This Weekend in Fairfield

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Here's a great opportunity to grab the kids and plan on having a day filled with lots of scenes from a past era. In addition to reenactments (including the cavalry-(yes, horses!) there will be lots of food, music and wine tasting for those with more sophisticated aspirations. In a nutshell, there's something for everyone. Most events are free, however, the ones with dollar signs next to them do have a cost.

Saturday, May 5th
9:30am-5pm: Living History Village open to the Public (Steelman Street)
9am: Meet the Union Generals as they plan the battle (108 West Main Street)
10am-11:30am Special Presentation by Tim Smith (Adams County author and historian) (108 West Main Street)
11am, 12pm,1pm-Civil War Era House Tours$
11am-3:00pm- "Lunch with Mrs. Lee" Quartermaster's Luncheon (Historic Fairfield Inn, 15 West Main Street)$
12Noon- A Taste of History, Wine and Dine-(Historic Fairfield Inn, 15 West Main Street) $
12Noon: Insight into the Civil War Spy Organizations (108 West Main Street)
1pm: A Moment with General Longstreet (108 West Main Street)
3pm: Meet the Southern Generals and their staff (108 West Main Street)
4pm: Insightful conversations with General and Mrs. Lee (108 West Main Street)
2pm REENACTMENT BATTLE:"Conferderates Attempt a Rear Guard Movement" (Landis Farm, N. Miller Street)
7pm-9pm Bonfire with Music and Songs at the Fairfield Inn with Ken Courtney (Historic Fairfield Inn, 15 West Main Street.)

Sunday, May 6th
8:30am Living History Village-Free and Open to the Public -(Civil War Encampment, Steelman Street)
9-4pm Living History Village (108 West Main Street)
9am Period Church Service in the Town Hall (108 West Main Street)
10am-Ladies Relief Society Speaks of the Courageous Efforts During the War-(108 West Main Street)
11am-3:00pm- Culinary Concert with Cormorant's Fancy, Quartermaster's Luncheon (Historic Fairfield Inn, 15 West Main Street)$
2pm REENACTMENT BATTLE: “The Union Cavalry Protects the Gap” (Landis Farm, N. Miller Street)
3pm Meet the Union and Confederate Generals for a Q & A (108 West Main Street)
4pm Closing Ceremony, Roll of Honor and Taps at (The Historic Fairfield Inn) $-Cost

Thank You, Facebook! I Would Never Have Known About This Otherwise....

Yet another reason why I love bringing up my children in this town. We will definitely be attending this-I can't wait!!!!


Next Wednesday September 22 - Battlefields and Beyond Book Shoppe - 777 Baltimore St. - 6:00pm Our group will be taking a walking tour of the Gettysburg National Cemetery. Park Ranger Bert Barnett will present some of his extensive research on the poetry written by Civil War soldiers buried there as well as other poetic elements of this historic venue. All are welcome, it is a free program.

The Meaning of Vivanieres & the Roles of Women in the Civil War

In my constant efforts to research Gettysburg, I have uncovered more facts that I find pretty amazing. There are so many unsung heroes from that famous battle that deserve a closer look. Today I honor viviandieres and some of those other women who played important roles during that significant time.


Vivandières have an interesting role in the American Civil War. These brave women traveled with soldiers as mascots or nurses; there are even cases where they fought alongside their male counterparts. A vivandières could provide creature comforts to the soldiers. The term "Vivandière", is derived from a mixture of French and Latin, which literally means "hospitality giver." Many Vivandières carried a trademark cask, either round or oval, often filled with brandy.

A Vivandière uniform

Women Soldiers in Gettysburg


The above photographs are of Frances Clalin. Frances Clalin known by her married name of Frances Clayton, was a woman who disguised herself as a man named Jack Williams in order to fight for Union forces during the American Civil War. She served in the Missouri artillery and cavalry units for several months. Frances Clalin and her husband Elmer Clayton were both born and raised in the north.

Pickett's Charge

Two Confederate female casualties (one dead, one seriously wounded) were discovered after the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2-3, 1863. As confirmed in the Army Official Records of the war, the body of an unidentified female Confederate soldier was discovered by a burial detail near the stone wall at the angle on Cemetery Ridge. She had been a participant in Pickett's famous charge.

An author reporting on Pickett's charge at Gettysburg noted, "The fact that her body was found in such an advanced spot is testimony to her bravery. However, except for an unverified story that the woman had enlisted in a Virginia regiment with her husband and was killed carrying the colors during the charge, Hays' notation [in the Official Records] is the extent of acknowledgment she received for having given her life for her country."[xxvii]

Another female Confederate casualty at Gettysburg was reported after the battle by a wounded Union soldier from Michigan, while in hospital at Chester, Pennsylvania. He wrote a letter home saying that there was a female Confederate soldier in hospital with them who had been wounded severely and lost a leg at Gettysburg. He thought this was "romantic" and felt sympathy for her.

Why would women have disguised themselves to become soldiers? Most likely it was financially driven for most of them. It was a different world then. If your husband, father, brother or whoever was supporting you went off to war, there were no food stamps, no welfare, and women were not educated to support themselves. So they joined the Army to be paid and fed. Some joined for love because they decided to go with their husband or boyfriend. And we know some of them went just for the adventure of it.