Longville and a historic bellows

Anyone who has been to a Civil War reenactment knows that there is a particular difference between the Northern camps and the Southern camps.  Northern camps are orderly; tents and equipment set into ordered rows.  Southern camps are more informally put together.  Tents rise where they will; horses are near the individual tents; the general appearance nor nearly so put together.

Adrian's friend, Donna, is a reenactor who tipped us off about the Mariposa event.  She was set up in part of what was called Longville, a town/camp set up not too far from the Northern camp.

Laundry, Camp Stoves

and cooking stations were set up around the town area.

And in the midst of the war, there was a town Sheriff to maintain civil order.

At the edge of the Northern camp, Don found us where the mobile bellows stood at the forge. The bellows is Civil War equipment from the War itself. There are only seven such pieces of equipment in existance now from the War.  This is the only one not at a National or State Park. There were two people giving demonstration and presentation.

The one explaining at that time was a nineteen year old, red headed man, who is certified as a blacksmith.

Blacksmithing combines the four elements of earth, fire, water and air. Iron from the earth. Fire to shape the iron. Water to cool the iron. Air to increase the heat of the fire.

They not only shoed the horses, but also repaired and made parts for the cannon and carriages and hardware for such items as wood cases and tent poles.  At the time we were there, the young smithy was repairing a leather strap.  Basically, the blacksmiths were the unit mechanics.