From the heart : Love Stories and Letters from the Civil War

Many books have been written about prominent historical figures and their accomplishments—but the personal side is often neglected. Though they lived in a time that required exceptional courage and perseverance, they were, in the end, human. In this short book you will find a few of the heartwarming stories of everlasting love that award-winning historical fiction author Jessica James stumbled upon while doing research for her first Civil War novel Shades of Gray. No matter how well you think you know some of our nation’s greatest warriors, you may be surprised to read the sweet murmurings of love found within. One can only imagine the heartache and pain caused by the separation of war, but the heartfelt sentiment conveyed in the written word must have brought some consolation. Surely there is something in all of us that longs to return to a time when love endured as long as the spirit of life remained, and when even the bravest among us was not afraid to speak from the heart Eloquently written letters were part of Victorian era courtship, and continued even after a couple's marriage. Today, no form of communication is more important, more romantic—and more in danger of being lost—than the written word. Text-messaging has unfortunately taken over as the number one way to communicate, but that doesn't mean we can't learn something from the beautiful and elegant writings of the past. Letters written during the Civil War often contained accounts of battles, life in camp, and general news, but many—even the ones penned by historical figures that we think of as strong, unemotional, and intrepid—are sweet, poignant, and heartfelt missives to their loved ones at home. In this short book you will find a few of the heartwarming stories of everlasting love that historical fiction author Jessica James stumbled upon while doing research for her first Civil War novel Shades of Gray. In the midst of the chaos of today's society, it may be hard to imagine the type of devotion that plays out in these letters. One would not expect, after all, to hear sweet murmurings of love from some of the most renowned soldiers to come out of the war—warriors with names like J.E.B. Stuart, Stonewall Jackson and George Pickett, to name a few. Readers of any genre will appreciate the beautiful use of the English language, written in a way that brings the emotions of the past back to life Eloquently written letters were part of Victorian era courtship, and the practice of letter writing did not end upon a couple's marriage. Today, no form of communication is more important, more romantic—and more in danger of being lost—than the written word. Award-winning historical fiction author Jessica James has gathered some of the most poignant love letters from the Civil War and put them in this short e-book for all to see. Read the heartfelt words of some of the Civil War's most renowned warriors including JEB Stuart, Stonewall Jackson and George Pickett. "...Pray for a realization of all our beautiful dreams, sitting beside our own hearthstone in our own home — you and I, you my goddess of devotion, and I your devoted slave. May God in his mercy spare my life and make it worthy of you!... Your soldier (Written by Stonewall Jackson a few months before his mortal wounding by friendly fire).