Post (C) Doris McCraw
aka Angela Raines
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| Image (C) Doris McCraw |
For this month's post, I thought I'd share a bit of my reading list of some of the deep dives that have occurred this year.
In 2024, the year was spent in the cemetery recording the names of Civil War soldiers buried there and, when available, their wives. It was an eye-opening look into the past. These people, with their trials and triumphs, brought a sense of the sacrifice, heartache, and loss the conflict had on their lives. Some of those stories were shared on this blog.
One headstone mentioned that the person buried there had served in the 43rd Virginia Cavalry Battalion with John Singleton Mosby. This led me to the book, "The Unvanquished", by Patrick K. O'Donnell. The book was fascinating and devastating. It told the story of the 'shadow war' of the units such as Mosby's Rangers, Jesse Scouts, and others whose sole purpose was to infiltrate and stop the 'enemy'. Although I never read the name of the man who started me on the journey, the book deepened my understanding of the conflict in a way no other, including Ken Burns' brilliant documentary, "The Civil War," had.
The short "Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" was read, and while the beginning of his story was enlightening, I found myself glad to finish the second half.
For those who know me, many are aware of the years of research and performing I have done on Helen (Hunt) Jackson. It will not surprise anyone to know that upon finding the biography of Thomas Wentworth Higginson, it would be next on my list. The name was familiar as the mentor of Helen and Emily Dickinson.
Although "A Man on Fire: The Worlds of Thomas Wentworth Higginson" is a look at a man who was so much more than what many may believe. A student at Harvard at thirteen, an author, abolitionist, Unitarian Minister, strong advocate of Women's Suffrage, and commanded the 1st South Carolina Volunteers. This unit was composed of Black soldiers freed from slavery.
What seems to make Higginson's story so fascinating is his drive and intelligence. He seemed to push himself harder than anyone else.
For those who would like to learn or read more, here are links to additional reading:
NPS - Thomas Wentworth Higginson
Until Next Time,
Doris
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