Blogging Through the Alphabet: H is for Harpers Ferry

 

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Who would have thought a small place would be so instrumental in the start of the American Civil War? Harpers Ferry, located in Virginia during this time, would be the focal point of John Brown's raid on October 16, 1859. His goal was to seize the U.S. Armory and Arsenal there, give arms to the slaves that joined his party, and begin an uprising.

Background of Harpers Ferry 

Robert Harper purchased a ferry boat operation from a Dutchman, Peter Stephens, and by 1751 the area became known as "Shenandoah Falls at Mr. Harper's Ferry." This area would play a role in early American history as both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington stayed in the community that sprang up around Harpers Ferry.

The area became a thriving commercial center, and first President George Washington convinced Congress to establish a national armory at Harpers Ferry. In 1801, the Harpers Ferry armory started its production of military muskets. Along with the production of rifles and pistols, Harpers Ferry was important as canal and rail lines built up around the area.

John Brown's Plans 

John Brown and his "Secret Six" discussed plans in 1858 to invade the Southern Appalachian. These men were angry with the treatment of the slaves and wanted to see a change. This change - this invasion at Harpers Ferry - would consist of a small number of men as Brown did not recruit many to his 'army.'

Eighteen men joined John Brown on October 16, 1859, after dark to capture the armory complex at Harpers Ferry. He sent word to bring slaves to his uprising, but none came to aid Brown. So, he sat down to wait with his hostages, which included a great-grandnephew of George Washington.

Residents of Harpers Ferry, along with Virginia and Maryland militia, began the process of taking back the armory on the morning of October 17. Two of Brown's men and six others were killed, along with three townspeople, in the afternoon. At night, a U.S. Marine company arrived, commanded by none other than Robert E. Lee (then a colonel) and J.E.B. Stuart (his lieutenant). After thirty-six hours, Brown's attack was over as Lee sent in the Marines. 

The raiders were quickly hanged after their conviction. Brown was convicted of treason, murder, and fomenting insurrection and sentenced to hang on December 2, 1859. With his execution, Brown would have a lasting legacy on America – probably more so than any of his actions prior to December of 1859.

The events at Harpers Ferry led to rumors, problems, and the creation of a martyr. Rumors started that Brown had intended to move southward if the raid Harpers Ferry had succeeded. Even though the South was happy to hear no slaves had joined Brown, the North took his death and created him a martyr to the noble cause of abolition. The North even added a new song to their repertoire – John Brown's Body.

"John Brown's body lies a-moldering in the grave

John Brown's body lies a-moldering in the grave

John Brown's body lies a-moldering in the grave

But his soul goes marching on."

During the American Civil War 

When war broke out, Harpers Ferry became a target of the South. The Confederates captured the U.S. Armory on April 18, 1861. They saved most of the rifle machinery that the U.S. Army regulars had set on fire to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Confederacy. So, Harpers Ferry played a role in helping the Confederacy supply guns to their troops. Over the course of the Civil War, Harpers Ferry changed hands eight times, with the Union occupying it the most. On June 20, 1863, West Virginia became the 35th state.

At the end of the American Civil War, the community was shattered, with half the town in ruins. Eventually, a school would be built there. The town would become a tourist spot and then part of state and federal historic parks.

Do you want to learn more about the American Civil War?

Read about John Brown's Harpers Ferry Raid at American Battlefield Trust.

Read about Harpers Ferry at the National Historical Park Site.

Read about Appomattox at A Mom's Quest to Teach.

Do you want to join? Check out the following two places for the link up. 

Desiree @ Our Homeschool Notebook

Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses

Book Club: Book Review of Dusk's Darkest Shores

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

What happens when life throws curve balls at you that change your plans so dramatically you are at a loss for where to take the next step? In Dusk's Darkest Shores by Carolyn Miller, Adam Edgerton returns home after his service overseas, fighting against the armies of Napoleon. It is believed by his boyhood community that he is returning as a war hero, but in reality, Adam returns battling a disease. This was not Adam's plan. He was to return and marry his betrothed, Emily Hardy, but instead, he falls into a deep melancholy. How will he find his way out? 

Plot Summary 

In addition to Adam Edgerton, the other main character in Dusk's Darkest Shores is the unmarried daughter of the community Doctor – Mary Bloomfield. She is what many may call an 'old maid' or 'spinster' as she has no marriage prospects, is past her youth, and works alongside her father, helping provide practical healthcare and spiritual comfort to his patients. Through her work with her father, she begins visiting Adam to help relieve his mother, Mrs. Edgerton, as well as provide comfort, encouragement, and practical advice for improving his life with changes due to his illness. 

Over the course of Dusk's Darkest Shores, we see a friendship growing between Adam and Mary. This friendship is greeted with various levels of surprise, caution, and suspect by the community. Is there anything inappropriate going on between Adam and Mary? Are they involved in an improper relationship? Why is Mary spending so much time at the Edgerton's? Can there be happiness found with the two ending up together? And what about Adam's betrothed, Emily, who happens to be friends with Mary and her half-sister?

My Thoughts 

I found this Regency romance, set in 1811, to be very enjoyable. I felt there was a happy balance between time spent detailing the character of Adam and that of Mary. Carolyn Miller helped both characters come to life through beautiful descriptions, insightful conversations, and comforting discussions of God's involvement in their lives.

As someone who found true love (and married) later – like Mary – I felt I could really relate to her character. I believe the author wanted to show God's hand in the relationship between Adam and Mary. She had to wait for her perfect man and so did I.

I do not blame Adam for those moments or days where he was rude or depressed. I can only imagine how difficult he is finding his life after his illness.  Will Adam be able to move forward with plans to be a farmer through the advice and aid of Dr. Bloomfield and his daughter?

There is great hope in the pages of Dusk's Darkest Shores. Affection and love grow and God's word helps those characters created by Carolyn Miller. Just like Adam and Mary promised to be honest with each other, I promise to be honest with you. I enjoyed this first book in the Regency Wallflower series immensely. I recommend it to those who enjoy Christian, historical romance.

Enter to win a fun prize pack inspired by the book and its English setting that includes: 

• A copy of Dusk’s Darkest Shores
• A canvas bag to carry your latest reads
• A fun pair of Jane Austen socks
• A Novel Teas’ English Breakfast tea
• "Drink tea, read books, and be happy” teaspoon
• “Let your faith be bigger than your fear” mug
• Black currant preserves from England
• Wax Lyrical candle from England

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Homeschooling High School: Five Questions to Ask

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For many, the thought of homeschooling during the high school years fills them with dread. How will they make sure their high schooler takes all the necessary courses if they want to go to college? How can someone teach courses that they never understand or enjoyed during their own high school years? Yet homeschooling the high school years does not need to be difficult. In February, I participated in a blog series on Homeschool on the Range, where many homeschoolers shared how to homeschool the upper grades. If you are thinking about taking the plunge and homeschooling your high schooler next year, what are the questions you should ask before you get started? 

Five Questions to Ask 

1. What are your state or local requirements for high school or homeschooling in general? 
2. What does your high schooler want to do after they graduate? 
3. Do you prefer to choose an all-inclusive curriculum or put together courses from various companies or locations for your homeschool? 
4. What does your high schooler need to know in terms of life skills? 
5. Is your high schooler going to participate in high school sports, clubs, or activities? 

Local Requirements 

It is always a good idea to look at Home School Legal Defense Association as a starting point. You can take a look at their various pages that can help answer questions regarding state homeschool laws, how to record grades, and more. Another place to look is at your state education site. You can often find information there that can help guide you as to the homeschooling laws in your state. 

After High School 

There are many options available to high schoolers after they graduate. They could go to college or university, start work, start their own business, enter a technical training program, enter an apprenticeship, or start a family. It always good to have a basic plan before starting high school, but it may change multiple times as your high schooler works through his or her curriculum. 

Curriculum 

There are so many options when it comes to homeschooling and curriculum. You can choose ones that provide the whole package of language arts, science, mathematics, history, and more or pick and choose from one company or another. Here are just a few places you can check out to see if they would work for your homeschooled high schooler. 

Please note clicking through links may provide a small commission to me at no cost to you. 

• SchoolhouseTeachers.com (Read how we use ST for our high schooler here: 11th grade and 12th grade) 
• Timberdoodle (Read my post about their extras for high school here: Finding The Fun in Homeschooling)
• Sonlight (Read my post about one of their extras here: Hands-On Projects are the Most Remembered) 
• My Father's World (read my review of their Kindergarten curriculum here: Studying God's Creation from A to Z) 
• Calvert Homeschool 
• Abeka 
• Notgrass History  
• Apologia

Life Skills 

What things do you want your high schooler to know how to do before they graduate high school that will help them as an adult? I would recommend writing a list of all the things you do as a parent and homeowner/renter and seeing how many things your high schooler can do. These activities or tasks might be covered by taking a cooking class or economics course or being a part of their curriculum in another way. It is amazing what can be included in our homeschooling lessons, as all of life includes teaching and learning. 

High School Activities 

Does your high schooler have any interest in playing sports, participating in clubs, groups, or other typical high school activities? Every school district has different rules and regulations concerning whether or not homeschooled students can participate in their clubs and sports. So, you will need to check locally to see what is allowed and not allowed.

If you join a homeschool co-op, your homeschooler may have the opportunity to participate in various groups and activities with other homeschoolers. You might also be able to find activities and groups through your church.

Can you homeschool high school?

"The idea of homeschooling through high school can be scary, but homeschooling your high-schooler may be easier than you think." Visit Sparks Academy to download your very own copy of a 71-page eBook that includes the following topics to help you homeschool the upper grades: 

• Homeschooling high school 
• Life skills
• College-bound 
• Unique circumstances 
• Reading and the arts 

Blogging Through the Alphabet: G is for Going to the Movies

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There are many ways in which individuals can learn more about the American Civil War. In a post a few weeks ago, I shared several books on the topic, but perhaps you are more inclined to watch a movie or documentary? There are even movies based upon popular books that you can view to help learn more about the Civil War.

Movies Based Upon Books 

• Gettysburg based upon The Killer Angels 
• Gods and Generals 
• Gone with the Wind 
• The Red Badge of Courage 

Gettysburg, based upon the novel The Killer Angels, and Gods and Generals, which is a prequel to the 1993 Gettysburg, are both very popular among history teachers and history lovers. Both movies are rather lengthy, as they are trying to capture important moments in history. 

Personally, I have found that while Gods and Generals is very interesting to students who really enjoy history, Gettysburg, with its battle scenes and action, is more appealing to many. I remember sitting in a fellow teacher's classroom while he showed his class Gods and Generals and being very interested in the movie. Meanwhile, most of his students were doing things other than watching the movie. 

A book (and movie) that is at the center of debate off and on is Gone with the Wind. Published in June of 1936, it sold 50,000 copies in one day. Within six months of its publication, it sold one million copies during the Great Depression. An amazing testament to the desire of Americans to read about the Civil War – at least a fictionalized account. While the book has been extremely popular, many individuals only think of the movie with Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh when they hear the name Gone with the Wind. Some have argued that Gone with the Wind is Margaret Mitchell's romance of the South written through her lens of an upper-middle-class, white woman. And while she did write the book primarily for a Southern audience, the book (and movie) did gain a global audience.

If you want to compare the movie and book of Gone with the Wind, a good place to start is with The Civil War in Popular Culture by Jim Cullen. In one chapter, Cullen examines several viewpoints surrounding both and helps readers understand Gone with the Wind in terms of the 1990s (that is when The Civil War in Popular Culture was published). 

While I have viewed the other three film adaptations and read the corresponding books, I have not read through the entire work of The Red Badge of Courage, nor have I watched the movie. According to American Battlefield Trust, it is a faithful adaptation of the book, but I know that some have found issues with the novel itself for the themes it discusses. Have you read or watched the movie? 

Based Upon History 

There are many movies based upon different individuals, units, and battles of the Civil War where liberty is taken with the story and plotlines. For example, in the movie Glory, we learn of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, but only some of the leaders of the units are portraying real men. The characters portrayed by Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman were not real men who were on the rolls of the 54th but rather compilations of men who served. 

While the movie Glory is a good introduction to the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and the life of African American regiments during the American Civil War, it is often compared to a World War II movie. We have several key personalities serving in the same unit who must work together for the bigger cause. These fictional characters are stereotypes of many in other war movies, but I don't think that makes Glory any less important. It just means we need to dig deeper into our history books to learn more about the 54th. 

One movie that I haven't seen yet that I would like to is Andersonville. While it is loosely based upon a Civil War diary, it is a fictionalized account of life in the notorious prison. And even though there are critics of the film, I think that any movie that helps spark an interest in learning more about real events has done its job. 

There are a number of movies based upon the life of Abraham Lincoln including: 

• Lincoln (2012) 
• Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)
• The Conspirator (2010)
• Gore Vidal's Lincoln (1988)

Just as there are many books on the 16th President's life, there are many movies. With each of these, we need to watch them and understand the time period they were produced in and how that might have impacted the telling of Lincoln's history. 

Final Thoughts 

These are just a few of the movies that one can use when studying the American Civil War. There are also documentaries, such as Ken Burns' The Civil War, television specials, virtual tours of the battlefields, and many fictional movies set in the Civil War time period. If you want to bring history to life, you only need to do a few minutes of research to find a movie to include. I would then recommend spending much more time in finding out how accurate that movie is, historically. 

Do you want to join? Check out the following two places for the link up. 

Desiree @ Our Homeschool Notebook

Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses

A Brief Journey through the Quotes of Shakespeare's Hamlet

During high school, we read at least one play by William Shakespeare every year (in my own freshman year, we read two: Romeo & Juliet and Merchant of Venice). In our teen's sophomore year, we read Julius Caesar with him using Shakespeare's Tragedies from Hewitt Homeschooling Resources to facilitate our lessons. Last year, we did not read any Shakespeare, sadly, but this year, he read Macbeth using the British Literature course from SchoolhouseTeachers.com. I also hope to include Hamlet if we have time before he graduates. 

Hamlet has been a favorite of mine for a number of years. Even though I am unsure if we will get to read it, I do hope to be able to share at least one theatrical version of the play with our son. As I was looking through my books (so I can share my copy of Macbeth with him), I stumbled upon my well-worn copy of Hamlet and found some favorite quotes to share. 

"To thine own self be true." 

Act I, Scene III 

"That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain." 

Act I, Scene IV 

"More matter, with less art." 

Act II, Scene II 

"Suit the action to the word, the word to the action." 

Act III, Scene II 

"A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm." 

Act IV, Scene III 

Interested in more Shakespeare quotes? Check out these other posts from A Mom's Quest to Teach.