During the fateful winter and spring of 1865, thousands of civilians in South Carolina, young and old, black and white, felt the impact of what General William T. Sherman called "the hard hand of war." This book tells their stories, many of which were corroborated by the testimony of Sherman's own soldiers and officers, and other eyewitnesses. These historical narratives are taken from letters and diaries of the time, as well as newspaper accounts and memoirs. The author has drawn on the superb resources of the South Carolina Historical Society's collection of manuscripts and publications to present these true, compelling stories of South Carolinians.

Everyone steals something . Murder, revenge and blackmail combine into a captivating suspense. With her life in shambles, a woman is driven to tempt a killer. Taunted by threats then attacked in a dark alley, she vows to destroy the perpetrator, a prominent, corrupt attorney.

It begins when she discovers a book with the names of officials he had bribed. Trying to do the right thing, she turns it in to the police. Somehow the book is lost and the attorney goes free. Angry and strong willed she becomes a professional cat burglar to obtain evidence and finance her quest to destroy him.

She witnesses a friend's brutal murder by the attorney. The authorities refuse to believe her. She has no proof. A second killing is an attempt to frame her for the heinous attack. It strengthens and adds fuel to her growing obsession turned into revenge. Betrayed by a trusted ally she places herself in danger while trying to obtain the evidence creditable enough to convict the attorney.

Against the backdrop of fifteenth century England, Karen Stokes has spun an uninhibited novel of a sociopathic young woman.

It is the story of Darkess. A twin disowned at birth by her father, a wealthy knight. Spirited away as an infant to be raised by peasants she has a loveless and abusive childhood.

When grown she seeks revenge and suffers betrayal and deceit. Vowing to regain her position and all the wealth owing she uses the skill of a witch and cunning deception. Aided by a secret passage and stalked by an apparition, Darkess desperately seeks to claim her birthright.

Death greeted Kelli when she moved to a small town. A murdered loved one left her a trail of secret clues leading to who she was certain was the killer. Unable to convince the authorities she was forced into betrayal and loss. She was pursued relentlessly by what appeared to be pranks until they turned deadly. A surprise proves her wrong and places her in eminent danger.

From the author of the award winning novel "Talion: A Medieval Mystery" Suspense is created as a woman struggles to end the wicked reign of Attorney Richard Heinz. Bribery, assault and murder are obstacles Wilma must overcome. Taunting the attorney on the tip of his reach she is forced to confront what she considers pure evil. A surprise threat forces her to use the skills of disguise and stealing to escape. Her efforts bring failure when her talents turn against her.

Everyone steals something . Murder, revenge and blackmail combine into a captivating suspense. With her life in shambles, a woman is driven to tempt a killer. Taunted by threats then attacked in a dark alley, she vows to destroy the perpetrator, a prominent, corrupt attorney.

It begins when she discovers a book with the names of officials he had bribed. Trying to do the right thing, she turns it in to the police. Somehow the book is lost and the attorney goes free. Angry and strong willed she becomes a professional cat burglar to obtain evidence and finance her quest to destroy him.

She witnesses a friend's brutal murder by the attorney. The authorities refuse to believe her. She has no proof. A second killing is an attempt to frame her for the heinous attack. It strengthens and adds fuel to her growing obsession turned into revenge. Betrayed by a trusted ally she places herself in danger while trying to obtain the evidence creditable enough to convict the attorney.

Death in the heartland plunges Georgy into the depth of three murders. Returning to the small town where she lived as a child to care for her aunt's house until it sells proves dangerous. Tulip House becomes ominous with mysterious events forcing Georgy to take matters into her hands. Seeking help she is refused by the local authorities with the occurrences simply explained away.

Suspicious of all she encounters shows each could be the killer lurking on the streets of a pristine community. Georgy is alone to clear her name and is unable to convince the local police of an ex-con's guilt.

Stalked and trapped she uses her wits and intelligence to survive life threatening confrontations. 'Tulips on Walnut' nearly destroys her but instead proves her determination through her own efforts.

Against the backdrop of fifteenth century England, Karen Stokes has spun an uninhibited novel of a sociopathic young woman.

It is the story of Darkess. A twin disowned at birth by her father, a wealthy knight. Spirited away as an infant to be raised by peasants she has a loveless and abusive childhood.

When grown she seeks revenge and suffers betrayal and deceit. Vowing to regain her position and all the wealth owing she uses the skill of a witch and cunning deception. Aided by a secret passage and stalked by an apparition, Darkess desperately seeks to claim her birthright.

Brilliant and devout, William Porcher DuBose (1836-1918) considered himself a man of thought rather than of action. During the Civil War, he discovered that he was both, distinguishing himself as an able and courageous Confederate officer in the Holcombe Legion and later as a dedicated chaplain in Kershaw's Brigade. Published for the first time, these previously unknown letters of DuBose chronicle his Civil War actions with these two celebrated South Carolina units and make an important contribution to the literature and history of the war. They also advance our understanding of DuBose's burgeoning religious ideals as a Civil War combatant who would later become one of the foremost theologians of the Episcopal Church and a distinguished professor at the University of the South. A native of Winnsboro, South Carolina, DuBose was studying to enter the Episcopal priesthood when the war began. After struggling with the question of secular and spiritual obligations, he decided to join in the defense of the Confederacy and began a long and varied career as a soldier. After service in the lowcountry during the first year of the war, he was thrust into the thick of combat in Virginia, where he was wounded twice and taken as a prisoner of war. After being exchanged and returned to duty in 1862, DuBose was wounded again at the battle of Kinston in North Carolina, and a year later influential friends arranged for his appointment as chaplain in Kershaw's Brigade. He continued to share in the hazards of combat with the men to whom he ministered as they fought in the battles of Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Cedar Creek in 1864. Adroitly edited by W. Eric Emerson and Karen Stokes, the more than 150 letters collected here prove DuBose to be a man of uncompromising duty to his faith, fellows, and the Confederate cause. He references his interactions with prominent figures of the day, including General Nathan ""Shanks"" Evans, John L. Girardeau, John Johnson, Colonel Peter F. Stevens, General Joseph B. Kershaw, Louisa Cheves McCord, and General John Bratton. Also included here are DuBose's wartime courtship letters to his fiancee and later wife, Anne Peronneau DuBose. Collectively these extraordinary documents illustrate the workings of a mind and heart devoted to his religion and dedicated to service in the Confederate ranks.

A Confederate Englishman presents for the first time the fascinating Civil War correspondence of Henry Wemyss Feilden (1838-1921), a young British officer who resigned his commission and ran the blockade to become a Confederate staff officer in Charleston, South Carolina. Editors W. Eric Emerson and Karen Stokes have compiled Feilden's letters to chart the history of his eventful career in the Confederacy from the time of his arrival in South Carolina in 1863 to the end of the war.
Born the second son of the Baronet of Feniscowles, Feilden had experienced much before his arrival in America. As a young officer, he served during the Indian Mutiny and during the Second Opium War in China. His fascination and empathy with the Confederacy, however, propelled the young Englishman to risk his life to run the Federal blockade of Charleston. After traveling to Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederacy, to obtain a commission as captain in the Confederate Army, he returned to Charleston to serve on the staff of General P. G. T. Beauregard, whom he greatly admired. During the war Feilden married a young South Carolinian, Julia McCord. His witty, vivid, highly readable, and sometimes romantic letters to her offer a compelling view into the operations of the military department headquartered in Charleston, conditions and events in and around the besieged city, and the heart of a man in love.
A Confederate Englishman provides the insight and perspective of Feilden's experiences with operations in the large and vital Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida during the war's final two years. After the war Feilden returned to England with his wife to resume his career in the British army, and later he became a noted Arctic explorer and naturalist. In addition to his Civil War correspondence, A Confederate Englishman features a selection of Feilden's letters from the early twentieth century that include his reflections on his extraordinary life, his service to the Confederacy, and his beloved wife of fifty-six years.
Emerson's introduction examines Feilden's background and character and the reasons behind his choice to fight for the Confederacy. It also delves into Feilden's astute assessment of Confederate capabilities late in the war and his decision to benefit financially from blockade running.