Civil War - The Home Front
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What Was Life Like for Women While the Men Went Away to the Civil War?
The battles and campaigns of the Civil War are quite well documented, but I see little information about the effects of the war on the wife and children left behind. What was life like on the home front during the Civil War? That's a big topic, so I'll narrow it down to what was life like in Southern Indiana for my great-great grandmother, Nancy Angeline (Long) Tower.
Her husband, Abraham Bates Tower was mustered into Company G, 93rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry on August 28, 1862. It was three years before he came back from the war, a greatly changed man. They are listed as living in Leopold, Indiana at the time of his enlistment. I'll share with you here what I can piece together of her story.
(The photo shows Nancy Angeline and Abraham Bates Tower some time after the Civil War. She is holding a grandchild in the photo.)
Her husband, Abraham Bates Tower was mustered into Company G, 93rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry on August 28, 1862. It was three years before he came back from the war, a greatly changed man. They are listed as living in Leopold, Indiana at the time of his enlistment. I'll share with you here what I can piece together of her story.
(The photo shows Nancy Angeline and Abraham Bates Tower some time after the Civil War. She is holding a grandchild in the photo.)
Contents at a Glance
- Some Background Information on Nancy Ang...
- Places in Nancy Tower's Life
- Background on Leopold, Indiana
- We Don't Know What Kind of House the Tow...
- Women's Role on the Home Front
- Questions I Want to Answer about Nancy T...
- How Would Nancy Angeline Dress?
- Learn More about the Clothing Worn in th...
- Links about Women in the Civil War
Some Background Information on Nancy Angeline Long
She was born May 2, 1840 in Harrison, Harrison County, Indiana, United States
Her parents are Thomas Long and Nancy Ann Daggs
Nancy Angeline is the sister of Rebecca Long, Mildred Long, Mary Jane Long, Sarah J Long, William Long and Minva Long
Nancy Angeline and Abraham Tower had been married for four years when he left for the Civil War.
She died August 4, 1909 in Tyro, Montgomery County, Kansas.
Her parents are Thomas Long and Nancy Ann Daggs
Nancy Angeline is the sister of Rebecca Long, Mildred Long, Mary Jane Long, Sarah J Long, William Long and Minva Long
Nancy Angeline and Abraham Tower had been married for four years when he left for the Civil War.
She died August 4, 1909 in Tyro, Montgomery County, Kansas.
Places in Nancy Tower's Life
Background on Leopold, Indiana
- Leopold: A History
- Settled by Belgium immigrants in the 1840s and 1850s, the Leopold area was mostly "unbroken forest" as was most of southern Indiana. There were no highways and one had to follow blazed trees through the forests from one settlement to another. The first homes built were likely one-room huts on unclaimed land and later the settlers could buy land for $1.25 per acre.
- Leopold, from A Living History of Perry County by James Mosby
- In 1851, the Indiana Public Free School system started with a public school teacher conducting the school.
We Don't Know What Kind of House the Towers Lived in
It might have been like this vintage log cabin. Perhaps they were living with the Tower or the Long family and did not have a place of their own. I want to find out more about that.
Rustic Cabin Print by Michael_Shake
Rustic Cabin Print by Michael_Shake
Questions I Want to Answer about Nancy Tower's Life during the Civil War
- Where was she living? In the home they had before the war? With her parents? With Abraham's parents?
-
What was she living on? Did Abraham get a signing bonus that she could draw on? Did he send money from his pay? What about after he was missing and presumed dead and there would have been no pay?
- Did they live in the country or in the town? What kind of house was it? How was it furnished?
- What was Abraham's job before the war? If it was farming, was Nancy able to keep the farm going?
- How did she travel to Missouri to stay with her sister after she thought Abraham was dead?
How Would Nancy Angeline Dress?
Women's Clothing from the Civil War Era
This would depend on their social status in the community and their lifestyle. I need to find more about Nancy and Abraham's background for this. 
Unknown Woman Civil War Era Portrait by Vintage_Angel
Anna Elizabeth Dickinson by IsisoftheEast
Vintage Lady by angelandspot
Unknown Woman Civil War Era Portrait by Vintage_Angel
Anna Elizabeth Dickinson by IsisoftheEast
Vintage Lady by angelandspot
Learn More about the Clothing Worn in the Civil War Period
What People Wore During the Civil War (Clothing, Costumes, and Uniforms Throughout American History)
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Links about Women in the Civil War
- Civil War Women Blog
- Abolitionist Movement
African American Women
Authors and Poets
Battle of Gettysburg
Civil War Diaries
Civil War Doctors
Civil War Events
Civil War Generals
Civil War holiday
Civil War Leaders
Civil War Nurses
Civil War Places
Civil War Soldiers
Civil War Spies
Civil War Women
Equal Rights for Women
North Carolina
Supreme Court Justices
Wives of Civil War Generals
Wives of Civil War Leaders
Read More about Women in the Civil War
More Background Information on the Civil War
and the life of the Tower family
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Recipes That Nancy Angeline Tower Might Have Cooked
Civil War Cooking: The Union (Exploring History Through Simple Recipes)
Amazon Price: $12.98 (as of 02/23/2012)
Nancy Angeline Probably Made Quilts
to keep the family warm
Civil War Quilts
Amazon Price: $26.39 (as of 02/23/2012)
What Life Might Have Been Like for Nancy Angeline's Children
during the Civil War
Children of the Civil War (Picture the American Past)
Amazon Price: $4.58 (as of 02/23/2012)
