Western Reserve Volunteer
Sergeant
- Joined
- May 12, 2018
Yesterday, as a way to improve our first person impressions, Mother and I decided to spend the better part of the day in 1862. Mother portrayed a visiting abolitionist aunt from Cincinnati, and I was her nephew who was a 90 day volunteer who'd mustered out and was back home on the farm.
Our morning began with taking the "wagon" down the "plank road", over the bridge over the Rocky River to the Silverthorne Tavern, also passing the sites of the settlers graveyard and Dr. Kirtland's grand home Whipporwhill on the way. All morning was spent walking down along that lovely river. It was a lovely bright morning, and as the weather was most cooperative so there were some people out and about, fishing down in the river or also taking their constitutionals. In spite of this, the general peacefulness and wildlife of the area were not disturbed and we were able to see the geese, squirrels, and even cardinals that reside along the river banks. We also visited the so called "Dead Mans Island", a small island in the middle of the river on which rises a small burial ground where the local Chippewa tribe once buried their dead. It's best known internment is that of Chief Menompsy, a victim of a senseless murder by a fellow tribe member Big Son. Frankly, I think it's a shame that his name dosen't grace the island, as it seems more dignified than most of the colloquial names.
On our walk, we talked of the latest news on the war, to wit, that Admiral Farraguat's fleet is presently engaged in running beneath the guns of the forts at New Orleans and that it is expected the city will soon fall. That will mark yet another victory for the Union and the Right, as General Grant has recently won us a victory at Shiloh and the Sesch have been beaten in New Mexico. I think the Confederates will soon be beat, and I only hope Captain Smithknigth can raise another battery before we miss out chance to give those traitors another good whipping. Speaking of Mexico, apparently the French have intervened their and in so doing upended their alliance with the British and the Spaniards. We were heartily glad to receive news that Mr. Lincoln has overseen the emancipation of all the slaves in the Federal capital, and we can only hope he will one day make such a proclamation universal!
After a quick repast, we then called upon the Honams, only to find they were not at home. Perhaps they were out getting supplies, as it seems they were doing some repair work on their house, with some shutters removed and small wooded wedges added to chinks in the mortar of the house. I noticed some of their fence rails were gone to, and wonder if they might pay me to help them make replacements? Unfortunately, the state of affairs being what it is I cannot be too sure of gaining such employment.
After that, we returned to my father's farm, where he raises Marino sheep, and had a light luncheon. The remained of the day we spent starting work on making over a too-big shirt as an over shirt for myself. I hope to take a picture of it when it is complete as I think it will look quite fashionable in the end. I hope it will prove quite functional too. I also finished up some tin punching I started last year, while visiting the tin smith at Zoar on my way back from the front. I'm ashamed to admit I'd almost forgot about the endeavor, until rediscovering the project lying about. So I took the project out to my fathers workshop and finished my design, adding some additional embellishments along the way. I'm not particularly sure what I'll do with the result, but it was satisfying diversion nonetheless.
Our morning began with taking the "wagon" down the "plank road", over the bridge over the Rocky River to the Silverthorne Tavern, also passing the sites of the settlers graveyard and Dr. Kirtland's grand home Whipporwhill on the way. All morning was spent walking down along that lovely river. It was a lovely bright morning, and as the weather was most cooperative so there were some people out and about, fishing down in the river or also taking their constitutionals. In spite of this, the general peacefulness and wildlife of the area were not disturbed and we were able to see the geese, squirrels, and even cardinals that reside along the river banks. We also visited the so called "Dead Mans Island", a small island in the middle of the river on which rises a small burial ground where the local Chippewa tribe once buried their dead. It's best known internment is that of Chief Menompsy, a victim of a senseless murder by a fellow tribe member Big Son. Frankly, I think it's a shame that his name dosen't grace the island, as it seems more dignified than most of the colloquial names.
On our walk, we talked of the latest news on the war, to wit, that Admiral Farraguat's fleet is presently engaged in running beneath the guns of the forts at New Orleans and that it is expected the city will soon fall. That will mark yet another victory for the Union and the Right, as General Grant has recently won us a victory at Shiloh and the Sesch have been beaten in New Mexico. I think the Confederates will soon be beat, and I only hope Captain Smithknigth can raise another battery before we miss out chance to give those traitors another good whipping. Speaking of Mexico, apparently the French have intervened their and in so doing upended their alliance with the British and the Spaniards. We were heartily glad to receive news that Mr. Lincoln has overseen the emancipation of all the slaves in the Federal capital, and we can only hope he will one day make such a proclamation universal!
After a quick repast, we then called upon the Honams, only to find they were not at home. Perhaps they were out getting supplies, as it seems they were doing some repair work on their house, with some shutters removed and small wooded wedges added to chinks in the mortar of the house. I noticed some of their fence rails were gone to, and wonder if they might pay me to help them make replacements? Unfortunately, the state of affairs being what it is I cannot be too sure of gaining such employment.
After that, we returned to my father's farm, where he raises Marino sheep, and had a light luncheon. The remained of the day we spent starting work on making over a too-big shirt as an over shirt for myself. I hope to take a picture of it when it is complete as I think it will look quite fashionable in the end. I hope it will prove quite functional too. I also finished up some tin punching I started last year, while visiting the tin smith at Zoar on my way back from the front. I'm ashamed to admit I'd almost forgot about the endeavor, until rediscovering the project lying about. So I took the project out to my fathers workshop and finished my design, adding some additional embellishments along the way. I'm not particularly sure what I'll do with the result, but it was satisfying diversion nonetheless.
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Bringing the