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The influences which create emotional bonds between us, today, and those in the past are human interest stories. Such stories allow us to understand the hardships and deprivations endured from this event. They connect and endear us in ways we can relate to the participants. They instill in us respect by their commitment to duty and they amaze us with tales of lighter, sometimes humorous, moments amidst tragic circumstances.
This unique blend of stories, arranged in chronological order to enhance the reader's experience, was taken from primary sources - including diaries, pension records, historical collections, official records, as well as newspapers, journals, and books. Scott Mingus has woven together an extraordinary collection of human interest stories covering the Maryland Campaign as witnessed by the soldiers and civilians. Here are just two examples:
General Lee, normally stoic and calm as battle loomed, allowed his emotions to betray him. As he was riding in the rear lines, he encountered a soldier surreptitiously toting a freshly killed pig. Enraged, Lee ordered the thief to be arrested. As an example to discourage other pilferers, he was to be escorted to Stonewall Jackson and shot for his wanton disobedience of Lee's strict orders against foraging. Short of men already, Jackson soon commuted the execution sentence, and instead ordered the man to be sent straight to the front lines. He was to be placed in a position where the odds were highest he would be shot by the Yankees. The culprit fought well, survived the battle, and redeemed himself through his bravery under the scathing fire. He later became regarded as the man who had lost the pig, but "saved his bacon."
Other animals weren't as enthralled as the dogs with the sound and terror of battle. As Capt. James Dinkins and his comrades in the Eighteenth Mississippi advanced though the West Woods towards the distant Yankees, men were falling at every step as shells and shots pounded the earth and cut down the timber. A spotted cow rambled through the line, going to the Mississippians' rear, desperately running like a race horse with her tail high in the air. A Federal artillery shell struck the ground a few feet in front of her and exploded, splattering dirt in all directions and leaving a large hole. The terrified bovine plunged in the hole, but soon scrambled out. Kit Gilmer of Company C hallooed, "Boys, she's a Confederate cow; she's going South!"
Expected Retail Price: $9.95 USD - 104pp Softcover
Available NOW!
Human Interest Stories from the Gettysburg Campaign
ISBN 0-977-71252-4
Retail Price: $9.95 USD - 104pp
Softcover
For orders, contact:
Colecraft Industries
970 Mt. Carmel Road
Orrtanna, PA 17353
e-mail: colecraftbooks@aol.com
Shipping FOB: LaVergne, TN
This will be available at amazon.com, Borders, and Barnes & Noble stores through their in-store catalogs and on their websites. The Gettysburg book is on sale now, with Antietam expected to be in print in May.