Jubal Early Chapter #553

NewsletterRocky Mount, Virginia

Volume 6 - Number 1 www.jubalearlyudc.org January 2004

Chapter News

The Jubal Early Chapter of the UDC met at 12:00 noon on Saturday,January 10, 2004 at Hema’s Restaurant in Rocky Mount. Eleven membersand two guests were present. Our newest member, Linda Stanleyreceived her certificate and was welcomed to the Chapter. Our Chapteris currently 100% in our dues and magazine subscriptions!

Linda All informed members of the Military Service Awards availableto men and women who have served their country honorably in thearmed forces. Requirements for the Military Service Award are that therecipient be a descendant of a Confederate Veteran. If you are interestedin having this award presented to a veteran, please contact Linda All.

Hazel displayed the quilt square she made for the Jubal Early Chapterto be included in the quilt for the Virginia Division. The square is beautifuland she is to be complimented. Hazel is also making ‘ditty bags’ for theOctober Convention. Other members who have volunteered to help withthis project are Maxene, Linda All, Sissy and Ditty.

Linda Stanley informed the Chapter of the Confederate MemorialDay ceremony sponsored by the Franklin County Historical Society. Plansare for the ceremony to take place in front of the courthouse on Sat. May29, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. Members of the Chapter are requested to attendin period attire. Two marker dedications will take place on the same datefor Capt. Hale and Benj. Garrett. More information will be made availableat a later date.

There will be no February Chapter meeting – instead, theJudi Flowers workshop will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the Woodman ofthe World Building. Several members are needed to help set up for theevent. Refreshments are also needed and a signup sheet was passedaround at the meeting. Please contact Paula or Linda All for furtherdetails.

EFFECTIVE MARCH 13TH! Our meeting place has beenchanged. All Chapter meetings will now be held at the AmericanLegion Bldg. (Senior Citizens Bldg.) on Tanyard Rd. and will beginat 12:00 noon.

Upcoming Events

February 16, 10:00 a.m. – Presidents’ Day Parade, Alexandria.

March 13, 11:00 a.m. – St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Roanoke.

There will be no February Meeting!Judi Flowers Workshop

Sat., February 14, 2003 - 10:00Woodman of the World Bldg.

Other News

The Fincastle Rifles Camp of the SCV meets every fourth Monday (ex-cept December) at the Woodmen of the World Building on Peters CreekRoad. Unlike the UDC meetings, SCV meetings are open to the public andmembers of the UDC are encouraged to attend. The meetings begin at 7:00p.m. A program follows the meeting and both are very informative andentertaining. Please plan to attend and get to know the Sons!

Seated from left: Hazel, Ditty, Pat & Doris. Standing from left: Linda N.,Frances, Martha, Linda A., Sissy, Paula, Barb in front of Ann, RhondaAtkins and Maxene at SCV Christmas Dinner Dec. 22nd.

New member, Linda Stanley receives her certificate.

Thirteen members of the Jubal Early Chapter attended the SCVChristmas Dinner on Monday, December 22nd at the Woodman of theWorld Bldg. on Peters Creek Rd. Sissy Chitwood and Pat Early receivedCommander’s Appreciation Awards for their help in the SCV. Closing theevening was the traditional and moving candlelight rememberanceceremony.

2004 Schedule of UDC District Conferences

March 27 - Fifth DistrictApril 3 - Fourth District

April 17 - Second DistrictApril 24 - Sixth District

May 1 - First DistrictMay 15 - Third District

Confederate Ancestor of the Month

Each month the Jubal Early Chapter of the UDC features a Confederate Ancestor. The “Ancestor of the Month” for January 2004 is RileyHarrison Hylton. He is the great-great grandfather of our newest member, Linda Stanley and great-great-great-grandfather of prospectivemembers Alice Self and Sally Stanley. The Jubal Early Chapter is proud to present his story.

Riley Harrison Hylton

Riley Harrison Hylton was born 26 May 1827 near Willis, in Floyd County, Vir-ginia. He was the son of Burwell and May Ann “Polly” (Slusher) Hylton. He marriedHannah Elizabeth ”Betsy” Wade 7 December 1848. She was one year younger than he.

Although he was the second oldest child of Burwell, he was the last of the sevenbrothers to enlist in the CSA. Letters have been found that appear to refer to Riley asstaying home to operate a general merchandise store and render aid to the women andchildren left behind. His six brothers serving in the CSA were; Ira, Lorenzo Dow(wounded in action at Missionary Ridge 25 November 1863, died in Marietta, Ga.hospital 13 Feb. 1864 and is buried in a Confederate cemetery in Marietta), Nathan,Jacob, John Hancock, and Levi. Three others are said to have also died in the war, butresearch has not been completed.

On his pension application, Riley stated that he entered the CSA 6 April 1864 inRichmond in the 24th Virginia Infantry, Co. A. Records show the 24th had only eightenlistees for April 1864, so Riley must have been one of these.

Riley apparently was among the last Confederate POWs who took the federaloath of allegiance as a requirement for their release from Point Lookout Prison in Mary-land. He had been captured at Farmville 4 April 1865 and records of the 24th Va.Infantry show 33 POWs taken in that engagement, none were killed or wonded. Thebattle is also referred to as Long Bridge/Farmville.

On his ‘Certificate of Release of Prisoner of War’, dated 3 June 1865, at Headquarters, Point Lookout, Md., the release is signed byA.G. Brady, Major and Provost Marshal. The back of the certificate describes Riley as; “light complexion, sandy hair, blue eyes, 5 ft. 95/8 inches high.” The oath reads: I, Riley H. Hilton [sic] do solemnly swear that I will support, protect and defend the Constitution andGovernment of the United States against all enemies, whether domestic or foreign; that I will bear true faith, allegiance, and loyalty to thesame, any ordinance, or laws of any State, Convention or Legislature, to the contrary notwithstanding; and further that I will faithfullyperform all the duties which may be required of me by the laws of the United States; and I take this oath freely and voluntarily, withoutany mental reservation or evasion whatever.” When Riley applied for a pension 12 May 1908, he cited; rheumatism, kidney trouble andold age” as reasons why he could not work and needed money. He asked for “the set sum of thirty two dollars annually.” He wrote, “Iwill be 81 years old on 26 May 1908.” He stated that he was born in Floyd County and had lived there all his life with farming as his usualway of making a living. “But I have not been able to do any work within the last two years.” He attributed his health problems to typhoidfever which he said he contracted 40 years earlier. He suffered “no disease while in the service.”

When his widow Hannah died in 1916, her property included $54.33 left from the sale of Riley’s property two years earlier. Alsolisted is $13.16 in cash and $60 in “pension money,” presumably Confederate.

After the war Riley came home to run his store and be a Federal Postmaster. By 1908, he had become feeble and applied to the U.S.Government for a pension marking his Confederate service. It was granted and he collected $32 a year until his death 14 June 1913. Atthat time, his widow, Hannah successfully filed for a widow’s pension.

Riley signed his pension application “Riley H. Hylton” in the same hand as that on his POWrelease form. When Hannah applied for her own pension at age 86, she said her husband’simmediate supervisors during his CSA service were Major Bentley and J.W. Haden. Riley listedelsewhere that he had served under “Capt. Haden.” Haden is listed with Company F at the timeof the Farmville engagement.

Riley and Hannah are buried in Greasy Creek Cemetery, Alum Ridge Road near Willis in FloydCounty. His grave was marked a few years ago with a tall Confederate tombstone.

TTTTThe Victorian She Victorian She Victorian She Victorian She Victorian Society Nociety Nociety Nociety Nociety NewsewsewsewsewsBy Linda AllBy Linda AllBy Linda AllBy Linda AllBy Linda All

In future editions of this newsletter, we will periodicallydiscuss interesting tidbits from society in the VictorianEra, primarily the 1860s. We will address fashions,manners, morals, traditions and customs of the period.

Hazel displays the quilt square she made for theJubal Early Chapter for the Division quilt.

It was one of the main causes of physical disability and illness forwomen in the Victorian Era. It struck only the female population. It wasseen as early as age 11. As there was no medicine to cure this problem, theVictorian ladies continued to suffer from it throughout their lifetimes. Itbegan dying out in the later years of the Victorian Era, although it continuedon a smaller scale well into the 20th century. The long-term results of itconfused and bewildered archeologists and scientists for decades. Have anyidea what “it” was? The answer will be revealed later in this column.

In the last column, the reasoning for, and significance of, underpinningsin the Victorian Era were discussed. Again, modesty and propriety were amainstay for the Victorian woman whether she lived in the country or inthe city. Societal morals and ethics dictated fashion, never more so thanwhen addressing the issue of a woman’s underpinnings. A lady’sunderpinnings were relatively plain and utilitarian during the first half ofthe 19th century, but they became gradually more decorative with lace andneedlework during the later half of the century culminating in very frilly,fancy garments by the end of the century.

When dressing, the first garment donned by the Victorian woman wasa chemise, pronounced “shimmy.” This was a white, one-piece unshapedgarment made of bleached muslin or cotton. For warmth in the winter, itsometimes was made of lightweight flannel. The chemise had “cap” sleevesand a wide neckline, and it reached to the knees. It closed at the bodiceeither with buttons or a drawstring ribbon. Some chemises had crochet ortatted needlework at the top, as well as small vertical tucks or pleats,depending on the desire of the maker. The purpose of the chemise was tokeep the skin from direct contact with the dress to prevent garmentsoiling from body perspiration and oils.

After donning her chemise, the Victorian woman put on a pair ofdrawers, either pantaloons or pantalettes. Both styles were simply twowide legs joined at the waist. Pantaloons came to just below the knees orright at the knees, and pantelettes were mid-calf level. They were cinchedat the waist either with a button or with a drawstring. There was no crotchin this garment for convenience when the woman visited “the necessary.”Pantaloons were made of bleached muslin or cotton and some had a simplerow of eyelet or lace around the bottom edge. Pantalettes were muchfancier, being made of silk or linen, and were decorated with tucks and

Next, the lady would put on her stockings. These were made ofcotton for day and often silk for evening. White was the most prominentcolor, although black for mourning and other various colors were alsoseen. Stockings were held up with garters that initially tied around the leguntil elastic garters were produced. Near the end of the 19th century,stocking “suspenders” were sewn to the bottom of the corset.

At this point, let’s return to the question at the beginning of thiscolumn. Figured out yet what “it” was? “It” of course was the corset.The only function of the corset was fashion, to give shape to the hips andwaist and to lift the bust area with support. The corset became popular inthe 1840s.

The desired waistline for the adult Victorian woman was 15-18 inches.In order to obtain and maintain this small waist, female children as earlyas ages 11 and 12 were put into their first corsets. As the children aged,the corsets remained tight, prohibiting the waistlines from expanding.The inadvertent result of this “banding” was that it prevented the growthand development of the rib cage which houses the lungs, and it alsoprohibited the natural growth of internal organs such as the stomach,intestines, liver, pancreas, female reproductive organs, and of course thelungs. By the time the female reached adulthood, she was alreadyexperiencing health problems such as an inability to properly digest foodand respiratory ailments. Many complications during childbirth, andeven the difficulty of some women to become pregnant or to carry a childto term, were attributed to the physical anomalies caused by the corset.

The corset is also the reason for the infamous fainting spells of theVictorian lady. While history has tended to romanticize the faintingepisodes as “swooning” over a gallant gentleman, this was far from thetruth. With the underdevelopment of her lungs and her inability tobreathe deeply because of the inadequate size of her rib cage, the Victorianwoman was unable to breathe sufficiently in times of stress, heat, andillness. Thus, she would faint and would have to be revived with some sortof smelling salts. A small container of ammonia or other odorous formulawas a customary item in every woman’s daily accoutrements.

When 20th century archeologists began excavating and studyingskeletons from the 19th century, they noticed that female skeletons weremisshaped and deformed while the male skeletons were normally shaped.This discovery befuddled and confounded these experts; they considereddiseases, childbirth, diet, and even heredity in trying to explain this strangephenomenon. Eventually, they realized that the one thing every Victorianfemale had in common that would have caused the abnormal skeletalshape was the wearing of the corset.

The length of the corset varied, becoming longer as the centuryprogressed. The corset originally laced in the front and in the back.Remember the scene from Gone With the Wind when Scarlett was beinglaced up in her corset? Later on, the corset often was made to hook in thefront, making it easier for a woman to don this garment. The bodice ofthe corset was deeply boned on each side, preventing free movement inthis part of the body. The Victorian lady found it very difficult to bendforward or side-to- side while wearing her inflexible corset. The corsetwas generally worn from the time the woman dressed in the morning untilshe prepared for bed that evening.

A fitted cotton corset cover, or “camisole”, was worn over thecorset for two reasons. One, it was difficult to clean a corset and therewas the ever present concern of keeping body oils and perspiration fromcontaminating the dress garment. Two, a cover helped to hide the boningand lacing of the corset so these would not be seen under the dress bodice.Again, the desired look was that of smooth lines without curves.

The chemise, drawers, stockings, corset and corset cover were thebasic, required underpinnings for the Victorian woman. She would nothave considered herself to be properly dressed if any of these garmentswere eliminated and she would not have allowed herself to be viewedpublicly if she was not appropriately dressed. Women who today “re-enact” the Victorian lady should consider including these garments intheir trousseau if they want to authentically depict these wonderful womenof the 19th century.

flounces. Pantalettes were worn more often with ball gowns than witheveryday wear.