Third Iowa Cavalry Re-enactors Inc.
Kate Kroeger
Sgt. CK Baker's Journal Pages
Time Traveler
Our American Civil War-Woman Soldier Recruit Information.
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Third Iowa Cavalry Re-enactors Inc. Kate Kroeger |
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A Civil War Living Historian/Re-enactor in The Making
By
Kate Kroeger
Sgt CK, 3rd Iowa Cavalry, Co. D
I hear voices as someone approaches. I see a shadow and hear, “Is anyone alive?” and then hear “Nope, their all dead.” The surgeon in his bloody white coat moves off.
The Battle of Pea Ridge/Elkhorn Tavern raged on. The rain continued to lightly fall and I felt more alive than I had in a long time. I had taken the next step in learning to be a living historian/re-enactor and in my portrayal of a Union cavalry soldier. Ok, you’re wondering where my horse is. I’m a dismounted cavalry trooper and my company’s job this day was to sneak up on the rebels, can’t do that on horseback, attack, retaking our cannons that we lost the day before. And the battle raged on.
As the battle came to an end, how do I know? The narrator said the battle was over. I got up and joined those I served with and prepared to pass in review, President Lincoln, the commanders of the Armies of North and South. Stood upon the platform up the hill in front of us as the heavens opened up and the rain poured down upon us. One of those in our rank deserted to dryer ground. I remained in place. I stood tall and couldn’t help but think of those who fought this battle 144 years and the lost of life. And wonder how many soldiers who fought at Elkhorn Tavern were women. I felt a flow of pride and honor wash me. Yes, I am a woman in uniform.
On my way home, I was still in the clouds because I had traveled back in time and drank in the pure intoxicating joy of play that I had known as a child. I was distressed, mellowed out and was very happy I had joined the ranks of fellow women soldiers re-enactors.
As I put those words to page and began to research this article I found a poem from another woman re-enactor and had a shiver run up and down my spine as I read it. Here is that poem, King, Wendy poem “The Woman Soldier” from Clad in Uniform Women Soldiers of the Civil War (Collingswood NJ. C.-W. Historicals © 1991) Wendy King is a living historian/re-enactor and has a Women Military Re-enactors workshop. It is with her permission that this is written here.
THE WOMAN SOLDIER
Once I stood in the ranks of Blue.
Once I stood in the ranks of Gray.
Fighting for a cause so true
Wondering-Who would remember me today?
Disguised as man; filled with alarm.
An enemy’s bullet could yet slay
This woman’s life-or cause me harm.
Who would remember today?
The missiles, they whistle through the air.
A ” rebel yell” from those in gray.
The victor’s shout, the loser’s despair.
Who would remember me today?
A last volley sent from hidden lines.
Oh sudden shock! Life fades away.
Crimson springs from this body mine.
Pray-Who would remember me today?
Please lay me in grave, unmarked
And place me where my comrades lay.
Remember this battle with a park
And please, remember me today.
You’re wondering why I would undertake a journey of this kind. Well, I’m a history buff and it began when I found out my Great-Great Grandfather John Wesley Clement, served with 20th Ohio Infantry. While researching my Great-Great Grandfather’s war record and the civil war. I discovered an interesting fact that women served in uniform during the war of rebellion. Funny, how that was never taught in history class. I have found pages upon pages of information on the Internet about those who served. And I’ve purchased several books about the women in the Civil War.
I won’t set off on a long-winded lecture about these women. I want you to look for them and learn from those who’ve already written the information and put it out. There are many fascinating ladies out there, soldier, spy, nurse, vivandier, physician, and others.
What surprises me is that people today, the year 2006. Do not know, women fought in uniform during the Civil War. Of course I didn’t either for that fact. I found in my research that woman living historians/reenactors have been portraying woman soldiers for quite awhile and I want to thank those ladies for honoring the lady soldiers.
I to, want to bring the women who fought, to life and which is another reason I chose the role I play. I have check out the copyrights and found that it is only in the last few years that books and articles have begun to surface. I still wonder, why it’s taken so long for this to come to light?
I do know from research that the number of women who served is around 400 to 1000 on both sides and the numbers are not all in. Many died in battle and were buried in uniform, thus only known to God and by the male name, they chose to go by or were never found out and just drifted off to parts unknown after the war.
Why did they serve? Look to the reasons many woman have entered military service today. And you will have the answers to why women served back then. Love of country, seeking adventure, money, which they sent home to help the family, and others. Another was more freedom as man than that of a woman back then. Look up, Dr. Mary Walker. You’ll find that she won the Congressional Medal of Honor, had it taken away, she wouldn’t give it back and continued to wear it until her death.. She had the medal reinstated in 1977 by President Carter. And is known in history as being the woman in trousers.
Many followed husbands, boyfriends, and brothers. One even killed herself on the company’s parade grounds, when her identity was found out and was about to be sent home. She didn’t want to leave her Capt., so she ended her life. What purposed this served, only she knows?
They were found out either by another soldier ratting on them, illness, wounds, or by having a baby. One of the articles lists several lines from a letter home by a male soldier that tells of a lieutenant having a bouncing baby boy. Many sent home, didn’t go home, they went and reenlisted in another regiment or company being formed.
Many of these lady soldiers rose in rank and served with bravery and gallantry. One, Loreta Janeta Velazquez, aka Lt. Harry Buford, a Confederate officer along with her husband formed their own company. Woman severed in artillery, infantry, and cavalry units. Rumor has it, a woman served in the 3rd Iowa cavalry. The search is on.
As I put these words to page and begin one last paragraph. I look upon Webster’s definition of the word History and one of the definition found within that says; the record of past events and times, esp. in connection with the human race. I realized how living historians/re-enactors fulfilled that definition by what they do. Thus this day of the reenactment, we brought the record and people to life and hopefully left a haunting memory to all who visited with the civilian and soldier, took part in by watching the battle, the medical demo, the music and much more.
Who would remember me today?
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Dr. Mary Walker-Union Harriet Tubman-underground railroad Sarah Edmonds-Franklin Thompson-Union-Co. F, 2nd Michigan Infantry Rosetta Walkman-Lyons Wakeman-Union-153rd New York Infantry Irene Hogers-Albert J. Cashier-Union-Co. G, 95th Ill Infantry Melinda Blaylock-Sam Blaylock-Confederate
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Mary Bell-Tom Parker-Confederate Molly Bell-Bob Morgan-Confederate Loreta Velasquez-Lt. Harry Buford-Confederate Charley-14th Iowa infantry Molly Mooney-7th Iowa Infantry And many more.
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We will
I and my fellow lady re-enactors.
The Battle of Pea Ridge, AR, March 7-8, 1862, was the first battle for the 3d Iowa Cavalry Regiment-Companies A, B, C, D, and M. The 3d Iowa had it severest loss at Pea Ridge, 24 killed, 17 wounded and 9 missing. One won the Congressional Medal of Honor.
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