(Charles and Nancy McDowall after the Civil War)
"Ever True: A Union Private and His Wife," a Civil War reader's theater by Lisa Saunders
Lisa Saunders, the great-great granddaughter of Union Private Charles McDowell and his wife Nancy of Wayne County, will discuss the research behind their Civil War love letters. Charles married Nancy when she was 15 years old. Enlisting as a private in the New York 9th Heavy Artillery two years later, he asked Nancy to save his letters. Despite his grueling battles and marches, he was able to save hers as well. Together, their letters tell of bullets, hangings, prostitutes, venereal disease, typhoid fever, lying injured on the battlefield for days, “clever women,” and the court marshalling of a cow. (Note: Charles fought in several battles with the Sixth Corps.)
