cemetery and prostitution tidbits ~ and an announcement ~

file this under ~ things just begging to go into a book (and now definitely a scene in mine).

from the Richmond Dispatch, July 12, 1862

Bury the Dead. ~ We again call attention to the numbers of unburied dead that lie about Oakwood Cemetery. A gentleman who visited the burial ground a day or two ago says he saw no less than forty or fifty coffins with their ghastly contents exposed to the sweltering rays of the July sun, the lids in many instances being forced off by the swollen bodies, emitting a most offensive effluvia. This is a great evil, and should at once be remedied. - Surely enough hands can be obtained to perform the rite of sepulture - the last testimonial of respect which can be rendered to the unfortunate men who have fallen in the defence of our country.

two weeks later, things were still not going well.


Oakwood Cemetery, April 1865
and here, an interesting tidbit, especially for those laboring under the false impression that victorians were prudish, naive, and/or sexually repressed:

from the Richmond Dispatch, May 13, 1862

An Example Made. ~ It has been well known for some time past that cyprians, resident and accumulated since the removal of the seat of Government to this place, as well as loose males of the most abandoned character from other parts of the Confederacy, have been disporting themselves extensively on the sidewalks and in hacks, open carriages, &c, in the streets of Richmond, to the amazement of sober-sided citizens compelled to smell the odors which they exude, and witness the imprudence and familiar vulgarity of many of the shame faced of the prostitutes of both sexes. Smirks and smiles, winks, and, when occasion served, remarks not of a choice kind, in a loud voice, denoted the character of the female occupants of open carriages, gotten up in humble imitation of the powers that be. The mayor, in answer to many complaints, having determined to enforce the vagrant law, has caused one lewd character - a female - to be taken up for obtruding herself in an obnoxious attitude before decent people. It is to be hoped that she will not be the only example.

i put the emphasis on this one especially because i think it's interesting how otherwise perfectly ordinary the writer makes it sound.

both of these bits (and many more) were found at www.mdgorman.com (possibly the finest Civil War site online).

and now for something completely different:

this lj business is being much reassessed in my scheme of things. this does not mean i ain't gonna post no more. it means my posts will likely continue to be more research and writing-oriented. if my endless warbling about the 19th century bores you, feel free to de-friend, etc. i'm still going to be posting for the 50bookchallenge and occasionally reviewing a movie or two.

on the other hand, i am going to make a filter for spiritual stuff (a major area of struggle in my life right now). if i include you on that filter and you don't want to be included, just let me know and i can pop you off. if i don't include you on that filter and you would like to be included, let me know. either way, none of this is personal.

and no penalties for anyone jumping ship.

: D