Civil War Fashion

Terry and I went to the civil war fashion show at the Orlando Regional History Center. The show was staged in a beautiful old court room. Featured were clothing worn by men, women and children from both the North and South, free and enslaved. A local radio personality, Downtown Billy Brown, and the History Centers Mike Brown hosted the show. There self deprecating humor set the stage for a lively and entertaining event. The entire crowd gasped when a woman came out in her many layers of undergarments. They were equally shocked when a young girl came out with her entire neck exposed indicating she was old enough for marriage. The saying above the judges bench reads: Equal and exact justice to all men. This seems a reminder that woman would not have equal rights under the law for another 60 years or so.
After the show I talked with some of the reenactors and decided I would go to the next reenactment and embed myself with the 2nd Florida Volunteer Infantry Company E, The Hammock Guards, lead by Captain Clay Kearney, to sketch the battle as a Civil War Correspondent. I have about 3 weeks to fashion an 1860s civilian outfit from Goodwill clothing. I may actually go to this first battle as a 21st century civilian, since shopping for clothing is always a painful and exhausting experience. I will see what can be sketched from a spectators vantage point.