Cause & Country, Serving the Soldiers 2015

Again this year, we overloaded the car and headed north to one of the best events, with some of the best friends. This year Ft. Washington was sent bustling again with everyone coming in to participate.
This year there was an increased participation in almost all parts of the fort. The military really helped give the fort life again, guards posted at the gate, drill throughout the day, soldiers wandering around on their duties. This year there was great fair planned to benefit the USSC. Booths of all sorts were on display- Scotland, curiosities, music, fancy goods, dolls, and a restaurant department with lovely baked goods, shrub, lemonade, and candies( All of which was organized by Mrs. Brown!). Once again some VIP's from Washington City made their way to Ft. Washington to support the soldiers with their company and generous donations.  It rained on Saturday- just like last year- but we didn't let that spoil our fun! That is the great thing about Ft. Washington- almost all of the activities are located inside so good company is always an option- even in the rain.  Sunday dawned much cooler than I ever anticipated- and left me wishing I had brought my wool dress after all. I was glad that I brought my lightweight shawl so that P was wrapped up & warm! Again, like all things, it came to an end.  It was wonderful to spend time with friends, and make so many new ones as well! Until next year!

Breakfast Saturday Morning
Photo by: Tim Massey

One of the best pictures. Our dear friend Cheyney was our nanny for the weekend- and P really enjoyed her!
Photo by: Tim Massey 

Beautiful doors of Ft. Washington, advertising the Saturday evening dance and Co. K 3rd US.
Photo by: Tim Massey

DH speaking with Mrs. Kallal
Photo by: Tim Massey

Patrons enjoying music at the fair!
Photo by: Tim Massey

A busy day at the fair.
Photo by: Tim Massey

Co. K 3rd US
Photo by: Tim Massey

P & I on the porch
Photo by: Tim Massey

This image- my favorite from the whole weekend of DH & P!
 Photo by: Tim Massey

Gorgeous sunset over the Potomac from the fort walls.
Photo by: Tim Massey

Speaking with Ms. Robinson
Photo by: Tim Massey

Sunday morning services.
Photo by: Tim Massey

P's first 19th Century selfie! ( We couldn't let the weekend get by without one) 

Oatmeal

Oatmeal. Yes, that pantry staple the lurks in the back of cabinet with it's happy hat-wearing logo smiling back at you. I have been eating oatmeal for breakfast almost everyday lately- which has me thinking- what else can you do with oatmeal? There are cookies, muffins, & breads- but what about our 19th Century counterparts. There always seems to be a reference to oatmeal when a discussion is started about breakfast options while at events. So let's look at some of the items they would have made with the grain.

First we have a nice Pudding of oats- "serve with a good deal of butter poured over it"- yes, I think I could try that!

The Frugal Housewife, 1803

Next, a great soup option. Soups seem to be a the top of most lists when feeding a crowd- and this is a great cheap soup and would work great for a working class impression.

The Complete Confectioner...., 1864

There are countless recipes for Oatmeal Gruel in period cook books. Most of the time you will find such recipes in the sections for "Feeding the Sick".

Directions for Cookery in its Various Branches, 1844

So, there you have it. Oatmeal. Only a sampling of things to do with it, but it does answer the question as to what our ancestors did with the grain.

For Cause & Country: Serving the Soldiers

This past weekend I had the great pleasure to participate in For Cause & Country: Serving the Soldiers held at Ft. Washington. The site was gorgeous! While this post has nothing to do with cooking, or food even, I wanted to share my great time with you!

I attended the event as the wife of the fort's Chaplain, along with us was a dear friend & her sister. The best part of the event was that we had the opportunity to occupy the fort for the entire weekend, which meant we were able to eat, sleep, & live in forts restored offices & barracks. Among the rooms being used there was a hospital, chapel, USSC Depot and offices. Outside were a kitchen & laundry. The set-up was very impressive considering the forts mostly empty rooms were turned into impressive displays of daily life in 1864.

Saturday was a bustle coming & going- breakfast, then a busy day of entertaining VIP's from Washington City with the United States Sanitary Commission. Cookies & lemonade were served during a tour of the USSC depot, then a lunch of chicken, cucumber salad, tomatoes, and bread the VIPs took a tour of the fort. The USSC turned to their needlework for the rest of day, making quilt squares and housewife's for soldiers.  Saturday's humidity turned to rain, which made the rooms of the fort even more cozy as we stitched away. There were some great memories made that afternoon!

Sunday morning opened to a beautiful sunny sky. Services were held in the fort yard before breakfast. Then we returned to the USSC to continue our never-ending work. A few VIP's decided to come and view the USSC hard at work, and joined us for some comments about Special Diet Kitchens & their affects on injured and recovering soldiers.

Like most great events, it all seemed to end too soon. It was great to meet so many new friends and spend time with those you only get to see a time or two during the year! I do hope this becomes a recurring event!

I took no photos of the actual event, just of an overly-packed car & the gorgeous view of the Potomac River from the fort walls. Below are photos I have "borrowed" from others!

Enjoy!

USSC busy at work making quilt squares

 sy

A busy morning at the fort. 

The Col & his wife, along with VIPs & USSC delegates. 

Serving the VIPs

My new dress! I finished it right before the event. 

Christian Commission at Bermuda Hundred

The past few months have been devoted to sewing. I had a semi-immersion event coming up, and it was my first one in a few years, so I have been having to update my 19th Century "basics"- pettis, chemises, drawers, etc. The event took place in April 1864, we portraying volunteers of the United States Christian Commission (USCC) .

USCC Office, Washington DC- photo M. Brady (LOC) 

 The delegates of the USCC were volunteers who distributed over 6 millions dollars worth of supplies to the soldiers fighting. These supplies included food, clothing, medicines, reading materials, and more. The US Army was grateful for the efforts put forth by the USCC and the United States Sanitary Commission (USSC). Throughout the North there were fundraisers, fairs, and publications advertising and asking for donations for the men at the front fighting.

The rations issued by the military left little in the way of a tasty diet- salt pork, corn meal, hardtack, beans,etc. Soldiers were extremely grateful for any variety they could get their hands one. The USCC asked for foods that were easy to transport and store. Oatmeal, jelly, crackers, butter, onions, apples, lemons, pickles- all of these were easy to ship as well. There were very specific instructions for packing and labeling boxes to be sent to the USCC for distribution.

For this event we portrayed delegates in the field during the Bermuda Hundred Campaign. The event as a whole was very different. The set-up had visitors walk through the lines. Starting behind the Union Lines at the USCC & USSC set-up through the woods, to the Federal line, then to the Confederate works. The fighting was happening in "real  time" meaning that the earthworks were being constructed as the days went on, with fighting happening throughout the day.

DH, myself & Stormi walk from the battle area. 

It was not unusual for gunfire to be heard sporadically, followed by a volley or cannon fire. We did manage to walk down to the Federal lines once, but some fighting began, and we had to make our way back to the safety of our camp. Most of the day was spent interpreting to visitors the different roles of the USCC & the USSC (across the path from us). This did leave some downtime since we were prepared to help soldiers with reading material, food, etc.  We did get to feed some soldiers & give them coffee when they came from their entrenched quarters-they were grateful for the hot meal despite the 80* weather.

Stormi & I distributing food for the Soldiers

Although there was a lot of down time we did get to spend some time with friends who enjoy this crazy hobby with us. It was nice  to sit under the shade of the arbor to get to know the other "delegates".  One of the best moments to come from the weekend, was this awesome image that was struck of all of us. We used two different field images of the original USCC to create ours. 

USCC Delegates, BH 1864- Image by Chris Morgan

After two days of wet, muddy, tick-infested woods I would say the event is one to remember. I met some new people, got to see old friends, and once again learned some lessons along the way.