The Battle At Narcoossee Mill
The Battle At Narcoossee Mill
Well, we’re home again - and are ever thankful for the gifts of ice and air-conditioning! It was a very hot event, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying everything to the fullest, I think I may say we all had a wonderful time!
I am once again indebted to my talented sister for the beautiful photographs illustrating this account. You may see more at her own website - here.
We left the house at about eight o’clock and drove for four hours to St. Cloud. The trip up was thankfully uneventful. We read, listened to music, looked out the windows, and even napped some. We were especially excited about this trip since we had invited family friends to participate with us. We were also planning on visiting with several e-mail acquaintances.
As soon as we arrived at the Narcoossee modern camp site, we began to set up our large “party” tent, the boy’s sleeping tent, and the “authentic” canvas tent that Grandma and Papa had been working on the week before. Since we were out in an athletic field, there was absolutely no shade. We all donned our hats, and congregated under the party tent to have lunch. The boys and most of the girls got “dressed.” In no time at all they were all out in the field playing, making new friends, and “catching up” with old ones.
We stopped by the authentic camp - where reenactors set up a camp representative of a military camp of the era. Canvas tents were pitched in the cool shade of live oaks draped in Spanish moss. The sun filtered through the leaves and campfire-smoke, giving it a greenish gloom that was a pleasant contrast to the glaring sun in the fields.
We really had nothing left to do, so we meandered through Sutler Row, enjoyed banter with friends, and had supper. After singing hymns and praying together, we went to bed filled with anticipation for the morrow.
The next morning we dressed in our old-time clothes and had a quick breakfast. The soldiers departed for the authentic camps while the rest of us stayed to clean-up and regroup. After watching colors and wandering through the Federal camp, we stopped by our company’s “place.” Most of the soldiers were drilling in the battle field, but one was able to show us around and talk a bit.
One of the very talented gentlemen in our company crafted a cheese-box guitar and a cigar-box fiddle. Here our young friend attempts a tune on the latter piece.
We soon departed for the ladies’ tea. After sipping iced tea and nibbling on little treats, a young lady who introduced herself as “Miss Reba” taught us to dance the Corner Reel. That was great fun and, despite quite a few stumbles, we did rather well, I thought.
In the early afternoon before the battle, Grandpa, Grandma, Cousin Loula-Mae, and friend Miss Barbara came to visit and attend the battle. We were very glad to have them, and enjoyed perusing the sutlers, sipping frosty root beers, and munching on kettle corn.
After an hour of music and jokes from the 97th Regimental String Band, the battle began. We had a local historian narrating throughout the battle, and we were glad of that. He had quite a bit of historical insight to share.
With the muskets and cannons keeping up a steady fire, the battle-field and spectators were soon enveloped in a thick cloud of smoke. I love the way gunpowder smells!
We also had great fun with the pyrotechnics. Now and then there would be a larger explosion, and the heat was so intense we could feel it from some distance.
Here is a good photograph of the brave and handsome soldier that is our Papa. He “ended” his life that day with a courageous suicide-charge over the breastworks.
The 4th Florida Company G raise their muskets for the final salute. Everyone in the crowd braces himself for the deafening volley of fire.
Cousin Loula-Mae had been up since seven in the morning making chicken and dumplings for us. We had them for supper and they were delicious! Everyone came over for the traditional company potluck, and we had fun socializing with friends.
Saturday ended with a “barn dance.” (Thankfully, they had lessons for an hour before!) The 97th Regimental String Band was there, of course. We had fun with the Grand March, Virginia Reel, the Corner Reel, the Circle of Friendship, the Patty-cake Polka, and a move called the Lady’s Chain. There were also several waltzes and polkas. We were all exhausted when we finally collapsed into our beds or sleeping bags at some unearthly hour.
Sunday promised to be an equally sultry day, and despite a brief sun-shower, was very dry and bright. After morning colors we grabbed our chairs and headed for Chaplain Roger’s tent. Beneath the cool shade of live oaks, we heard him preach repentance from God’s Word. Several individuals, and even an entire family, stepped up for the altar call and pledged their lives to Christ, After the service we all walked to the lake’s shore, where we witnessed five baptisms. Praise the Lord!
Papa decided not to participate in the Sunday battle and joined us on the bleachers. I was nearly blinded by the glare of the metal, and probably missed sixty percent of the action because I had to keep my eyes closed!
One of the Confederate soldiers was shot and fell dramatically into the pond. Everyone was very jealous; the heat and the glare was becoming unbearable! My hand-fan was a mere blur most of the time.
Once the battle was over we were very quick to dismantle the camp and start packing things away. We usually stay at the reenactment site until Monday, but this time we were planning to visit a family we knew about through e-mail. Were we ever thrilled to learn that they had spent the previous day picking fresh strawberries for strawberry shortcake!
Before we left, though, we met with two other Christian families Mama knew from her email list. While the fathers and sons talked about our green GMC, the mothers and daughters talked about homeschooling, children, and reenacting.
Although we were tired from the weekend’s work and play, we were sorry to leave. Reenacting is not only immensely educational, but it’s also lots of fun! We shared handshakes, waved, and yelled a chorus of “good-byes!”
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We rumbled - (I was going to say “wended,” but that is too gentle a word for our lumbering old GMC) - we rumbled down the road through the citrus groves. All of the trees were studded with silver stars and golden globes. The smell was delicious!
Everyone was excited about meeting this family of which we had heard so much. Everyone was standing and craning their necks when the house came into view. We could see children and dogs. “Look! There’s chickens!”
Gracious. That was the word echoing in my mind the entire time we were there. After introductions and some pleasant talk, we gathered together to sing the Doxology and ask the blessing on the food. We were then gently guided to the buffet table where sandwich fixings were generously spread. We heaped our plates shamelessly.
It was inspiring to see the multigenerational vision of this family. There were the grandparents in whose home we stayed. There were four children and their spouses. There were twenty-one grandchildren. Everyone helped the others; any direction was answered with “Yes ma’am” or “Yes, sir.” It was refreshing.
We were extremely comfortable. Everyone was very friendly and interested, and we girls enjoyed chatting with their girls. We found that we share many collective interests: photography, filming, writing, sewing, reenacting. I have to admit I was surprised at how much everyone knew about us - people really do read our websites! :) The little children played outside or drew pictures. I am not sure what the boys did but I caught a few snippets about reenacting, installing windows, and ATVs. Boys! :)
After a filling supper with the delicious (and much anticipated!)strawberry shortcake, Mrs. F. announced that her grandchildren would perform a small collection of bluegrass music for us. I had heard they played and had secretly hoped all along that they would. At one point they brought the younger ones in to sing, and one girl yodeled for us!
Unfortunately, I was too exhausted to stay up very much longer and I went out to the camper for some much-needed sleep. As I stepped outside I thanked God for allowing us to spend time with some of His children. It was a balmy Southern night filled with orange blossom perfume and cricket songs. Since we live near the city we rarely see many stars. It was breathtaking to see all that glittering in the heavens.
The next morning I woke to the insistent crowing of roosters and lowing of cows. After washing and dressing we went inside to find the morning meal already underway. We enjoyed a hearty country breakfast of “homegrown” sausage, scrambled fresh eggs, warm biscuits, muffins, strawberries, and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice,
The boys didn’t stay at the table long. After a brief attempt at chess, they rushed outside to play with the dogs and take turns driving the ATV, The latter activity was a little frightening to watch! :)
We were all sorry when it came time to leave. “Do we have to leave?” The little ones said it aloud, but I was thinking the same thing. After Mr. F. asked God’s blessing, we filed into the camper and waved until we turned a bend.
As we drove along the first hour, I thought back over everything: the hospitality, the generosity, the Christian joy and harmony of the Frodges and their kin. “That’s the way I want to be,” several of us expressed in different ways.
We came away not only refreshed, but with nearly a bushel of grape-fruit and fresh strawberries. We will be positively feasting these next few days!
I would encourage you to visit everyone’s blogs: the F. family, the Discher family, and the Stricklen family.
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On our way home I read, for the first time, Jean Lee Latham’s Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. Oh my! - how I love to find new favorites! I’d like to talk a little more about this wonderful book in a future post.
Meanwhile, all I have left to say is that we came home safe and weary. Fortunately, with everyone pitching in, we were able to get everything unpacked and done in only four hours. As I write this, the washing and drying machines are working steadily away. We’ll be doing laundry for a long time. :)
Photographs: Various. © A Still Small Voice, April 2008.
COMMENT ON THIS POST BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO THE HANDMAIDEN.
BONNIE said...
What a wonderfully descriptive post about your last weekend! And how nice of you to include our family. It was truly our privilege to host you all (pronounced “y’all”!) and get acquainted. The Lord has a wonderful way of bringing His children across each other’s paths, doesn’t He!
We hope to see you again soon (now that our son and his family have moved down your way!) and look forward to more sweet fellowship. Please tell your family hello for us. God bless you, dear one.
“Mrs. F”
Saturday, April 5, 2008 07:30 PM
GUITARWIFE97 said...
Your blog is wonderful! I have enjoyed exploring the site these last couple nights. I’ll have to stop over at your sister’s, too. Her pictures are very good. What fun the reenactment looks like! It sounds like you all had an incredible weekend. Thanks for sharing
Peace,
Patsy George
Saturday, April 5, 2008 10:30 PM
HILDEGARD said...
Thank you for sharing your detailed account of the re-r=enactment. My high school (I went to a smallish private school) Civil War teacher was active in reenactments and flew a Confederate flag from his home in Washington state, I’ve always wanted to see what it’s like for myself, and your descriptions bring it to life for me in a new way.
Monday, April 7, 2008 12:39 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
Mrs. F, thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I feel that I wasn’t able to do justice in my post to your wonderful Christian hospitality! Thank you again for all that you and your family did for us. I do look forward to continuing our friendship. We’d love to have you over sometime!
Mrs. George, I am so glad that you have enjoyed my blog. Thank you for visiting! Yes, do stop by my sister’s “place.” She’’l be glad to know you’ve been. I’ll be sure to pass along your compliments.
Monday, April 7, 2008 01:24 PM
MRS. P said...
Hello. I just found your blog the other day, and it makes me happy and hopeful about the future of the world! I mean, if we can just raise enough fine girls like you, we really do have a hopeful future. :-) Everything here is lovely.
I was able to meet Mrs. F and her family, and hear her grandchildren play in Jamestown this past summer. it was indeed a privilege.
Keep up the good work here. It is so encouraging for us mothers to see children turning out really well.
Blessings!
Monday, April 7, 2008 02:13 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
It’s so good to have you again, Hildegard! I would encourage you to attend a reenactment if you possibly can; the real thing is even better. :-) I count it a privilege to have had my family join a company of people who are interested in preserving the true history of the War Between the States. I am glad you enjoyed my account. Thank you for commenting.
Mrs. P, I am grateful that the Lord has been able to use my writing as an encouragement to his children. This is one of my prayerful goals for Handmaidens of the Shepherd. Anything that you find here worthy of praise is Christ working through me—a sinful, struggling person. (How I wonder at that!) Remember that God alone is our ultimate hope, and in such a Hope we can rest joyfully and peacefully indeed. He will conquer!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 09:02 AM
SARAH said...
Hello!!! We had a grand time with y’all. I love meeting other like-minded families.
You have an absolutely beautiful style of writing! I am impressed. :-) The reenactment sounds fun! And it sounds like you met one of our acquaintances there, for the Miss Reba you met sounds surprisingly like a Miss Reba we know; she loves to teach other young ladies new period dances.
I will be visiting often!! —Sarah
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 10:40 AM
HANDMAIDEN said...
Hello, Sarah! it was so nice of you to comment.
What a coincidence! I am sure it is the same Miss Reba. Everyone seems to know her. :-) Do you by any chance attend her dance classes? She apparently hosts them quite often, and we are hoping to join her sometime.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 12:51 PM
SARAH said...
No, we have not gone to her dance classes. We just met her through a friend, and see her at most of the reenactments we attend. —Sarah
Thursday, April 10, 2008 01:20 PM
Friday, April 4, 2008