WAR!

The men lined up for battle.  Some of them were young boys.  I was told that they would actually line up like this at times.

It looked as though they were casually strolling.  

I wondered what the men at that time must have been thinking.

I thought about the mothers back home praying every day for good news, for safe return of their sons and husband and brothers.  

 











The first shot was fired and the melee began.
No turning back now.
 







Smoke began to fill the battlefield and made the scene into a hazy image.














 
It all was so surreal.

Men fell, wounded or killed.

 







 






 






Cannons boomed, the repercussion so strong.






Smoke rings rose through the trees.

Can you imagine being there?
Can you imagine aiming at another man and firing?

It must have been so emotional and difficult for the young men who had never even left their homes before.

Afterwards everyone was so solemn.

Some gazed around in a daze.

Others bowed heads or knelt to attend to the wounded or dead.

The battle ended, the wounded tended, the dead gathered.

The wounded were not just those lying on the battlefield who had been shot, but all the men and boys who witnessed the death of another.  

The mothers, daughters, sisters, relatives home waiting were also wounded.

 All were wounded in their hearts, souls and minds.

Scars that would never heal.

CIVIL WAR TIMES: THE MEN

The men are not just here to fire guns at each other and play war.  This is serious business to them and also enjoyment.  Many know quite a bit about the era, about the war, even details of certain battles.

History has infiltrated their lives.

  

Each has a role to play and they do it with vigor.  They live, breathe, eat their roles.

  I noticed that they seem so comfortable and at ease. 

A time warp had occurred and I had journeyed into it.

They really get into their roles and I find myself imagining them to be my family ancestors.

Their lives were filled with uncertainty.
Their families separated.

Sometimes wives joined their husbands on their difficult journey.
I imagine it must have been a very difficult life.
After each skirmish or battle they must have worried that their loved one would not return to them.

Young sons fought and mothers at home prayed for them to return home.
I imagine that many soldiers carried photographs of their loved ones or letters to read over and over again.

As they waited to go into battle, I am sure many thoughts of family passed through their minds.
I am sure that men felt fear, knowing that this could be their last hour.
They fought bravely for their beliefs.

 

Men from all walks of life fought side-by-side and against each other.

Sometimes members of families fought on opposite sides.

Next post--the battle!