The research never ends. You can never learn everything, every aspect of the era.
There are many facts, dates, and figures that are important to the Civil War student, including me. But my research centers on the effect the war had on the ordinary citizen. How they reacted. What they lost, and what they did about the loses. The women of the era especially were put under special strain. But more about them later.
Much of my research comes from books. I have stacks of books, but a lot comes from the Internet too. In future posts I’ll give more details on some of the things I’ve learned.
I’ve been asked on several occasions to do talks. I’ve done a talk on Civil War Woman (how they coped, and how they served as spies, soldiers, nurses, etc), the Harrisburg city during the Civil War (especially mid 1863), and I’ve researched religion and the effects it had on the armies, but had to postpone that particular talk.
Even when I’m writing a novel its important that certain aspects be researched in detail. Many things I think are a “given”, but I find that they are not. For instance, bicycles. In the mid-1800’s they didn’t have peddles, nor chains, they were propelled by the rider pushing with both feet and “gliding” on the rough roads. And that’s just one item. Clothing; how they were made, where they were bought: medicine; how it was administered, where it was obtained and how: farming; how it was carried on with the men left: slavery and slaves: did they plan to revolt as was feared in the south. Yes there are many questions.
Terms and words cannot be taken for granted. I have a very thick book on the English language through the ages. Which lists in very small print every word, term, and phrase I’ve checked, telling me when and how that term was used. It’s been a great resource.
I hope that the research I do is reflected in my talks and writing.
Tags: civil war, civil war armies, Harrisburg PA, medicine, period clothing, religion, research, soldiers, spies, women
