Mosby, Higginson & Franklin?

Post (C) Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Image (C) Doris McCraw

For this month's post, I'm sharing a portion of my reading list for the research deep dives I've undertaken this year.

In 2024, the year was spent in Evergreen Cemetery documenting Civil War soldiers buried there, along with their wives when available. This was an eye-opening look into the past as I searched the cemetery, genealogy, and newspaper records. Each name revealed the story of people, their trials and triumphs, along with a sense of the sacrifice, heartache, and loss the conflict had on their lives. Some of these Civil War discoveries 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 units such as Mosby's Rangers, Jesse Scouts, and others, whose sole purpose was to infiltrate and disrupt 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:

"A Man on Fire" Amazon

"The Unvanquished" Amazon

NPS - Thomas Wentworth Higginson

NPS- John Singleton Mosby

Until Next Time,

Doris

Angela Raines - Amazon

Doris A. McCraw - Amazon

  

And Next?

Post (C) Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Image (C) Doris McCraw

As I ponder what I am going to write in this monthly post, my mind runs through all the research and reading I have been doing. I just finished the Patrick K. O'Donnell book: "The Unvanquished" and have Mosby's Rangers and Jessie Scouts' exploits during the Civil War and beyond swirling around in my mind. 

Add that to the research on the Philippine-American War of 1899-1902, an offshoot of the Spanish-American War, for another story I'm working on, and my mind is swirling with reading about the violent history of our country. 

To balance this history, I'm continuing to work on early Women Doctors before 1900 and have added women artists and mountaineers in the West during that same period. It does provide a good balance. I confess that when studying and sharing history, I aim for balance. It is not easy to share history in a way that is engaging while keeping moral and modern sentiment out of the equation. No matter how hard I try, the information is still filtered through my life experiences. 

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

There is also a paper on the statuary, mausoleums, and headstones in Evergreen Cemetery, all of which seem to tie together in my mind.

When we read a book, fiction or non-fiction, we get out of it what we see through our own personal filters. To me, that is why the stories we share as writers are important. We never know when a sentence we've written will make a difference in someone's life. For that reason alone, we need to keep sharing our stories. The reader who needs to read what we've written will find it one way or another. This I do believe, for I've seen it happen, even if the author has passed on.

For those who may wonder, I'm getting ready to read "Man on Fire" about Thomas Wentworth Higginson, a mentor to Helen (Hunt) Jackson, Emily Dickinson, and commander of an all-Black unit in the American Civil War, among other activities. 

Until Next Time - Keep Telling Your Stories

Doris

Thank you

Post (C) Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

As January comes to a close, I've been thinking a great deal about the past year. Perhaps it's been all the cold and snow or just planning the next year. Either way, here are a few things I thought I'd share.

As I researched the Civil War Veterans and Wives series, I was able to delve deeper into the complexity of the war and how it affected the men, women, and their families. While I didn't always share my thoughts in the posts, it has given me much to think about.

I have also skimmed or read some great books, both old and new, about the conflict. I shared those in the appropriate posts. I'm finishing "The Unvanquished" and will be starting "Lincoln vs. Davis: The War of the Presidents." Having grown up in Illinois, Lincoln was a large part of my history; he even spent time in my part of the state. Davis, or his wife, has always fascinated me, and there is a possible relationship by marriage. Additionally, one of their daughters moved to Colorado, where I currently reside, and is buried in the local cemetery.

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

Finally, I want to say Thank You to all who read and commented on my posts and the posts of others on this site. The comments help us connect and focus on what is of interest to you, the readers.

Finally, it has been an honor to be a part of Western Fictioneers and as the President for the past two years. This is a wonderful and supportive group of writers, and I consider myself lucky to be a member. Thank you for being you.

Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines.

December 24, 2024 and a Look Back

Post (C) Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

This post will go live on December 24, 2024. It is also the final post for me for 2024. I have thought a lot about what this post would be. I settled on a look back.

2024, saw the series on this blog and the Prairie Rose Publications blog about the Civil War Veterans and Wives of Veterans who are buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs. The research, stories, and books that were a part of my journey have given me an even greater sense of what these people went through.

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

For those who would like to read more, here are some books I found worth my time:

"The Unvanquished" - Patrick O'Donnell

"The Tenth Minnesota Volunteers" - Michael A. Eggleston

"Three and a Half Years in the Army: Or History of the Second Colorados" - Ellen Williams

"The Three-Cornered War" - Megan Kate Nelson

2024 was also a year of loss.

I lost a friend on May 1, 2024. She'd had two strokes at different times, and she finally left us in May.           Go Rest High on that Mountain - Home Free

We also lost Western Writers Robert J. Randisi and Kit Prate and other notable personalities.

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

What I do know - If it were not for those who came before us, we would not be who we are and can become. 

I want to take the time and use this post as a thank you to all who left a legacy, large or small. Without their courage, vision, and efforts, I and others would be the poorer for it.

As we move through the Holiday Season, I wish everyone the best time possible and the fulfillment of dreams in the coming year.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND BEST IN 2025.

Until Next Time: Stay safe, Stay happy, and Stay healthy. 

Doris

Some may not care - but

Post by Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Image (C) Doris McCraw

November has Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving. In honor of those two Holidays, I dedicate this post to all the veterans and am thankful for all they have done.

This whole year has been dedicated to finding and sharing the stories of the soldiers who served in the Civil War. This next to last post is about George Washington Castile (Casteel, Casteele). 

Castile was born November 15, 1845, in Buchanan County, Missouri. If you look at a map, Buchanon County is close to Clay County, the home of Frank and Jesse James. George, however, served with the Union Forces in Kansas with the 14th Kansas Calvary. He mustered out with the rank of Corporal.

That unit was formed on April 1, 1863, and continued until June 25, 1865. Records show the 14th was involved in Battles in Lawrence, Kansas but the brunt of their service was in Arkansas working primarily out of Fort Smith, Arkansas.

After the war, George returned to Buchanan County. He later married Mary Jane Marion in Douglas, Kansas in 1870. Mary died sometime around 1874 leaving behind George and 3-4 children. George then moved to Douglas County, Colorado. In August of 1879, he married Euphrama Gillman, who was thirteen years his junior. He brought his three sons into the marriage. George and Euphrama had four children. 

By 1900 the couple were living in Colorado Springs where George was a Veterinary Surgeon. 

George died in 1918 at the age of 72. Although his wife is buried in another section of Evergreen Cemetery, George is buried in the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) section. 

Headstone image taken from
Find A Grave

For those who want to dig deeper into Buchanan County, Missouri, here is a link to the history published in 1881: Missouri Digital Collection - Buchanan County

Until Next Time: Stay safe, Stay happy, and Stay healthy. 

Doris

Sgt. J. W. Peterson - 2nd Colorado Cavalry

Post (C) Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

GAR Section of Evergreen Cemetery, 
Colorado Springs, CO. 
Image (C) Doris McCraw

John W. Peterson enlisted in Denver, Colorado, Colorado Territory, as a private on September 1, 1863. He mustered out of Company E of the 3rd Infantry to transfer to Company M of the Colorado Cavalry as a Seargent on October 1, 1863, when that unit was organized. 

Various companies of the 2nd Cavalry served in Missouri, the District of the Frontier, and New Mexico. They were the first to leave the territory to serve on the Union side of the conflict. The history is varied and a bit hard to follow. For those who would like to know more you can find the information U. S., Amerian Civil War Regiments, 1861-1865.

His personal life is a bit of a mystery, for there was also another John Peterson in Colorado Springs at the same time. Trying to decipher who is who has been more time-consuming than expected. So far, any records that match show he never married. Hopefully, time will bring more of Sgt. Peterson's life to the forefront. So far the John Peterson, born around 1835 in Illinois shows the most promise.

We do know he died on April 9, 1904, and is buried in the GAR section of Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs.

For more on the Civil War Veterans and Veteran's Wives in this series:

Martha Douglass - Prairie Rose Publications

William T. Douglass - Western Fictioneers

Private John H. Long - Western Fictioneers

Isabella Long - Prairie Rose Publications 

Until Next Time: Stay safe, Stay happy, and Stay healthy. 

Doris

Private John H. Long of the 73rd Illinois Infantry - Civil War

Post (C) Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

March 10, 1844, John H. Long entered this world in Fairfield County, Ohio. On July 23, 1862, the 5' 6.5" brown hair, gray-eyed, eighteen-year-old joined the Union Army in Delevan, Illinois. This recruitment was for the 73rd Illinois Infantry. This unit comprised men from Adams, Champaign, Christian, Hancock, Jackson, Logan, Platt, Pike, Sangamon, Tazewell, and Vermillion counties. If you look at a map of Illinois you will notice that these counties run East to West through the central part of Illinois, primarily farming. Chances are like Long,, a number of the men in this unit would have been farmers.

The 73rd was mustered in at Camp Butler on August 21, 1862. It numbered 900 soldiers under the command of Colonel Jaquess. They were soon sent to Kentucky, eventually joining the 34th and 100 Illinois infantry, and the 79th and 88th Indiana. Soon, however, the 73rd was moved to a brigade with the 44th Illinois in the 2nd and 15th Missouri. This brigade was assigned to Sheridan's division and saw the following action: on October 1, 1862, the brigade started in pursuit of Bragg on October 8, the unit was engaged in the battle of Perryville. The 73rd engaged in battle, delivering and receiving heavy fire for approximately an hour, from 3 to 4 PM. On November 7 the unit reached Nashville Tennessee. It was during this move that several men were lost due to disability or diseases.

Long would have taken part in the above military activities. He was discharged on August 7, 1863, on a disability. 

Long married Isabella Joyce in Illinois in 1864. By 1880 the couple were living in Kansas and had five children. John was still engaged in farming. However looking at the 1880 census records, the oldest child was born in Illinois, the second in Iowa, the third in Illinois, the fourth in Missouri, and the fifth in Kansas. By 1882 the family was living in Colorado Springs and two more children had been added. His occupation in this census is listed as a stone mason. In 1890, John added house raising and moving to his stone mason work. By 1910, at the age of 66, his occupation is house mover. John passed away in August 1920.

 His headstone, to honor his service in the Civil War, was not ordered until 1936.

Accessed from Ancestry.

For links to past writing on Civil War Veterans and Civil War Wives:

Isabella Long - Prairie Rose Publications 

James W. Bell - Western Fictioneers

Martha Lynn Bell - Prairie Rose Publications

Captain Richmon Finch- Western Fictioneers

Sarah Jane Durkee Anderson - Prairie Rose Publications

Esther Walker, Part 2 - Western Fictioneers

Esther Walker - Prairie Rose Publications

Alpheus R. Eastman - Western Fictioneers Blog

Helen Rood Dillon - Prairie Rose Publications Blog

Virginia Strickler - Prairie Rose Publications Blog

Henry C. Davis - Western Fictioneers Blog

Chester H. Dillon - Western Fictioneers Blog

Until Next Time: Stay safe, Stay happy, and Stay healthy. 

Doris

Sgt. James W. Bell - 33rd Iowa Infantry

Post (c) Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

James Warren Bell was a Sergeant with Company F of the 33rd Iowa Infantry. He served from 1862-1865.

He was born April 28, 1833, in Indiana, near Williamsport in Warren County. His family appeared to be farmers. however, by 1859 when he married Martha Linn, in Steady Run, Keokuk County, Iowas, he was still engaged in farming. 

James Bell & Wife Martha
photo from Find A Grave

When the war began he enlisted as a corporal, although married, on 13 August 1862 and mustered in on September 2, that same year. He mustered out on June 10, 1865, in Fort Gaines, Alabama. 

After the war, James, Martha, and their family started moving westward. In 1880 they were living in Luka, Pratt County, Kansas. James was working as a carpenter. By 1885 the Bells were living in Colorado Springs where James continued working as a carpenter. 

The town of Colorado Springs, founded in 1871, was growing, so James was probably kept busy. His wife, Martha, died in 1892. James passed in 1893. 

The couple had two daughters: Lulu Bell, born in 1866, and Annie Bell, born in 1868. Lulu married Dr. William Sinton in 1885. Annie married Gordon Merrick, who was seven years her junior. 

James died, according to the news report in Chicago, Illinois while attending the Columbia Exposition with his daughter Lulu and her husband William.

For those who would like to know more about the 33rd Iowa Infantry, this website has additional information about the activities of this unit in the Civil War: Historical Sketch - 33rd Iowa

For links to past writing on Civil War Veterans and Civil War Wives: 

Martha Lynn Bell - Prairie Rose Publications

Captain Richmon Finch- Western Fictioneers

Sarah Jane Durkee Anderson - Prairie Rose Publications

Esther Walker, Part 2 - Western Fictioneers

Esther Walker - Prairie Rose Publications

Alpheus R. Eastman - Western Fictioneers Blog

Helen Rood Dillon - Prairie Rose Publications Blog

Virginia Strickler - Prairie Rose Publications Blog

Henry C. Davis - Western Fictioneers Blog

Chester H. Dillon - Western Fictioneers Blog

Until Next Time: Stay safe, Stay happy, and Stay healthy. 

Doris

Captain Richmond Finch

Post by Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

Captain Finch died on September 28, 1898, in El Paso County, Colorado, of heart disease. His story, like many of the veterans who are buried here, is one both universal and unique. 

Born in Albany County, New York in 1837 the third child to parents John and Mary Finch. Around 1850, according to his sister Theresa, (Thirza), the family moved from New York to Prince William Valley, Virginia. However, by 1858 Richmond appears to have separated from his family. So far, the reason for the break hasn't been found.

His military career began on August 1,1861. At twenty-four in 1861, he joined the 3rd New York Cavalry as a quartermaster sergeant. By November 1863, he accepted a commission with the 15th New York Cavalry as a second lieutenant. By the end of 1865, he was a Captain.

In the letters and diaries of this sister Thirza, Richmond was in Washington, N.C. during the Confederate siege of the city. He was in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864 and served under Sheridan in the campaigns of 1864-65. She mentions that he was ' an avid, apparently fearless soldier and was as aggressive as he was successful in pursuing a military career'.

He also had a younger brother, Edwin, who served with the 15th NY Calvary and also took part in Sheridan's campaigns. 

His older brother, Madison, was a Unionist sympathizer,  was drafted into the Confederate 4th Virginia Calvary. He served until November of 1863 when he was captured. After five weeks in Old Capitol Prison in Washington, he was paroled and returned to remain with his family for the duration of the war. 

His other brother, Foster, joined the 7th N.Y. Heavy Artillery in July 1863. He was captured by Mosby's Rangers and spent time in a Confederate prison in Virginia. Upon his release from prison, he spent time in the hospital to regain his strength. He rejoined his regiment in March of 1865. (One of the doctors buried in Evergreen just above where Richmond's headstone rests was with Mosby's Rangers.)

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

In 1870, Richmond married New York-born Caroline Smith. He spent two years after the war where he and his wife lived and ran a business. By 1880 the two moved to Leadville, Colorado where they had a Lodging House at 204 W. 2nd St. In 1890 the couple were in Colorado Springs where Richmond was the proprietor of the restaurant, The New England Kitchen. He had this business until he died in 1898.

As we prepare to celebrate Memorial Day, the stories of these veterans and those who followed, deserve to be found and shared. If you see a headstone of a veteran, take the time to research the stories. You never know what you will find.

For those who may have missed the earlier posts:

Sarah Jane Durkee Anderson - Prairie Rose Publications

Esther Walker - Veteran - Western Fictioneers

Esther Walker - Prairie Rose Publications

Alpheus R. Eastman - Western Fictioneers

Helen Rood Dillon - Prarie Rose Publications

Virginia Strickler - Prairie Rose Publications Blog

Henry C. Davis - Western Fictioneers Blog

Chester H. Dillon - Western Fictioneers Blog

For anyone interested, I have a monthly substack newsletter: Thoughts and Tips on History

Until Next Time: Stay safe, Stay happy, and Stay healthy. 

Doris