Civil War Housewife by Zina Abbott

 

 

 

 

Civil War soldiers did not have much in the line of extra clothing, so the clothing they wore took a lot of wear and tear.  Soldiers were often sent off to war with “housewives” or small sewing kits made by their wives, mothers, or girlfriends. 

These were usually made from scraps of fabric such as cotton, twill, or silk and sometimes leather. They could be folded or rolled to pocket-size, and then fastened with ribbon, yarn, or a button.   They contained essential sewing supplies such as needles, pins, thread, buttons, a small pair of scissors, extra scraps of fabric for field repairs, and possibly a thimble.  When a soldier needed to sew on a button or mend a tear, all of the necessary supplies were available. 

 To see an example of the "housewife" that is part of the Minnesota Historical Society collection, please CLICK HERE

A “housewife” was also known as a “huswife” or “hussif”. Today we would call this a sewing kit. “Huswifes” became very popular in the 1700s and were often elaborately embroidered. They were easily carried, lightweight, and essential for soldiers, sailors, or a men in a variety of occupations who constantly needed sewing supplies to mend clothing that could not be easily replaced either due to lack of availability or cost. “Huswifes” were used throughout the 1800s.

To see an example of a Civil War-era housewife that at one time was available on eBay, please CLICK HERE. 

 

An essential part of any soldier’s gear, these mending kits were not an army-issued item. Commercial versions were available from sutlers, who were civilian merchants who followed the army camps. This housewife of oil cloth and silk , above, could be rolled for storage.

The above housewife, or sewing kit, was given to Capt. Leo Rassieur, 30th Missouri Volunteer Infantry.

Ladies even enjoyed making these fabric sewing kits for themselves. Some of them were made of silk and included elaborate embroidery designs reminiscent of the “crazy quilts” popular in the late 1800s. For an example, please CLICK HERE.

One popular source of sewing needles was the "James Smith & Son's" brand. The needle could also be used for removing splinters, and on occasion, sewing up a wound. Some soldiers even took up recreational needlework. After the First World War (1914-18), embroidery became a popular therapeutic occupation for wounded soldiers.

 

The above is a military sewing kit or housewife (hussif), 1NZEF, World War 1 sewing kit of brown suede with three reels of cotton, buttons, thread and needles comprises .1 holder .2-.4 cotton reels .5 seven metal buttons .6 three plastic buttons .7 wad of thread and needles. Military issue of this style of sewing kits, or hussifs, continued through World War 2.

Today,  sewing kits usually come in zippered pouches or cheap plastic boxes,

If you would enjoy making your own American Civil War-era housewife or “hussif,” Please CLICK HERE to find a pattern. Use fabric scraps with small prints. For greater authenticity, use Civil War reproduction prints.  

 Although my latest novel, Abilene Gamble, is set after the Civil War, during a flashback scene, I make mention of a housewife. To find the book description and purchase link for this book, please CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

Sources:

https://ageofrevolution.org/200-object/housewife-sewing-kit/

https://hylandhouse.org/at-home-activities/make-your-own-huswife-a-colonial-travel-sewing-kit/

http://digital.chipublib.org/digital/collection/wha/id/356/

https://uniondb.com/products/civil-war-house-wife-cam-044

https://thedreamstress.com/2015/11/a-lucky-sixpence-hussuf-and-what-are-hussuf-or-housewives/

Wikimedia Creative Commons

Disaster of the S. S. Sultana by Zina Abbott

This post is an adaptation of an article originally posted in the Trails & Rails blog belonging to Robyn Echols before she adopted her pen name, Zina Abbott, for publishing her American historical romance novels. It was also one of my first posts on the Sweet Americana Sweethearts blog in July, 2015. I am posting it again since the book which inspired the post, Abilene Gamble, is finally, FINALLY in the process of being published.


For my work in progress titled Abilene Gamble, I spent quite a bit of time researching the explosion on the S.S. Sultana that took place on 27 April 1865.

S.S. Sultana on April 26, 1865

This steamboat was built in 1863 for the lower Mississippi River cotton trade. During the American Civil War, it was often commissioned by the Union Army to carry troops.

Toward the end of the war, the problem of how to feed and guard prisoners of war became desperate. In particular, the Confederacy was having a difficult time finding enough food for its own soldiers. It did not have enough to feed its Union prisoners of war in all the many prison camps. Because of this, talks had started in March 1865 regarding releasing prisoners of war and sending them home to be paroled on the condition that they would no longer fight in the war.

Artist rendition of the Cahaba Prison Camp

Much as been written about  Andersonville and the great suffering in that particular prison. Some paroled survivors from Andersonville and other prison camps, such as the Cahaba prison, were on the Sultana. Most of the soldiers on that boat at the time of the explosion were from Ohio. Several soldiers from Indiana regiments also ended up being sent home on the Sultana.

Once the soldiers arrived in Vicksburg, Mississippi, the Union Army prepared to send them up the river by steamboat. For many men suffering from disease and malnutrition, the excitement of finally going home prompted them to quickly board the Sultana. Officers packed as many soldiers on the boat as possible, planning to account for the men who boarded once the boat started upriver. There were approximately 2,400 people, mostly paroled Union soldiers, crammed into a steamboat designed to carry 376 passengers.

Sultana on fire from Harper's Weekly

In the days prior to the explosion, the Sultana had been experiencing problems with leaking boilers. Twice efforts were made to provide quick, stop-gap repairs in order to keep the steamboat going so it could meet the demands of the Army.

At approximately 2:00a.m. on 27 April 1865, the top-heavy weight of the boat coupled with the swift spring run-off of the river proved too much for the poorly repaired boilers. Three of the four boilers exploded, blowing much of the structure apart and catching the rest of the boat on fire.

Some passengers were killed instantly. Some were blown into the freezing water where they either drowned quickly, or were overcome by hypothermia and then drowned. Only a relative few were fortunate and found something on which to hold that kept them afloat in the darkness long enough for the few rescue ships that arrived within hours of the explosion to pull them out of the water. Some ended up in trees along the banks. Some were crushed by the collapsing decks and, if not killed immediately, burned to death by the spreading fire.

Many of the survivors, including some with horrible burns, were taken to Memphis, Tennessee. Citizens there rallied to help them the best they could, even though these Union soldiers had recently been their enemies.

It is estimated that between 800 to 900 people survived. An estimated death toll of approximately 1,700 makes the explosion of the S.S. Sultana the biggest maritime disaster in United States history, bigger even than the sinking of the Titanic.

However, this event did not get much attention in the press at the time. General Robert E. Lee had surrendered on April 9th, General Joseph E. Johnston had surrendered the day before the disaster and President Abraham Lincoln had been assassinated thirteen days before. The country was tired of hearing about the horrors of war.

Living through bloody battles, only to spend months fighting starvation and disease in a prison camp and then suffering through a disaster like this explosion is the stuff of which post traumatic stress disorder, nightmares, and scars--visible and not visible--are made.  Abilene Gamble is set in 1871, but I planned to add these experiences of my hero as part of the back story/flashbacks so the readers do not think his life began as a whole, fully-developed adult person in 1871.

Abilene Gamble is currently on pre-order and is scheduled for release this coming Friday, February 18th. Here is the tagline, or teaser, for this book:

"He will find her brother, but not for the reason she expects."

Here is an excerpt from Abilene Gamble after Harry Bradford finds Stella Schoenfeld's brother, Nathan:

            After he finished with Nathan, Harry prepared his own bed on the other side of the fire. “You need to rethink this, Mr. Schoenfeld. Stella is by herself. Your sister needs more from you than hoping that once or twice a year you’ll send her a personal advertisement in the newspaper the first Sunday of each odd numbered month. Testify and clear your name.”

            “Go jump in the lake, Bradford.” Nathan wriggled his back into the dirt.

            Since it was one of his mother’s favorite expressions when she was angry, Harry was familiar with the lake to which Nathan Schoenfeld referred—the lake of fire and brimstone. He had already been blown out of a boat that fit that description into a river. He had no intention of repeating the experience.

To find the book description and pre-order purchase link, please CLICK HERE.

 

Zina Abbott Author Links:

 

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Look what our authors published in January!

Our authors have been busy writing and publishing books this past month. Here is what we published in January:

January Releases:

Hannah’s Lieutenant: An Atwell Kin Boxset

Hannah’s Handkerchief: 

With her blonde hair and blue eyes, Hannah Atwell knows she is pretty—and she enjoys pretty things.  She spent her life striving to be the perfect, obedient daughter of a Kansas farm family. Now she feels she is destined for something more than being a farmer’s wife living in a soddie.

      At a party held at Fort Riley, Kansas, to celebrate the end of the Civil War, Hannah meets First Lieutenant Jake Burdock, who captures her heart. She impulsively offers him her handkerchief as a token of her regard. As her parents resist her involvement with the Army officer, she begins to question if always doing what she is told is to her advantage. Demands of Jake’s job and missed connections keep them apart. Only the letters they exchange keep them connected.

Hannah’s Highest Regard:   

Hannah stays in touch with 1st Lt. Jake Burdock through letters until they stop coming. While visiting the fort, she meets 2nd Lt. Andrew Call, aide to Fort Riley’s commander. She soon becomes intrigued by him, and he obviously intends to make her his. As Jake Burdock returns to the fort and events unfold, Hannah makes a startling discovery. It soon become apparent some matters are not what they seem.

     Will the warning from Hannah’s mother that Army officers amuse themselves with poor country girls but marry women from high society prove true? Will Hannah end up with one of the lieutenants? If so, which one?

Released 1/05/22

http://mybook.to/HannahsLt

 

A Match Made in Heaven: A Sweet Historical Romance Pettigrew Matchmakers Book 1

Mischief, Marriage and Mayhem, Pettigrew Matchmakers excel at them all! At least that's what Mrs. Pettigrew is trying to teach them ...

Albert Dunst was no ordinary fellow. Indeed, he was so much more. So when he's plucked off the street to be the first student in Adelia Pettigrew's new matchmaking school, he takes it all in stride. After all, he's no stranger to matchmaking. How hard can it be?  A Pettigrew matchmaker is trained to match two people as discreetly as possible and bring them together. He already knew how to do that. There was just one problem. Okay, maybe two ...

Marigold Simpson is seeking adventure, not a husband. She wants to work an old claim of her uncle's and sets out to do it. How is Albert supposed to get her to fall in love with her perfect match when she has no interest in marriage? And speaking of her perfect match, Rand Metcalf's parents won't stop pestering him about taking a wife. Well, he'll dig his heels in and not come within a hundred feet of a female. That ought to show them. He'd marry when he was good and ready and that was that. Poor Albert, what's a matchmaker to do?

Find out in this hilarious new series of sweet, clean romances as only Kit Morgan can deliver.

Released 1/10/22

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MZZKKWK

 

Kit Morgan's Cutter's Creek The Complete Collection: A Cutter's Creek Box Set

At long last! All of Kit Morgan's Cutter's Creek books in one collection! Enjoy these sweet historical romances as only Kit Morgan can deliver!

That Healing Touch: Jack Carlson spied for the union army for four, long years and what did he get for his trouble? Blindness. Battered by the war and lost without his sight, he seeks refuge in Cutter’s Creek, Montana. There he hopes to heal his bitter heart. But he’s going to need a lot more help than what he can come up with…
     Willow Bennett has been in love with the same man all her life. As a young girl she followed Jack Carlson and his friends until they managed to out run her. As a young woman…well, a girl can dream, can’t she?

Love is Blind: Emma Carlson, in hiding from her brother so she could marry a man of her own choosing, kept a watchful eye on those that passed through White’s Stage Stop in case one struck her fancy. And lo and behold, one did! He was handsome. He was strong. He was mysterious! He was also sent by her brother Jack to find her!

Recipe for Christmas: Agatha Shrewsbury has lived with the Bridger family for five long grueling years. More a slave than a member of the family, she finally reaches the breaking point. Will she ever know happiness? Or only toil and ridicule at the hands of her “keepers”?
A lonely man, a desperate woman, one Christmas festival, a mean-spirited family, and …

Love Finds a Way: Elizabeth Cornell dreamed of going on a grand adventure one day. Her husband had been a tailor, and they set out west with their dreams and everything needed to make a new life. Too bad her husband died on the way.

Promise of Love: Merritt Petroff is staring spinsterhood in the face, that is until a stranger shows up in town. Problem is, her matchmaking grandparents (not to mention the rest of the town) can't leave well enough alone. Wouldn't it be better if they let nature take its course?

Love Comes Home: Jonathan Bridger was finally free! Free from the corral of complaint, pettiness and strife of his family. And now that he was, he returned to the only place he knew of to have a fresh start, a life of his own. And when Maisie Woodhouse caught his eye, he thought everything he wanted was now at his fingertips. But then he met her mother …

Released 1/25/22

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09QK4RJYX/

 

Not all of our authors put their books on pre-order. For those who do, advance sales help their sales ranking and are greatly appreciated.

 

 Pre-orders for February:

 

A Match for Maggie: Marianne's Mail Order Bride Book #13

By Marisa Masterson

Please note--Maggie Jorgensen first appeared in Mail Order Lucy. This novella continues the conflict first introduced in that novel. (Approximately 20,000 words.)

Maggie Jorgensen knows an escaped criminal is stalking her. U.S. marshal Reg Parker has a solution--send her to Denver as a mail-order bride.
After his passionate kiss, Maggie is confused. Why would Reg send her to another man? And why is her Denver groom missing?

Releases February 1., 2022

https://www.amazon.com/Match-Maggie-Mariannes-Order-Bride-ebook/dp/B09NC7T8QV/

 

Abilene Gamble: Gamble on Judgment Book 1

by Zina Abbott

          Harry Bradford is a lawyer and sometimes detective. Some call him a bounty hunter. With half of his face torn to pieces toward the end of the Civil War, people turn away from him. He fled his native Indiana where people did not wish to hire anyone who reminded them of the war. He hoped to find among the drovers, stock yards, railroads, homesteaders and trouble-making drifters pouring into Abilene, Kansas, during the hey-day of the cattle drives enough work to provide a reason to keep living.

          Stella Schoenfeld, raised in the well-to-do merchant class of Indianapolis, tracks her runaway brother, Nathan, to Abilene. She is desperate to settle their father’s estate so she can move forward with her life. In spite of the warrant out for his arrest related to the incident that left her scarred visibly—and in other ways not visible—she comes to bring him home. 

          While Harry guides Stella around Abilene, he realizes they have a connection neither would have guessed. Driven by revenge, Harry agrees to find her brother but not for the reason she expects, even though he knows it will cost him the only woman he has ever dared to love.

Releases February 18, 2022

http://mybook.to/AbileneGamble

 

Ruby's Choice: Courting Chaos - Book 6

Annee Jones

20-year-old Ruby Gale has a secret.

       She’s decided to use a little of the inheritance money she and her brother received following the death of their parents to start a card-making business, just like several of the other women she knows in the small community of Divine, CO. Valentine’ Day is just around the corner, so the timing couldn’t be better. Because some of the married ladies suspect their husbands may not exactly welcome the idea of their wives working, it’s decided that the card-marking activity will take place under the guise of tea parties (which no man would have any interest in attending, after all). 

       However, once the talk amongst the unwed members of the group - including Ruby - turns to prospective beaus and secret crushes, unsigned valentines begin showing up in the hands of the most eligible bachelors all over town. Rumors and speculations abound, and everyone thinks they know who’s sweet on who. Suddenly, Ruby not only has to sort out the real secret admirers, but also answer the question of which man to give her own heart.

Releases February 22, 2022

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NV7ZXQ7

 

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Pre-orders for March:

 

Indianapolis Justice: Gamble on Judgment Book 2

Zina Abbott

     Now that Stella Schoenfeld has been reunited with her brother, Nathan, she returns to their home city of Indianapolis. Much to her chagrin, Nathan is transported home as Harry Bradford’s prisoner. While still in Abilene, she felt drawn to the part-time lawyer, part-time detective—a man many called a bounty hunter. However, now she knows Harry’s purpose for finding Nathan was not so she could convince her brother to settle their father’s estate, but so Harry could collect the reward for Nathan’s return, can she trust him?

     Because of the gruesome scars he bears on half his face as a result of being on the steamboat Sultana when the boilers exploded, Harry Bradford has resigned himself to having no connection with women other than to represent them on legal matters. As much as he longs to grow closer to Stella, it is his own grudge against the man who attacked and disfigured her that motivates him to take the biggest gamble of his life. He knows the murder charges against Nathan, who only sought to protect his sister, are false.

     During the trial, a startling secret is revealed. After the gossips and newspaper accounts sensationalize her situation, dare Stella ever again show her face in Indianapolis?

     While Harry, Stella, and Nathan face the judgment of public opinion, Harry must set aside his own resentments to fight for justice. Can he clear Nathan of the false murder charges? Can Harry gain freedom for his client without losing his heart to Stella?

Releases March 15, 2022

http://mybook.to/IndJustice

 

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