Final Project Write Up: Civil War Accounts

When I think of "lost voices", I think of people I have never heard of before. People who no one knows and have lived their literary lives in the shadows of big-name authors. "Lost voices" could also be those who never considered themselves as authors or even as contributors to literature of any era.

Well, it just so happens that I believe anyone who writes a letter or a diary/journal is, actually, making a contribution to literature--especially in the 19th century when everything was was taken down on paper. The correspondences and accounts of individuals during the American Civil War shone out at me and beckoned to be explored. Surprisingly, there are enormous databases of Civil War letters to be found on the World Wide Web and it was therefore not very difficult to get my eyes on them. However, the content and subjects of these letters ranged just as any modern-day email might. From teen-age gossip to final letters home before a deadly battle, daily lives of 19th century folk can be explored in depth.

During my search for interesting accounts, I waded through dull and poorly written letters; like a soldier's routine letter home--blathering on about how he couldn't shine his brass buttons anymore or how the rations were gradually decreasing in amount. Or perhaps a woman writing to her husband and informing him his horse now had a limp because it had sprained its leg in a rodent hole---mundane stuff, really: be careful when you try and find interesting and impactful Civil War-account material. But find some, I did.

Perhaps the most profound letter that I came across was one from a soldier to his wife and children. He feels death creeping up on him and takes the opportunity to write his last thoughts and fond wishes to his family. This story was very touching and I recommend it to many-- especially Pfouts (be careful--it holds potential to be a tear-jerker). Read here, Sullivan Ballou’s Last Letter.

On a lighter note, there were a few comical pieces I found and added to my collection. Dear Hattie was a comical letter from a young soldier who posted a false advertisement in the equivalent of the personal adds in a 19th century "Lonely Hearts" magazine. Apparently he got a response from a young woman and then responded to the lassie (in this "Dear Hattie" letter). An enjoyable read and readers can get a good sense of what some of the young men's values were...in terms of their female companions. I enjoy these letters because they are such personal windows into peoples daily lives. I wonder if any of them ever thought their letters would be compiled with others and stuck onto the Internet---*inconceivable*(the man from Princess Bride!). Another lighter piece I stumbled upon is a type of fond love letter from a miss Sallie Seeper to her dearest one (or so I believe). This was interesting to me because it was, in a sense, a typical report back to the one she cared about and the way it was written was almost more exciting than the actual content. There are a few blanks spots where the transcriber failed to decipher the penmanship, but everything else is recorded as originally written--spelling mistakes, indentations, symbols and all.

Many of the accounts which I found were inspiring because of what some of the writers went through in this tumultuous period of war--and to see how they are living their lives as a result of the war and how the war has touched them/changed them. I believe it is important to recognize the experiences and lives of these individuals--their lives will call you to look into the "lost voice" accounts of others during the Civil War and then to other historical events. Because they are "lost" or "smaller" than the big names, they are delicate and secret--almost more important than the mainstream authors. These men and women were real and told it like it was: raw.

Some neat places to look for more Civil War accounts:
Love Letters of the Civil War
American Civil War Collection Etext
Letters From the Past

Final Project readings update...after the deletion problem

Here are the other things I have read...as far as I can remember and I think there are more that I am forgetting.

A letter from a young girl named Lizzie to her friend Mary. They are both in the Confederate states (which is interesting because everything i read was from the Union states) and there were some areas where Lizzie talks about "those rediculous Yankees were driven back" and such... Most of the letter was of silly teen gossip which is not up to Lost Voices standards....i didn't include it

another letter from a young man (a soldier) responding to a young woman's introductory letter. Apparently he had placed a false advertisement in the classifieds section of "Lonely hearts" magazine and he had gotten a response. In the letter he expresses his excitement and confesses he had advertised his features incorrectly---made himself more attractive. He seems like a very nice guy who likes his female companions to laugh out loud and enjoy life as well as express themselves. Pretty progressive for that time, don't you think? I liked this one!

ummm.... can't remember anymore that I've read...though there are more...hmmm....shoot. Blogger shouldn't have deleted my original posting. oh well.

Final Project activity for "The Black Saxons"

This was a very interesting story--like nothing I have ever read before. The way the author portrayed the slave jargon was amazing...a bit difficult to read, but helped the development of the various characters. As far as my thoughts on the meeting go, I do think it was a good idea. It let the whole community of slaves come together and organize--decide on a course of action. Especially after the meeting that the slave holder attended in disguise, the slaves had decided not to murder their masters and make their escape when the British reached the land. If this had not been decided or if a meeting had not taken place, masters would have been killed, slaves would have been killed and the greater sense of unity would be weak throughout the slaves. I am interested that only men attended the meetings (or were reported to have attended the meetings) and not women. What would the outcome have been if women had been involved? At the end of the short story, the author says
"These cogitations did not, so far as I ever heard, lead to the emancipation of his bondmen; but they did prevent his revealing a secret, which would have brought hundreds to an immediate and violent death. After a painful conflict between contending feelings and duties, he contented himself with advising the magistrates to forbid all meetings whatsoever among the colored people, until the war was ended."

I am glad that the author included this part because it goes to support my belief that the meeting was a good idea. The slaves were able to reach a decision before the magistrates forbade all meetings among colored people. Also the meeting was successfull because it changed the thought of this slave holder and lead him not to reveal their secret of meeting in the forest together. juicy content...good read.

Dunbar and Pfouts' example paper

I had never before read anything by Dunbar...well, not that I recall, but I like his writing so much that I'm sure I would have asked to see who wrote such an interesting piece of literature.

"A Negro Love Song" was enjoyable to read and I want to memorize it so I can sing it while slapping my knees around the campfire during spring break--and everyone else can sing the " jump back, honey, jump back". I like to read things when they are written like they sound, so anything for dialects or accents are lovely. Not too much being said in this poem, though, besides gaiety (spelling?) and flirtations....

The rest of the poems, “We Wear the Mask.”, “The Poet.”, “The Poet and his Song.”, had some more meat to them and the thoughts shared on the class blog example paper sure helped me pay attention to the messages behind the words. I felt Dunbar had so much to say, like Pfouts said--something deeper and probably not as pretty so people wouldn't be likely to enjoy reading it. He hides his deeper feelings and views behind his "Mask" of a song and definitely mentions it in "The Poet and his Song". Here he says as long as he sings his song, the public will be good-tempered, so he will keep to himself that which will poke and stir up the public. so sad. I wonder what his writing would have been like if society back then were more like today...if he wasn't the one of the first or the first African-American to be payed for his poetry. I wonder if he would have let himself go a bit more. I'm sure I would have gobbled it up if he had. Very interesting man and i am surprised he died at such a young age, too.

Frustrated about Final Project readings progress notification

GRRRRRRRRRRRR!! during this weekend, I wrote down several good observations of Civil War letters and accounts I had read--I put time into them and saved the post as a draft until I was done. and then when I pressed the "publish" button, Blogger said that I couldn't post for some wierd reason and when I pressed "back", my entire post was gone!!! AAHHH. what is with that? Okay. so, I am out of the time that I put aside for this project today: I will re-write everything tomorrow evening. Bummer. shoot. *grumble* *grumble*

Update on Final Project Readings

For my Final Project readings theme, I chose Civil War letters/personal accounts. There are extensive archives out there on the web of different accounts, but many of them are bland and poorly written. I have taken it upon myself to try and find the more flavorful ones and report back with what I have found that is good, as well as what is not up to attention-holding standards. That said, here is what I have read...with a few more not mentioned because I lost interest within the first sentence...

A personal account of Private Warren Lee Goss-- a young man recalls his experience of enlisting in Massachusetts: reasons why he signed up (like "it promised 'chances of travel and promotions'), his first few weeks (uniform trouble and not liking to be orderly and 'in line'). It gives a sense of how much soldiers learned before they went into action...according to this account--not a heck of a lot. Also, it gave a sense of the maturity levels and interests of the younger enlistees in the Civil War...very interesting and detailed account. a good read

Observations of a teenage girl--published 26 years after she was present for the battle of Gettysburg. She describes what she sees and feels--her reactions to gruesome events that take place and how she copes with the violence. This was enjoyable to read because there was so much happening and Tillie Pierce (the girl) recalls her memories in a way that is easy to follow.

A love letter from Miss Sallie Seeper to a man who I believe to be a soldier named Robert James. This was different to read because the transcriber took down everything: misspellings, symbols (+), and there were places where some words were indecipherable. It was neat how i can read it just as it was written...

there is more coming--don't worry

this post was made over time and saved as a draft several times--never published until now. woops.

Response to Zaragoza/ El Cinco de Mayo poem

Well, I went and looked into some of the history of the Zaragoza Club Poets and found nada. But I didn't stop there; I also read information about the Battle of Puebla and the victory of the Mexican people and Commander General Zaragoza. This victory is celebrated by Cinco de Mayo (May 5th). No wonder the poem is about General Zaragoza and the others, it was an amazing victory because there were so few Mexican soldiers against so many French. After the French army recollected itself and more troops were sent over to Mexico, the Mexican people did not do so well for a time in victories, but the Battle of Puebla is still celebrated nonetheless for the great patriotic feat accomplished under Zaragoza.

Reflections and Women's Roles: The Count and the Cousin & Lucy Nelson/The Boy Girl

Both of these stories each brought up different reactions for me of what women's roles were then and what they are now. I am so glad that times have changed! So so so glad! There are great differences. One is that cousins cannot marry each other (a plus, I'd say). Another is the aspirations that young women have today: my goals go farther than marriage and don't even really include marriage, necessarily. Also, the story of the Count and the Cousin, though amusing, was frustrating to read at points because of what Adelaide did (or, rather, did not do). She just sat around, letting her father, cousin and Count Pfeifenhammer lead her through her life and all she can do for herself is take on European styles and wooers. Well, until the end when she shouts at Charles about being un-patriotic...bla bla bla. But I think that would be her father talking through her. Ummm...anyway, my point is that I am glad that times have changed--women are more independant and free thinkers (I mean, I think so).

The story of Lucy Nelson was very exciting in the beginning because I could picture myself doing everything Lucy did. I was a tom-boy when I was younger--growing up in a neighborhood full of boys and actually becoming a kind of head-honcho among them (cool!). I felt so sad for Lucy when she was punished for not being girly enough. When she was forced to wear boy clothes, i thought 'big deal' , because clothing and gender roles have changed significantly. It was very sad to see that her brothers beat on her because she now dressed like them--that was the only difference! OH! and the ending! I did not like it at all. so frustrating! She grew to like all of the things that were befitting of a female... how could she truly love needlework when she could no longer romp outside exploring nature. I would just feel so trapped and smothered. Lucy was a great character, but the ending really got me.

The end of "The Count and the Cousin"

Alright. The maid comes into Adelaide's room and tells her that Count Pfeiffenhammer is waiting in the drawing room with urgent news. Interested, she wanders downstairs to discover that the Count needs to leave for his home in Germany to follow through with an arranged marriage that has been in place since he was 6 months old. She collapses in tears, but her father supports her and tells her it's for the best and how she was a silly girl to even consider marrying a foreigner. three weeks pass and Adelaide is still distraught. Her cousin...what's his name...Horace is meeting with Charles (the "Count") telling him what is going on with Adelaide. He never went to Germany, but is just laying low. He trims his moustache so he looks a little more American, but still European-looking. One day he surprises Adelaide (who is completely bewildered, angry and then completely enamoured) and tells her he is a fake and is really an American (her father is thrilled) and loves her and wants to marry her. She realizes he is the same man with just a different heritage than she thought previously. She agrees whole-heartedly on one condition: he keeps the moustache and they vacation in Europe twice a year. Of course, he agrees and they live happily ever after until Adelaide becomes bored and has an affair with the bellhop at a hotel they stay at in Spain for their March holiday--she becomes pregnant, Charles thinks it's his and then when he finds out, he shaves his moustache and she leaves him. How's that?

Reaction to Sympathy by Emma Lazarus

This poem sure is a puzzler. Hmm... I am sure we could all keep thinking (or rather wondering) about this one until our eyes cross and our temples bruise from pensive, tapping fingers. However, what I believe is being said at the end of the poem is people (and perhaps especially women) should support each other in their struggles. Also, I am looking at the poem and seeing how the last half is in quotation marks and I am wondering if it is the author speaking between the " " or someone else... I am thinking it might actually be someone else. And maybe on the second-to-last line where it says "This woman my soul's need can understand," is that other person telling the world that a woman like Emma Lazarus can sympathise with others and it is a great help. Or perhaps it's just saying that perhaps women can sympathise more readily with the struggle of others. You know what? I really don't know what this poem is trying to say and I feel like I am typing in circles! I'd be interested in reading what others have to say about this poem. Alright. I'm done.

Activities from Class Wiki Board: Native American Works

The Rough Faced Girl: a journal entry from the sister of the Invisible Being

I remember when our mother first brought my brother into this world and was so astounded by his spirit. Never had her eyes lit up so brightly or her smiles been so sweet. When she discovered that only she, our father and myself could see him, she grew sad because he would not have a normal life; no young braves to play with or maidens to court. She grew so sad that even the trees let their branches droop with her sadness as she walked by. Finally, one day she grew so sad that she placed my brother in my arms and left for the spirit of the world. That is when I decided that my brother would not have a miserable and lonely life; he would make friends with the spirits and have all of the weapons of a brave, but better, and he would have a wife. This last decision was the most difficult to figure out how to find one, but when he grew older, he simply said that he would wait for a maiden who could see him. When he was of age, I announced that any maiden who could see my brother, The Invisible Being, would be his bride.

What a mess! Since then, I have had nothing, but vain, conceited, and self-righteous women coming to my wigwam. None could ever hope to see my brother! I am beginning to wonder if she will ever be found. I can only hope!


Rabbit and Fox

Well, the medicine man was obviously Rabbit. I believe that he decided to turn into a medicine man because he knew Fox would respect a person of that stature, trust him and believe what he said. Also, it helped Rabbit to turn into the medicine man because of the feathers many used to wear holding spiritual energy--his ears could blend in well.

Paragraph response to The Origins of the Buffalo Dance

I am blown away by this story. I remember listening to a story tape by Odds Bodkin when I was little and this story was on the tape along with many other Native American myths. The music from the story tape was in my head when I was reading this story. Hunter's Daughter is a very interesting character and I struggled with deciding what I thought of her. In the beginning, she was very likable because she was generous and caring towards her father and tribe. It was very big of her to offer herself as a bride to the buffalo in exchange for the health of her community. However, when Hunter's Daughter wavered at following through on her commitment to wed the Buffalo Warrior, I was thinking 'come on--you were the one who suggested it in the first place, now follow through!' . Though I am sure I would definitely react in a similar manner if I were in her moccasins. In the end, I was content with all of the characters and the agreements that they came to that served all alike. The idea of a young maiden sining a piece of bone into her living father is beautiful--not to mention unexpected. Now I want to go and find the Odds Bodkin tape of Native American tales so I can hear this story again. Very good selection!

Response to Dance of the Dead

I have never heard a similar story such as this one before, though I like it a lot. All of these tales are so interesting and make me want to sit in a wigwam/tipi/hut beside a fire on cold nights and watch the story teller move his/her hands when telling these stories. Really interesting tale. I think that the old man could not see the dead dancing because, as the story said, he was not allowed to--he would see them when he actually died, I think. However, I believe that he could hear the dead singing and dancing because he, himself, was close to death. His spirit was already beginning to drift over to the next world and then--snapped back to the land of the living when he looked out from his basket.

Response to "Alluwee Brown, and the Tragic End of Unlearned 'Jim'"

Well, on the web I found zipp-oh on William Trenton Canup besides the fact that he was the author of “Alluwee Brown, and the Tragic End of Unlearned ‘Jim’”. I thought he told a very interesting story (certainly kept me reading) and I quite liked it. From our discussion on Friday morning, I continued to think about who Jim was…Indian, mix or white. I think that Jim is a white man who came from the states to the nation. He has “manly blue eyes”…to me that says he is probably a white man and not a Native American. Alluwee wasn’t really given much depth and I saw her as a beautiful, but shallow character in the story for she seemed a bit aloof with Jim—probably because of her schooling. It was frustrating for me to read that Alluwee reached a point where she no longer looked up to Jim, but appeared to regard him as inferior in knowledge—poor Jim. The end was tragic, as the title rightly states, but I am glad that Jim dies in the arms of Alluwee and not outside by himself. Too bad I can’t find info on William Trenton Canup because it would be very interesting to hear more about his life and when this story might have taken place in relationship to his life’s happenings. Good story.

"Very Short on Law and Order" found poetry

I decided to do some found poems for “Very Short on Law and Order”. For those who are unfamiliar with found poems; I took words that were all found in the story and arranged them into poems... there are three here.

***********This is the fate of Reynolds and Red—they were hung until dead. (hey, that kind of rhymes!)

Bring two of them,
Whiskered and foolish,
The black will flourish,
When their careless hearts,
Do not hit the ground
Of the hangman’s tree.

Instead, the devil,
Will open his merciless jail
And, with a flourish,
Of rotgut and fire,
Escort his friends down,
To their whooping
Sundown.

They were called anything
But good.

************This one is about Beaver Tom and his whiskey dilemma…

Gone—all—all—all
Gone.

What if I die,
What if I…gone.
All gone, gone, gone.

Where am I,
Am I crazy,
I shiver and shake
For…for what,
I remember not.

I need to lay down.
Get me off this horse.

I need it bad.
Whiskey.
Strong, beautiful stuff…
Give me as much as I can stand.
No, more.
I am hot and stolen.
This is horrid
No way to pull through.

Whiskey. Gone—all—all—all
And now Beaver Tom.
I shook hands with the devil,
Strong and beautiful.

************Short, Short, Short poem…

Horse thieving.

In this business,
A man is made a monkey
In the jungle of trails, lies, and half-dead hearts
Rambling off where morning,
Yesterday, and black, black night
Are all one and the same.

"The Sheriff's Children": a response

In the beginning, I stumbled through very descriptive sentences; trying to grasp the setting of a sleepy county in a protected pocket of Civil War territory. I realize that what kept me reading through the first bit was the title, “The Sheriff’s Children”. I knew that characters would soon be revealed and given life to, eventually introducing a sheriff and his children. In retrospect, I believe the author, Chesnutt, did a very good job in the introduction because I felt that I was brought into this uneventful community and found myself becoming bored as a reader. What was good about this was I felt I was in the mindset of the people who lived there (a little ho-hum) and was just as excited and interested as the townsfolk were when there was a murder—I could relate to the characters on some emotional level.

When the sheriff was brought into the story, I liked him because he seemed different than the other, more rash characters. He seemed to be a bit more progressive in thought and speech because of his schooling. As the story went on, my opinions of him changed quite a bit. At first, I thought he was protecting the prisoner (his son) from the lynch mob because he wanted to protect him until he had a “just” trial, but then thought he was protecting him to do his duty as sheriff. This obsession of carrying out his duty as a law enforcement officer frustrated me more and more for it became a mental obstacle between the sheriff and his son, leading to his son’s death. The sheriff did come to what I thought was a righteous decision in the end; to see if he could help heal the wrongs he had done to his son and to save him from the noose by finding the real murderer, but he was too late in coming to this conclusion. Damn. I was so disappointed and surprised that Tom died at the end that I had to re-read the section a few times, but it also seemed a perfect way to conclude the tale. Hopefully the sheriff will quicken his thinking in the future when it comes to what is true for himself as a man and not as a sheriff.

One other thing that made an impression on me was the way in which Chesnutt accented the dialogue in a southern, hillbilly-ish drawl. The way each character spoke gave new definition to them for I could guess on their level of education, their gender as well as skin color. Chesnutt’s style of dialogue made the story more interesting for me to read. Just from doing this reflection, I now feel compelled to read Chesnutt’s other story listed on the blog and see if he writes it in a similar style or if it is somewhat different. I will soon find out. This was a good story.