by Lisa Prysock
We do know that in real life, Anne was a charitable woman who was very involved in Christian missions. I also write about her and Alexander in my ‘Brides of Pelican Rapids’ story, Lottie’s True Love, if you’d like to read another novel inspired by these amazing real life individuals.
I thought I’d found a goldmine of research from various accounts I discovered about Lincoln’s second floor sitting room and details about Varina and Jefferson Davis, along with their Richmond mansion and early married life. Mary Bowser, seamstress and servant, really was a spy in the Davis mansion working for abolitionist Mrs. Van Lew of Richmond during the Civil War. They worked together to find information about Confederate tactics and strategies throughout much of the war. Together, these ladies trickled this information to Generals and the White House, making a tremendous difference in the outcome of the Civil War, known as the Great War during its time.
In real life, Varina Davis really did attend school in Philadelphia. They moved into the Richmond mansion around May 27th of 1861 according to one source. Her husband did have an office on the second floor.
Sadly, all four of Jefferson and Varina’s sons died in real life, a fact they greatly lamented and sorrowed over deeply. They also had two daughters. It is also true that General Patton’s great grandfather lived near the Confederate White House as a young boy and playmate to the Jefferson children.
Abe and Mary had four sons as well, but only two survived to adulthood, and only one outlived his mother. Mary Todd Lincoln never fully recovered from these losses. I read a very thick biography about Mary and her life before, during, and after her marriage to Lincoln. I believe I was able to accurately portray much of Lincoln’s true character in this novella based on what I have encountered and read.
As a Kentucky author, I’ve been able to drive through what we fondly call Lincoln country in the area where he was born and raised. It is always a delight for me to drive on roads that must surely have been dirt roads in those days, but nonetheless dirt roads he likely traveled at one time or another during his life. I’ve also visited the Speed Plantation where he stayed with Judge Speed’s family prior to his marriage to Mary Todd Lincoln.
My fictional hero, Captain Charles Trumbull, was inspired by the real life farmer who helped navigate and lead two Union Brigades up Rich Mountain. They were in fact greeted by enemy fire when they reached the top, but General Rosecrans did manage to secure a victory. The victory came without much help from McClellan however, who was confused about whether or not he should attack yet. Consequently, he had not led the rest of the troops camped there into the battle. The Confederate forces ultimately surrendered and it was a small Union victory. I mention a little about the Baltimore Riots, and the battles of Philippi, the First Battle of Bull Run, and the victory at Hatteras in this account, but there was not room to keep to novella restrictions and go into greater detail about those battles.
There is some wonderful research I encountered about Lincoln being woken at three o’clock in the morning to hear directly from General Benjamin Butler upon returning from Hatteras to report his victory. Lincoln, still in his night shirt, danced a jig of celebration in his sitting room when he finally heard this news. He was overjoyed to hear that the Union finally had a major victory. Washington D.C. could now be protected. Until then, nothing major had happened except the Union losses at Bull Run.
Minnesota contributed a number of regiments to the Civil War and soldiers fought to protect the Union. The 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment who mustered at Fort Snelling, for example, participated in three major Civil War Battles in other states from 1861-1865. I wrote about these three major battles in Lottie’s True Love. Many Minnesota soldiers and others Lincoln sent there to aid them, helped to put down the Dakota rebellion in Minnesota during that time. It is safe to say that despite being far north, the state had its fair share of trouble and then some during the era.
I also wrote about the Underground Railroad in Protecting Miss Jenna and more Antebellum Era stories, particularly in Geneva and Annabelle. The Antebellum Era is also the setting for Persecution & Providence.
It is my hope that you enjoyed this story of the fictional character of Melody with many nuances and situations of the actual Civil War throughout the book. I believe it is still true today as much as it was during the bloodiest war we’ve ever experienced, we need Jesus as a nation and personally living in each one of us to maintain integrity, peace, goodness, protection, favor, wisdom, and righteousness over the land.
May the Lord richly bless you as you continue to read the rest of the books in this wonderful historical romance series. It is hard for an author such as myself to release early in a series as much as it is to follow after the other books when writing in any series, so I pray you will be thrilled to rejoicing, thoroughly delighted, sorrowed appropriately, enlightened vigorously, boldly impassioned, courageously strengthened, while being filled with romantic adventure as you read each one about our nation’s history. May the lessons of the past lead us more wisely into the future and encompass our todays and tomorrows with love, truth, wisdom, freedom, and kindness.
Warm Regards,
Lisa M. Prysock
Mini Civil War Era Glossary
Absquatulate- to disappear, to leave
Bread basket- stomach
Bully- terrific, hurrah
Bummer- someone who lagged behind to steal
Essence of coffee- early instant coffee, paste form
Go boil your shirt- take a hike, get lost, bug off
Highfalutin- highbrow, fancy
Jawing (s)- talking
John Barleycorn- beer
Let Drive- go ahead, do it
Open the ball- units moving into battle
Knocked into a cocked hat- knocked senseless; shock
Peacock about- strut around
Pie eaters- soldier from a rural area
Pumpkin rinds- gold lieutenant bars
Muggins- scoundrel
No account- worthless
Sardine box- cap box
Scarce as hen’s teeth- rare, hard to find
See the elephant- experience combat or other worldly events
Shakes- malaria
Shanks mare- on foot
Sheet iron crackers- hard tack
Skedaddle- leave, escape, run away
Tennessee or Virginia Quickstep- diarrhea
Author Biography
Lisa M. Prysock is an award-winning, bestselling, Christian and inspirational author of twenty-two novels. She and her husband of more than twenty years reside in Kentucky. They have five children, grown.
She writes in the genres of both Historical Christian Romance and Contemporary Christian Romance, including a multi-author Western Christian Romance series, “Whispers in Wyoming.” She is also the author of a devotional. Lisa enjoys sharing her faith in Jesus through her writing.
Lisa has many interests, but a few of these include gardening, cooking, drawing, sewing, crochet, cross stitch, reading, swimming, biking, and walking. She loves dollhouses, cats, horses, butterflies, hats, boots, flip-flops, espadrilles, chocolate, coffee, tea, chocolate, the colors peach and purple, and everything old-fashioned.
She adopted the slogan of “The Old-Fashioned Everything Girl” because of her love for classic, traditional, and old-fashioned everything. When she isn’t writing, she can sometimes be found teaching herself piano and violin, but finds the process “a bit slow and painful.” Lisa enjoys working with the children and youth in her local church creating human videos, plays, or programs incorporating her love for inspirational dance. A few of her favorite authors include Jane Austen, Lucy Maude Montgomery, Louisa May Alcott, and Laura Ingalls Wilder. You’ll find “food, fashion, fun, and faith” in her novels. Sometimes she includes her own illustrations.
She continues the joy and adventure of her writing journey as a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and LCW (Louisville Christian Writers). Lisa’s books are clean and
wholesome, inspirational, romantic, and family oriented. She gives a generous portion of the proceeds to missions.
Discover more about this author at www.LisaPrysock.com where you’ll find free recipes, devotionals, author video interviews, book trailers, giveaways, blog posts, and much more, including an invitation to sign up for her free newsletter.
Links to Connect with Lisa:
https://www.facebook.com/LisaMPrysock
https://twitter.com/LPrysock
www.LisaPrysock.com
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00J6MBC64 Amazon Author Central
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lisa-m-prysock
https://www.facebook.com/groups/500592113747995/ (Lisa’s Facebook reader & friends group)
Other Titles by Author Lisa M. Prysock
To Find a Duchess, an Inspirational Regency Romance
The Christian Victorian Heritage Series:
Hannah’s Garden: a Turn of the Century Love Story
Abigail’s Melody
The Lydia Collection
The Redemption of Lady Georgiana
Protecting Miss Jenna
Persecution & Providence
Arise Princess Warrior, a 30 Day Devotional Challenge
The Shoemaker, an Old-Fashioned Regency Christmas
Story
Whispers in Wyoming, Contemporary Western Romance
Dreams of Sweetwater River
Marry Me Katie
No Place Like Home
All That Glitters
The Legend of Lollipop
Holly for Christmas
Becoming Princess Olivia
Brides of Grace Hill, Generational Series Historical Saga
Geneva
Annabelle
Victoria
Tracy Jo, Coming Soon...
Brides of Pelican Rapids, Mail Order Bride Series
Lottie’s True Love
The Belles of Wyoming
The Prairie Princess
Hazel’s Tribulations
Holliday Island Resort
Blitzen the CEO
North and South
Minnesota Bride
Which book is next?
Book 3, New York Bride in the ‘North and South’ series, by Christine Sterling.
You can find the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/York-Bride-North-South-Book-ebook/dp/B081ZFCNZH/
Coming Soon by Lisa M. Prysock
A Contemporary Romance, also coming soon...
