Oh Fudge

Recipe for "Fudge Nugats" -

Pillsbury Bake-Off Winner
(40-48 pieces, makes 2 lb.)

Combine in saucepan
- 2 c. sugar (I cut it this time to 1 c. sugar 1/4 c. karo syrup)
- 1/2 c. oleo
- 1 c. evap. milk

Bring these to full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil 10 min, stirring occasionally

Stir in
- 1 c. (6 oz. pkg) choc bits (I used butterscotch this time)
- 3/4 c. flour
- 1 c. finely crushed graham crackers
- 3/4 c. chopped nuts (I used 1/2 c. pecans)
- 1 tsp vanilla

Spread in pan (12 x 8 or 9 x 9) - cool

Found in "Mary Lyles Wilson's New Cook Book" published by The Southwestern Company, 1952.

-Click to enlarge photos-

In Memoriam

Paper rose. Label reads: "In Memoriam: 1990" with the American Legion Auxiliary seal.

Found in "The Most of P.G. Wodehouse" published by Fireside, 1969.


-Click to enlarge photos-

The Rebels

This will be the last of the Civil War posts I'll share - there are many more letters, but I'll save them for another time. Quick warning - today's letter has some strong language.

Carlisle PA July 7th 1864

My Dear Wife:

The rebels are coming. They are now at Greencastle, with a force of a thousand men, and it is said that they have 40 thousand behind them. In all probability, we shall have them here. We ...?... union force to oppose them. Our men from the Barracks and the Rebels had a big fight in the streets of Hagerstown. At first our men drove them back, but they got reinforcements  and drove our men to Greencastle. You ought to have been here last night to witness the boxing up of our merchants and others. The niggers and whites are flying in every direction, and everybody is intent on saving their things.

Don't be alarmed about me. I will take care of myself. I don't intend to leave Carlisle for any infernal Rebel south. I shall stay at the Parsonage and if that Doctor I met with at Gettysburg comes here and fulfills his promise to see me "about our affair of honor" he will not get beyond our threshold. I have my revolver prepared, and will blow his brains out the moment he enters.

It is said they are conscripting our men as they go and preparing them into their arm service from 16 to 50 years of age. We have all resolved not to be conscripted  - to die first. The 12,000 militia for 100 days are responding fast, and I hope we shall be able to give them a sound thrashing before they got back to the Potomac.

I believe they take all they want from private houses. Oh my poor pigs! We have concluded to put them in the ??ary while the rebels are here, and feed them on funds of deposit. And as for our blankets, we shall take good care of them. Now don't be alarmed, if we should not meet again on earth we certainly shall in heaven. It will be for better for me to say here than to leave: and it may be that the Rebels will not be so harsh as ...?.

I am very glad you and the children are away. I hope to see you at the time we appointed. There will be no doubt a great battle in our valley. What our government is doing is a matter of secrecy, but I have no doubt plans are being laid to defeat the enemy. Several men from the barracks have been brought in wounded, and several rebel prisoners ..? through here. Love to all. Write immediately. God bless you all, if we never meet again on earth, we shall meet in Heaven.

Your devoted,
S.Philips

-Click to enlarge photos-

War In Color

I still  have a few interesting items from the Civil War collection I'd like to share. Here are some loose illustrations, they all seem to be taken from an 1862 edition of D.T. Valentine's Manual.

-Click to enlarge photos-

Giveaway winner

This week's winner was Charlotte Malte, who entered over on Facebook.

Thanks to all who entered, see you here next week!

-Click to enlarge photos-

Friday Giveaway: Signed Copies of HANDWRITTEN RECIPES and FORGOTTEN BOOKMARKS - contest closed

Contest now closed, winner will be announced shortly.

-Click to enlarge photos-

The Battlefield

I found these papers folded neatly in a manila envelope separate from the rest of the letters. What caught my eye was the first note, signed by Samuel Philips, author of the letter I posted on Monday:

Letters & envelopes I picked up from the battlefield of Gettysburg the day after the battle

Samuel Philips

-Click to enlarge photos-

Clothing And Camp

A second piece with the name of H.H.C. Kay:

Quartermaster General's Office
Washington City, D.C.
October 25 1864

Sir:

Your consolidated return of clothing and camp and garrison equipage pertaining to Co. B 22nd Reg. Penna Gar. for period from July 1st 1863 to January 27th 1864 has been received and examined at this office, and sent to the Second Auditor of the Treasury for settlement.

Remarks -

Very ??
By order of the G.M. Guard (?)

-signatures

To
Capt. H.H.C. Kay
22 Penna Gar

-Click to enlarge photos-

Raise And Recruit

Another item from that Civil War collection:

Headquarters - Pennsylvania Militia, Inspector General's Department

Harrisburg, August, 1864

To H.H.C. Kay

Sir: You are hereby authorized to raise and recruit a Company Squadron of Volunteer Cavalry under the provisions of General Order No. 1, of these Head-quarters, of August 30, 1864, issued in pursuance of the authority of the Acts of Assembly of the 22nd and 25th August, 1864, and the act to which they are supplements, authorizing the formation of the Pennsylvania State Guard.

Samuel Todd
Inspector General, Penn'a

-Click to enlarge photos-

Your Affectionate Husband

A few months back, I came across a nice collection of Civil War-era letters and ephemera. I could spend a month with these, but I thought I would take this week to show off some of the best.

Chambersburg PA - Aug. 1st 1862

Dear Rebecca:

Your very welcome letter reached me yesterday evening. I was much pleased to learn that you and Mr. Campbell had made all things right. I received a letter from him yesterday in which he states that Mr. Hapler (?) was perfectly satisfied. I can now rest. The fact is I was entirely too hasty, at least I  had no grounds to complain because my quarters salary (?) was not due, although they should have interested themselves more to raise the money by the time I left.

I have been very well since I left. I put up with Mr. Clarke where I remained over night. Last night I started with Mr. Waupler (?) and during the day I ran about almost every where. The (?) are all glad to see me. I was at Wanamakers, thye don't take their bereavement as hard as I thought they would. They intend to move to Philadelphia in about 3 weeks. I saw Capt. Gillan, and could have wept over him. He is in the last stage of consumption, and is not able to go to church any more. I don't think he will last beyond fall. I dined yesterday with Judge Nill....(?) But I can't go into particulars until I see you.

All the young men here have joined the army. They want me to because (?) Chaplain which I think I will do. Henry Hutton, Ben. La(?) George W (? likely same name as above), James Maxwell, John Oaks, Jeff Nill are among the numbers.

But I will now close. When we meet I can give you more satisfaction. I will be at Carlisle on Monday morning. If anything happens let me know. My love to the family, I accept a great portion from (?)

Your affectionate husband,
Samuel Philips

-Click to enlarge photos-