orlin Kist 

1863 Blog- William Matthews (Rayne)

Dear Father,
How is the Golden Nugget doing? I know times are tough, but I hope business is still thriving without my brilliant cooking. I miss you and Mary (my sister). Check up on her for me, will you? In the Confederate army, I have not been able to do much cooking, so I hope my skills won't deteriorate over time. Obviously, there is more at hand than just my selfish desires. Our last major battle did not go so well. The battle of Gettysburg lasted three whole days, and one of my dearest friends died. His name was Alexander Miller. He was one of the only things the made me hold my head high in this abominable war. The casualties are racking up. I heard from a passing by general that the casualties reached a staggering number. He said 51,000 I believe. It's terribly hard to grieve for the loss of lives when the tension has risen so high. All I can ever do is worry about when the next bombardment will be. The South suffered a very great loss. War spirit has been shattered within our sparse, injured troops. The Union seized the Mississippi River and effectively cut the Southern states in half. Those damn Unionists know what they are doing, so now we have to restrategize and reposition our forces. I will keep you updated, so please respond back whenever you might have the time. Next time, I might write a letter to Mary. I know she misses having me around to cook for her. Hopefully, you and Mary stay safe, Father. I miss you dearly. I give both you and Mary my best regards.

Sincerely,
William Matthews

1863 Blog - George Otott IV (Lynn)

Lincoln conveyed with pictures associated in the Civil War

In the image mosaic above, the pictures inside President Abraham Lincoln's portrait signify his infamous speech, the Gettysburg Address.

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. "

After the Battle of Gettysburg, which was the bloodiest battle in US history, Lincoln delivered the speech to honor all the soldiers obsolete, wounded, and absent due to the battle. The battlefield developed into a cemetery because of the unrealistic >50,000 casualties in three days.

1862 Blog - Steve B Madden (Arham Imaduddin)

Dear Mabel,

              I have been in the war for quite a bit of time as of now, and I haven't seen you or my children. I miss your Boiled Pork and Bean soup, and it's perfect mixure of salt and pepper.Your cooking is the best thing I look forward to whenever this damn war is finally done for. We just took a "loss" at the Battle of Sharpsburg, but considering the fact that no one really lost it seems tobe a tie in my eyes. Those damn Union troops took my best friend in my regiment, Billy Bob Joe. I dearly miss the kids and I ache whenever Ithinkabout them and how far we are away from each other. I hope that They're treating you well, and we may have devised a good plan thanks to General Lee which may or may not end the war.
                                                                                     Sincerely,
                                                                                                     Steve B Madden

1862 blog- Fitzhugh Pettigrew (Kyle Z)

Dear Sally
          It has been a long time since I have seen you. I miss your amazing cooking that is now replaced with hardtack. Is my father doing alright at his age. I miss your beautiful smile and can’t wait until the war is over so we can be a whole family once again. Are my slaves doing alright and how many do we have. I hope that all of the slaves were loyal to you and didn’t run away to the foolish Union. We have won a couple of battles but I wish we could be our own separate country so we could get back to working and we wouldn’t have to lose slavery. I love you honey and can’t wait to see you again.

Love, Fitzhugh Pettigrew 

1862 Blog-Orlin Kist (Sloan Miers)

Dear Sweet Cornelia,

Life in the war is hard. Day after day I hear the report on casualties and the number seems to be climbing. I am praying to the good Lord above that I do not become a casualty of this war. Battles are getting tougher and bloodier but I am still holding out. People are dropping like flies not only from the battles but from illnesses like dysentery. Oh how I miss your delicious cooking. The only thing they give us to eat is a nasty biscuit called hard tack. It breaks my teeth and has absolutely no taste at all. As of right now my rank is private but i am hoping to soon get promoted to a corporal. One of the only things that seems to keep our spirits up is listing to the song Dixie. It is just one of the best songs I have ever herd. Yesterday I herd news that 3 men deserted their post and were put to death. Lord knows I would never do that. Drills are getting progressively harder but I am making it through. I cannot wait to finish this war and come home to you and the kids. Stay strong for me.
Yours truly,
Orlin 

1862 Blog - George Otott IV (Lynn)

Homemade Salt Pork

Necessities:
1 pound pork belly
1 cup salt

Directions:
1. Place salt and the pork belly in a small bowl and rub the salt over the meat.
2. Sprinkle salt onto a plate and place the pork belly on top, its skip on the top. Sprinkle more salt onto the pork belly. Cover the pork belly with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
3. Retrieve the pork belly from the refrigerator and discard of liquids on the pork belly. Turn the meat over and sprinkle more salt atop of it and refrigerate.
4. After enough refrigeration, take out the pork belly and rinse off all salt and dry.
5. Boil the pork belly to remove the salt, which should partially cook the meat. Fry the meat until a crisp exterior appears.

I stood there reminiscing my wife, whom I was fortunate of, caring for my family. She made extraordinary cookies that I knew my children adored, they told me stories of their fluffy interior, thawed chocolate, and it's love enforced into it. But instead, I would be consuming a stranger's meat, who did not seem interested in cooking it. The meat is SALTIER than the Pacific! I'd prefer to eat my wife's cookies, even though I dislike sugar because of my blood levels. 

1862 Blog - William Matthews (Rayne)

Regiment Leader Trading Card

 

My Soldier Identity Trading Card

The Southern Commander's Trading Card: General Robert E. Lee

 (I misspelled General Lee's middle name.. it should be Edward.)

1861 Blog - Steven B Madden (Arham)

As we were preparing to go to Manassas to stop the Union from cutting of the railroad line placed there, I was looking at a picture of my dear wife Annabelle. By the time we had to go I wrote a letter to inform her and my 7 children I was off to fight a battle. When the Confederate Army reached Manassas General Beaugard deployed us too form a line going horizontally across one side of  the Bull Run Creek. When we say the 37,000 Union soldiers we weren't really scared. Why whould we. They were enexperienced. We saw them flanking towards our left side. The battle went at a steady pace for quite a while until Genral Beaugard ordered us to counterattack. There were cavalries that came to our protection and more reinforcements. At that moment everyone in the Union side was completely done for, and everything on their side fell apart. Everyone started to flee at that point. We then realized we clearly won the battle. At the end of the battle there were 2,896 casualties on the Union side and 1,982 on the Confederate side. At the end of the battle I had injuries head to toe. After the battle we went on to celebrate our first big victory in the war. 

1861 blog- Fitzhugh Pettigrew

Not too long ago we had a major battle near Manassas. Our generals were alerted that the Union army of 37000 was marching to Richmond. My regiment was ordered to go fight them and stop them from reaching Richmond. There was a total of about 22000 men to stop the Union. I could see picnics to the side of the battle. I was on the right side when the left side broke in. After 2 hours I saw some of the Union troops picking up rock like the war was over. I heard a battle cry that startled me but then I realized it was back up. After that, I could barely see through the smoke the while Union army running away. When we won the battle I was glad that none of my sons died. The word spread that the hero of the battle was General “ Stonewall” Jackson for staring death right in the eye. We had a little less than 2000 casualties. And the Union had a little less than 3000 casualties. I was so happy that i survived another day at war so I can see my family again after the C.S.A. wins the war.

From-Fitzhugh Johnston Pettigrew

1861 Blog-Orlin Kist (Sloan Miers)

Hardtack Recipe:
- 4 cups of whole wheat flour
- 1 cup of water
Method:

1. Pour all 4 cups of whole wheat flour into a large mixing bowl and preheat the oven to 375 degrees 
2. Start adding the water in very slowly and mix while doing this 
3. Add water until you get a play-dough like texture 
4. Then take out the dough and roll it with a rolling pin until it is about 1/2 inch thick 
5. Next take a pizza slicer and and slice the dough into 3 by 3 inch squares 
6. Place the squares on an un-greased pan about an inch apart
7. Poke holes in the squares so they can realise moisture while baking 
8.  Bake the squares for 30 mins on one side then flip them over and bake for 30 mins the other side 
9. When done baking take the crackers out, let them cool, and enjoy your delicious hardtack! 

I really miss my wife Cornelia's cooking. She used to make me delicious warm cookies and amazing apple pies. Now all I get to eat is this nasty "cracker" they call hardtack. It is only made with flour and water and has absolutely no taste. Hardtack is also as hard as a rock. It has broken 5 of my teeth. Before I eat the cracker a have to soak it in water so it gets a tiny bit softer so I don't break anymore of my teeth. Sometimes even worms crawl in the hardtack and it is gross. I would do anything to taste my wife's cooking right now.

Orlin Kist

1861 Blog - George Otott IV (Lynn)

JULY 16, 1861

My duty in this battle had been established. 

All the soldiers woke up to the sound of our General Beauregard's (who has been an inspiration) voice. He had intentions, march Confederates to the north, and we had one day to practice our drill. How did we know of the Union's strategy? A spy returned to alert us, bringing us to Manassas.

The Federates, so cocky that not ALL of the men were even there, were doomed for catastrophe. General Beauregard deployed us along the Bull Run Creek, where the Union troops encountered us on the left. All I noticed were fools in smoke on top of each other. General Thomas Jackson led a tenacious brigade, allowing us to maintain the Union longer and for General Beauregard to counter attack. I heard the motor of trains afar, horses galloping towards us, rifles discharging, deafening screams from our side. Suddenly, the color of gray vanished from my sight, the fight had gone along with them.

I scout the area for death count, where there were too many bodies which left me mournful, what if this war grows? What if this war reaches my children? Is this our fate for eternity, blood? 

I return nonetheless, to celebration in our camps. We all praised for General "Stonewall" Jackson(apparently that's what we call him now) and General Beauregard for our path to our lives again! God bless us

1861 Blog - William Matthews (Rayne)

Battle of Manassas

Merely two weeks ago, the first major battle of this rancid war took place at Manassas, Virginia. Our troops were bombarded with the messages from our commander alerting everyone that the Union was moving towards my hometown, Richmond, Virginia. Those putrid, insolent fools thought they could invade and capture our lustrous, wonderful capital, but they were proven wrong. While on the battlefield, I saw the most miraculous, hilarious sights you can see. I nearly pitied the ignorant idiot from the North who was picking up stones from the ground. He thought this was the end of the war, didn't he? Later during the heat of the moment, twenty-two thousand of our troops formed a magnificent eight-mile line along Bull Run Creek and prohibited the Union from advancing any farther. The rag-tag army of young, unskilled men from the Union backed off and ran away like the pathetic cowards they truly are. This masterful, successful plan was led by our one and only, Stonewall Jackson. He was a strong, willful man revered by all Confederate troops, and in battle, his tactics led us to our first victory as the Confederate States of America. However, we suffered nearly two thousand casualties. It is a shame that we lost so many of our brilliant men. For those fallen soldiers, I will pray and continue to work harder and more vigilantly to secure our wrath and dominate the North.

William Matthews

Soldier Enlistment - Steven B Madden (Arham)

Hello my name is Steven B Madden and I am 45 years old. I am a major in the Confederate army and a planter with 25 slaves. I have a total of 7 children back home in Tennessee. They are all ranged from between 2-16. They’re names are Jeremiah, Jedebiah, Joe, Jill, Jimmy, Jenny, and Jeb. My wife back home is named Mabel May Mason Madden. I was born in Nashville Tennessee and was raised with a good education. I am a retired father and have lived with my family ever since. My opinion on Slavery is that giving Black people citizenshipis completely foolish and irresponsible. The only thing they’re good for is picking cotton much less chosing the presedent.

Soldier Enlistment - George Otott IV (Lynn)

ENLISTMENT RECORD

-------------

Name: George Otott IV
DOB: 3/23/31
Place of Birth: Atlanta, Georgia
Race: White
U.S. Citizen: Yes
Home Address: 275 Broad St., Richmond, VA
Married or Single: Married

Enlisted: April 5, 1861
Branch of Service: Army

Remarks: I was born and nourished in Atlanta, Georgia, where I distinguished my future in life. My education consists of Oxford University, where I studied for my diploma on business. I am deeply fortunate of my plantation in Virginia, where my wife, Bobbie, and I nourished our kids, Bob and Bobette, to learn of our opulence. I fight in this war because these Negroes that we nurture and protect, the Union is detrimental to them only, which seize their rights. If my seventy-five slaves were freed, there would be no shelter, food, filtered water for them, the South take pride and materials in caring for them. God bless us

Signature: 

Soldier Enlistment-Fitzhugh Johnston Pettigrew (Kyle)

I am Fitzhugh Johnston Pettigrew from Lynchburg, Virginia. I am 53 years old with my beautiful wife Sally and my father Granville waiting for me at home. My two sons of 18 and 20 are fighting with me on the lovely side of C.S.A. My education is good because i went to a private school in England. This war has been very hard for me because I know the idiotic northerners don't know how good slavery. I will fight this war for all the people to keep their slaves and for me to keep all of my 71 slaves. If God allows us to own the slave then the northerners are messing with God's rules.
Fitzhugh Johnston Pettigrew

Solider Enlistment: Orlin Kist (Sloan)

Solider Enlistment 

Howdy. I am Private Orlin Kist. I am age 45 and i hail from Hederson, Texas. I have a lovely wife named Cornelia and 4 sweet children named Penny, Molly, Mary Sue, and Betty. They are all waiting at home for me to return along with my father Samuel who is 75 years old. I personelay don't have an education. i own 5 slave and i belive they are very well treated. I also think my negros are good people. i am no longer a youngin and almost getting to old to fight. I dont have much battle experiance but I do know how to work a gun. I am fighting this here war with the Confederacy because i would like to keep my slaves around to do the feild work that i dont want to do. I dont want the dirty abolitionists along with the Union to take my slaves. i can feel it in my bones that me and my confederate brothers and i war gonna win this here war.

Orlin Kist

Soldier Enlistment - William Matthews (Rayne)

Soldier Enlistment

I am William Matthews. I am a young man of just twenty-three years of age with two older brothers, Jacques and Dean, a younger sister named Mary, and my father. My mother died shortly after the birth of my dear sister, and she will forever be missed. Born into wealth, my family and I have many acclaims to fame. As part of the Southern aristocracy, my family has worked with many prominent Southern leaders. My family, excluding my brothers and I, have worked as a host at my father's opulent, prestigious inn, named the Golden Nugget. I studied cooking in Paris, France, so my taste is very refined, and I hold everything I do to the highest standard in all aspects of life. I am a hard worker and a solid citizen to the best degree. Personally, I am uncertain about slavery. I do not own any slaves, nor does my father, so I have to admit that I am not rather impassioned in this egregious war. I understand the necessity of slaves for our overall economy and benefit, but sometimes I do start to wonder about the morals of slavery. In this war, my stance is unclear at the moment, but as the vigorous, flourishing man I am, I will continue to work faithfully for my people of the South.

William Matthews