The A-frame tent drying on the lawn. The fluffy white piles of petticoats and chemises waiting to be washed. The soft scent of wood smoke that still faintly lingers in my room. All are reminders of another great reenactment that has come and gone. I had such an awesome time that in a way it’s almost sad to come back, but it is also wonderful to be home again.
This event was for the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Chancellorsville held in Spotsylvania, Virginia. I had a great time visiting the original battlefields, hanging out at camp, and meeting new people. The awesome part was, I was able to do it all with my little sister Addison and my Civil War sister, Emily!
Contrary to popular belief it is possible to fit three girls and all their accouterments in one tent 🙂 .
One of my favorite parts of the trip was definitely visiting the original battlegrounds with our personal tour guide, Mr. John (one of our guys). I learned so much about the Battle of Chancellorsville (which has been called Lee’s most brilliant victory) and was able to see the actual places where it happened at the same time! If you want to learn more about the battle yourself I highly recommend this website here. Since we were so close we were also fortunate enough to visit Spotsylvania Court House and the Wilderness as well.
Another highlight was hanging out with our group, known as “the Bucktails”, at camp and just listening to the guys’ stories.
And of course the ball was lovely! I’ve never been to one with such a large band, you could almost call it an orchestra! It was held outdoors, which was also unique. I danced until me feet ached with a very nice partner that I met there, so I was very happy!
Now, none of the pictures in this post are mine. Like the goose I am, I plugged our camera in to charge so it would be ready for the trip and promptly forgot about it. Thankfully Emily never forgets her camera and graciously allowed me to use some of her great shots. The condition was, that you all promise to go see the rest of the awesome pictures she took at Chancellorsville on her blog 🙂 .
Ok, so I did take at least one picture that has to do with this post… After the event I had to set the tent up on the lawn to dry at home, so we decided to have a picnic!
The Farming Daughter 
awww I love this post!! Thanks for letting me join you guys! I love that last picture! Miss you all!
Thanks Em! So glad you were able to join us! Thanks for letting me use some of your pics!
Love your photos.
I live in Spotsylvania (right off of Plank Road), two miles from the Chancellor Battlefield Visitor Center.
I didn’t know until the park ranger told me…..I live inside the Chancellor battlefield area..
I briefly wrote about that in my post “Civil War Graveyard Meditation.”
This weekend, the group that I sing with (the Rappahannock Chorale Society (RCS) will be doing a concert in remembrance of the Civil War and the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Chancellorsville.
All songs from the Civil War. If you are still in this area, you might like to come.
http://www.rvcwrt.org/rec.html
Thank you! The photos were actually taken by my friend Emily. I’m glad you like them!
That’s so neat that you live in the Chancellorsville battlefield area! Virginia is such a lovely state, and that particular part is packed with history!
Oh! I wish I was still in Chancellorsville to hear your chorus sing, but I’m back home on the farm now. I hope it goes well for you though!
Thanks for the wonderful “visit” to Chancellorsville. That last photo is certainly of a “rebellious” group, But the breakfast looks yummy! Keep up the good work. Many years ago, when my own children were young — boys about the ages of Marcus and Mason, our daughter about 10 — we lived in Fairfax County, Virginia. We visited all the battlefields, some several times. I recall a particularly moving trip through the Chancellorsville site, what remained of the Wilderness, and the critical Spotsylvania field. We had our own picnic lunch and ate at Spotsylvania. The vast field was empty. No one there but us. We spread our blankets in front of the Bloody Angle. A haunting experience…. Stories were told, and I hope, remembered….of Grant and the huge Army of the Potomac, relentlessly moving south by east — toward the end.
[…] the Potomac was once again making its annual push “on to Richmond”. The same ground of Chancellorsville stood to drink the fallen heroes’ blood. Robert E. Lee still waited, determined to beat back […]