A Note from the Author

The four bloody years of the American Civil War was one of the most devastating events to occur in our nation's history and surprisingly, the real reasons for the war are debated in universities today. Of all the reasons, the one most often used, to free African Americans, is in reality the one with the least merit. The decision to free black Americans was not actually announced by Lincoln until late in the war, so at least in the White House slaves were freed only as a second thought. The President may have very well considered it an excellent time to put the slavery issue to bed for good. Some may argue intelligently that slavery was the very soul of the war. It surely had a strong impact, but the actual reasons are very complex with issues like states rights, the Missouri Compromise, unrest and mistrust between the North and South over a variety of social issues, slavery, and the list goes on. While the real reasons for the war may never be known, there is little doubt the impact of the conflict affected every person in the nation, black, Hispanic, Asians, and white, to some degree.

It was a war of "brother against brother" and it tore families apart, creating anger and resentment that can still be felt in some parts of the deep South to this day. The South, while well supplied in guts, lacked the factories and materials need to fight a serious war for any great length of time. Even Confederate General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Army of Virginia, stated the South would be conducting the war using mainly strong determination as its principal weapon. He further stated it would last at least four years.

From the very start, the South had a difficult time supplying the army and pay was almost unheard of after the first year. The heroic efforts of Southern soldiers as well as the outstanding leadership of their generals did little to change the inevitable outcome of the war, because an army must be fed and well armed in order to have a fighting chance and the South could not supply their troops. By the wars end, Southern soldiers were reduced to taking clothing, food, weapons and ammunition from Northern troops to supply themselves. In April 1865, General Lee could no longer supply or feed his army, so he threw in the towel. While he only commanded a portion of the Southern Army, other commanders soon followed his lead and surrendered.

On the Southern home front, things were no better for most civilians. Food and clothing was scarce and rumors flew like leaves in a strong fall wind. Sons, husbands, and brothers went off to war, with many never to return, and the women left behind encountered a great emptiness unequaled at any other time in our nation's history. Often waiting months for a letter from a loved one, or never receiving one, those left behind lived with constant worry and fear. Despair, deep fear, anger and loneliness were common emotions for Southern women, so it is not surprising they eventually turned to someone for comfort.

Although my story is mainly one of love and is fiction, the events in this book are such that they could have happened. I live but a few miles from Vicksburg, Mississippi and am a Southern woman by birth. Not only do I know the area well, having lived my entire life in Mississippi , I've heard and read the history of the area many times.

Edmond and Sara are both victims of difficult times, coming together for comfort at first, only to find love in the end. While neither expected a long-term relationship, fate often has other ideas. I hope you enjoy my work.

About "A Southern Moon Rising

Now at the Publishers.

While Edmond Anderson is working as a spy for President Lincoln, to undercover an assassination attempt, he's threatened with death by the plotters. Requesting safety from the President, he's quickly posted to the army and then to Vicksburg , Mississippi , for protection. Near Vicksburg , as the battle rages ferociously, he suffers a severe wound to his head. As he recovers from his injury, he is ordered to carry dispatches and suffers a bloody wound to his side. Seeking shelter at an isolated cabin, he meets a beautiful Southern Belle, Sara Wainwright, who steals his heart, which already belongs to another. While she detests all things Union , she discovers all Yankee's are not the same and falls in love with Edmond .

Torn between his loyalties to the Union or his love for Sara, Ed decides to desert the army and stay with the woman he loves more than life. When a small family of runaway slaves suddenly appears at Sara's door, she is unable to turn them away. Discovering the black man is a skilled blacksmith, she quickly establishes a thriving business. However, when a gang of Southern cutthroats visits the business, a customer and the two adult slaves are killed, but only after the woman is brutally raped. The deaths of the blacks leave their infant an orphan, who Sara protectively takes under her wing. The same raiders visit the surrounding area and late that night, the son of the man killed on Sara's farm comes for assistance, his whole family dead. Together the four of them head west—to Arizona territory. They soon discover the trip is easier to talk about than to make, due to Sara's pregnancy, Indians, grizzly bears, and Amos Wees, a man determined to rape Sara and kill Edmond.