Joined: Jul 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 226 Location: Evanston
An Introduction « Thread Started on Apr 2, 2006, 4:42pm »
Because good first person can help create the moment for spectators and reenactors alike, it is good to know it and how to do it. For this reason, at least Mark, Jason, and Myself have chosen names of soldier from Co. B, 36th IL. Sometimes it might seem corny, even using real names with fictitious jobs, lives, etc. but it can really help, I've seen it. But because we don't want to introduce eachother at events (most likely we would have already known eachother, for at least a few years or our whole lives), let me introduce myself, and give you some information:
My name is Charles E. Strong. You can call me Charlie, but I prefer Charles. I was born (January 18, 1845) and raised in Aurora, IL, in Kane County as part of a family of farmers (mostly consisting of wheat and corn, if we rotated crops). My parents never sought to give me an education outside of a little reading and writing as a child. My mother read, or at least what she could read of the Bible to me every night and I learned to teach myself other reading, classic literature and etc. No, I am not highly educated outside of reading (besides simple math and the names of plants, what they look like etc. [mostly dealing with farming], but I love to read, and I'll read most anything I can get my hands on. Those dime novels you can get from the sutler are horrible but it's something to read. Anyways, during the day I did farm work, including some carpentry, care of tools, care of some livestock, and other normal farm duties that any loving parent would give to their child (I do not believe I need to go into much detail). Besides working, I always enjoyed to talk about current events, politics, and history (mostly gained from what reading I could get in). Most of my chums were older, most notably a William L. Campbell, and a family friend, Peter Pelican, whom I joined with. Outside of reading and working, I did not work on sundays but went to church regularly and I took up a little pugilism (boxing). I did not have a sweetheart when I joined, only many girls giving me a kiss on the cheek for going off to war. There was always one girl I had my eye on (she and I grew up together - she gave me a pocket bible before I went off to Camp Hammond. For the record, you will never see me without that Bible in my knapsack or pocket, and it ahs been read regularly) and I will see if she is still well if I ever get a furlough. When the war started, I was only 16 but still wanting to join. My friends joined and my parents knew there was no stopping me at that point, knowing that it was my duty to end slavery and preserve our great Union. I lied about my age, having no sense of rythm and barely any musical ability, so that I might have my part in the war. I enlisted in late August, 1861, into Co. B of the 36th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. I write about one letter to my family every few weeks, and have received letters from other people in the town wanting to know my condition. The rest is history.
For impressions outside of the 36th, currently, it would be the same story, just change of location and name, or my real name.
Re: An Introduction « Reply #3 on Aug 17, 2009, 5:53pm »
I have the diary of Jerome C. B. Marlett from 1861-1862 "Kept while in the service of Company A Cavalry - Capt. Albert Jenks, 36 Regt. of Illinois, Vol., commanded by Col. Nicholas Grusel (Dec. 11, 1961)."
"December 11, 1861 - Camp Rollla, Missouri It has been a warm pleasant day. This morning we received orders to clean up our equipment. This afternoon the 36th Regt. marched to the camp of the 13th where we had a Ballattion drill. The 4th Iowa had two funerals today. One member of Co. C was buried this afternoon. We drew no hay for our horses today."
The diary goes until October 3, 1862 during a battle - believed he was either captured or killed. Any help in this?
Re: An Introduction « Reply #4 on Oct 16, 2009, 5:16pm »
More from diary:
December 13, 1861 "Providence still smiles upon us giving fine healthy weather. Our drill ceased this afternoon as Siegels Artilery wished to drill upon our ground. Col. Grusel was put under arrest today upon charges preferred by I. N. Breck, Ex. 2 M. of our Regt. and Lieut. Walker of Co. I also of the 36th."
December 14, 1861. "Nothing of importance occurred."
December 15, 1861. "There was no preaching today as Chaplain Sigan was put under arrest on account of charges preferred against him by Ed. L. M. J. M. Brick. Six pretty ladies were out to witness our dress parade this evening. They looked like the ladies in America."
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