Dancing at the Encampment

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This past weekend, my family and I set out to enjoy a weekend of camping. We had been camping several times this summer, but this particular trip was the highlight of them all that I was waiting for. I even took off the whole weekend at work to enjoy these three special days.

Why?

Oh, the reason is obvious. It was Civil War Encampment weekend! What sounds more awesome than that?

Well, considering some of  you are not sure, let me convince you. We started off the weekend with Friday night's event, the dance....

Sorry Ladies, We Can't Do It

Approximately 400 women enlisted in the Civil War as soldiers. They were considered an equal to the men, and fought right alongside them. How? They disguised their identities. Women would lie about their gender, change their name, and put on a life of secrecy and lies to serve their country. Some would fight alongside their husbands, but most would replace their skirt and dress for a uniform. Many would see this as heroic, but little did these women know that they were helping to abandon the home-maker life of millions.

The Modest Belle

In this post, I want to discuss women's clothing in the Civil War.

Since the beginning of mankind, women have been mindful of their appearance. Think about it: The moment Eve realized she was naked, she had to dress herself with the first thing she found! Every girl and woman since has been the same way. Admit it, ladies: You checked your appearance in the mirror this morning. Ladies living around the Civil War were just as picky; though they had a whole standard of dressing to seem presentable. They had an entire system of garments to complete one outfit, and, complicated as it was, they felt naked when lacking one petticoat.