She inclined her head. “You’ll notice Abalone is gone. She was looking after me when I got back from that place just like she had since I was a baby. Daddy decided she was getting too old and sold her. Truth be known, she was giving the nurse fits about drugging me all the time…

To men who study war, and Captain Baron Patrick Callahan had been a student all his life, these great conflicts have a definite pattern. In the beginning, it is all hearts bursting with pride and dreams of glory. Too soon the gleaming brass buttons on crisp uniforms tarnish. Feet that marched smartly to a vibrant,…

Both sides of the conflict found a number of creative ways to pass information during the Civil War. The Confederacy definitely started out with an advantage as some agents such as Thomas Jordan had been preparing for at least a year before Sumter. He already had an impressive spy ring in place at the beginning…

Crinolines were originally structured of stiffened petticoats made to hold out lady’s skirts. They became especially popular during the 19th century. The petticoat fabric was made of horsehair (crin) and cotton or linen. The hoop skirts came into fashion first as completely round and then more elongated to the back. I’ll do a more complete…

It’s the second day of the challenge and letter B! There are so many options. I decided to go with buttons! (Warning it is a bit graphic.) Baron led Sally closer to the campfire where he could see the wound properly. The mare hobbled behind, limping badly, and nudging his back occasionally. When she did,…

I’m participating in the A-Z Blogging Challenge this year. Lawsy, what was I thinking? I blame it on Colin! I’ll be blogging mainly about Civil War tidbits or pieces from The Rain Crow, but there may be a surprise here and there. I’m working on The Rain Crow, my Civil War novel about my Confederate…