Interest in a CWTalk serial?

[johan_steele]

I thought I would broach the idea of a CivilWarTalk Serial. THe idea being to have specific members write letters from the perspective of a Civil War soldier or civilian and have different members reply to them.

THis would be a way of learning more about the period and the lives of the men and women of the time.

Each individual would be assigned a persona/character or create one and then begin writting letters. Another member would volunteer to respond to such letters.

The idea is to broaden our research and perhaps learn a little bit.

Anyone interested in such a thing?

 

[dawna]

Great idea Shane...count me in!

Dawna

 

[johan_steele]

So Dawna, you wish to do Ms. M? Would be interesting twist to do research into that kind of life. Or do you have another idea.

I have a character/persona development worksheet that I will have to find, might be a useful aide on getting this thread started.

 

[johan_steele]

Here is a generic form to put some life and background into a persona. I'm a firm believer that a persona should be as much like real people as possible and that a continuity is necessary to create a believable persona. For a letter writing project it is important to stay consistant in writing style, attitudes behaviors etc... this is not to say that people don't change. But dramatic change does not go unnoticed.

Persona Name:
Physical appearance:
Clothing & Style preffered:
hairstyle:
hair color:
eye color:
Ethnic origins:
Native language:
Literate:
Educational level:
Political leanings:
Religion:
Profession:

Personality type:
Who is valued most:
What is valued most:
Most valued possesion:
What is felt about most people:
Loves:

Early backround: to include childhood triumphs and tragedies
Family: siblings & their relative ages as well as feeling towards them
Family Status: ie social, economic etc
DOB:
Loaction of Birth: (to include state or country)
Economic history:
Social History:

If a soldier: what state, unit, rank, experiance, feeling towards army life etc life before the war.

If a civilian: connection to the War, changes due to the war.

 

[scone]

I will try to pitch in as well and have talked to Margaret about doing what you sugested on the other thread.. As for persona my only hang up is my pre war occupation.

My caracter is based on my 3rd great grandfather although his age is 5 years older than I am now he was born feb 14th 1820 in clark county Ga. He had a wife amanda and 6 children when he enlisted in sept. of 1861..But orginally had 7 Little Martha who was the the first child was born christmas day in 1844 yet died a tragic death on march 25 1848 after her clothing caught fire at her mothers wash pot

I figured i would have the same number 0f Children he did at my age which would have been 3 While also counting the passing of Little Martha..

Daniels Father Garret was born in Ga and fought and enlisted as a substitute for the creek indian wars and served under Capt. James Meriweather.

In 1814 he joined ga milita under the command of Capt Isham Hendon and fought in the war of 1812.

Amanda's "Daniel's Wife" Father - John Ball Sr. Fought beside Daniels Father in the war of 1812 and this how they became to know each.. Amadas Two brothers Mosses and Abner enlisted together with Daniel and all served in the same Company.. Co. G 22nd alabama.

As far as I know Daniel was farmer.. he boght 40 acres of land on march 17 1860 for 25 cents an acre and then 40 more three days later on march 20th

sorry got carried away with the family history..

regards, steven

(Message edited by scone on November 03, 2004)

 

[johan_steele]

I will be doing a bio etc for Seth Baranaby, Private in an unnamed MN Regiment later and will post it. Hope to set up a correspondence w/ Mrs M of Dawna Hepburn fame. I'm going to need to find a sister for him as well... any takers?

Hope this gives an idea of what kind of detail in a persona I'm talking about.

This is a bio I created for my persona that is used for Living History & re-enactments. I actually took two real men and combined their lives into one...

Johan Steele, Veteran of the Crimean War and North Africa while w/ the French Foreign Legion. He joined the Union Army in 1861 and brought his wife Wilamina LeBruen Steele and daughter to the Army with him.

Wilamina is priceless as a camp cook, seamstress and laundress. She has done a fine job of keeping her husband in line by keeping his consumption of spirits to reasonable levels. Even with Wilamina he still managed to make Sgt twice and have his rank stripped from him each time.

Johan's English is less than perfect. While he speaks with little or no accent he has a very real occasional difficulty with some American terms. When given a chance he will invariably light a Meerscham pipe that he acquired in Turkey. If in camp for more than a few days without the likelihood of campaign Johan will dive headfirst into the nearest bottle of liquor. His wife and Messmantes have done an exemplary job at keeping him sober.

Johans Nationality is a bit of a mystery, when asked he invariably changes the subject. His command of the French language is excellent though his accent is provincial. Though some of his comrades have accused him of speaking Dutch and even Russian. His birth date is a mystery as he has been saying he was thirty since 1860 (born in 1830+/- as he isn't exactly certain). Though he has been overheard to say that his parents are deceased. His prewar trade seemed to be several failed businesses. Though he has some skill as a teacher, carpenter, tinker, smithy and is minimally knowledgeable in many trades.

Johan arrived in the United States in the spring of 1858 through Charleston, SC. He bought supplies and met his wife Wilamina there. The particulars of the meeting is somewhat of a mystery and neither speak of it. The two went by train to Vicksburg, Mississippi where they boarded a river boat and traveled north. He was accused of killing a man near Hannibal Missouri, though as he left before charges could be made he was not convicted. In 1860 the Steele family opened a mobile trading post and did a brisk business with the Sioux. This business venture proved to be a near total disaster for the couple. He fared well when trading with the Sioux, largely because of his command of the French Language. However, his poor command of the English language and poorer business sense he was badly cheated by unscrupulous men. The Steele family arrived at Ft Snelling with a mule cart, tent, two mules and young child; Myra.

Because of Johans familiarity with the French Bayonet drill and his experience with the French Foreign Legion Johan was given the rank of Sergeant. He helped provide some drill training for Regiments passing through Fort Snelling. He served for a short time with several different Infantry Regiments and even for a while with the Cavalry. He began active military service by being passed from Regiment to Regiment. The reasons for this were varied, but all seemed to stem from his alcoholic tendencies.

Wilamina has traveled extensively with Johan. She has made herself priceless to whatever Regiment Johan serves by providing superb food from her cook fire. She supplements Johans pay by serving as a wash woman and seamstress.

Myra is a precocious child. Like any child she enjoys to play with the toys Johan lavishes upon her but rarely strays from her mothers watchful gaze. Her unruly curls are a common sight throughout the camp and her cheerful disposition has calmed many a homesick soldiers heart. While her mother often frowns at her being tossed cheerfully from one soldier to the next she certainly enjoys her airborne adventures.

Johan took part in the campaigns of Kentucky & Tennesee as well as Vicksburg, Chatanooga, Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea... he (both of the men I based Johan Steee upon) dropped off the edge of the world after reaching Savannah. Ironically one was struck w/ dysentery after reaching Savannah and the other I can only assume either fell ill or was wounded early in the Carolina campaign. He finished the War in a Union Hospital returning to Minnesota well after the Wars end.

Johan lived until 1885 dieing of liver failure, his wife survived him by several years continuing to run their tavern until she could will it to their daughter and her husband.


Persona Name: Johan Steele
Physical appearance: 5'9" 140 lbs,
Clothing & Style preffered: simple soldiers clothing, though he has a preference to red shirts.
hairstyle: simple and careless
hair color: blonde to brown
eye color: gray to hazel
Ethnic origins: Dutch, but usually thought of as French
Native language: Dutch, Provincial French and English... some Turkish & Russian
Literate: No, he can read a map and figure some
Educational level: hahahahaha life and conflict wisdom gained from a hard life and the life of a soldier.
Political leanings: Liquor
Religion: raised to know Catholicism as well as Protestant... non-denominational Christian
Profession: Soldier... alcoholic

Personality type:
Who is valued most: his wife and daughter, then his men
What is valued most: the friendship and lives of the men he is placed over
Most valued possesion: a simple meerscham pipe given him by his Colonel in the Crimea

What is felt about most people: People; good ones, bad ones... judge them as individuals
Loves: HIs wife & daughter... Liquor

Early backround: orpah after the rest of his family died of fever, he was raised on the docks & later in a brothel as a boy of all works
Family: wife & daughter
Family Status: poor man at best
DOB: 1830 +/-
Loaction of Birth: Amsterdam
Economic history: oh that is choice... poor boy, servant then soldier in the Foreign Legion... quirk of fate or bad luck landed him w/ enough monies to reach the US.
Social History: Low class/soldier

If a soldier: Unnamed MN Regiment, likely 2nd or 4th MN Infantry

(Message edited by johan_steele on November 05, 2004)

 

[johan_steele]

Persona Name: Seth Barnaby
Physical appearance: 5'8"
Clothing & Style preffered: cravat and a homespun shirt
hairstyle: simple
hair color: dark blond to brown
eye color: brown
Ethnic origins: Family is from US as far as the Revolution, first ancestor was a Hessian soldier captured by Washigton at Valley Forge
Native language: English
Literate: Yes, hopes to be a school teacher after the War
Educational level: well learned and well read, he would like to attend university
Political leanings: Staunch Republican
Religion: Methodist
Profession: school boy and farmer before the war was to be apprenticed to a harness maker but the war interfered

Personality type: quiet and shy
Who is valued most: his family and friends, in particular his little sister Carlie
What is valued most: friendship and honesty
Most valued possesion: a worn copy of Plutarch
What is felt about most people: People are inherently good
Loves: his family

Early backround: average farming family w/ the father dieing of palsey in the spring of 1860.
Family: Cousins Alicia 11, Celia 21 and Sarah 17. Sister Carlie 19 & Mother Ann 38. Father deceased Aunt Rosemary 40 & her husband Hanz 56
Family Status: hard working farmers
DOB: April 3, 1844
Loaction of Birth: Dane County Wisconsin
Economic history: hit and miss horse trading family as well as raising dairy cattle
Social History: everything that comes w/ being a farmer w/ higher aspirations

If a soldier: Minnesota, Red Wing Area enlisted in a generic Minnesota Infantry Regiment. Enjoys the Army for the most part having made many friends.

 

[thea_447]

Although it is of absolutely no importance to the subject at hand, I've just read this and thought I should mention it since you guys want to be historically correct:

"Although the uniform regulations of both armies mandated its use throughout the war, it is unlikely that most of the troops ever even saw a cravat."

Also, I would like to participate in this if I might be allowed. I was thinking of trying to research Miss Emma Sansom who was of such daring service to Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. (http://www.tarleton.edu/~kjones/sansom.html) If anyone can tell me where I might find some good material on this young lady, it would be most appreciated.

It's either her, or my personal heroine, Rose O'Neil Greenhow. I have material on her already, so which would be better to do? I'm open to suggestions. If I DID work on Rose, then correspondence with some of her Yankee swains might prove humorous and interesting to boot.

Tell me what ya'll think. And by the way, I think this idea about a serial is an excellent one.

 

[scone]

Shane are the actual people that you have made persona's out of?

Thea

Miss Emma was just 16 when She led Forrest to a ford on "Black Creek" to help catch up with able streights men.

Emma married an alabama soldier C. B Johnson and moved to Texas in 1879, raised 7 children and died at the age of 53 in 1900.

Their is a monument to her memory at the foot of the Coosaw River Brdge in downtown Gadsden. And in a burial plot in the median of US HWY 278 just outside of Gadsden is 18 yr old Robert Turner who was killed that day.

A wonderful book dealing with the Streight raid through north alabama is "The Lightning Mule Brigade" - Able Streight's 1863 Raid into Alabama by Robert L. Willett.

It has a statement that Henery Wyeth "Forrest Biography" insists came from Emma her Self.

regards, Steven

 

[johan_steele]

Mrs Thea, I would love to have you join the enteprise. Cravats were not uncommon, many men insisting on wearing them. There are many period photos showing them, It is a subject often argued by re-enactors. The cravat was a almost universal item to the civilian world of the time w/ even many farmers insisting on wearing them. I had a wonderful conversation about them in the spring w/ a fellow of the MN HIstorical society. Frankly, that's the only reason I know anything about them.

I picked up a book dedicated to Women of the CSA from the library last Summer, to be honest I'm not certain of the author. I might suggest checking on Archambault (sp?) as the author. It was a youth book but IIRC it had an excellent bibliography, though I can't recall if either of the women you've mentioned. Of note one of the references you've provided on Mrs Greenbow... was one of the best I've come across.

Thea, if you wish to create a fictional persona that is acceptable as part of the idea is to encourage research into new areas. Feel free to post the bio info here that you decide upon that way whoever ops to reply to your letters will have some info to work from. It might be a spot of fun if you could get either Neil or Aphillbilly to be your correspondent. Poor Neil as one of the poor beaus!

 

[johan_steele]

Steven, yes I try to loosley base my personas upon actual people. I prefer to mix several together because I just don't feel right trying to portray a real person as I always fear that I will somehow dishonor them. I have irritated enough people in my life, no need to stir up ghosts too.

Generally what I try to do is take two to three people and base a persoan upon them.

Seth is a new creation, based very loosely upon a Private of the 4th Mn and a Private of the 3rd Wisconsin... Ironically one a Norwegion and the other 100% American. Though I have only limited knowledge of the Norwegion immigrant experiance I am most fascinated by it. Seth is mostly fiction w/ enough real thrown in to make him accurate.

 

[dawna]

Thea:

I can't tell you how happy I am that you've decided to join this thread, and whom ever you decide to portray, there will be enough Rebel spirit for all of us...or perhaps you're even considering a Northern adventuress?!

My character is fictional and I'm still working on her personna, but I have to commend Shane again for creating this thread and adding another element of fun to CWTalk.

Dawna

 

[johan_steele]

I hope all are enjoying this thread idea and its results.

I appreciate everyones input and hope this idea will flower out and only improve.

(Message edited by johan_steele on November 05, 2004)

 

[illreb]

Sounds like a great idea , I can 't say that I have much experance at something like this but would be willing to give it a shot

 

[traveller]

I would be interested in participating by submitting the persona of a young man who is the main character in a book I have been writing for too many years now. I may be able to aquire some new ideas, and it sounds like a lot of fun.

Traveller

 

[thea_447]

Well, from reading what everyone else is doing, I certainly would NEVER do anything to dishonor any real life persona that I would portray, but I thought it would be so much fun to write letters in the style of Rose or Emma Sansom. However, if everyone else is doing a fictional character I can do that too. I believe I have as much imagination as anyone here, at least I hope so.

If it's alright with the group I would like to try writing a bit on one or the other of these ladies first and then if that doesn't develop I will attempt a lady who is either a spy or has transformed herself into a soldier.

Give me a while to think this through, but if everyone thinks it would be better to start out with a fictional character, please advise so that I can start thinking along those lines instead.

And Dawna, yes, I think Shane's idea is a good one and we should all have some fun with this. Ed Carnegie, if you're out there lurking, this would such fun if you'd participate too! And I haven't forgotten you, Bill Doherty or Mr. Torrens. And Katharine! Get in on this, along with Sockknitter.. this could be a hoot!

 

[johan_steele]

I'm going to go ahead and create a thread for all info on the Personas, I will post the worksheet. Remember it's only a rough outline so feel free to flesh it out so that whoever opts to reply to your letters has information to work from.

Steven, Keith, Rick, Dawna, Thea, possibly Margaret and Myself are the current members who have expressed interest in this enteprise.

When you have your first letter ready go ahead and start a thread; title it CWT Serial: enter appropriate names. I'm working on getting this project a folder all of its own to keep the threads from getting lost and will also try to put all of the letter writing threads in there.

I at one time had an article on the "proper" method of writing a Victorian age letter. But having read quite a few... most writers seemed to follow their own method and way of writing.

 

[dawna]

Personna Name: M.

Physical appearance: 5'4"

Clothing & Style Preferred: Simple day dresses, jackets in dupioni silk, evening dresses in organdy, velvet, dupioni silk

Hairstyle: Daytime: Bun with snood, Evening: Longer, looser curls, hair ribbons/clips

Hair Colour: Dark brown

Eye Colour: Green

Ethnic Origins: Father: American on father's side, descendants of "long hunters," Mother - British

Native Language: English, fluent in French

Literate: Yes

Educational Level: Private tutor - studied English Literature, French, History, Art - accomplised pianist, influential in the opening of the Baptist Female Seminary in 1861

Political Leanings: Kentucky Neutral, refuses to divulge political interests or views on war

Religion: Pre War: Baptist
Present: Conveniently agnostic
Husband: Presbyterian - clashed with fierce Union supporter/minister Rev. Robert J. Breckenridge

Profession: Pre War - Educated Wife
Present - Prostitute in Chattanooga brothel

Personality: Pre War - Spirited
Present: Jaded, suspicious

Who is Most Valued: Grandmother in England, close friend in brothel

What is most valued: Honesty

Most valued possession: Books, tattered copy of Sonnet 29

What is felt about most people: Pre War - Capable of great works
Present - Capable of grievous wrongs

Loves: Still harbours feelings for the husband who abandoned her

Early background: moderately wealthy gentleman farmers

Family: No siblings, elderly grandmother in England
Mother: Died when M. was 10
Father: Accidental death in 1861

Location of Birth: Danville, Kentucky