The Ocklawaha River Raid
The Ocklawaha River Raid
Home, sweet home: there’s no place like home! Yes, we are back from the Ocklawaha River Raid, and here I am with the promised account of our little adventure.
After packing, we left on Friday morning. It was a lengthy drive of five hours, but I kept occupied with my reading: Neil Postman’s excellent treatise “Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business,” the latest editions of “Hobby Farm Home,” “No Greater Joy,” “Above Rubies,” and a William Sonoma catalogue. (We all had a lot of fun shocking each other with information gleamed from that last item. Did you know that a mere five ounces of caviar sells for nearly $500?) Halfway up, we picked up the company chaplain I mentioned in my last post.
Although it was warm when we left the house, by the time we had arrived at the camps, I had very fond thoughts for the wool cape I had brought. (This saw constant use that weekend.) The air was rather snappy, and the sweaters were soon pulled out from their dark recesses. We set up our two tents, and then the boys departed to help the rest of the company set up the authentic camps.
Below, the littlest member of our family munches a tasty apple under the broad brim of his “floppy hat.”
Because this event is organized and hosted by our own military company, every one was expected to have a hand in things. At the company meeting that night, duties were discussed and delegated. We children volunteered to help at the General Store where they planned to sell goober peas (peanuts) and cold drinks. We went to our chilly beds with great anticipation for the morrow.
After a quick breakfast, eaten as we stood shivering round the fire, we dressed in our costumes and departed for the sutlers. We had a great deal of help at the General Store, (fondly dubbed the Civil War Dollar Store), so that I really had nothing to do but talk with the commander’s sister. We discussed everything from home-remodeling, to power tools, to learning to drive, to stitchery! While we talked, I watched her hand-quilt a lovely piece from her husband’s great-grandmother.
After about an hour, the three of us girls left for the Ladies’ Tea. There, we enjoyed peach cider, cookies, and an informative talk on Civil War hairstyles, hats, and bonnets.
We returned to our camp just in time for lunch. Then we returned to the General Store, where I found great entertainment in watching the young children call out for passers-by to buy their wares. By the late afternoon, they had their speeches perfected and dealt with their customers with professional skill and pride! As the soldiers began to assemble on the battlefield, we hurried to our chairs to watch the first battle of the weekend. Unfortunately, the battle was fought so far from where we were seated, that we weren’t able to enjoy it much; we eventually stopped trying to watch! We all made a mental note to move our chairs farther up the spectator line for the morrow.
After the battle, my two sisters went to the post office and wrote their dear soldier letters for the mail-call next morning. These were greatly appreciated!
Once the grounds were closed to the public, all of my brothers and their friends hauled our tennis-ball cannon out to the empty battlefield. They spent a delightful hour testing the abilities of the cannon and giving grateful smiles to the appreciative audience. The weather was very cool, and the air was simply drenched with golden sunlight. The sun promised a beautiful exit.
We then meandered back to the camper to warm up the four-alarm chili for the company supper. Soon, tables, chairs, and savory dishes were gathered round. The highlights included one officer’s famous home-made sausage.
After the blessing and a hearty supper, one sister, my mother, and I enjoyed fellowship with an older lady. This dear woman is a children’s storyteller, and she told us about that and also shared little tidbits from her childhood. She was the kind of lady you would like to be at her age: so cheerful, gentle, lovely, and ladylike! She simply radiated joy and contentment.
Soon, everyone departed to the camps to dress for the ball, and the boys went to help set up the dance hall. My youngest sister left with a friend, but the rest of us stayed to visit with Chaplain Roger and his wife (of Battleline Ministries). As always, we enjoyed his company and were encouraged by our conversation. The children, too, had great fun with him, since he is much given to humor!
It was a late night, but we went to bed: satisfied, happy - and very, very cold.
The next morning, Sunday, was so cold, that I could barely move my joints. Somehow I did manage to dress and make breakfast - which, of course, included tea and hot chocolate.
After eating and dressing, we departed for Chaplain Roger’s tent. There, under a cathedral ceiling of sapphire, we listened to the preaching of God’s Word from John 9:1-9, 36-41, and worshipped the LORD in prayer and the singing of hymns.
We again went to the help man the General Store, but busyness in our own camp compelled me to be there most of the time. When the soldiers again assembled on the field for the battle, we scurried for our chairs and watched an exciting battle. This time, we were much closer to the action, and were able to see everything that happened. (Including Papa’s tragic death!)
Almost right after the gun salute and a memorial for a past reenactor, the sutlers and reenactors began to break down the tents and leave for home. Since our drive was too long, we decided to stay another night and to leave the next morning. While the girls tidied the camper and surrounding area, the boys spent a great deal of time helping to disassemble the camps and sutlers. Again, we had a very late but very welcome supper around the fire. Except for a couple from our company, we had the entire place to ourselves (unless you count the cows and pigs).
The next morning, an officer dropped by to begin last-day clean-up and to bring us a copy of the local newspaper where - lo and behold - Papa’s picture could be seen on the front page!
After some pleasant banter, we said goodbye to him and to the others, and began the long trek home. This was alleviated by the bountiful contents of a bag given us by the chaplain’s wife, and by the reading aloud of Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.”
At Okeechobee we prayed with the chaplain before seeing him on his way. We regretted having to part with him, and we ask that you all pray for his continued safety, as well as for his wife and children.
We arrived at home late in the afternoon, and quickly unpacked the camper. Needless to say, we had lots of laundry to wash, dry, fold, and put away! This trip has been both wonderful and trying, but we thank God for the opportunity we have as a family to remember the efforts and battles of our forefathers.
Veteran’s Day is quickly approaching, and I hope that you all have taken the time to thank God for the men who have fought for our freedom, and for those that continue to do so today.
All of the photographs were taken by my sister, and I thank her for allowing me to post them here at Cabbages and Kings.
Photographs: All untitled. © A Still Small Voice, November 2007.
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KAYLA H said...
What an interesting account of your trip! That is neat that your dad made it on the front page of the local newspaper. Where is he in the picture? I would guess right in the middle!
Saturday, November 10, 2007 12:22 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
You would guess correctly! I am glad that you enjoyed my little account. Thank you for commenting.
Thursday, November 15, 2007 07:26 AM
Friday, November 9, 2007