The kids and I have really enjoyed reading Across Five Aprils. I admit that it was a bit difficult to really get into at first (for me) but by the time we’d read to the 5th chapter, we couldn’t bear to put the book down. Now our heart breaks with each new trial that the family faces and since I don’t want to give away the plot in case you’ve not read it, let’s just say that it’s really opened our eyes to what it would have been like to live during those turbulent years.
Last week, while visiting the Houston Memorial Museum and Library, I borrowed a book that I thought would enhance our study called It Happened in the Civil War by Michael R. Bradley. Wow! What a neat book! My boys were hooked with the first chapter when I explained to them how there was actually a niter shortage during the Civil War. Niter is a necessary component to creating gunpowder, at least at that time it was. When the South could no longer access it, they created niter beds. A niter bed was set up similar to a trough with a bare soil bottom. The ‘trough’ would be filled with a mixture of limestone, wood ashes and old mortar that was kept wet with urine. After soaking for several months, the mixture would be leached and boiled down. The result would be pure niter crystals. In order to collect enough urine, the nearby residents would empty the liquid from their chamber pots into the niter beds. Sounds gross, but this method produced nearly 4 million pounds of niter for the Confederacy during the Civil War.
We also heard stories from some of the locals in Athens concerning the Civil War. It was interesting to know that the Yankee Armies were sent to destroy the buildings at Athens State University, which at that time, was a girl’s school. While in Founders Hall, the head mistress produced a letter which the soldier read, saluted her and instead of burning the building, turned and stood guard to protect it. Locals speculated for years that the college was part of the Underground Railroad, but it’s not ever been proven.
We read about what some call the Rape of Athens. The Union Army, under the command of Colonel Ivan Turchin, sacked and plundered the city of Athens. The historical marker at the courthouse tells of the atrocities of war; much of the town was looted and plundered before being destroyed. Many of the churches were even used as stables for the horses and the pews used as firewood. It wasn’t hard to imagine that though it has been well over 100 years have passed; some may continue to feel a bit of hostility towards the North.
On a lighter note, we enjoyed driving on part of the Antebellum Trail and looking at the majestic and grand homes reminiscent of the Gone with the Wind era.
So far, a highlight of our study was when a friend allowed us to borrow some of their Civil War battlefield relics to enhance our unit. Inside the small case she handed me, we were amazed to discover two bullets, one from a white and one from a black regiment, an officer’s bullet, a button and eerily, a bullet that had a bone impression after impact. My daughter was fascinated and amazed that she was really allowed to touch the artifacts from another century. My kids each expressed interest in one day finding their own collectibles.
Next week we plan to dig a little deeper by visiting more of the local historical sites. Hopefully I’ll be able to get our pictures developed and share some of them with you. Until then…Happy Homeschooling!
© 2009 Tonya Prater/Live the Adventure