JPK Huson 1863
Brev. Brig. Gen'l
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Location
- Central Pennsylvania
The point in using an illustration depicting a Regency era, instead of a mid-Victorian era bride is that we'd sure been at this whole wedding-dream thing awhile. With a war on decades later, men-en-mass proved a fertile hunting ground for anyone who slept with visions of tulle in their heads.
Love the illustration ( French, NYPL ), spirit of which seems incredibly current. From bridesmaids supporting a bedecked bride to groom apparently barred from the scene, change styles and poof- 200 years of unchanged dreams.
Things got creative in love's ceaseless search despite that intrusive war. ' Matrimonial ' ads- quickly pounced on by both lonely hearts ( in uniform or no ) and a few scoundrels. " That the fools are not all dead yet " , ads were also pounced on by critics.
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Sorry to continually dredge up newspapers- the thing is, they're terrific indications of life across the board during any era. From 1861 to 1865, it's a good bird's eye view of the war, who we were and what on earth we got up to. Marrying, for one thing, despite grooms in uniform. If you couldn't find that sweetheart? Well, go get one.
Seriously fascinated, delighted and smitten by this groom, another favorite- it's unlikely we'll ever know the story behind his apparent wedding or why the bride's bouquet is pinned to his uniform sans bride. But it's a great image- cannot find other grooms posed without the Mrs.
Previous thread on one ' Wife Wanted ', from Godey's. There were a LOT more- a lot, lot. An entire war on, inclusive of men away and some awfully lonely guys in monochromatic camps would get really, really tired of all the testosterone. No idea why Lee thought he could love it- Mary wasn't around.
Only one soldier, the others really worth reading, too. How many were genuine? No idea. You can find quite a few reports of er, fraud associated with these. Still, a wounded, recovering soldier? Must have received dozens of replies.
Hang on- one young man could be exempted from the fraud category- regiment and company!
The rest are kind of awesome.
So it's tough figuring out what articles are snark dressed up and which were reporting on something genuine. " Young Ladies Matrimonial Society " bears all the signs of snark- but you just don't know.
A Timothy Morton served as an officer in a New Jersey regiment although cannot find him in a public member tree- haven't looked for Lt. Graham as yet. Have a few names, will keep looking.
Then there's the ad I found ( and won't post ) of the man who is probably still in hiding, in one of the poles or somewhere inaccessible . Maybe, with luck, a volcano. Advertised for a wife between the ages of 12 and 14...... police ( and angry parents ) must have swarmed.