JPK Huson 1863
Brev. Brig. Gen'l
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Location
- Central Pennsylvania
Someone may know who is this family. That mothers packed up children and brought them to the war, to be with soldier fathers seems indicative of how precious each was to the other. We're left with quite a few images like these. Thanks to LoC we get to see these moments from a country at war when every day was Father's Day.
We can't imagine what's behind this image, a couple ensuring Dad was available as long as possible. That tiny house, a baby and housekeeping in the middle of a war? He was needed.
It hasn't been possible to track down most of these fathers. Somewhere must be each photographer's journal, diary or log where we'd find them. Somewhere also you just know are the letters, diaries or journals of That Day A Photographer Came To Camp. One of our experts may know more ( which would not be me ).
Snip from an LoC image of a band review, Camp Stoneman. As usual, a squirmy baby is blurred but still there, apparently an older son knew how to sit still.
I'm not sure we can understand what these separations were like unless you're a member of our military. Serving their country, a parent left behind children who missed them and were painfully missed. It was unsurprising seeing some of these, parents determined to preserve some sense of family where they could. Children spending time with fathers in camp my not have been common and no, you don't find them in front line camps. That families pitched a tent between war and separation at all means fathers got to be fathers, at least for awhile. It's a nice thought.
5th US Cavalry, officers and one officer-dad.
125th OVI- one of my favorites because father and son on the left not only look very much alike, Dad looks pretty pleased about it.
And Alexandria's Camp Misery wasn't so awful of you had the kids there, too.
For a second think about what we're seeing. Camp ' Misery ', Alexandria, so called before women got their hands on it was for walking wounded, men recovering from wounds. Dad was still alive, wounded, but he's here.
It's blurry and no ID which blockhouse, more children in camp meant one, more day with Dad.
There are more, thought I'd leave them for members to post their own favorites. And Happy Father's Day.