H.T.W.E.

The Bed Work

Images Copyright © 2013 by Tamar Stone. All Rights Reserved.
No images may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the artist.

Blanket rolled at end of bed:
(vintage brown wool blanket with 2 used olive drab Swedish Military Surplus Straps hand-sewn to blanket)
17” (W) x 24” (L)

Canvas “mattress” front: (antique cotton canvas, original to cot, nailed to wood frame)

9 1/2” (W) x 24” (L)

With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 both men and women volunteered to fight for the causes of slavery and states rights.

This project began with my interest in Florence Nightingale and her hospital reform work during the Crimean War. What she accomplished would change the way nurses and the field of nursing would be considered from that point onward (both on the battle field and at home). Many women were inspired by her work and joined the war as volunteers – following their husbands and brothers into the battle fields. Others disguised themselves as men in order to partake in the action at the front lines.

These stories include those told from the more well-known Louisa May Alcott (whose literary beginnings were formed with these hospital experiences, as written in her 1863 book, “Hospital Sketches” ), to Sara Emma Edmonds, also known as the soldier “Frank” during the war, among others.

The bag that that holds the bed and bedding is based on a design from early World War tent bags.
The pie-chart design stitched on it is based on the coxcomb charts Florence Nightingale devised to explain health reforms needed, based on death statistics of the British army troops on the fields,
during the Crimean War.

More information regarding women working during the Civil War can be found here:
http://www.history.com/topics/women-in-the-civil-war

Duffel Bag: (U.S. Military Tent Shelter/standard ground troop pup-tent: new-old stock,
olive drab green, cotton sateen, with 2 used olive drab Swedish Military Surplus Straps and 4 metal buttons

20” (W) x 27 1/2” (L - closed)

Front of bag Chart detail

Tent Bag Components

Pillowcase front: (vintage cotton off-white mattress cover with ink jet printed image)

7 1/2” (W) x 5 1/4” (L)

Pillow front
(vintage blue and white pillowcase ticking, cotton batting stuffing)
6 1/2” (W) x 4 1/2” (L)

Pillow & Pillowcase back

Blanket front:
(vintage green wool army blanket with moth holes)
20” (W) x 30” (L)

Blanket rolled at end of bed front
17” (W) x 24” (L)

Blanket rolled at end of bed back:
(vintage tan cotton blanket)

Top Sheet front: (vintage white cotton bed sheet)
19 1/2” (W) x 27” (L)

Blanket back side

Pillowcase back

Bottom Sheet front: (vintage off-white cotton mattress cover, 8 machine stitched button holes,
8 metal buttons attached with used olive drab Swedish Military Surplus strap pieces)
19 1/2” (W) x 29” (L)

Top Sheet back side

Bottom Sheet front detail Top Sheet back side detail

Bottom Sheet front: (vintage off-white cotton mattress cover, 8 machine stitched button holes,
8 metal buttons attached with used olive drab Swedish Military Surplus strap pieces)
19 1/2” (W) x 29” (L)

Bottom Sheet back and back button detail

Bottom Sheet back and Canvas “mattress” back

Bottom Sheet back detail

Canvas “mattress” back lining detail
(U.S. Military Tent Shelter/standard ground troop pup-tent: new-old stock, olive drab green, cotton sateen -
from same material as tent bag)

H.T.W.E video

Antique doll/salesman sample folding army cot

9 1/2” (W) x 24” (L) x 8” (H)