Michelle L. Hamilton's Blog, page 10

Book Spotlight: Ghosts of Gettysburg VII

What lurks on the battlefields of Gettysburg after dark? Does the spirits of those killed in July 1863 rise from their graves and re enact their bloody deaths over and over and over again? There might be something to the ghostly tales author and paranormal researcher Mark Nesbitt suggests in his latest installment in his widely popular Ghosts of Gettysburg series. Nesbitt, a former National Park Service Ranger/Historian began publishing the stories of the ghosts and haunting's of Gettysburg in 1991 and each volume offers its fair number of spine tingling tales. Fans of the series will not be disappointed as the author offers follow up of some of the series classic tales such as the elevator in Gettysburg College's "Old Dorm" which occasionally takes unsuspecting riders into a hellish visit to the past when the doors open, not to the modern world, but to a Civil War hospital. While there are several updates, there are also plenty of new stories that are as intriguing as they are curious. My person favorite was the woman who bought an electronic voice recorder after hearing bangs and knocks in the General Lee suite at the Quality Inn at General Lee's Headquarters to only recieve an EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) of a southern voice saying "General Lee will be with you." 

What stands out in Nesbitt's books that can be found lacking in other books of the topic, is Nesbitt's firm footing as an historian. All the stories and paranormal activity are connected back to the historic record, this helps explain the activity people are witnessing. For example, people for decades have smelled the strong sent of perfume on the main streets of Gettysburg. The activity makes more sense when it is revealed that following the battle the stench of the dead was so overpowering that the ladies of Gettysburg soaked their handkerchief's in perfume to mask the smell.  Not only does the reader get a good ghost story, but also a good dose of history in the process!   The only place that I disagree with Nesbitt is his claim that the Confederate sharpshooter that accidentally killed Jennie Wade was behind the rubble barricade on Baltimore Street.  In my research, I am of the opinion that the shot likely came from the Rupp Tannery, but this is a small disagreement caught by a very picky reader!

A must read for all fans of the paranormal and of the Civil War. I have been a fan of Mark Nesbitt since I first saw him on the History Channel in the 1990s and this volume does not disappoint and I can't wait to see the next installment in the Ghosts of Gettysburg series as the dead have more to tell us!

Ghosts of Gettysburg

I am pleased to announce that my book is now available for sale at Ghosts of Gettysburg the home for author Mark Nesbitt's popular candlelight ghost tours.  All copies available are signed.






Ghosts of Gettysburg
271 Baltimore Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
http://www.ghostsofgettysburg.com/

At the Hanover Book Festival

Today I attended the Hanover Book Festival as a vendor.  I had a great time and meet many wonderful fellow authors and will be posting book reviews soon!

Hanover Book Festival

I have the pleasure of being one of the author's selling and signing my book "I Would Still Be Drowned in Tears": Spiritualism in Abraham Lincoln's White House at the Hanover Book Festival on Saturday, August 9, 2014!  Be sure to visit and support the many talented author's that call central Virginia home.  Plus it is a good opportunity to get a signed copy of my book!

Hanover Book Festival
Open to the pubic from 10:00 to 2:00
Liberty Christian School Gymnasium
8094 Liberty Circle
Mechanicsville, VA

http://www.hanoverbookfestival.com/2014_Book_Festival_Info.html

Book Spotlight: In Death Lamented

"In Death Lamented: The Tradition of Anglo-American Mourning Jewelry" by Sarah Nehama is a lavishly illustrated collection of some of the finest examples of mourning jewelry gathered in one exhibition. The volume was the companion to an exhibit of mourning jewelry held at the Massachusetts Historical Society in 2012. The book and exhibit traces the history of mourning jewelry from 17th Century Memento Mori's and Poesy Rings to the sentimental hair jewelry that characterized the Victorian era. The highlight of the book is the information provided about the pieces and the people that they are commemorating. Because most of the items featured in the book come from the collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society the reader gets more information about the people than is usually offered in other books devoted to the collecting of mourning jewelry. The rest of the pieces featured in the exhibition come from Sarah Nehama a jewelry designer who became an avid collector of mourning jewelry after stumbling across a mourning brooch in an antique shop. The photographs are stunning, giving the reader an up close view of these beautiful pieces. What is striking to the reader, is that the majority of the pieces were commissioned to commemorate the death's of children and the young. A harsh reminder of the hazards of life for early Americans. This book belongs in the collection of anyone fascinated by mourning traditions and how they evolved from the stark and grim Memento Mori's to the sentimental Victorian era.

Book Spotlight: Confederate and Union Solider of the American Civil War

An excellent introduction to the Confederate solider during the American Civil War. Geared for young readers, though even adults can find the book informative. Focusing on the life of the average solider the books glossy picture format provides large, detailed photographs of the weapons and equipment Confederate soldiers brought with them into battle and camp. The book opens with a brief introduction describing the causes of the war from the southern perspective, what I really liked was that the author's Denis Hambucken and Matthew Payson explained to the reader that this was the South's point of view. The book then moves on to exploring the uniforms of the common solider with photographs of Civil War re enactors modeling how the uniforms were worn. The author's detail the changing fashions of the Confederate solider due to the shortages the Confederacy faced during the war. After covering the clothing worn by the soldiers, the author's then move on to camp life and the weapons the soldiers carried into battle, and the foods eaten while in camp and on the march. The book concludes with a discussion of the some of the personal items soldiers carried with them. Throughout the book there are brief essay's illustrating how to load a musket, the history of battle flags, women and the war, and how to play a popular card game flesh out the narrative. The book is illustrated with color photographs featuring excellent reproduction and original items. I highly recommend this book to young readers and adults alike who want to learn more about the daily life of the common Confederate solider. Denis Hambucken and Matthew Payson continue their study of the common Civil War solider in the companion volume "Union Solider of the Civil War: A Visual Reference."



"Union Solider of the American Civil War" by Denis Hambucken and Chris Benedetto explores the day-to-day life of the common Union solider. This volume follows the same mold as the companion "Confederate Soldier of the American Civil War," yet the information in this book is not repetitive--an issue which I initially feared might be the case. The book starts with a brief introduction detailing the life and times of the Union solider, missing from this volume is a description of the Union views for the war, something that was in the Confederate book. From here the book then describes the uniform and equipment the Union solider was given upon entering the army. The text is complemented with beautiful color photographs of period and accurately reproduced items. Union and Confederate soldiers were given basically the same supplies in most cases, and reading the two volumes highlights the similarities between northerners and southerners that is rarely so apparent in the study of other conflicts. The text is completed with a series of essay's 1860s photography, medical care, and battle flags flesh out the narrative and add to the pleasure of reading the book. The first person quotes from Union Civil War soldiers adds to the narrative Intended for young readers, the book can still be enjoyed by adults--even I found new information. Highly recommended for new and experienced Civil War enthusiasts.

Goodreads Giveaway

Want a chance to win a copy of "I Would Still Be Drowned in Tears": Spiritualism in Abraham Lincoln's White House?  Follow the link and enter Goodreads First Read book giveaway.  Giveaway ends on August 14, 2014.  Good luck!

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...

4th of July at Port Royal, VA

My first 4th of July in Virginia found me attending the 15th annual Independence Day in Historic Fort Royal festival.  Port Royal is a charming town on located on the banks of the Rappahannock River and dates back to 1744.  Several famous individuals have based through Port Royal, including George Washington who stayed three times at the Fox Tavern and John Wilkes Booth who was turned away from the Peyton House while he was on the run following his assassination of President Lincoln.  Booth continued on his journey and was welcomed to stay at the Garret Farm (the Garret's did not know who their guest really was) three miles outside of town.  It was at the Garret Farm on April 26, 1865, that Booth was killed and his co-conspirator David Harold was arrested.  The town is charming with several historic buildings, many dating to before the Revolutionary War.  Though I was distressed to see that most of the buildings are in a shabby condition--particularly the Peyton/Brockenbrough House.

I attended the event as part of my new Civil War reenacting group the Civil War Civilians of Spotyslvania





If you are interested in Port Royal, VA and its historic structures please visit: http://www.historicportroyal.net/

Ebook Now Available!

"I Would Still Be Drowned in Tears": Spiritualism in Abraham Lincoln's White House is NOW available as an ebook in Kindle from Savas Beatie LLC



http://www.amazon.com/Would-Still-Dro...

Jeanie Wade 151

Today is the 151st anniversary of the death of Jennie Wade who was accidentally killed by a Confederate sharp shooter on the last day of the battle of Gettysburg. Read my award winning article on Jennie Wade here:

http://www.citizenscompanion.com/?p=1319