Civil War was known as a man's fight. The image women had during the war wasas nurses, spies, or ladies maintaining the home in the absence of their husband. They even took arms and charged into battle, like the men. The women lived in camps, suffered in prisons, and died for their causes.

Using this link you'll be able to find more information about womens' activity during Civil War:

http://www.civilwarwomenblog.com/

While searching some information on topic "Civil War in Rhode Island", I've found a copy of letter which was written by one participants. Here is the piece that impressed me the most:

"But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the brightest day and in the darkest night—amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours—always, always; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by."

This letter was written by Sullivan Ballou (March 28, 1829 – July 28, 1861). He was a lawyer, politician, and major in the United States Army. He is best remembered for the eloquent letter he wrote to his wife a week before he fought and was mortally wounded alongside his Rhode Island Volunteers in the First Battle of Bull Run.

Here you can find some more information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sullivan_Ballou
http://www.historynet.com/sullivan-ballou-the-macabre-fate-of-a-american-civil-war-major.htm
Using this link you will find a short information(also some photos are included):
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=1800

Karankawa people

Do you know the sense of word "Karankawa"?  It's meaning is not certain. It is believed to mean "dog-lovers" or "dog-raisers." It were also a group of Native American peoples (also Karankawan, Clamcoëhs, and called in their language Auia) , now extinct as a tribal group, who played a pivotal part in early Texas history.
For more information about tribe visit these link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karankawa

The Karankawa Indians lived along the Texas coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Their territory was from the west end of Galveston Island down the coast to where Corpus Christie is today. There were several bands, or maybe even several tribes. We are not sure, because much of the history of the Karankawa is lost. No one bothered to study them in any detail while they were still around to study. Making things worse, the Karankawa were favorite targets of many false myths and made up stories.
To find out the false myths enter the link:
http://www.texasindians.com/karank.htm

If you do not know were to spent your holiday, I can recommend you a nice place.Karankawa Plains is a hunting & nature tourism resort, located on the Texas Gulf Coast. Here you can enjoy birdwatching, wildlife viewing, canoeing, & horseback riding and also experience what it means to be а red man!
http://www.karankawa.com/

If you are really interested in Karankawa's history you should read this book.It was written in 1891 by Gatschet, Albert S.
http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth29754/

picture from:

http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/coast/peoples/images/Guadalupe-scene-weir.html