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Civil War #1
The Lincoln League
The Lincoln League reveals the secret side of the Civil War. John Scobell, a former slave, works as a spy for the Union, collecting secrets in northern Virginia as the Civil War marches down upon the land. But he has no idea that Peg, the wife he left behind in Richmond, has also become a Union spy operating in the heart of the Confederacy.
The Lincoln League is inspired by the true story of John Scobell, the first African-American spy in the U.S. Intelligence Service. This thrilling novel also tells the little-known story of the Lincoln League, a network of African-American spies.
In the beginning, John saw the war as a fight for honor and freedom. But his world unravels when someone begins picking off Lincoln League agents, one by one. For John and Peg, it suddenly becomes a fight for survival.
The Lincoln League is inspired by the true story of John Scobell, the first African-American spy in the U.S. Intelligence Service. This thrilling novel also tells the little-known story of the Lincoln League, a network of African-American spies.
In the beginning, John saw the war as a fight for honor and freedom. But his world unravels when someone begins picking off Lincoln League agents, one by one. For John and Peg, it suddenly becomes a fight for survival.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 16, 2018
The name “Pinkerton” conjures up visions of espionage in Early American History. During The Civil War, Allen Pinkerton was a spy for the Union Army and his home in Illinois was part of The Underground Railroad. Later he was a lawman who chased the likes of The Reno Gang and other Great Train Robbers. One of the first lawmen to use surveillance and undercover disguise to solve his many mysteries, his story became legend.
It is from Pinkerton’s accounts and other historical sources, that Doug Peterson bases this Historical Fiction. In Pinkerton’s book,The Spy of the Rebellion, He relates a story about Timothy Webster, a spy for the Union Army during the Civil war, and man named John Scobell. Webster was white man. Scobell was an African American free man of color. Scobell took Webster to a secret meeting of The Lincoln League. There Webster met a group of African American men who acted on behalf of the Union Army as spies. Both Webster and Scobell can be traced back to the annals of The CIA. The details found there are few, but the story that Peterson weaves from the facts is astounding.
Researching this era in United States history, Doug Peterson pieces together a fast paced story that accurately depicts the atrocities of slavery, the bravery of the underground movement, and the folk ways that grew up around the culture of slavery.
In this book John Scobell’s wife is named “Peg”. She too is a recently freed slave. She owns her own hat shop in Richmond Virginia where the story begins. Peterson spins this story along many actual incidents in the Civil War that involved spies both black and white. Hattie Lawton, Elizabeth Van Lew and Mary Bowser are some of the true life characters that changed the course of the war along with John Scobell. Peg Scobell’s missions are crossed with some of the most noteable spies in Richmond at that time.
While Schobell is gone off to war, captured by the Confederates, and then launched into the life of a spy with The Lincoln League, Peg too, becomes privy to information that alerts the Union to the Rebel’s construction of torpedoes and submarines. And as both John and Rosa seek to carry out a nobel cause during precarious times, members of The Lincoln League are being murdered one by one.
There are layers of mysteries here, and some element of horror, as John and Rosa scramble not only for their cause but for their very lives.
This is a well told story with carefully researched history at it’s core. John and Peg Schobell are vital characters in a brutal war where the losses are beyond heartbreaking and the heroism beyond human understanding.
It is from Pinkerton’s accounts and other historical sources, that Doug Peterson bases this Historical Fiction. In Pinkerton’s book,The Spy of the Rebellion, He relates a story about Timothy Webster, a spy for the Union Army during the Civil war, and man named John Scobell. Webster was white man. Scobell was an African American free man of color. Scobell took Webster to a secret meeting of The Lincoln League. There Webster met a group of African American men who acted on behalf of the Union Army as spies. Both Webster and Scobell can be traced back to the annals of The CIA. The details found there are few, but the story that Peterson weaves from the facts is astounding.
Researching this era in United States history, Doug Peterson pieces together a fast paced story that accurately depicts the atrocities of slavery, the bravery of the underground movement, and the folk ways that grew up around the culture of slavery.
In this book John Scobell’s wife is named “Peg”. She too is a recently freed slave. She owns her own hat shop in Richmond Virginia where the story begins. Peterson spins this story along many actual incidents in the Civil War that involved spies both black and white. Hattie Lawton, Elizabeth Van Lew and Mary Bowser are some of the true life characters that changed the course of the war along with John Scobell. Peg Scobell’s missions are crossed with some of the most noteable spies in Richmond at that time.
While Schobell is gone off to war, captured by the Confederates, and then launched into the life of a spy with The Lincoln League, Peg too, becomes privy to information that alerts the Union to the Rebel’s construction of torpedoes and submarines. And as both John and Rosa seek to carry out a nobel cause during precarious times, members of The Lincoln League are being murdered one by one.
There are layers of mysteries here, and some element of horror, as John and Rosa scramble not only for their cause but for their very lives.
This is a well told story with carefully researched history at it’s core. John and Peg Schobell are vital characters in a brutal war where the losses are beyond heartbreaking and the heroism beyond human understanding.
September 27, 2018
This was an interesting read about the real Lincoln League, a group of black spies who worked for the north. This story has many twists, turns and is based on some real people from history like John Scobell, Allan Pinkerton and others. Real history woven into a fictional story make this a good read.
July 31, 2023
As it is inspired by a true story, I'm not sure how close it is to the facts, but the concept of a Union spy ring of former slaves is very enticing. The back stories and double (triple?) agents keeps things interesting. I would say it's definitely worth the time it takes to read it.
August 20, 2023
Good read based on the true story of black spies for the Union during the Civil War. Overall well-written historical fiction. I appreciated the epilogue that detailed the actual people the story was based on. Fast read, enjoyed it.
own-unread
May 26, 2024John Scobell, a former slave, works as a spy for the Union, collecting secrets in northern Virginia as the Civil War marches down upon the land. But he has no idea that Peg, the wife he left behind in Richmond, has also become a Union spy operating in the heart of the Confederacy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2025
Intriguing!
I must admit, the story started slow for me but as I continued I couldn't stop reading. As I read further, the more I wanted to find out what would happen next. Glad I discovered this one!
I must admit, the story started slow for me but as I continued I couldn't stop reading. As I read further, the more I wanted to find out what would happen next. Glad I discovered this one!
January 22, 2026
Rapid moving spy novel
Fascinating winding fiction and non fiction of the civil war. A fast passed spy novel that keep as you wanting more, also the love story of John Peg is griping and tantalizing.
Fascinating winding fiction and non fiction of the civil war. A fast passed spy novel that keep as you wanting more, also the love story of John Peg is griping and tantalizing.
February 1, 2024
A historical fiction story that was well researched. The author gives us an interesting perspective before and during the Civil War.
February 27, 2024
So much I didn't know. Excellent historical read. Well researched and written. A must read.
March 11, 2024
Interesting story about a group of black spies for the North during the Civil War. Based on true people.
June 14, 2024
Good to see people of color as the intelligent fearless men and women that they have been, are, and continue to be. On to the second book in this series.
January 10, 2022
An exciting, heart-stopping, unforgettable vicarious experience! FIVE THRILLING STARS!
WOW! I've read many books on the antebellum and Civil War years, but I've rarely found an author who brings this era to life as skillfully as Doug Peterson. Like his other books dealing with this tragic period in our history, The Lincoln League is more than mere words on a page; it's an exciting, heart-stopping, unforgettable vicarious experience. In my opinion, fictional "thrillers" don't hold a candle to this gripping plot, which is based on a true story.
This book tells the little-known story of John Scobell, a former slave who spies for the Union in northern Virginia during the Civil War, working with a network of African-American spies called the "Lincoln League." Many of the people, places and events have been documented (see the Author's Notes for a list), but the dialogue is a product of the author's imagination as he cleverly brings each character to life.
Here's a bit of the plot, but I won't reveal the ending. (WARNING: SOME SPOILERS AHEAD!) At the beginning of the war in 1861, John Scobell leaves his wife (Peg) in Richmond and heads north, determined to either fight with the Union troops or gather information for the North. Before he reaches Washington, however, he's forced to serve the Confederacy in the First Battle of Bull Run, where he meets Ethan Hancock, a "copperhead"--a Northerner working for the Southern cause. (Hancock plays a crucial role in this story.)
John is swept into the heat of battle but manages to survive and continue north, where he encounters a member of the Lincoln League. This network of black spies stretches across Virginia and other Southern states, and John eagerly becomes a member. A few months later, John meets Allan Pinkerton, chief of the Union Intelligence Service, who decides to make John the first
African-American spy in the Service.
Unbeknownst to John, Peg is involved in spying as well, through her acquaintance with two of Richmond's most active spies: Elizabeth VanLew, a wealthy Southern belle loyal to the Union; and "Miss Lizzie's" maid, Mary Bowser. Peg even manages to save Elizabeth Baker--a Northern spy--from capture when Mrs. Baker visits the Richmond home of Peg's employer and secretly records details of the new Confederate submarines. One of our villains, Ichabod Page, is involved with the testing of those submarines and soon suspects Peg of being a spy.
John and Peg are reunited when Pinkerton sends John on a mission to Richmond, where he poses as a servant to Timothy Webster, Pinkerton's top double agent, and the lovely Hattie Lawton, who poses as Webster's wife. Their mission? To gather information on Confederate torpedoes and to find out how Confederates are smuggling gunpowder into the South. John is also to report on troop strength and movements. But tensions mount when someone starts killing members of the Lincoln League. Who's behind the murders, and who will be the next victims? Will John and Peg survive the nefarious Ichabod Page, only to be murdered by a man they trust?
The final chapters are thrilling indeed, as the author weaves the various plot threads together in a stunning twist I never saw coming! I lived every terrifying moment, completely unable to put this book down until the very last page. (OMG--that scene with the dog gave me chills!) As always, kudos to the author for meticulous research and for bringing these true stories of our nation's history to life. Keep up the good work. The Lincoln League easily earns five stars and MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!
WOW! I've read many books on the antebellum and Civil War years, but I've rarely found an author who brings this era to life as skillfully as Doug Peterson. Like his other books dealing with this tragic period in our history, The Lincoln League is more than mere words on a page; it's an exciting, heart-stopping, unforgettable vicarious experience. In my opinion, fictional "thrillers" don't hold a candle to this gripping plot, which is based on a true story.
This book tells the little-known story of John Scobell, a former slave who spies for the Union in northern Virginia during the Civil War, working with a network of African-American spies called the "Lincoln League." Many of the people, places and events have been documented (see the Author's Notes for a list), but the dialogue is a product of the author's imagination as he cleverly brings each character to life.
Here's a bit of the plot, but I won't reveal the ending. (WARNING: SOME SPOILERS AHEAD!) At the beginning of the war in 1861, John Scobell leaves his wife (Peg) in Richmond and heads north, determined to either fight with the Union troops or gather information for the North. Before he reaches Washington, however, he's forced to serve the Confederacy in the First Battle of Bull Run, where he meets Ethan Hancock, a "copperhead"--a Northerner working for the Southern cause. (Hancock plays a crucial role in this story.)
John is swept into the heat of battle but manages to survive and continue north, where he encounters a member of the Lincoln League. This network of black spies stretches across Virginia and other Southern states, and John eagerly becomes a member. A few months later, John meets Allan Pinkerton, chief of the Union Intelligence Service, who decides to make John the first
African-American spy in the Service.
Unbeknownst to John, Peg is involved in spying as well, through her acquaintance with two of Richmond's most active spies: Elizabeth VanLew, a wealthy Southern belle loyal to the Union; and "Miss Lizzie's" maid, Mary Bowser. Peg even manages to save Elizabeth Baker--a Northern spy--from capture when Mrs. Baker visits the Richmond home of Peg's employer and secretly records details of the new Confederate submarines. One of our villains, Ichabod Page, is involved with the testing of those submarines and soon suspects Peg of being a spy.
John and Peg are reunited when Pinkerton sends John on a mission to Richmond, where he poses as a servant to Timothy Webster, Pinkerton's top double agent, and the lovely Hattie Lawton, who poses as Webster's wife. Their mission? To gather information on Confederate torpedoes and to find out how Confederates are smuggling gunpowder into the South. John is also to report on troop strength and movements. But tensions mount when someone starts killing members of the Lincoln League. Who's behind the murders, and who will be the next victims? Will John and Peg survive the nefarious Ichabod Page, only to be murdered by a man they trust?
The final chapters are thrilling indeed, as the author weaves the various plot threads together in a stunning twist I never saw coming! I lived every terrifying moment, completely unable to put this book down until the very last page. (OMG--that scene with the dog gave me chills!) As always, kudos to the author for meticulous research and for bringing these true stories of our nation's history to life. Keep up the good work. The Lincoln League easily earns five stars and MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!
January 3, 2023
Excellent book, thought provoking and informative
May 11, 2022
Lincoln League
An excellent novel about two free Blacks (husband and wife) who served as Northern spies in VA during the early part of the Civil War. The novel has characters in it that were actual people. I recommend this to anyone who is interested in the spying that went on during this time.
An excellent novel about two free Blacks (husband and wife) who served as Northern spies in VA during the early part of the Civil War. The novel has characters in it that were actual people. I recommend this to anyone who is interested in the spying that went on during this time.
January 3, 2022
Extremely Entertaining and Educational!
Everyone needs to review true historical facts like contained here in a late-night manner! We should never forget the horror of the final war!
Everyone needs to review true historical facts like contained here in a late-night manner! We should never forget the horror of the final war!
January 4, 2015
I really enjoyed how Doug intertwined these stories based on the uncovered historical facts. This made for a quick read that enhanced my knowledge of the era.
February 18, 2022
Well written and keeps your interest
The characters were nearly brought to life in this wonderful book inspired by actual lives during our War Between the States.
The characters were nearly brought to life in this wonderful book inspired by actual lives during our War Between the States.
February 24, 2022
Stellar, Ellegorical
Good read, Scobell , and his cohorts contributions to the struggle kept the plight going.
Thanks to all.
And Doug.
Good read, Scobell , and his cohorts contributions to the struggle kept the plight going.
Thanks to all.
And Doug.
October 18, 2022
excellent storytelling
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews