by Barbara Best
Ah yes, finally the most distinctive undergarment in a real Scarlet O’Hara kind of way — the hoop or cage. “This is the defining piece of all 1860s fashion. Every lady must have one,” Sophie says as she slips the hoop over Jane’s head and rests the drawstring waistband on the corset. “This does a fabulous job of holding up the heavy weight of all our clothing. There are different kinds of hoops. I have a couple.” The one Sophie loans Jane has horizontal rings that are suspended on vertical tapes. It really does resemble a cage. “Okay now, step back and let me have a look at you.”
Sophie inspects her new student of living history with careful scrutiny. “I think we’re ready for your dress and to do something with that unruly red mane of yours. I have some great ideas for your hair.”
The dress Jane slips on with a little help from her friend has two matching pieces, a bodice and skirt, which is stitched together and finished with hook and eye in an opening at the waist. The dark blue checked bodice is lined, has narrow piping detail, a number of tiny fabric-covered buttons down the front and curved sleeves that follow the bend of the arm and are gathered at the wrist. The skirt is pleated and has taken many yards of fabric to make. It is trimmed with a burgundy band near the bottom. Add to this a delicate white collar to be fastened at the base of her neck with a pin, a pair of matching under-sleeves and . . .
“Voila! La femme parfaite. You really are quite the perfect lady, Jane.” Sophie claps her hands in delight. Newbies are so much fun!
Both girls gaze at Jane’s remarkable transformation in the full-length mirror at one corner of the room. Sophie is proud of her effort to ensure Jane has the proper start. And she is anxious to find out what her lady friends will think.
Jane spins around in a circle, loving the feel of her full skirt and tiny bound waist. Her hands rest lightly on the layers of fabric over her hoop. “This is amazing. I had no idea.” Jane takes the pretty black cockade fan with mother of pearl handles offered by Sophie and gently flips it open.
Around Jane is all the evidence of a room overflowing with Sophie’s Civil War period things. When Jane comments on the impressive mix of antiques and replicas, Sophie adds with satisfaction, “This is my room and each object has a special place and a special meaning. I guess you could say we are all-in when it comes to the hobby. Ben has his own room where he keeps his things too. Honestly, I think he has more stuff than I do,” she smiles.
Even as a novice to this new experience, Jane is astounded by the amount of time and effort reenactors devote to their appearance and their things. And to think in just a few hours, she will be joining seasoned reenactors, who love history and their hobby, for her first Civil War experience at Fort Clinch.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Well, without hesitation the hobby has Jane, as her dad would say, hook, line and sinker.
The men and women reenactors, who routinely occupy Fort Clinch on a number of weekends during the year, are an agreeable bunch. The women enjoy a Ladies’ Retreat filled with period activities. It is the perfect forum to share ideas and learn about proper protocol, dressmaking, antique jewelry, headwear and hairstyles of the period. During the day, delighted tourists roam the fort freely, observing the reenactors in the historic setting. They scramble from place to place snapping pictures, asking questions, watching and commenting, as if they too are trying to capture a moment in time.
The reenactors dress, eat and sleep period. The weekend is like being in a time capsule and blissfully out of touch with reality. Jane feels like she is in a completely different world. It seems real, but of course it’s not. When she shares these feelings with Ben, who is picture perfect in his Union dark blue sack coat and blue wool trousers, he simply nods, “There are stories . . .
“It happens sometimes when you are camped out in a field among rifle stacks and rows of white canvas on a starry night. Or perhaps, like here, when lanterns light brick archways and sleeping cannons. When soldiers are gathered to reflect on the day’s drills, or while you are listening to a fifer’s tune that echoes in the silence. We all know about it. It is a distinct and powerful feeling that washes over you. It comes from out of nowhere. Ever so brief and defying all reason, you are unmistakably overcome by the sensation you are actually there. You know, in that time. Somehow, the unreal becomes very real.”
Jane is enthralled. Where in the world is this coming from? She realizes her mouth is hanging wide open and abruptly clamps it shut.
Ben leans against a massive pillar under the veranda and casually reaches into a pocket for his timepiece, “It’s a form of déjà vu reenactors talk about. It’s a feeling that an event you are experiencing has somehow been experienced before. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s something powerful you will never forget.”
Jane hears a faint snap as Ben closes the casing of his watch. With a sizeable grin, and tip of his hat, he sets out across the parade ground towards the old infirmary. Jane is left with his tale and vivid delivery to think about. Fact or fiction, it’s hard to tell. Reenactors are amazing people, for sure.
On her last night at Fort Clinch Jane is thoroughly entertained by some of the celebratory pastimes of the era. It is her first Virginia reel and her first curtsey in her lovely hoop skirt that sways to and fro with the tempo of popular music played during the war. It is also her first experience with gentlemen in evening attire and dress uniforms that bow and offer their gloved hand for the next dance.
Jane feels safe among these people. She feels one with this community of reenactors, who love history as much as she does and treat her with the utmost courtesy and kindness.
On their ride home, Sophie, Ben and Jane talk non-stop about their weekend, reliving the great time they had. Finally Sophie breaks in, “What do you think about doing another Civil War event with us?”
“I thought you’d never ask!” Jane accepts the invitation wholeheartedly and without reservation.
CHAPTER NINE
There is much to do. Jane’s life is filled with two things — her job and preparations for the next Civil War event. Her friend had graciously loaned her just about everything for her visit to Fort Clinch. For her next event Jane is bound and determined to make her own way in the hobby.
The first thing she will need to do is make a dress. Jane actually learned to sew from hanging around her dad’s shop. The guys were experts at upholstery. Creating custom seats, back rests and other accessories for motorcycles. Once a month Ms. Bell set up her sewing machine in a small room at the front of the shop to sew patches on motorcycle vests, jackets, shirts and other pieces of clothing. She had lost her husband a few years back and badly needed the extra money. The dear patient lady, bent over from osteoporosis and with arthritic hands, was always happy for Jane’s company. She taught her the basics and how to use her sewing machine.
With a borrowed pattern and machine, plus the help and encouragement of Sophie, Jane is able to create her own very respectable lady’s impression. Ten yards of a lovely cotton plaid in green and pink, with criss-crossed vertical and horizontal bands in a black and cream pattern, is carefully cut and pinned for a day dress with bishop sleeves. The color of the material reminds Jane of the colors in the tiny bit of silk fabric hidden in the compartment of her antique jewelry box. Her dad would say it reminds him of the tartans worn by their ancestors, the Petersons from the Highlands of Scotland.
Carefully pieced together, lined and finished with tiny piping, buttons and tassels, Jane sees her historical recreation come to fruition in all its glory. Keeping Sophie’s comment in mind, “nothing ruins a well thought out dress more than a farby piece,” Jane’s underpinnings and bonnet will have to be bought somewhere. If she can scrounge up enough money, she also hopes to spring for a sturdy pair of black lace-up boots.
Many of these items can be purchased from seamstresses and clothiers in the hobby, who serve the needs of the Civil War reenacting community. There are hundreds of Civil War sutlers that not only travel with the events, but they
also do a lucrative business online. Sophie helps Jane settle on one or two that have good reputations and satisfied lady customers.
“They supply just about anything you would need, Civil War period, for a price.” Some of the sutlers, Sophie tells Jane, are more popular than others for their wealth of experience and because they pride themselves on the authenticity and complexity of their wares. Reenactors mix well-made reproductions with original pieces for their hobby.
Jane already possesses one antique that should certainly enhance her lady’s impression. Her period jewelry box is ideal and useful in keeping the pieces of jewelry she hopes to collect for her lady's impression. The jewelry box will definitely go with her to the next event at a place called, Fort Pulaski on Cockspur Island.
CHAPTER TEN
The fort on Cockspur Island that sits fifteen miles east of the city has been off Jane’s radar until now. As a new resident of Savannah her focus has been on the inimitable history and architecture of Savannah, Georgia itself. A few times she and her dad had tried to go see it, but ended up doing something else. Now, with plans to do a reenactment at Fort Pulaski, Jane is eager to start a general search for material on the topic and get Sophie to fill her in on what she knows.
Fort Pulaski and its role during the Civil War are certainly well documented, yet its story began long before that.
Jane learns the first Europeans to settle the Georgia coastline were the Spanish. Both explorers and missionaries, through much adversity, were able to establish a mission approximately thirty miles from where Fort Pulaski now stands. Their fragile existence suffered many setbacks and numerous raids by Native Americans.
The English began arriving in force during the early 1600s. Reverend John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, and his fellow colonists landed on Cockspur Island in 1736, where it is said he conducted his first sermon. His monument stands today in the center of Savannah's historic Reynold's Square.
For another twenty years Cockspur Island would go relatively unnoticed until a man named Jonathan Bryan requested the land and King George II of England granted him ownership. The Crown set aside 20 acres for public use. This would become the site of three forts.
Fort George on Cockspur Island, primitive and constructed of wood was in ruins by 1774. Around this time slavery had become a thriving industry and there is some information about African slaves being quarantined in the area. The island also became a temporary haven for English Loyalists fleeing from Savannah in the American Revolution.
Under orders from President George Washington, a new fort, Fort Greene, would be erected on the former site of Fort George. A hurricane took Fort Greene and its garrison in 1804.
As a need for stronger defenses along the coast grew during the War of 1812, a decision was made by the government to lay plans for a new fortification on Cockspur Island. It would be named, Fort Pulaski. Construction of the third and final fort began in 1829. This is the very fort Jane and her fellow reenactors will spend the weekend.
When the building of Fort Pulaski began, a military officer named Major Samuel Babcock was assigned to oversee the project. Later, he would be replaced by a more familiar name, recent West Point graduate Robert Edward Lee. During 1831, Lieutenant Joseph Mansfield took final control and would see Fort Pulaski through to completion in 1845. Sixteen years before it is to leave an indelible mark in history and suffer the mighty throes of a great Civil War.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Sophie is impressed with the speed in which her friend has pulled her impression together. “I’ve created a monster!” she cheerfully exclaims as she and Jane make a be-line for the craft store and the last stop of their shopping trip. She remembers how excited both she and Ben had been when they took up the hobby and attended their first event as a couple. For both of them the hobby was instant like. Even though Sophie hoped she was right in predicting Jane’s reaction, not everyone takes to it this easily.
“I never do anything halfway,” Jane picks up a package of larger beads off the shelf. Both girls thought it would be fun to make necklaces and matching earrings like some of the period jewelry they had recently seen online and in some of the antique stores in town. “I think these might work. They are large enough and the color is right. The hole in the middle may be big enough for a narrow piece of pink organza ribbon to string them and tie at the back of my neck. What do you think?” Jane shows the beads to Sophie.
“That’ll look real pretty with your new dress.” Sophie gives Jane a sideways glance, “Ben tells me a couple of the guys have asked about you. They want to know if you are unattached.”
“Ugh, thanks but no thanks. I’ve just been through the whole girl-guy relationship thing.” The disappointment Jane left behind in Vidalia is still fresh. What a waste. She hasn’t even heard from the guy since their break up. “I don’t know what’s up with men these days. They are always thinking about themselves. And manners! That’s totally out the window.” She would rather stick with just having friends. Jane thinks of Bryce and how much she misses him.
“Don’t be so cynical, girlfriend!” Sophie chortles. “It’s not always like Judge Judy where every guy is unemployed, trying to get you to co-sign on a loan . . . or get laid.” She frowns, “So he made a dent in your armor. Just consider it a learning experience. Not all men are losers, you know.”
Just the other day Ben brought home news Kyle was hinting around about Jane. Ben’s friend is a perfect contender. He has been on the market for a while and doesn’t have any excess baggage. One serious relationship they know of, which ended over a year ago. But never married, no kids. Sophie proposes, “One of the guys is a ranger at Fort McAllister, not far from here. Kyle’s super nice. Good looking, great personality. We both like him a lot and think you will too.” Sophie and Ben actually made a bet on how fast the two would hit it off. Dinner and drinks at a favorite restaurant will go to the victor. Winner’s pick, spare no expense.
After getting the cold shrug from Jane, Sophie knows better than to push, so she swiftly changes the subject, “Anyway, we are all happy you’re coming. The ladies really like you, Jane,” she beams, “and there’s something to say for that. Not everyone fits in so nicely.” They have all enjoyed the fresh energy and enthusiasm Jane has brought to the hobby. Most reenactors remember their first event and the excitement they felt, like it was yesterday.
Sophie is sure Jane will make a great addition to her ladies’ group. They call themselves The Northeastern Sewing Society. Two nights ago they had a phone poll. The vote was unanimous to make Jane a member. They plan to make it official when they all gather at Fort Pulaski in just a few days. Sophie couldn’t be happier for her friend. “Let’s get our stuff and head home. I promised to help you finish your dress, remember?”
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Be still now” Sophie fusses as she pokes the last three straight pins into the deep hem. “There! Done deal. That’s a lot of material. Are you sure you’ll finish all this by Friday?”
“Of course,” Jane folds the dress over a large wooden hanger being careful not to get pricked or undo Sophie’s handiwork. “I might even try to make that necklace. One more thing to add to my impression.” Jane shows Sophie some of the things she’s gathered up. She has a small leather trunk, a quilt and area rug, an ornate brass candlestick holder and oil lamp with the original glass still intact. Plus, of course, her treasured jewelry box.
“You’re such a fanatic, Jane Peterson. But I love it!” Sophie gives her friend a warm hug. “I have a surprise for you.” Jane’s birthday isn’t until Saturday, but she is much too excited to wait.
“This is an early birthday . . . hope you don’t mind.” Sophie pulls a small box from her purse and holds it out to her friend. “I got you a chatelaine. Sort of a glorified key chain that carries what a lady might have used when going about her daily activities. You hang things on the tiny clips at the end of each chain. See? There are six places to fill.”
Jane lifts the lid, “Oh Sophi
e, this is too perfect!”
Sophie holds the decorative piece to Jane’s waist, “The mistress of a household would pin it right here on the waistband of her dress. It’s the best place where it can support the most weight.”
Jane knows a bit more about chatelaines, but doesn’t want to interrupt.
Sophie continues, “You attach things that might come in handy. I added small scissors and this cute little sewing case on these two links. You can add other stuff. I thought about your secret key when I bought it.” She smiles brightly, “So, you’re sure you like it?”
Jane laughs, “Are you serious? I love it! Thank you so much, Sophie. I can’t wait to wear it.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The reenactors begin arriving at Fort Pulaski on Friday evening to get everything set up for the weekend. The ladies are given access to the Colonel’s Quarters at one end of the fort. The men will be lodged in barracks at the opposite end. The rooms are at the backside of the fort, called the gorge.
Everyone is committed to the purpose of the event and respectful of the historic setting they are privileged to be a part of. Working together, the reenactors make themselves at home with what comforts there were in the 1860s and enjoy the things they brought with them for their impression.
There’s always wood for a warm fire. This fort has a number of working fireplaces and rooms with some furnishings. Tables and chairs, washstands, trunks, desks, lanterns, and a number of primitive, wooden beds with lumpy straw mattresses can be used. Soon everyone is dressed in their period clothing. It is a remarkable transformation that will make you begin to wonder, which century are you really in.
