Ray's Confederate party

Tony & Mary's postman, Ray (who's Mum is English) invited us to a Confederate party at his house. Ray takes part in historical re-enactments related to the American Civil War of April 1861 between The Confederate States of America (or CSA) & The United States of America (or Union).

The CSA was the government formed by eleven southern states of the USA between 1861 and 1865. Seven states declared their independence from the Union before Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as President of the USA & a further four did so after the Civil War. The surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia by General Robert E Lee (yes, that is the same general that the Dukes of Hazzard's Dodge Charger is named after) in 1865 is generally taken as the end of The CSA. The CSA's last Cabinet meeting took place in Georgia in May, with CSA President Jefferson Davis being captured by Union troops near Irwinsville, Georgia in May 1865. Nearly all of the remaining CSA forces had surrendered to The Union by the end of June. A decade-long process known as 'reconstruction' gave civil rights & the right to vote to the 'freedmen', expelled ex-CSA leaders from office, & re-admitted The CSA to The Union & gave them representation in Congress.

The party was held at Ray's & his Mum's house (which just happens to back onto a huge lake). So as well as listening to some Confederate inspired songs (played by the live band), enjoying some southern-style Confederate 'fixings' (Black-eyed peas), & lazing about in the sun, we also got to go on an extended trip around the lake in Ray's Pontoon boat.