Our Civil War

Isn’t this a great day? The Weaver of Tales wants to tell you about my favorite tales. They are of the Civil War. In the past I have read hundreds of books set in the most interesting time of our history. Since I have been writing about this era I have done extensive research. It is amazing that this glamorous and romantic period of our nation had such devastating problems.

Our country was on the threshold of technology in so many areas and the war expanded these needs. There were new needs that required our American Ingenuity and we stepped-up.

It breaks my heart that there were so many families that the Civil War tore apart. Grief is a part of any war, but imagine going into battle knowing you were facing your own brother. Tod Carter a southern boy charged out in front of Hood’s army to face the Schofield’s northern boys on the grounds of his home place in Franklin, Tennessee. He was killed not five hundred feet from his home. This was the bloodiest battle in the War because of its great lost in only four hours of battle and it took place after dark.

In today’s standards this war between the North and the South was a man’s war. Most of the women were home taking care of their husband’s work and their own. However not all of them, women were very much apart of the espionage on either side. Many women were in the hospitals caring for the wounded. It is known that over three hundred women put on men’s clothing, cut their hair, and joined the ranks. For everyone that was discovered there were many more which were not discovered.

My first in a series of novels about the Civil War has been published, “Natchez Above The River.” I have completed “Four Long Years” and it will be published in the late winter. I have others of the series in various stages of completions.

Let me take you through the written craft and my imagination to paint and weave the story of a southern family with strong Union ties. I want you to see the Civil War through this family’s strong beliefs, loves, and sorrows.

NATCHEZ

Natchez sits high on the hill above the mighty Mississippi River. This is a delightful city that we loved. They did not have a battle fought here. They were ready to surrender before the Union navy arrived. The city has its wonderful old Civil War mansions all through it. They take you back in time to the elegance of antebellum era. The following are excerpts from “Natchez Above The River” by Ruth Thompson.

The prisms of the chandeliers sparkled and flashed from the candles that flickered in the gentle breeze of the evening. There was no mistaking the aroma of the magnolias that filled the ballroom of Grand Oaks. The herring bone pattern of the mahogany and the white oak woods in the floor shined in the soft light. Soon the most beautiful ladies and regal gentlemen of Natchez would dance on the polished floor. Tonight, Dr. Luther Shaw was giving the ball of the season to announce the engagement of his only daughter, Theresa, Tess, to Nathan Harris of Jackson.


“Tess, those Union boys may be here before long. Some of you young ones will see what real men are like. They have manners, but they are not strutting peacocks. Your Grandfather was a real man. Let me tell you he could make my ears sing. It would be a pleasure to hear him to whisper “Charlie Love” in my ear the way he used to do. He is getting impatient waiting for me to come to him. He’ll have to wait on me a little longer. I’m not going to “Glory” until this nation is united.”


This April night was too quiet. There was no sound from the insects or the animals of the night. They had given this lovely habitat to the noises of the men who gathered here. The peach blossoms illuminated the darkness. Would they be there tomorrow night? The night slipped away. Morning was near and there was the rustle of the soldiers finding their position for the fight of their life. Why were they going to fight here? The Confederates needed this key point at Corinth. The railroad, Memphis and Chattanooga, was essential to ship their needed produce to the east. Grant followed Johnston’s army here and gathered at Shiloh across from Corinth. The waiting would end at dawn.


“Childish behavior! Sir, no one has ever accused me of childish behavior. You can be sure that I will always be a minute or two ahead of your bell. I believe you have been ringing it a minute early everyday. Your bell will not catch me again.”

Louise started to move when he said, “Just a moment Miss Shaw, I have a question I would like to ask you. I have a good friend Dr. Hunter Morrison who was to marry a girl from Natchez he called Tess. Her father is a doctor, could he be your father?”