I have gathered a goodly amount of info concerning various campaigns, battles, skirmishes, etc over the past several years while researching my ancestors during the Civil War or The War of Rebellion depending upon your choice of title.

It would be very interesting to find historical accounts of how the women and children who remained home while their men folk went off to war.

I have read several accounts by ladies of life on the home front but most of the books I have read were written by Officer's wives or other members of families who wrote from the view point of a higher social level than most of the lower enlisted ranks of both armies.

My own particular ancestors were from a very rural area of Georgia (Jackson County)and basically were either tenant farmerss or semi-skilled day workers.

My GGG grandfather, James Hollingsworth Vandiver was a member of the Georgia Home Guards, he had three sons, The oldest, Charles C. Vandiver was a member of the 18th Ga. Infantry enlisted on April 30, 1861 and died from disease in Richmond, Va. sometime in November 1862.

The 2nd son, George Cornelius Vandiver, my Great Gradfather was a member of the 13/16th Georgia Calvary Battalion and survived the war and died in 1921.

The 3rd son, Jacob Warren Vandiver, was a member of the 2nd Georgia Calvary and participated in several skirmishes that occurred during Sherman's march thru Georgia to the sea.

Based upon family lore and official documents all of these men were farmers and left their mother, sisters, cousins, etc. to tend their crops and continue their lives at home.

These situations would likely involve the ladies in producing food on their farms in order to survive. Cutting their wood for cooking and for warmth as well as moving the wood from the forest to their homes.

If anyone know of sources written by the common families of the South or the North I would appreciate your recommendation.

Thanks so much,

Herb Holman