Hannah and the Civil War

Reputation, the fourth book in The Adventures of Hannah True, is set in January 1861, so as much as we would both like to, neither Hannah nor I can escape the Civil War. My problem with writing about the Civil War is how big it is in time and battles and geography. With all the possibilities, where will I find Hannah’s story?

Finding a Time

Research revealed that fraud was rampant in the Civil War, so much so that the False Claims Act of 1863 was signed into law by Abraham Lincoln on March 2, 1863. Corrupt contractors delivered shoddy merchandise in the form of uniforms and shoes that fell apart in rainy weather, sick horses and mules, grains infested with weevils, broken rifles, and more. The act provided rewards for information that led to bringing the fraudsters to justice. Upon the passing of the law, Vance Hollandar and his agency at once began investigating. Hannah, with two years of experience as a detective, is part of the team.

The novel will begin on July 10, 1863 at Aunt Gertrude’s house in New York City. Possible family members who will be part of the story are Cordelia, who is driving a photography wagon and taking battlefield photographs for Mathew Brady and Darcy Haynes, and Lucy, who has dressed as a man and joined Jake, the man she loves, on the front lines.

Finding a Place

Research is still needed to determine the place of the investigation. I am hoping for a Kansas/Missouri connection to bring the story closer to other members of the Pierce family.

Research

I found the following resource published in 1864. I couldn’t make a screenshot work, but the link will work. If you are interested, Click here

NURSE AND SPY

IN THE

UNION ARMY:

COMPRISING

The Adventures and Experiences of a Woman
in Hospitals, Camps, and Battle-Fields.

By S. EMMA E. EDMONDS.

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.

Published by Subscription only by
W. S. WILLIAMS & CO., HARTFORD, CONN.
JONES BROS. & CO., PHILADELPHIA AND CINCINNATI.
J. A. STODDARD & CO., CHICAGO, ILL.
1865.

Entered
According to Act of Congress in the year 1864,
By W. S. Williams & Company
In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States,
For the District of Connecticut.