1850's Homeplace

The composition below may or may have actually occurred. The composition is an original by Tonya R. Laster and written only from stories she has heard. Please enjoy them, but do not use them as fact. The pictures inserted in the composition were photographed at the 1850's Homeplace on March 14, 1998 by Tonya R. Laster. I encourage you to use the pictures in any way, all I ask is that you give me credit for them. To see the full-size version of the pictures, click on the actual picture.
  
 
 
 
 
 The year is 1860. The Confederate Volunteer Batallion has just marched into Stewart County, TN to recruit some of the local farm boys to fight in the war against the north. One of the families of Stewart County willingly volunteer their home as a post for the officers to conduct their meetings and recruiting. The army puts a man on guard by the front door, so that the house will be safe for the family during the time the batallion borrows  it. The soldiers set up camp in the farmer's field, bringing along their A-frame tents (if they were lucky enough to have one) or they set up a fly tent to sleep under, so the dew wouldn't get on them the next morning. There are a few men who bring some cookware pieces, such as stew pots and coffee pots and the rest of the men bring along their own plates and cups. A meal at breakfast mainly consists of some form of bread, eggs and meat (if they were available). Other meals are mainly vegetables of some sort, or beans and cornbread. 

Most of the farm boys are very anxious to go fight for the south. 
 Both men of an older age and young boys try to join up, but they must first pass the doctor's inspection before they can register. The physical the doctor conducts on each man consists only of the doctor asking the man's age and questioning him only if he doesn't look to be of the right age. A boy must be 16 (or back then, at least look 16) to volunteer to be a soldier. After the age verification, the doctor asks questions regarding the man's health, looks at his teeth, asks about previous work, and asks if he was sure he knew what he was getting into. The man then goes to register his name, age and other various facts. The registrar is also responsible for paying the men, if there were funds to pay them. 

After registering, the men who are accepted (which most are not denied) go with the First Sergeant for the initial training of the new recruits. The training is very basic, but the men prove to be a little difficult in the training, not really accustomed to being so formal in their actions. Since the men are so new to this, they are given tobacco sticks instead of guns to learn the drills. Another practice of the training is to teach the new recruits how to march. Many of the men do not know the difference between their right and left foot, so the seargents tie straw to one of their shoes and use that to teach them the steps. After a short training, the men are entrusted with their own guns and equipment and then sent out to join the other men in the batallion. 

Punishments for petty crimes are taken seriously. Soldiers causing problems because of intoxication are made to wear a barrel and guarded by other soldiers. Soldiers caught stealing are made to wear a sign describing that they are a thief. Both punished men must go around to all the civilians, apologizing for their wrong-doings and give an explanation, if there is one. Most are punished for at least an hour or more, if the crime fits. 
  
The 1850's Homplace is located in the Tennessee part of Land Between the Lakes, also known as Land Between the Rivers in the 1850's. All opinions, stories and ideas expressed on this page are the property of Tonya R. Laster and not that of the Tennessee Valley Authority, Land Between the Lakes or the 1850's Homeplace. Please visit their sites for more information.
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