Famous Horses in History – Cincinnati with giveaway by Donna Schlachter

From Civil War Monitor site -- Cincinnati with Grant

This soldier didn’t wear a uniform. He didn’t give commands. And yet, in some of the most defining moments of the American Civil War, he carried a man who did.

His name was Cincinnati—a powerful, steady thoroughbred whose quiet strength helped shape the course of history. And friend, when you lean in close to his story, you begin to see something deeper than war… you see faithfulness in motion.

Cincinnati came into the life of Ulysses S. Grant as a gift during the war, not long after the Battle of Chattanooga. From the beginning, Grant recognized that this wasn’t just any horse—he came from a remarkable lineage. His sire was Lexington, one of the fastest thoroughbreds in the nation, and that strength and elegance showed in this colt.

Grant astride Cincinnati -- Wikipedia

In fact, he would later call Cincinnati “the finest horse that he had ever seen.”

And that’s saying something from a man who knew horses like few others.

What made Cincinnati remarkable wasn’t just his strength—it was his spirit.

He was calm under pressure, even-tempered in the chaos of battle, yet responsive and alive when the moment called for courage. Through the Overland Campaign and the last confrontations with Confederate General Robert E. Lee, Cincinnati carried Grant faithfully. And perhaps most notably, he was the horse beneath Grant as he rode to Appomattox Court House to accept Lee’s surrender—one of the most pivotal moments in American history.

Even President Abraham Lincoln rode Cincinnati during a visit near the war’s end—a rare honor, as Grant seldom allowed others to ride him.

When the war ended, Cincinnati didn’t fade into obscurity. Grant valued him so deeply that he refused an offer of $10,000 for the horse—a staggering sum at the time. Instead, Cincinnati remained with him, even living in the White House stables during Grant’s presidency.

Nearly every statue and artistic rendering of Grant shows him seated atop Cincinnati.

That’s not accidental—that’s legacy.

Grant astride Cincinnati -- mural at Grant's Tomb

Cincinnati lived out his final years in quiet retirement and died in 1878 on a farm in Maryland.

Cincinnati’s life whispers a truth we still need today: Faithfulness positions us for purpose. And sometimes, the greatest impact you’ll ever make…is simply carrying well what God has placed beneath you.

Enter to win:
Leave a comment, and I will randomly draw one winner’s name to receive a free print book of Hollow Hearts, book 2 in the Hearts of the Pony Express series. Cleverly disguise your email so the ‘bots don’t find you, but I can. For example, donna AT livebytheword DOT com

About Donna:
A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers' groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. She is taking all the information she’s learned along the way about the writing and publishing process, and is coaching committed writers eager to tell their story.

Connect online:
www.DonnaSchlachter.com

Newsletter: https://www.thepurposefullwriter.com/newslettersignup

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donna-Schlachter/author/B01180A2EE

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-schlachter

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14116621.Donna_Schlachter

The Purpose-Full Writer: https://www.facebook.com/groups/604220861766651

Need a writing coach? Or want to write your family or personal story? www.ThePurposeFullWriter.com


Resources:

https://www.civilwarmonitor.com/grants-war-horse-cincinnati/

https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/ulysses-s-grants-cincinnati/#google_vignette

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsemanship_of_Ulysses_S._Grant

https://www.gettysburgbattlefieldtours.com/famous-civil-war-horses/






Leave a comment, and I will randomly draw one winner’s name to receive a free print book of Hollow Hearts, book 2 in the Hearts of the Pony Express series. Cleverly disguise your email so the ‘bots don’t find you, but I can. For example, donna AT livebytheword DOT com



A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers' groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. She is taking all the information she’s learned along the way about the writing and publishing process, and is coaching committed writers eager to tell their story.



www.DonnaSchlachter.com

Newsletter: https://www.thepurposefullwriter.com/newslettersignup

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donna-Schlachter/author/B01180A2EE

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-schlachter

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14116621.Donna_Schlachter

The Purpose-Full Writer: https://www.facebook.com/groups/604220861766651

Need a writing coach? Or want to write your family or personal story? www.ThePurposeFullWriter.com













Resources:

https://www.civilwarmonitor.com/grants-war-horse-cincinnati/

https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/ulysses-s-grants-cincinnati/#google_vignette

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsemanship_of_Ulysses_S._Grant

https://www.gettysburgbattlefieldtours.com/famous-civil-war-horses/

One Woman Can Make a Difference - The Emma Sansom Story

 

While driving to visit relatives, I oft passed a sign stating, "Historical Marker Ahead." On each occasion I wondered at the installation of the marker. I decided to visit the location this summer and the stop enforced the importance of local history. I would encourage you to do the same in your area. You might be surprised what you find.

This post attempts to present facts from available sources and is not an endorsement of events or historical figures. Some articles state there is legend and myth surrounding this individual’s influence. All told, a lesson unfolds of the possibility that one person - even a young woman - can make a difference. Her action resulted in the surrender of 1,500 Union soldiers to 500 Confederate calvary men. How did that happen?

As a bit of background for the timeframe, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Battles such as Antietam and Gettysburg delivered an upper hand to the Union. As the Civil War marched on, the Union adopted a “total war” approach. They attacked not only Confederate soldiers, but infrastructure as well.

Colonel Abel D. Streight of the Union Army planned to invade Rome, Georgia to ruin resources in that city. Military warehouses, foundry for cannons, and rail connections were a few of the intended sites. On the journey, Streight and 1,500 infantry on mules, traversed Black Creek, near Gadsden, Alabama. On May 2, 1863, they decimated the solitary bridge. A poignant example of their approach. Without passage, the Confederate soldiers in hot pursuit could not follow.

Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest sought local inhabitants who knew the area. He hoped to find an alternate route. The first farm he encountered housed sixteen-year-old Emma Sansom and her family. Emma was a niece of Cherokee Chief James Vann. If you would like to learn more about Chief Vann, read Denise Weimer’s posts.

Emma was one of twelve children of Micajah and Levina Vann Sansom. Micajah passed six years after the family moved near Gadsden. Levina and her children remained and worked the farm until circumstances drew some to other purposes. Case in point, Emma's brother fought for the Confederacy. Wounded in battle, he recovered on the farm at that time. 

The Jacksonville Republican newspaper reported Sansom guided Forrest against her mother’s early objections.
Dangerous times with her brother on their farm and aiding the confederacy would both place Emma’s family in jeopardy with the Union Army. These very factors turned Emma into a lauded hero later. She did provide a route for the soldiers by way of a ford across the creek.  They achieved their goal and caught up with the Union forces. Here is where legend and myth enter the tale. Some versions tout a standoff whereby Emma shielded Forrest with her skirts as he used his field glass to find the enemy. Shots ensued. One bullet passed through her skirts without harming either body. Other accounts claim the enemy realized they fired upon a woman and ceased fire. In all, Forrest then led his contingent across the ford.

After this event a scheme occurred that reminded me of D-Day and how subterfuge can win a battle. Much like the inflatable tanks and straw-filled paratroopers of Operation Fortitude in WWII, Forrest outwitted his enemy with a ruse. He used the local landscape and a bit of trickery to make his numbers seem larger. First, Forrest brought forward part of his contingent to the forefront with guns and cannons. He then removed them so they could change into other clothing. Those same individuals marched up to the top of the knoll and displayed the same weaponry. In addition, buglers sounded signals and yelled to non-existent troops in another area. Forrest then threatened Streight with annihilation if he did not surrender. And surrender he did. In the end, Streight realized he was duped as he and his 1,500 became prisoners to Forrest's 500. 

Whether or not the legend and myths were true, if Emma did not aid Forrest at the ford, Streight might have completed his goals in Rome. Many years later, the state of Alabama gave land and a medal to Emma for her contribution to the Confederacy. There are multiple monuments in her honor, a middle school in her name, and poet John Trotwood Moore penned a short piece as well. “A Ballad of Emma Samson” (notice the incorrect spelling). If you are curious, read the ballad here. 

What local sights have you visited? Any interesting tidbits you would like to share? Or, are there spots you passed but have yet to stop and peruse? 

As a child, Rebecca loved to write. She nurtured this skill as an educator and later as an editor for an online magazine. Rebecca then joined the Cru Ministry - NBS2GO/Neighbor Bible Studies 2GO, at its inception. She serves as the YouVersion Content Creator, with over 125 Plans in 44 languages on the Bible.com app.

Rebecca lives near the mountains with her husband and a rescued dog named Ranger. If it were up to her, she would be traveling or visiting their two grown sons - right now. As a member of ACFW and FHLCW, Rebecca learns the craft of fiction while networking with a host of generous writers. Connect with Rebecca: Facebook Goodreads Instagram Pinterest X/Twitter

Tullahoma, Tennessee: How a Railroad Workcamp Became a Town ~ by Michelle Shocklee

It's cool how research for one novel leads to the development of another novel. As an author of historical fiction, I often say research breathes life into my books. I spend a LOT of time reading history books, biographies, and online articles on topics related to the story long before I write the first words of Chapter One. Only a small portion of what I read actually makes it into the book, but sometimes an unused nugget turns into a vast mine of great ideas! 

When I was doing the research for my novel Count the Nights by Stars, I needed to know about the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis railroad, the oldest railroad in Tennessee. Not only did the characters ride the train several times, but Pricilla's father was a railroad executive, making it necessary for me to get my facts right. (I blogged about the NC&StL here.)

That research introduced me to the town of Tullahoma, Tennessee. 

And that introduction led me to eventually write All We Thought We Knew, my new book that will release in October 2024!

Like many towns across America, Tullahoma probably would not exist if it hadn't been for the railroad. In the 1840s, Tennessee was growing. In order to connect Nashville with towns spread across the state, a railroad was created--the Nashville & Chattanooga. Miles and miles of track were needed, which in turn required hundreds and hundreds of workers.   

1903 Railroad map showing Nashville and Tullahoma, Tennessee

Life in a Railroad Camp

Laying track and living in and among the railroad construction camps was often very difficult. Railroad construction crews were not only subjected to extreme weather conditions, they had to lay tracks across and through many natural geographical features, including rivers, canyons, mountains, and desert. Like other large economic opportunity situations in the expanding nation, the railroad construction camps attracted all types of characters, almost all of whom were looking for ways to turn a quick profit, legally or illegally. Life in the camps was often very crude and rough.

One such camp was located in present day Tullahoma in 1852. A man named Peter Decherd donated the land for the railroad right-of-way and named one station Decherd, after himself, and the other as Tulkahoma. It was later changed to Tullahoma after Decherd's favorite horse, which had been named for a Choctaw chief captured by Decherd's grandfather. The word Tullahoma means "red rock."

Life in Tullahoma

In 1863, Tullahoma served as the headquarters for the Confederate Army of Tennessee. That year the Union Army undertook the Tullahoma Campaign, defeating Confederate forces and taking control of Middle Tennessee. Federal troops occupied this area for the duration of the war. As a result of the campaign, Union forces also captured Chattanooga.

After the war, Tullahoma recovered slowly but began to prosper due to the railroad. In 1939, US 41A was built, making it easier to travel from Tullahoma to Nashville. During World War II, Tullahoma was chosen as the site for a large military installation. That installation, Camp Forrest, is the setting for my novel. (I'll blog about Camp Forrest and its fascinating history in October!) After the war, the Arnold Engineering Development Complex replaced Camp Forrest and became a major development and test center for the Air Force, as well as NASA.

Today, Tullahoma is a quaint but growing community. Here are some pics I took of the town from a recent research trip. 

Your turn: Are there any communities in your area that began as a railroad camp? Have you ever considered how many towns might not exist if the railroad hadn't gone through that area? 

Michelle Shocklee is the author of several historical novels, including Count the Nights by Stars, winner of the Christianity Today Book Award, and Under the Tulip Tree, a Christy Awards and Selah Awards finalist. Her work has been included in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books, magazines, and blogs. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of two sons and mother-in-law to two beautiful daughters, she makes her home in Tennessee, not far from the historical sites she writes about. Visit her online  at www.MichelleShocklee.com

ALL WE THOUGHT WE KNEW

Releases October 1, 2024

1942
Ava must put her life back together after her husband is killed at Pearl Harbor. A job at Camp Forrest provides income, but it also puts her in contact with Enemy Aliens interned on the military installation. Can she trust the German medical student whose friendship means more to her than it should?

1969
Mattie ran away from the pain when her brother was killed in Vietnam. Now she’s back in Tullahoma facing another devastating loss. Yet it is the bundle of WWII letters Mama insists she reads that makes her question everything she thought she knew about herself.

Click HERE for Preorder information!

“Yes, Sir, General President!”--Part 2

By Jennifer Uhlarik

 

Last month, I shared some brief details about the first five United States Presidents who had achieved the rank of General in our U.S. Armed Forces before winning their presidential elections.  This month, I wanted to share the other five with you. But before I begin, I wanted to announce the winner of last month’s drawing—and to apologize for the delay. Between some pressing family matters and bothersome technology glitches, I was unable to post the winner sooner.

 

Without further ado—last month’s winner of the “Go Away, I’m Reading!” sign is:

 

CONNIE R!

 

Connie, please leave me your email address in a comment below, and I’ll contact you privately.

 

Now, without further delay—here is part two of our list of ten American presidents who reached the rank of General before serving as President of the United States.

 

Ulysses S. Grant

Born Hiram Ulysses Grant, he became known as “Ulysses S.” because of a mistake made in his nomination to West Point, an appointment Grant’s father finagled on his behalf. At first, Grant wasn’t fond of the military life and considered quitting the prestigious military academy. But he stuck it out, graduated 21^st in his 39-member class in June 1843. His plan was to fulfill his required four years of service, then go on to a private life beyond the military. However, the Mexican-American war began during that span, and studying both Major General Zachary Taylor’s and Major General Winifred Scott’s styles during the conflict, he proved himself an innovative and capable leader. It was during this time he rose to the rank of brevet captain and decided that he could make a good life in the military. But once that war ended, he served in the military only a brief few years before resigning due to a developing issue with alcohol. It was after the first shots of the Civil War were fired that he again joined the ranks of the military, this time as a Colonel in charge of the 21^stIllinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Over and over, he proved his military acumen, although not always without controversy. But for his loyalty, shrewdness, and skill, he eventually rose to the rank of Commanding General of the U.S. Army in 1864, and it was he who negotiated the surrender of the Confederate Army to end the Civil War in April 1865. He served as Commanding General of the U.S. Army until 1869, at which point he was elected President and served two terms fraught with problems and scandals.

 

Rutherford B. Hayes

Hayes attended Harvard Law School and became a lawyer of meager-to-moderate success. But when Fort Sumter was fired upon, beginning the Civil War, Hayes resolved any issues he had in his own mind about the coming war and, instead, joined a volunteer company, where he was promoted to rank of major. He distinguished himself in battle during the length of the war, suffering more than one injury and also having a horse shot out from under him. By October 1864, he’d reached the rank of brevet major general, and at the war’s end the following April, he mustered out of the army. Ulysses S. Grant said of Hayes, “his conduct on the field was marked by conspicuous gallantry as well as the display of qualities of a higher order than that of mere personal daring.” Hayes went on to a career in politics, serving as a U.S. Representative for Ohio, governor of the same state, and eventually President after a very disputed election. One of his first acts as President in 1877 was to end the Reconstruction Era.

 

James A. Garfield

After his father’s death, poverty defined James Garfield’s early days. By age 16, he left home to work on a canal boat, but only a short time later, he was forced to return home due to illness. It was during this time that his mother elicited his promise that he would attend one year of school, which he fulfilled—then went on to pursue college, read for the law, and serve a year in Ohio’s senate. Once the Civil War broke out, he remained in the senate long enough to help muster troops and procure weapons, then received a commission in the 42^nd Ohio Infantry at the rank of colonel. He distinguished himself in January 1862 at the Battle of Middle Creek, and for his valor there, was promoted to brigadier general. Illness struck soon after, sending him home to recuperate, and when he returned, it was to the position of chief of staff to Major General William H. Rosencrans. By late 1863, he’d been elected to the United States Congress, a position he was reluctant to take until President Abraham Lincoln convinced him it was the right move. He remained there for some years and eventually ran for a won the presidency in 1881. Unfortunately, his term was cut short when Charles J. Guiteau shot him on July 2, 1881. Though he lingered until September 18 of the same year, he ultimately died of infection.

 

Benjamin Harrison

The second oldest of ten children, Benjamin Harrison was born in Ohio—the grandson of Former President William Henry Harrison. He graduated Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1852, married, and moved to Indiana, where he practiced law until 1862. At that point, he heard a call from President Lincoln for more Union Army recruits, and he answered by agreeing to help recruit a regiment. He was commissioned as a colonel in said regiment after turning down the command, since he had no military background. He earned a reputation as a strong leader and was well respected by his men. Because of his success in Resaca and Peachtree Creek, President Lincoln nominated him for the rank of brevet brigadier general, and Congress confirmed that nomination shortly before the war’s end. After the war’s end, Harrison returned to practicing law, as well as won election to the position of reporter of the Indiana Supreme Court—a position he'd held before the war, as well. He served in the U.S. Senate from 1881 to 1887, and won the presidency in 1888. He served for four years

 

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Known affectionately as “Ike”, Dwight D. Eisenhower is the only U.S. President who was also a general since the Civil War era. Eisenhower was a West Point graduate in 1915, and despite requesting to serve in Europe during World War I, ended up commanding a unit that trained tank crews. After that war, he achieved the rank of brigadier general, and went on to serve in the second World War. During his time in World War II, he oversaw the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, France, and Germany. After the war’s end, he served as military governor of American-occupied Germany, served as Army Chief of Staff for three years, and was the very first Supreme Commander of NATO. He won the 1952 and 1956 elections, both in landslides.

 

Award-winning, best-selling novelist Jennifer Uhlarik has loved the western genre since she read her first Louis L’Amour novel. She penned her first western while earning a writing degree from University of Tampa. Jennifer lives near Tampa with her husband and two furbabies. www.jenniferuhlarik.com

 

 

AVAILABLE NOW

 

Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik

 

A Friendship From the Past Brings Closure to Dani’s Fractured Family

 

When Dani Sango’s art forger father passes away, Dani inherits his home. There, she finds a book of Native American drawings, which leads her to seek museum curator Brad Osgood’s help to decipher the ledger art. Why would her father have this book? Is it another forgery?

 

Brad Osgood longs to provide his four-year-old niece, Brynn, the safe home she desperately deserves. The last thing he needs is more drama, especially from a forger’s daughter. But when the two meet “accidentally” at St. Augustine’s 350-year-old Spanish fort, he can’t refuse the intriguing woman.

 

Broken Bow is among seventy-three Plains Indians transported to Florida in 1875 for incarceration at ancient Fort Marion. Sally Jo Harris and Luke Worthing dream of serving on a foreign mission field, but when the Indians reach St. Augustine, God changes their plans. However, when Sally Jo’s friendship with Broken Bow leads to false accusations, it could cost them their lives.

 

Can Dani discover how Broken Bow and Sally Jo’s story ends and how it impacted her father’s life?

 

 

Brazilian Fever Part 2: The Confederates Who Fled to Brazil to Preserve Their Way of Life

Blogger: Amber Lemus

Last month we introduced the topic of "Brazilian Fever", or the little-known fact that thousands of Southern Americans emigrated out of the country following the Civil War. We discussed the background and motivations for these families to uproot and move to another country. This month we're taking a deeper dive into the lives of the families, and what transpired after they left their homeland for Brazil. If you missed part one, you can view it by clicking here. 

William Norris
Public Domain

Somewhere between ten and twenty thousand Southerners immigrated to Brazil in the aftermath of the Civil War, many of them settling outside of Santa Barbara, forming a town known as Americana. One of the men to head up this move to Brazil was William Norris. William was originally from Georgia but had moved to Alabama to become an influential member of society there. Not only did he serve as a senator of the Alabama legislature, but also served as a representative in the State House. He was also elected Grand Master of the Alabama Masonic Lodge. 

Norris was the owner of a cotton plantation, so in the aftermath of the Civil War, he couldn't imagine spending his life under the government of the Union, especially with the loss of slave labor. He decided to travel to Brazil to investigate the claims that the emperor would grant them land and other incentives to move their cotton operation there. 

On December 27, 1865, Norris, his son, and his brother arrived in Rio De Janero. They found a plot of land they liked, that apparently reminded them of Alabama, and founded a settlement. They purchased slaves and started farming cotton once again. Norris sent a glowing report back home, and by 1867, the rest of his family had moved to Brazil as well, along with many other families from the region. They brought watermelon plants to Brazil and enhanced the agriculture in the area. Somewhere around 54 families moved to Brazil and purchased over 530 slaves upon arrival. Although not all of the families settled in Americana, this town was one of the only settlements to actually survive and thrive. 

By Steagall -
 Imigrantes Americanos no Brasil, PD-US

At its peak in the late 1800's, Americana was home to over 3500 "Confederados" as they were called in Brazil. Naturally, the settlement began with a very isolated culture, the families worshipping and marrying only amongst each other, but as the new generations reached adulthood, they were more likely to leave the colony for the larger Brazilian towns, intermarry with Brazilians, and assimilate into Brazilian culture. 

The Norris House - First house of Confederate immigrants
in the colony. 
Public Domain

Americana, however, did not escape the dark shadow of racism. About the time that slavery was finally outlawed in Brazil, Jim Crowe laws were being strictly enforced in the American South. Some of the families returned to their homeland to live in segregated areas. Of those who remained, one of the Confederados near Americana put together a lynching party and murdered a police chief who was pro abolition in 1888. However, Brazilian culture focused more on class distinctions than racial barriers, and they did not have segregation and laws against interracial marriage, therefore the races mixed and eventually the Confederados opinions on race were changed. In fact, the descendants of the Confederados assimilated so much that they abandoned the English language, and the towns became barely distinguishable from the surrounding ones. 

The Confederados also brought a lot of good to Brazil. “They enriched our society with their progressive mind, their capacity for action, and their technical competence, and perhaps in the hearts of their São Paulo descendants has filtered a little of that love of freedom, an American tradition, and that pride of the old planter that is a Southern tradition.” sociologist Jose Arthur Rios observed in 1947. They introduced many new foods such as pecans, Georgian peanuts, and watermelons. They brought tools and innovations to the country such as modern dentistry, kerosene lamps, agricultural machinery, and even blood transfusions which the Brazilian people had never seen before. They established Protestantism and founded churches, cemeteries and schools. Public schools had not been introduced to Brazil until this time, and it was also a foreign concept to permit girls to attend and become literate as well as the boys, a barrier that the Confederados plowed right through. 

Descendents dressed in Confederate attire during the yearly festival in Americana, Brazil
By Felipeattilio - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Today, the main remnant of these Confederate immigrants is the pageantry, music, and most interestingly, its flag. Each year, the town of Americana holds a festival to honor the founders with traditional Civil-War Era attire, foods, dances and music. The proceeds from this festival go to fund the upkeep of the cemetery. The festival has become a controversial topic, however, due to the proud display of Confederate flags, uniforms, etc. While some say that their intent is to celebrate their heritage and keep it alive, others feel it also celebrates the hatred and racism that the Confederados represented. 

Regardless, it is an interesting thread of history and I hope you enjoyed learning about it. 

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Lemus inspires hearts through enthralling tales She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a boy mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at http://www.amberlemus.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

Reunifying the Country At Christmas

By Jennifer Uhlarik

 

Merry Christmas to all our HHH Readers! Speaking for all the bloggers at Heroes, Heroines, and History, we hope your 2023 has been a good year, and we wish you a wonderful 2024!

 

Here’s an interesting little historical fact that happened on one Christmas day in American history…

 

Pres. Abe Lincoln

Even before the American Civil War’s end, those in the federal government had debated how to go about healing the country. How should the Confederate States be readmitted and reintegrated into the Union? President Lincoln was of the mind to extend an olive branch to Southerners by being lenient to the southern states. During an address to Congress in December 1863, Lincoln outlined his plan, which included a pardon for former Confederates once they pledged their oath of allegiance to the Union. They would not be able to retain ownership of their former slaves, nor would confiscated property be returned when that property involved a third party. In addition, Lincoln planned to deny officeholders in the Confederate government or any person who mistreated prisoners a pardon.

 

Congress felt Lincoln’s plan was far too lenient. Instead, they proposed the Wade-Davis Bill, which required half of each Confederate state’s voters to swear allegiance to the United States and that they had not supported the Confederacy. Despite Congress passing the bill, Lincoln chose to veto the harsh legislation.

 

Robert E. Lee's "General Order No. 9",
written at his surrender.

On April 9, 1865, when Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse, the Confederates were given parole and were granted permission to return to their homes, so long as they agreed to abide by whatever laws were in force where they resided. But the question remained—how could the Union be restored? Unfortunately, Lincoln never got the chance to bring the answer to this pressing question. Days later, on April 14, 1865, he was assassinated in Ford’s Theater, and in the wake of his death, Andrew Johnson was sworn in as President.

 

Andrew Johnson became
president after Lincoln's assassination.

Out of the blue in the fall of 1865, President Johnson declared that national unity had been restored and slavery had been ended, so the Reconstruction Era was over. Only the various factions in Congress didn’t agree. Some wanted to focus on repairing damage from the death and destruction caused by the war. Others wanted to bring the newly freed blacks into full freedom, including citizenship, voting rights, and more. And still others wanted to keep the balance of power in the white man’s favor with the freed slaves having no new benefits to their freedom. Within Congress and across the country, these factions warred. Inside the House and Senate, certain factions gained enough votes to override Johnson’s veto power and began enacting harsher restrictions in the former Confederate states. They replaced civilian governments in those states with leadership by the U.S. Army, and roughly a decade of harsh treatment and turmoil ensued as the country was rebuilt. During this time, Johnson’s continued conflicts with Congress resulted in him becoming the first U.S. President to be impeached in 1868, though he was not removed from office in that process.

 

Despite the infighting in Congress and elsewhere, Johnson (a Southerner born in North Carolina and living much of his life in Tennessee), did what he could to restore the South before his presidential term was up. Though his hands were largely tied by a veto-proof majority in Congress, as one of his last acts before his presidential term ended, on December 25, 1868, President Johnson offered a full pardon to all former Confederate soldiers and other Confederate officeholders, desiring that the act “secure permanent peace, order, and prosperity throughout the land, and to renew and fully restore confidence and fraternal feeling among the whole people.” 

President Johnson's proclamation granting 
pardons to all Confederates on Dec 25, 1868.

Whether you agree with President Johnson’s stances in history or not, it sounds like in this instance of offering sweeping pardons to Confederates, he displayed the true spirit of Christmas as he attempted to bring good will to all and to unify a broken and hurting nation.

 

Merry Christmas, everyone, and Happy New Year!

Award-winning, best-selling novelist Jennifer Uhlarik has loved the western genre since she read her first Louis L’Amour novel. She penned her first western while earning a writing degree from University of Tampa. Jennifer lives near Tampa with her husband, son, and furbabies. www.jenniferuhlarik.com

 

AVAILABLE NOW

 

Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik

 

A Friendship From the Past Brings Closure to Dani’s Fractured Family

 

When Dani Sango’s art forger father passes away, Dani inherits his home. There, she finds a book of Native American drawings, which leads her to seek museum curator Brad Osgood’s help to decipher the ledger art. Why would her father have this book? Is it another forgery?

 

Brad Osgood longs to provide his four-year-old niece, Brynn, the safe home she desperately deserves. The last thing he needs is more drama, especially from a forger’s daughter. But when the two meet “accidentally” at St. Augustine’s 350-year-old Spanish fort, he can’t refuse the intriguing woman.

 

Broken Bow is among seventy-three Plains Indians transported to Florida in 1875 for incarceration at ancient Fort Marion. Sally Jo Harris and Luke Worthing dream of serving on a foreign mission field, but when the Indians reach St. Augustine, God changes their plans. However, when Sally Jo’s friendship with Broken Bow leads to false accusations, it could cost them their lives.

 

Can Dani discover how Broken Bow and Sally Jo’s story ends and how it impacted her father’s life?

 

 

The Tallest Man in the Civil War

by Michelle Shocklee

I know a thing or two about tall people. Although at 5'6" I'm considered average height for a woman, my men, on the other hand, are not average at all. Take a gander at my gang below! Hubby is 6'8. Youngest son is 6'6". Oldest son is 6'10". Yes, they all played basketball. No, the air isn't any better "up there." Yes, they get tired of telling strangers how tall they are. No, it isn't easy to find clothing that fits. 😵

Back in the 1800s, a fellow by the name of Henry Clay Thruston probably received a lot of the same questions my guys get today. But back then, the world didn't have NBA players on TV who are often well over 7 feet tall, making us all aware that being tall isn't quite as unusual as it used to seem.

Let me tell you a tall tale. (Heehee, I couldn't resist.😂)

Henry Clay Thruston (center)
Public Domain

Henry Clay Thruston was born on May 4, 1830 in South Carolina. His father, Street Thruston, served in the American Revolution. It is said that his grandfather was well over seven feet tall. Henry had four brothers, all of them over 6'6". However, at somewhere between 7'2" and 7'7" (no one can agree on how tall he really was), Henry was by far the tallest. The family moved to Missouri in 1833. Wanting to try his hand at panning for gold, Thruston traveled to California in 1850. Whether he struck it rich or not remains to be seen. He returned to Missouri via the Isthmus of Panama, then Cuba, and then back to Missouri a few years later. In 1853, he married a distant cousin, Mary Thruston, and they had four children. 

We don't know what type of work Thruston did prior to the war, but when the Civil War errupted, it is clear he had Southern sympathies. He enlisted in George Butler’s Morgan County Rangers of the Missouri State Guard (MSG), a state militia organized by the Missouri legislature that fought with various Confederate forces. Thruston participated in several battles with Butler, then joined the Missouri Fourth Calvary and served under General John Sappington Marmaduke. He participated in the Camden Expedition and was wounded in the side at Poison Spring on April 18, 1864. He was also engaged in fighting at Jenkins’ Ferry. Thruston concluded his Civil War career by fighting in General Sterling Price’s Missouri Raid in 1864. 

Interesting note: It is said that during one of the battles, a cease-fire was briefly called so Henry Clay could have his picture taken with David V. Buskirk, one of the tallest men in the Union army at 6'10". 

Henry Clay Thruston (right)
Public Domain

When Thruston's military career came to an end at Shreveport, Louisiana in June 1865, he walked home to Missouri. In 1871, Thruston and his family moved to Texas to farm. It wasn't long, however, when he received an offer from P.T. Barnum & Bailey for a job only he could do: travel the country with the circus as The World's Tallest Man (which may or may not have been true at the time) and as The Texas Giant. When the circus held shows in the South, Henry draped the Stars & Bars over his shoulders. If they were in the North, he'd dress up as Uncle Sam. 

Like most tall people, he had his limits when it came to jokes at his expense. A much shorter man is said to have asked him that dreaded question, “How’s the weather up there?” (My guys get that one a lot!) Thruston let fly a large ball of spit at the man and then said, “It’s raining!” Oh my!

Henry Clay died on July 2, 1909 from a massive heart attack. Following his death, an editorial in the Mount Vernon (Texas) Optic Herald read: “He was our friend and we shall miss his cheering words and hearty handshake. Colonel Thruston was a kind and generous friend, a citizen of strong prejudices, and intense patriotism. His family loses a devoted father and we extend to them heartfelt sympathy in their dark hour of bereavement.” Thruston is buried in Mount Pleasant, Texas.

Henry Clay Thruman, Public Domain

Your turn: Tell me how tall you are! Would you want to be taller or shorter, or are you just right? 

Michelle Shocklee is the author of several historical novels, including Count the Nights by Stars, winner of the 2023 Christianity Today Book Award, and Under the Tulip Tree, a Christy Awards and Selah Awards finalist. Her work has been included in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books, magazines, and blogs. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of two grown sons, she makes her home in Tennessee, not far from the historical sites she writes about. Visit her online at www.MichelleShocklee.com

               COUNT THE NIGHTS BY STARS

*2023 Christianity Today Book Award Winner*

1961. After a longtime resident at Nashville’s historic Maxwell House Hotel suffers a debilitating stroke, Audrey Whitfield is tasked with cleaning out the reclusive woman’s room. There, she discovers an elaborate scrapbook filled with memorabilia from the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Love notes on the backs of unmailed postcards inside capture Audrey’s imagination with hints of a forbidden romance . . . and troubling revelations about the disappearance of young women at the exposition. Audrey enlists the help of a handsome hotel guest as she tracks down clues and information about the mysterious “Peaches” and her regrets over one fateful day, nearly sixty-five years earlier.
https://www.tyndale.com/p/count-the-nights-by-stars/9781496459930