Civil War for the day

Halloween during the Civil War (courtesy of Scott Guthrie):

Though not like it is today, Halloween was, in fact, celebrated during the Civil War. If you look hard enough, you can find references to Halloween. For example, Harper’s Weekly published the political cartoon Jefferson Davis Reaping the Harvest in October of 1861 (above). The ghoulish scene depicted the Confederate President gathering wheat topped with skulls.
Another reference to Halloween can be found in The Peoria Morning Mail, which included the following in its 2 November 1862 issue:

All-Hollow E’en. This old time anniversary, which took place on Friday evening, was made the excuse by some of our wild boys for throwing unsavory missiles, putrid vegetables; taking gates off of the hinges, and sundry other pranks. This was probably “good fun” to the boys, but for those thus attacked it was not so desirable.

In November of 1864, Kate Stone wrote the following in her journal Brokenburn:

Some gentlemen called, and we had cards. After they left, Lucy and I tried our fortunes in divers ways as it was ‘All Hallow’e’en’. We tried all magic arts and had a merry frolic, but no future lord and master came to turn our wet garments hanging before the fire. There were no ghostly footprints in the meal sprinkled behind the door. No bearded face looked over our shoulders as we ate the apples before the glass. No knightly forms of soldiers brave disturbed our dreams after eating the white of an egg half-filled with salt.

I can’t imagine the soldiers had much time to celebrate Halloween, but it’s interesting to think about how traditions have changed over the years. Even with the special effects we have today, it’s important to remember that no horror movie can compare to what American soldiers of both sides experienced during the Civil War.

Rico says that the holiday is really just for kids nowadays, but the horrors of the Civil War live on...