HISTORICAL REFERENCE
Author Robert Winter masterfully incorporates factual history, fictional characters and entriginng storytelling in The Hill Toward Home – a gripping novel is set during the Civil War and explores patriotism, loyalty to a cause, and the taking of human life. The main character, Jesse Logan, struggles with the divisive issues of states’ rights, slavery, and commitment to one’s principles.
This fictional story could not be told without the consideration and inclusion of factual history of the Civil War. The following factual references are provided for your enjoyment as a means to explore more deeply the events that surround the lead fictional character, Jesse Logan. Each historic reference contains one or more web links supporting historical data.
Freemasons in the Civil War (Fact)
Brother against Brother, Freemason against Freemason During that Civil War, approximately 410.000 soldiers were interned in prison camps and it has been estimated that about 56,000 of them were Freemasons. There are recorded stories that indicate how these Masons were true to their Masonic obligations and to our Masonic teachings, even while performing their duties as military fighting men....
Nathan Bedford Forest (Fact)
On paper, If anyone in the Confederacy should not have been considered for a command position it would be Nathan Bedford Forrest. Born in 1821, Forrest was one month shy of his 40th birthday when he signed up as a private soldier in Captain Josiah White’s company of Tennessee Mounted Rangers. During the past thirty-nine years and eleven months, Bedford had attended, in brief segments, perhaps...
Brigadier General Braxton Bragg (Fact)
A Controversial Confederate Confederate General Braxton Bragg, was one of the more controversial officers in the Confederate Army. Confederate President Jefferson Davis, relied heavily upon Bragg's understanding of military affairs and institutions, though he did not always agree with Bragg, Davis consistently sought his expertise and opinion on a variety of matters. By untiringly assuming many...
Elizabeth van Lew (Fact)
Nicknamed “Crazy Bett” Elizabeth was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. Her parents were both from the northern states: her father from New York and her mother from Philadelphia, where her father had been mayor. Her father became wealthy as a hardware merchant, and her family was among the wealthiest and most socially prominent there. Unlike some other Southern Unionists, van Lew did not get...
Major General Henry W. Halleck (Fact)
Old Brains Henry Halleck graduated from West Point Military Academy third from the top of his class in 1839 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant to serve in the Corps of Engineers as he demonstrated qualities for research, military science, and instruction. In 1844 he was sent to visit the principal military establishments of Europe and on his return, he delivered a course of lectures, as...
M & O Railroad (Fact)
Historically Accurate Following his taking of Corinth, Mississippi in July 1862, Federal General Halleck was reassigned to Washington DC and General Ulysses S. Grant was restored to the position of Western Field Commander with the objective of neutralizing the ‘Gibraltar of the Mississippi River’, Vicksburg, Mississippi. It was thought the task would be rather simple if the Union army could just...
Jesse Logan scouts for Rebel Cavalry and food (combination fact/fiction)
Book Character: Captain Jesse Logan Following the Union army’s entry into Knoxville, Tennessee in September 1863 Captain Jesse Logan was assigned as a Mounted Infantry Company Commander under the overall command of General Ambrose Burnside. Captain Logan’s principal duties included scouting for Rebel Cavalry but also, having spent much of his youth in East Tennessee, and because of his...
Fort Sanders, Knoxville, TN (Fact)
The Battle of Fort Sanders - Knoxville, Tennessee November 1863 Confederate General James Longstreet was assigned to attack the battlements surrounding Knoxville, Tennessee which were occupied by Union General Ambrose Burnside’s Army of the Ohio in November 1863, and capture that city. Knoxville was extremely important to the war efforts of both armies. Preparing the attack, Longstreet spent...