Can you believe your eyes?
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| Three Children at the Battle of Vicksburg, by Ann Warren |
I had ancestors on both sides of the battles during the American Civil War. Many died. But I didn't know of any children that were actually with their families at the sites of battles. Thank heavens. But this photo proves that they did come with the many women who helped out in the camps.
Come over to
Sepia Saturday this week and see what others have come up with following this prompt photo.
Parachute Jumper (Bain News Service, 1915-20)
DANGER : JUMPING : SKY : FLYING
The women and children who followed their husbands, fathers, brothers, and such into wars were often the unseen, unheard 'heros' who supported the war effort in their own unacknowledged (most of the time) ways!
ReplyDeleteI agree totally. Having someone with cooking and mending skills, as well as laundry, must have helped a lot.
DeleteA fascinating image. Many history books discuss only the movement and logistics of troops, when in fact many military units had large groups of camp followers. In the Civil War, especially after many slaves were liberated, the Union army had a major logistic problem in moving both the troops and these unofficial units too.
ReplyDeleteI will have to learn more about how the Union armies dealt with freed slaves. It's an area I've heard about, but have yet to know details. Any recommended reading, Mike?
DeleteWhat an image from such a pivotal war. Women were indeed unsung heroes -- from accompanying male family members to war to involvement with the U.S. Sanitary Commission that improved medical treatment for the troops. And as Mike points out, self-liberating African American families often attached themselves to the Union Army as a family unit.
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten about the US Sanitary Commission which helped with medical treatment. Thanks for the reminder.
DeleteThe only soldier that I know of as my ancestor who was at the Battle of Vicksburg, was on the Confederate side, and he returned to his family in Texas before the end of the war. I'm guessing he was wounded.
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