Why Not Then - Main - LostTribesAAR

Kitsey Engledew's diary entries from the Lost Tribes event in October 2009.

Two ferrotypes struck at the event will be added when I receive them, please check back!

Oct 2, 1864

Today spent helping Mother around the house, taking in some new boarders and setting them up. I was honored this evening to dine with Mrs. Waddoups, the fashionable London lady, her mother Mrs.Hasenmueller, and two of our other borders, Mrs. Whitlow and Mrs. XXX.

Returned to the house to find Mrs. Waddoups maid, Elizabeth, frightened. Three strange men had forced their way into the house and into the downstairs room Mrses Waddoups, Hasenmueller & Vater share! They had demanded food and took some apples.Elizabeth said that one man claimed to have been the boy that had lived in the burned-out house next door. Now, I don’t know if I believe that as they were always very nice people. She also said that the men went upstairs and forced their way into the room the German ladies share, without announcement, and walked in on them dressing and did not act to sorry about it. Of course, Mother and Aunt and Uncle Good were no where to be found, so I did my best to assist the ladies. We set out to find the sheriff and report the incident. It was quite a search to find him! When we did, he told us the three boys had caused some other trouble in town, and that they had went off to look for the family of the one boy, from the best I remember they went to St. Charles I believe after their house burned. Of course, I had still not found Mother, and all the boarders were so upset and discussing leaving the house, I just didn’t know what to say to convince them to stay! I know we need their support, but it seems so undignified to beg them to stay, and I haven’t the skill of convincing them without begging like Mother does.

We were going to go to a social at the Sappington house this evening, but by the time we had found the sheriff, &c, the little party was breaking up, I was so disappointed! I do so want to be seen in the company of a fine London lady by all the ladies in town. Instead, spent the rest of the evening at home, very happy when Mother finally came home and could calm down the nerves of the boarders.

Much talk of strange men lurking in the tree line, but I saw nothing at all.

Oct 3, 1864

The three orphan children we have taken in are sleeping in the room above me, and though they are sweet children, they sure are noisy! Had a slow morning, the sheriff came by to update everyone on the men who had broken in and stole the apples and to say they had left town last night. Dressed and went with Mother to have breakfast at the Inn. The Smiths have the Andersons, the new mill owners, working for them it seems. Aunt Sarah was to go and help Mrs. Brenton in the store today, when the Union Army advanced into Gray Summit, some whistle was blown and all us women were quickly hustled upstairs in the Smiths lodgings. I tried to look out a window to see what was going on, but could hardly see anything at all. I heard gun fire, but didn’t see anything! The next thing I know, we are all going back downstairs, and Mother decides that she, Aunt Sarah and myself should try and make it to the store to be with Mrs. Brenton as she was alone. We made our way across and into the store, while it was quiet. From out the window we watched as the Union soldiers went from house to house, gathering up our residents as they went! At first it was just the men, who they were escorting to the church yard, and then we saw they had the Mary’s of the dressmaker shop! Then they had Mrs’ Smith and Anderson! For the longest time they never seemed to notice the store, or the boarding house on the other side of town, but it did not last and finally our boarding house was invaded, they took the boarders as well as the Orphan children over to the church yard too! With much apprehension we watched, until at long last they came to the store, demanding their way in! Mother and Mrs. Brenton tried to stave them off, but they insisted we must go and that a guard would be posted in front of Mrs. Brentons. So there we went to the church yard, where one of the Union soldiers was yelling and screaming and carrying on about us not doing what he said, and telling us if we didn’t listen he’d burn the church down! Then some other soldier started shooting at a dove right above our heads, many ladies screamed and I did not see the bird at first at thought he was planning on shooting one of us. They decided it would be better for them if they put us all in the church, so we all went in, sat down. Mrs. Siddal came in, and rang the church bell, I don’t know why, and upset them so, they started yelling all over again, and pushed us all back outside, and said they would burn down the church. Mrs. Smith had been upstairs on the Organ and didn’t come out, so I guess they thought it best not to burn her up to, so then they rushed us all back into the church! Shortly, the same yelling and screaming soldier came in and read us all a letter he had… I think it is called a declaration or a proclamation, saying that we were now under Marshall law, and had a long list of things we could and could not do, and what the union soldiers could and could not do. It sounded to me that we should all be fairly safe, so long as we listened to them. They let all the women go home after that, but told us we were under house arrest and should not be seen on the streets at all. Felt very comforted to be home.

After much sitting around, Mother’s mercenary brain reminded me that we needed to do the laundry, despite the excitement. I had so hoped I could have had it forgotten for the day, I find it very embarrassing to do laundry in the yard like a common woman, especially when there are such fine ladies as Mrs. Waddoups to watch me. I do so wish Father were still alive on laundry day, he would never had seen me doing laundry in the yard. It wouldn’t be so bad, if only the ladies weren’t there to watch, I wish we could afford a washwoman, or at least a helper. I’m sure I look so appealing to prospective suitors bent over in my old wash dress. I inquired to the guard at our house, and the picket that was lurking out back, if I could safely make my way to the Inn to pick up the laundry we take in from there, and none of them seemed to know how long our house arrest was to last. So I changed into my wash and went, with Mrs. XXX, as there is safety in numbers, to get the laundry from Mrs. Smith. Came back and spent the afternoon hiding my face from all the ladies. Daisy, one of the orphans came to help. The poor dear had better get used to labor, as it will probably be her life course unless someone takes her in. We have a traveling photographer in town that approached me when I was washing and wanted to take my image. Well, I must say I don’t much like the idea of having my image taken in such a state, but he wanted it, and said he wasn’t going to be showing it to any of the ladies but taking it back for his studio… I guess it is more art then just an image. Daisy, one of the other orphans and myself posed for him and had our image struck, it was so fascinating to see it appear and it confirmed to me just how dreadful I look when doing the wash.

When the wash was done, I quickly went in to change into something more presentable, fix my hair, and resume my place next to mother watch the boarders. All was very much quiet, though I was ill at ease from all the soldiers and pickets. We would occasionally hear gun shot in the distance, but I never saw a thing. Dinner-time came, and most of the ladies went to the Inn. I stayed in, much to my delight so did Mrs. Vater and Mrs. Waddoups! They have both heard of the excellent benefits of vegetarianism, and have taken up the diet as well. I did not know it was so popular in England but I am very glad that it is not just queer Americans who have taken it up. We had a nice meal of rice, and I felt very sorry for the picket out back of the boarding house, who came up when we eating to ask for some coffee, which we had none. Ma and I are Unionists, though I don’t talk much about it as I would never offend our boarders, and I did feel sorry for him. Mrs. Vater and I went out to inquire if they would be interested in our leftovers, the soldier halted us a good 20 feet away and would let us come no closer, but said he would take the food if we left it on the ground there. We went back in and got the food, left it 20 feet away, only to discover later he returned the plate without looking like he took a bite!

Soon after Mother and Aunt Sarah returned from dinner, we headed down to see the minstrel show that night. They sat me much to close to the fire at first. It was such a funny show, and it was so good to laugh after such a trying day, and see everyone, and see they were all safe. I especially liked all the songs, some which I don’t think I’ve heard in years. After, there was some light dancing, and I do think I am still the most accomplished dancer in Gray Summit!

During the show some noise and gun fire outside, and when we went out the Union soldiers were leaving, so we walked home without any hastle, but it was still very strange and I am worried about what has happened and what we will discover by morning.

Oct 4, 1864.

A dreadful day. I hardly know how to begin. Church this morning (wore my blue silk, and a lovely Greek jacket borrowed from Mrs. Hasenmueller). Union soldiers were back, and marching around the building with their guns, as well as some entered the service. Then I noticed one out the window with a lit torch and was so frightened I wanted to leave, and the preacher read some proclamation of Jefferson Davis’, which made all the Union soldiers leave, and Mrs. Warren walked out. I wanted to go with her, I don’t approve of the confederacy, but must remember not to offend the boarders. Then the soldiers came in and chased us all out of the church, and carried the preacher away for breaking Marshall law! Dreadful, dreadful, we were leaving to go home as they said they would torch the church if we didn’t, and heard gunshots from the mill where they had the preacher and thought they had shot him! Then, I can hardly remember how it all happened. We went around to find his body and see what could be done, I had to follow mother and Aunt Sarah, and found he’d been shot in the shoulder, and decided we must get him to safety. The Union army was frightened and leaving, so we moved the preacher to Mrs. Brentons just in time to discover the renegades were moving in and that what was chasing the Union out. They went and terrorized everyone and everything, shot men, hung a boy, arrested Uncle Good too! Took all the men to the mill, pushed ma, and myself, and our boarders around and wouldn’t even let us into the house! It was so terrible. Then there were gun shots from the mill, and now there is smoke and a terrible rumor that they have shot everyone, every single one of the men they arrest, but I wait here to find out for sure. It is so dreadful and it seems everyone is crying. I fear our house will be burned, but please read my words and don’t forget about me if these terrible men kill us all.


Home Original Garments Vintage Images Sewing Projects Research and Help Blog The Forkless Brigade Reenacting Society About Me Links Search	Lost Tribes AAR Kitsey Engledew's diary entries from the Lost Tribes event in October 2009. Two ferrotypes struck at the event will be added when I receive them, please check back! Oct 2, 1864 Today spent helping Mother around the house, taking in some new boarders and setting them up. I was honored this evening to dine with Mrs. Waddoups, the fashionable London lady, her mother Mrs.Hasenmueller, and two of our other borders, Mrs. Whitlow and Mrs. XXX. Returned to the house to find Mrs. Waddoups maid, Elizabeth, frightened. Three strange men had forced their way into the house and into the downstairs room Mrses Waddoups, Hasenmueller & Vater share! They had demanded food and took some apples.Elizabeth said that one man claimed to have been the boy that had lived in the burned-out house next door. Now, I don’t know if I believe that as they were always very nice people. She also said that the men went upstairs and forced their way into the room the German ladies share, without announcement, and walked in on them dressing and did not act to sorry about it. Of course, Mother and Aunt and Uncle Good were no where to be found, so I did my best to assist the ladies. We set out to find the sheriff and report the incident. It was quite a search to find him! When we did, he told us the three boys had caused some other trouble in town, and that they had went off to look for the family of the one boy, from the best I remember they went to St. Charles I believe after their house burned. Of course, I had still not found Mother, and all the boarders were so upset and discussing leaving the house, I just didn’t know what to say to convince them to stay! I know we need their support, but it seems so undignified to beg them to stay, and I haven’t the skill of convincing them without begging like Mother does. We were going to go to a social at the Sappington house this evening, but by the time we had found the sheriff, &c, the little party was breaking up, I was so disappointed! I do so want to be seen in the company of a fine London lady by all the ladies in town. Instead, spent the rest of the evening at home, very happy when Mother finally came home and could calm down the nerves of the boarders. Much talk of strange men lurking in the tree line, but I saw nothing at all. Oct 3, 1864 The three orphan children we have taken in are sleeping in the room above me, and though they are sweet children, they sure are noisy! Had a slow morning, the sheriff came by to update everyone on the men who had broken in and stole the apples and to say they had left town last night. Dressed and went with Mother to have breakfast at the Inn. The Smiths have the Andersons, the new mill owners, working for them it seems. Aunt Sarah was to go and help Mrs. Brenton in the store today, when the Union Army advanced into Gray Summit, some whistle was blown and all us women were quickly hustled upstairs in the Smiths lodgings. I tried to look out a window to see what was going on, but could hardly see anything at all. I heard gun fire, but didn’t see anything! The next thing I know, we are all going back downstairs, and Mother decides that she, Aunt Sarah and myself should try and make it to the store to be with Mrs. Brenton as she was alone. We made our way across and into the store, while it was quiet. From out the window we watched as the Union soldiers went from house to house, gathering up our residents as they went! At first it was just the men, who they were escorting to the church yard, and then we saw they had the Mary’s of the dressmaker shop! Then they had Mrs’ Smith and Anderson! For the longest time they never seemed to notice the store, or the boarding house on the other side of town, but it did not last and finally our boarding house was invaded, they took the boarders as well as the Orphan children over to the church yard too! With much apprehension we watched, until at long last they came to the store, demanding their way in! Mother and Mrs. Brenton tried to stave them off, but they insisted we must go and that a guard would be posted in front of Mrs. Brentons. So there we went to the church yard, where one of the Union soldiers was yelling and screaming and carrying on about us not doing what he said, and telling us if we didn’t listen he’d burn the church down! Then some other soldier started shooting at a dove right above our heads, many ladies screamed and I did not see the bird at first at thought he was planning on shooting one of us. They decided it would be better for them if they put us all in the church, so we all went in, sat down. Mrs. Siddal came in, and rang the church bell, I don’t know why, and upset them so, they started yelling all over again, and pushed us all back outside, and said they would burn down the church. Mrs. Smith had been upstairs on the Organ and didn’t come out, so I guess they thought it best not to burn her up to, so then they rushed us all back into the church! Shortly, the same yelling and screaming soldier came in and read us all a letter he had… I think it is called a declaration or a proclamation, saying that we were now under Marshall law, and had a long list of things we could and could not do, and what the union soldiers could and could not do. It sounded to me that we should all be fairly safe, so long as we listened to them. They let all the women go home after that, but told us we were under house arrest and should not be seen on the streets at all. Felt very comforted to be home. After much sitting around, Mother’s mercenary brain reminded me that we needed to do the laundry, despite the excitement. I had so hoped I could have had it forgotten for the day, I find it very embarrassing to do laundry in the yard like a common woman, especially when there are such fine ladies as Mrs. Waddoups to watch me. I do so wish Father were still alive on laundry day, he would never had seen me doing laundry in the yard. It wouldn’t be so bad, if only the ladies weren’t there to watch, I wish we could afford a washwoman, or at least a helper. I’m sure I look so appealing to prospective suitors bent over in my old wash dress. I inquired to the guard at our house, and the picket that was lurking out back, if I could safely make my way to the Inn to pick up the laundry we take in from there, and none of them seemed to know how long our house arrest was to last. So I changed into my wash and went, with Mrs. XXX, as there is safety in numbers, to get the laundry from Mrs. Smith. Came back and spent the afternoon hiding my face from all the ladies. Daisy, one of the orphans came to help. The poor dear had better get used to labor, as it will probably be her life course unless someone takes her in. We have a traveling photographer in town that approached me when I was washing and wanted to take my image. Well, I must say I don’t much like the idea of having my image taken in such a state, but he wanted it, and said he wasn’t going to be showing it to any of the ladies but taking it back for his studio… I guess it is more art then just an image. Daisy, one of the other orphans and myself posed for him and had our image struck, it was so fascinating to see it appear and it confirmed to me just how dreadful I look when doing the wash. When the wash was done, I quickly went in to change into something more presentable, fix my hair, and resume my place next to mother watch the boarders. All was very much quiet, though I was ill at ease from all the soldiers and pickets. We would occasionally hear gun shot in the distance, but I never saw a thing. Dinner-time came, and most of the ladies went to the Inn. I stayed in, much to my delight so did Mrs. Vater and Mrs. Waddoups! They have both heard of the excellent benefits of vegetarianism, and have taken up the diet as well. I did not know it was so popular in England but I am very glad that it is not just queer Americans who have taken it up. We had a nice meal of rice, and I felt very sorry for the picket out back of the boarding house, who came up when we eating to ask for some coffee, which we had none. Ma and I are Unionists, though I don’t talk much about it as I would never offend our boarders, and I did feel sorry for him. Mrs. Vater and I went out to inquire if they would be interested in our leftovers, the soldier halted us a good 20 feet away and would let us come no closer, but said he would take the food if we left it on the ground there. We went back in and got the food, left it 20 feet away, only to discover later he returned the plate without looking like he took a bite! Soon after Mother and Aunt Sarah returned from dinner, we headed down to see the minstrel show that night. They sat me much to close to the fire at first. It was such a funny show, and it was so good to laugh after such a trying day, and see everyone, and see they were all safe. I especially liked all the songs, some which I don’t think I’ve heard in years. After, there was some light dancing, and I do think I am still the most accomplished dancer in Gray Summit! During the show some noise and gun fire outside, and when we went out the Union soldiers were leaving, so we walked home without any hastle, but it was still very strange and I am worried about what has happened and what we will discover by morning. Oct 4, 1864. A dreadful day. I hardly know how to begin. Church this morning (wore my blue silk, and a lovely Greek jacket borrowed from Mrs. Hasenmueller). Union soldiers were back, and marching around the building with their guns, as well as some entered the service. Then I noticed one out the window with a lit torch and was so frightened I wanted to leave, and the preacher read some proclamation of Jefferson Davis’, which made all the Union soldiers leave, and Mrs. Warren walked out. I wanted to go with her, I don’t approve of the confederacy, but must remember not to offend the boarders. Then the soldiers came in and chased us all out of the church, and carried the preacher away for breaking Marshall law! Dreadful, dreadful, we were leaving to go home as they said they would torch the church if we didn’t, and heard gunshots from the mill where they had the preacher and thought they had shot him! Then, I can hardly remember how it all happened. We went around to find his body and see what could be done, I had to follow mother and Aunt Sarah, and found he’d been shot in the shoulder, and decided we must get him to safety. The Union army was frightened and leaving, so we moved the preacher to Mrs. Brentons just in time to discover the renegades were moving in and that what was chasing the Union out. They went and terrorized everyone and everything, shot men, hung a boy, arrested Uncle Good too! Took all the men to the mill, pushed ma, and myself, and our boarders around and wouldn’t even let us into the house! It was so terrible. Then there were gun shots from the mill, and now there is smoke and a terrible rumor that they have shot everyone, every single one of the men they arrest, but I wait here to find out for sure. It is so dreadful and it seems everyone is crying. I fear our house will be burned, but please read my words and don’t forget about me if these terrible men kill us all. Page last modified on October 07, 2009, at 02:09 PM

Lost Tribes AAR

Oct 2, 1864

Oct 3, 1864

Oct 4, 1864.