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 Although
the book is subtitled, "A Guide for Writers, Students and
Historians," it is no ordinary reference book. It is a wonderful
resource for anyone interested in the minutiae of American
life during the Civil War.
The book begins
with the basics--the status of each state in and out of the
Union, as well as the territories. Varhola recounts each
area's history, its population and ethnic make-up at the
time, its educational facilities, and its role during the
Civil War.
Among the fact-filled
chapters is one on wages and currency. For instance, government
clerks earned $16 per week; teachers $2 per student per month;
and, Union nurses $12 per month. Government clerks have seen
quite a few raises since then, but some would argue that
teachers and nurses haven't.
What could that
money buy? In the midst of the war, shortages notwithstanding,
the better dressed city lady would have to spend the following:
Boots at $50; bonnet at a minimum of $25; merino dress at
$150; cotton stockings at $6; all this and more if we include
the many petticoats, the requisite camisole and chemise,
fan, shawl, usually a parasol, and an overcoat or cape. (You'll
even find out what a chemise is). Each major clothing item,
for men or women, cost many times a soldier's pay of $1 to
$13 per month.
 Where
did they live and how much did it cost? Varhola gives lots
of detail on city life and country life for lower, middle,
and higher-class citizens. He also tells us about transportation
and sewer systems, including the lowdown on toilets and bathtubs
(or lack thereof) in typical homes. Prices for a modest farmhouse,
$2500; for an extravagant country house, $14,000. To rent
a city house would cost $500 per year; room and meals in
a boarding house went for $35 per month, more if that included
use of the parlor. Renting a tenement dwelling would be $5
per month, and cheaper yet is rent for a stable converted
to dwelling space, at $15 per year.
What did they eat?
We recognize Underwood Deviled Ham (founded 1822); Lea and
Perrins Worcestershire Sauce (since 1835); Van Camp's Pork
and Beans (1861); and, Borden's Condensed Milk (since 1856--Elsie
wasn't their spokes-cow yet). With no preservatives, people
baked their own breads daily and grew their own fruits and
vegetables, which they canned and preserved for year-round
use. Varhola quotes prices for flour at $30 to $75 per barrel
and cornmeal at $16 to $3500 per bushel, depending on whether
or not areas were experiencing shortages. Since even Costco
doesn't sell by the bushel or barrel, it is hard for today's
consumer to relate to these prices.
What did they do
for fun? Singing, board games, and "throwing papers" (card
playing). For sport there was cricket, horseracing, and the
ever-popular heel-toe walking races. Theater was extremely
popular, as well as music halls and other variety shows.
Stars of that era are well known to us today. Among them
are Jenny Lind (the Swedish Nightingale) and Edwin Forrest,
whom Abraham Lincoln saw on stage many times. Ira Frederick
Aldridge was the first renowned African American actor. There
were also traveling carnivals and circuses, where literally, "seeing
the elephant," could be the highlight of one's life.
This book has much
more detail and fills a definite gap in our knowledge of
the American Victorian age. For history fans who have read
about famous Civil War characters, the book will give you
a context to understand them--it will make you feel that
you know them a little bit better.
Photos
National Archives
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Learning Links
Everyday
Life During the Civil War by
Michael J. Varhola, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati,
Ohio, 1999.
Union
Currency During the Civil War.
Salmon
P. Chase chose his own image for the $1 because it was more
widely circulated--he believed it would help his own Presidential
campaign. It's said that he once tore his portrait off the
$1 and used it as a carte de visite!
Vintage Van Camp's Pork & Beans
Can
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