Sandie Pendleton

Stop Here! Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 1 Comment

Cemeteries. I think they are interesting places to explore, but I know that’s not everyone’s opinion. I’ve refrained from dragging you through all the wonderful old cemeteries on this virtual road trip until today.

The Presbyterian Cemetery – renamed Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery – in Lexington, Virginia, is a good one to visit. It has wonderful, old headstones to read, is well maintained, and doesn’t have the dark, gloomy feeling that sometimes hangs around old burial grounds even in the day. Let’s stop and take a look… Continue reading →

1862: “We Had No Christmas”

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 3 Comments

[Christmas Day was not even] a holiday, much less a Christmas. No, we had no Christmas, merely the 25th of December come and gone. No chimes of gladness at the recurring anniversary of the advent of the Prince of Peace – no outward recognition of the fact that anything was commemorated by the day – only incessant work of the army which brought in the regular routine of the day – a pause of only two hours with a better dinner than usual – a glance of surprise to see our table garnished with oysters & turkey – a hearty meal, a great joke & Christmas was gone, and we in camp watching the Yankees, and only anxious as to the duration of the war. Continue reading →

1862: “The People Are All Very Kind”

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 1 Comment

November 2, 1862

I am in most magnificent health, growing fatter every day. I went today with the Gen. & rest to the Episcopal Church in Berryville. Mr. Luter preached a very good sermon and the girls all were dressed in their best and looked pretty, the music was good and altogether I enjoyed it highly. And then there was such a glorious dinner for us here [in camp] when we got back, thanks to the good people of Clarke & Jefferson [counties], that I passed really a delightful day, “at charity with myself and all mankind,” which frame of mind I find a good dinner conducive to. I saw Ned Lee at church, and his health seems to be much better now. Continue reading →

1861: “Get Through The Day With The Least Tedium Possible”

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 3 Comments

Gazette665 Blog Series 1861: In Their WordsAugust 11, 1861

I crawl out about sunrise from between my two blankets, put on my shoes, walk out of my tent, hunt a basin, & wash my face, comb my hair & my toilette for the day is complete. By this time breakfast is ready & if General [Jackson] has made his appearance, we sit down & are regaled with corn bread & leaden biscuits, fried bacon & cheese, a little molasses & coffee with sugar as brown and wet as possible. Continue reading →