Civil War Lesson Plans

Home front

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although the soldiers did not make life easy for local residents, they did provide moments of fun.  There were dress parades, concerts by military bands, public rallies and balls as the Brainard House.  By 1864 with the flow of troops into Elmira greatly reduced, two of the camps were disbanded.  Camp No. 1 remained a training camp and Camp No. 3 considered as an option for a prison camp.

 

While some local women accompanied their soldier-husbands, most women waited a home for news of their loved ones.  These women had to balance their regular duties with filling-in for male relatives and supporting the war effort.  Whether on their own or with local organizations like the Ladies Hospital Aid Association and the Elmira Ladies Relief Association, there were plenty of opportunities for women to show their patriotism.  Women raised money for local soldiers’ families and disabled soldiers; rolled bandages; sewed blankets, tents, flags, and clothing; created care packages; knitted socks and mittens; and volunteered at the military hospital in Elmira.

 

Students at Elmira Female College created sewing kits for soldiers and donated a parlor organ to Elmira’s military hospital.  Members of the literary society even debated war-related topics such as the justification of the war and the confiscation of Confederate property.  The Park Church Sewing Society made shirts, knitted mittens, and created care packages for soldiers.

 

As the first local public charity, the Elmira Ladies Relief Association helped disabled soldiers and their families.  Eventually the Association started an orphanage which became the Southern Tier Orphan’s Home.

 

The U.S. Sanitary Commission was established in June of 1861 and provided soldiers with food and medical care.  Over 4,000 chapters were created, including several in Chemung County.  Fairs were held to raise money.  From March 14 to 18, 1864, Elmira hosted the Southern Tier Sanitary Fair at the newly constructed Presbyterian Church.  Like other sanitary fairs, there were items for sale, exhibits, refreshment stands, a restaurant, and evening entertainment.  Though over $12,000 was raised, the fair ended in tragedy.  On the evening of March 18, decorations caught fire.  The church burned down and two men died.