Reader pens poem about Shades of Gray

As I wrote in a recent post, I had a book signing in Isle of Wight County, Va., recently for my historical fiction novel Shades of Gray. A few days after the signing I received an email from Gwynne George, who sent me this lovely poem she had written after reading the Civil War novel.


A big thank you to Gwynne for taking the time to write and send me this beautiful poem.

Love hath not forgot
for it blooms everywhere.
On dead and dreary battlefields,
and in his stallions' pastures.
Shades of gray.
Shades of blue.
The sun
and the moon,
shall always prove true.
For love hath not forgot
in the 'Shades of Gray'

Gwynne explains that the poem shows that love can be found on the battlefields or in the estates of a wealthy Southerner. Shades of gray - the Confederates - and the shades of blue - the Union - can become one, even if they are as different as the sun and the moon. Love shall always prove true and shall not be forgotten, no matter how difficult or treacherous the journey.

Needless to say, I am honored and humbled that Shades of Gray inspired someone to write a poem! Thank you again Gwynne for writing it, and allowing me to share.

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day! Please keep in mind the reason we celebrate this day and remember that it took many brutal years of war before our independence was actually achieved. It is important that we remember what the founding fathers gave to us, and that we do not become the generation that lost it forever.

The Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Olden Day's Festival a step back in time

I'll admit that I don't always look forward to doing book signings, but I couldn't have had a better time at the Olden Days Festival in Smithfield, Va., last weekend.

For those of you who don't know the history of Smithfield, it is located on the banks of the Pagen River just west of Norfolk. The town and surrounding Isle of Wight County are as old as Virginia itself, having been first colonized in 1634. Lying on the opposite shore of the James River, across from Jamestown, the area was discovered by Captain John Smith and other early settlers.

Walking in downtown Smithfield is like taking a walk through history. Smithfield's Historic District boasts over 70 buildings of exceptional architectural importance, including residences of the Colonial, Federal and Victorian periods.

The Olden Day's Festival, an annual event in Smithfield, was the type of celebration that makes you realize what a great country we live in. The streets were closed down for the vendors, and old cars of every type lined the streets. There was a free concert by the Rondell's on Friday night and old-time music all day on Saturday during the street fair.

The town also has a connection to the Civil War, which is why I wanted to do a book signing for my historical fiction novel Shades of Gray there. In late January of 1864, the Union vessel Smith-Briggs landed on the banks of the Pagan River (right where I stayed, at Smithfield Station). The Union troops were pushed back by local Confederate troops, but discovered upon retreat that their gun-boat had left them behind.

Just as those remaining Union troops were preparing to surrender the next day, the Smith-Briggs was spotted returning – causing the Union troops to fire upon the Confederates in an attempt to escape. The Smith-Briggs was badly damaged and subsequently exploded due to ammunition catching fire. With their ship in ruins, completely outgunned, the Union troops were forced to surrender to the local Confederates.

This is a photo of Bacon's Castle, the oldest documented house built in Virginia (1665).

The house is so named because supporters of Nathaniel Bacon's revolt against Governor William Berkeley occupied the building in 1676 during Bacon's Rebellion.

There were so many historic buildings to see that we couldn't get to it all in just one weekend - so we will have to go back! I couldn't end this post without saying something about the beautiful Smithfield Station where we stayed. Here is a picture of the view of the Pagen River from our balcony. It was a spectacular trip!

Signing Civil War book at Olden Days

I am really excited to be taking part in Olden Days June 26-27 in beautiful Smithfield,Va., said to be one of the state' best preserved seaports.

According to its website, Smithfield is a quaint river-port town rich in Hams, History, and Hospitality. The town's Main Street takes visitors back "to a time long gone, when people acknowledged each other by name, the ice cream parlor was the center of every child's universe, and Southern Hospitality was the un-written rule."

Many of you may already think of "ham" when you think of Smithfield, and it is, in fact, the "Ham Capital of the World." Members of the English monarchy had standing orders for Smithfield's famous hams prior to the Revolutionary War.

I'll be signing my historical fiction novel Shades of Gray on June 27 during Olden Days on N. Mason Street. The Festival began in the 1980's, and is said to be one of the most popular community events to take place annually in Smithfield. Highlights include a free concert at the Smithfield Times Square Gazebo with music by the Rhondels and an antique car show featuring "Street Rods." Festivities on Saturday include antique cars, crafters, artisans, the Olde Towne Curb Market, Ghost Walks, the 3rd Ever Re-Inaugural Pagan River Raft Race, Horse & Buggy & antique fire engine rides and lots of good food!

If you're in the area, I hope you'll stop by and say hello. What could be better than hams and history?

Mosby Ranger Descendant Reunion in Va.

What a great and historic day we had in Virginia on Saturday!

The Mosby Heritage Area Association hosted the 2nd Mosby Ranger Descendant Reunion at the Inn at Kelly's Ford and had a great turnout!

It was so wonderful to meet the descendants of the men I read about while doing the research for my historical fiction novel, Shades of Gray, (which, by the way, climbed to #1 on Amazon in the romance/historical category, beating out Gone with the Wind for the first time)!

I had the honor of meeting members of the Ashby family, the deButt's family, and the Delaney's, among others. I even shook the hand of the grandson of Mosby Ranger John Alexander. (I have a first edition copy of the book written by the elder Alexander).

There was one relative of Mosby himself there as well - a sixth cousin to the Confederate officer.

It was so great to see the different relatives comparing genealogy notes and to find some new leaves on their own family trees. I had the honor of sitting with descendants of the Gray brothers and Christopher Shaw during lunch, and the added privilege of listening to the Tuscarora Band afterward.

I know the event was a lot of work for the Heritage Area Association members, but it was surely a worthwhile one. I hope they plan another in the near future!

Mosby Ranger Descendant Reunion

I'm really excited to be attending the Mosby Heritage Area Association's 2nd Annual Mosby Ranger Descendant Reunion this Saturday at the Inn at Kelly’s Ford in southern Fauquier County.

Most of you are probably familiar with the fact the the main character in my historical fiction novel Shades of Gray is based on Confederate cavalry commander John Mosby.

I look forward to meeting the descendants of the men I have so often read about in books about Mosby, and will also be signing my Civil War novel at the event. Those attending will also be bringing their Mosby Ranger artifacts, photos and documents for display. I will be taking a small field desk owned by Ranger Frank Rahm, as well as his hat band, which looks like it was made out the scraps of a flag.

The Mosby Ranger Descendant Reunion event is part of the year-long celebration of Fauquier County, Virginia’s 250th Anniversary. If you're in the area I hope you'll stop by. Visit the Mosby Heritage Area website for details.

Turner Ashby: Knight of the Confederacy

Turner Ashby was a Confederate cavalry general who served under Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862 during the Civil War. A soldier by descent, he was the son of Colonel Turner Ashby, who fought in the war of 1812, and the grandson of Revolutionary War Captain Jack Ashby.

An expert horseman, Ashby was arguably the Confederacy's most renowned combat hero before his death on June 6, 1862. His presence in the Valley was a powerful catalyst to the Confederate effort there, and his presence resonates even now, as many Shenandoah localities celebrate Confederate Memorial Day on June 6.

According to accounts, Ashby displayed great coolness and determination in battle. Galloping over the battlefield, alert and eager, on his black stallion or his favorite white horse, he reminded many who saw him of a medieval knight.

General Thomas E. "Stonewall" Jackson declared that he "...never knew [Ashby's] superior as a partisan leader." Ashby was killed in a skirmish on Chesnut Ridge near Harrisonburg, Virginia, on June 6, 1862, the eve of the climactic battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic.

On that fateful day, Ashby and his men were fighting a rear guard action against the Yankees in an attempt to buy time for General Richard Ewell to set his defenses. In a skirmish with Federal troops, Ashby's horse was shot out from under him, but undaunted, he drew his pistol and called: "Charge, men. For God's sake, charge!" and proceeded to lead the cavalry charge on foot. After taking only a few steps, he was hit in the chest with a musket ball and died instantly. He was 33 years old.

Many say that the critical point in Ashby's career was the death of his younger brother in 1861. From then on he was driven by a vengeance that bordered on bloodlust.

Like the main character in the historical fiction novel Shades of Gray, Ashby and his deeds became legendary, creating a mesmerizing aura that was all the more powerful because it contained fears while it idealized hopes.