Finding Characters in Amazing Places By Susan Hanniford Crowley

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Photo Courtesy by Devonshire on Unsplash – Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center, Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA, USA

When I wrote The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, I found my hero in an unexpected place. David Hilliard was shot down during the Battle of Gettysburg and during the night with bodies strewn across the battlefield, he lay dying, his life’s blood seeping into the ground. He stared up and a chalky face with fangs stared down at him and took what was left of David’s life. He had been in the 14th New York Infantry.

My stories come from dreams, but then I go out into the world and do the research. If travel isn’t possible at that moment, I read books and go online and study maps and cemetery lists.  On an early online cemetery record, I found that two Hilliards were killed at Gettysburg. I thought what if there was a third Hilliard brother? This is mixing fiction with the fact now.

About three years ago, I made another trip to Gettysburg. I’ve been there lots in my life because my husband is a Civil War buff. A new dream about the Civil War has been percolating in my brain.  I decided to visit the graves of the two real brothers and pay my respects.

First off, the National Cemetery for Gettysburg is enormous. The New York State section is huge. I do very badly in heat and humidity but decided to chance it anyway. My husband followed me every step of the way. After hours we had to give up. Going to the drug store, I got cold packs for my legs and had to lay in air conditioning for hours before the pain and nausea passed away.

The next day we went back to the Visitor’s Center. I asked one of the rangers there, why would the name be on a list as killed at Gettysburg but not be buried in the National Cemetery here. He gave me two value causes. Being from New York, some families arranged to have their loved ones’ remained transported to the Civil War cemetery in Syracuse. Others took them home to their own family burial grounds.

I learned a valuable lesson. Always ask the archiving historian first before you hike for hours in the hot sun.  Still, I was glad to have the on-foot experience and what I learned this time will go into another book.

All the best for another fun and exciting adventure in life.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

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