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O December 20, 1860, South Carolina was the first to formally secede from the United States of America. Ten other states followed (counting the two border states of Missouri and Kentucky). The first shots were fired on Fort Sumter on on April 12, 1861, marking the beginning of the War between the States. This rpg takes place in a fictional community called Fair Meadow, Virginia in the northeast part of the state close to where First Manassas (Bull Run), the first MAJOR land battle of the armies in Virginia took place on July 21. On July 16, 1861, the Union army marched from Washington against the Confederate army. Virginia did not rejoin the US until December 26, 1870. Approx. 138 battles were fought in Virginia, more than any other state. This rpg was originally set up and intended for women and men on the homefront.   Check out the Bookmarks sections for links to information about the Civil War and Virginia.

As best I can tell, Providence (referred to as "Court House") was the county seat of Fairfax County during this time.  Virginia's county boundaries changed so often, it's terribly difficult to keep track of it.  The closest major town to Fair Meadow to the south is Fredericksburg.  A link to its 1860 census is listed on the Jobs page and gives you an idea of what businesses were there.   Richmond, the capitol of the Confederacy, is 75 miles south of Manassas.  Keep in mind that during this time frame, what is now West Virginia was part of Virginia.   West Virginia became the 35th state in 1863.

The Draft:

March 6, 1861 - The Confederacy called for 100,000 volunteers for its provisional army.  In the beginning, recruiters were not very selective.  Many men with disqualifying factors, including physical disabilities, were enlisted according to "Everyday Life During the Civil War."

According to "The American Civil War," about half the Confederate volunteers signed up for three years and the other half twelve months.  By then, the Conscription Act was in effect, however.

April 15, 1861 - President Lincoln issues a Proclamation calling for 75,000 militiamen, and summoning a special session of Congress for July 4.

According to John Jakes' "Love and War," a man owning more than twenty slaves could claim exemtpion from any military service by virtue of a rule excusing him.

The Confederate Conscription Act didn't go into effect until April 16,1862.  At that point, men already in the army were required to serve an additional two years and subjected males 18 to 35 to three year enlistments.

Enrollment Act of July 7, 1863 in the North (1st military draft by US (exemptions cost $100))

Conscription Act in 1863 raised the age of the men in the Confederacy to 45 and 17-50 in 1864.

This rpg was originally set up and intended for men and women on the homefront; however, anyone wanting to reinact battles is welcome to do so.

"What good are reproaches where help is no longer possible?  I can only lament, but change nothing; only grieve, but not bring a single dead back to life." ~Karl May's "Winnetou"

For questions or comments, please contact the list owner, Barb at bprest1@bellsouth.net

Perpetual Calendar

Calendar 7 1861

     July 1861
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14 15 16 17 18 19 20
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Copyright Fair Meadow RPG 2001-2005. Last revised: November 14, 2005

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