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Re-enactors in period costume, at Mt. Vernon's Thruston House
brought back memories of the War Between the States.

Mt. Vernon Historical Society
Goes Back to Days of "War Between the States"

by: Bobby McDonald

It was a trip back to February 1, 1861, almost 150 years ago, that Franklin County Historical Society members took those present on Saturday afternoon to. It was a re-enactment of the troubled times on the battlefield and the carnage that was suffered here at home, that those in attendance learned about.

Docents displayed toys of the era, guns and artillery used in the war, fashions, and a display of the flags that flew over the Confederate States of America. Texas was the 7th state to succeed from the union and joined others in forming the Confederate States of America, in February 1861. Her men and women fought to preserve a way of life that they were accustomed to, and to protect the invasion of Northern forces, who threatened to destroy their crops, their homes, and their towns.

Mt. Vernon Historical Society members, donned period costumes and took those in attendance back to a time when things were difficult and asked the residents of "The South" to sacrifice in their poverty, their fighting men, and their fight for freedom.

"It was a very, very difficult time in Northeast Texas and all across 'The South,'" expressed those who "took on" the parts of Southern freedom defenders. "Texas was important to The South and was a viable part of the War. The Texas men were known for their excellence in battle and the great contributions they made to the Confederacy. However, a war of its own was being fought by the women, children and aged men who remained at home and attempted to keep the farms, homes, and towns functioning for the cause!"

Col. Henry Clay Hurston was the tallest man in the Civil War, as he stood at 7 foot 7 1/2 inches
tall and lived in Franklin County, farming in the Daphne Community.

Inside the Hurston House, built by Col. Henry Clay Hurston, in 1868, right after the Civil War, were displays of fashions worn during the Civil War period. There were quilting demonstrations, butter making, and a display of dolls and toys that children of the era would have played with. There were: "Silent Witness Dolls," "Penny Wooden Dolls," a homemade rolled-cloth doll, Cornshuck Dolls, and "Frozen Charlotte Dolls." There was also a demonstration of "table-top nine-pins" and early bowling game, that was played on a table, as well as checkers, marbles, and wooden dominoes.

This docent displays a cloth doll that would have been homemade for a small girl to
play with. Hanging on the wall is a corn-cotton planter that was carried into the
field to plant the crop.

Checkers was a favorite game during the Civil War era.

Civil War Era fashions, on display.

Meanwhile, outside the house, in the front yard, a display of many of the flags used during the Confederacy were on display and docents explained the features of each of them.