From the Pen of a She-Rebel
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
From the Pen of a She-Rebel: The Civil War Diary of Emilie Riley McKinley
This is the Diary of Emilie Riley McKinley, who lived a few miles outside of Vicksburg. It spans 10 months—from May 1863 to March 1864, covering the Siege of Vicksburg, the surrender, of part of occupation of Vicksburg.
Emilie lived on a plantation. Groups of Union soldiers came to the home and took away livestock, pistols, and rifles. They continued to come, and took the family’s meat and produce away in the family’s wagons without payment, despite the owner’s protests.
Sometimes different groups of soldiers came several times a day. This happened before the Battle of Vicksburg, during the Siege of Vicksburg, and continued after the surrender.
Soldiers and others, armed with weapons, searched homes for valuables and dug up hidden treasures like silver. These were taken.
As I read the book, I was shocked at what one family and their neighbors endured. The account held my attention.
I purchased this book to discover the history for the siege.
Recommended for readers of American Civil War history and American history.
