Dear Friends,

Welcome!   
 
In 1860, the U.  S. Census indicated a population of 31 million men, women, and children, including approximately 4 million enslaved individuals.  Over the next five years, a little more than 10% of the population served in Federal forces, Confederate forces, or in various State militias and Home Guards. 
The absence of these working age individuals from home resulted in great
challenges for the much larger civilian population as they attempted to manage
homes, farms and businesses, even in areas untouched by battles.  
 
The Blue Gray Alliance has a strong commitment to accurately depicting the life and work of civilians during the Civil War, as they lived their daily lives, and as the War touched and changed them forever, just as surely as the War changed those in military service.  
 
For this event, we will be offering opportunities for civilians to depict that life in the Town of Gettysburg, with room for a variety of depictions including tradesmen, farmers, homemakers, and other civilian employments.  We expect a wide
range of portrayals, and will be glad to work with you.    
  
My title as “Governor” of the Blue Gray Alliance is an administrative one—during the period it was not the norm for women to be involved in civil government.  We
are fortunate to have Robert Orrand serving as the Town Mayor.  He is responsible for Town layout and infrastructure, and we work together to coordinate with military commanders in depictions of military action in and around the Town.
 
The Blue Gray Alliance offers opportunities for participants from all walks of the hobby.  In addition to the civilian-only Town of Gettysburg, and soldiers-only military camps, we also provide for mixed military/family camps for military units with civilians traveling with them.  We anticipate offering a variety of speakers and activities for civilians at this event.  
  
Shortly, we will have additional information on standards for the Town of Gettysburg, as a part of this webpage.  Please share the Adventure with
us!
 
Looking Forward……..To Living in the Past, 
Terre Lawson
Civilian Governor, Blue Gray Alliance.

click on the link below for Town of Gettysburg Guidelines

Terre Lawson serves as Civilian Governor for the Blue-Gray Alliance. An Alabama native, her reenacting experience goes back to the 1950’s, and includes portrayals of lower/farming class women in time periods from 1720 to 1870.  An  accomplished handspinner, weaver, and period dyer, she has particular interest in the Southern homefront, and the lives and work of Southern Unionists in the Appalachian Mountains.

In past years she has coordinated civilian scenarios for the First Confederate Division, and the North-South Alliance, as well as organizing civilians for long duration Living  History Adventures.  She is a  member of the Winston Free-State, a civilian organization portraying lower class Southerners, and a member of Cleburn’s Wagon Corps, where her primary responsibility is washing dishes and watering oxen.