Behind all descriptions of historical events are the stories of real people. This is the extraordinary true story of a citizen soldier and the girl he loves, as both become embroiled in the cauldron of our nation’s Civil War. Rufus R Dawes will emerge from a troubled family background to become an officer in a famous unit thrust into horrific battles in the eastern theater. But before those stirring war scenes, there is the early life of a proud and intelligent descendant of leading Revolutionary War figures, ancestors who helped form the United States, the Northwest Territory, and the state of Ohio. Rufus will meet beautiful and vibrant Mary Beman Gates and fall in love. But there is separation due to distance and social standing, apparently little reciprocal feeling, and competition by others better situated than he. Can it ever become more than infatuation? The outbreak of war intervenes. Faced with the doubt of his own survival, is it possible to fulfill any dream of a life with Mary? Mary is a girl with a loving family who becomes a young woman while witnessing many acquaintances and suitors, along with an only brother, march off to war. Tragic battle losses soon mount. Will she— should she—become involved with a soldier whose life is in daily jeopardy far away? The drama unfolds upon Rufus and Mary, and upon family members and soldiers who experience their own battles, trying to survive while patriotically performing their duty to the nation. Based on many letters and diary entries, most never published, this is a timeless story of love and courage.
Rufus R Dawes will emerge from a troubled family background to become an officer in a famous unit thrust into horrific battles in the eastern theater. But before those stirring war scenes, there is the early life of a proud and intelligent descendant of leading Revolutionary War figures, ancestors who helped form the United States, the Northwest Territory, and the state of Ohio. Rufus will meet beautiful and vibrant Mary Beman Gates and fall in love. But there is separation due to distance and social standing, apparently little reciprocal feeling, and competition by others better situated than he. Can it ever become more than infatuation? The outbreak of war intervenes. Faced with the doubt of his own survival, is it possible to fulfill any dream of a life with Mary?Mary is a girl with a loving family who becomes a young woman while witnessing many acquaintances and suitors, along with an only brother, march off to war. Tragic battle losses soon mount. Will she--should she--become involved with a soldier whose life is in daily jeopardy far away? The drama unfolds upon Rufus and Mary, and upon family members and soldiers who experience their own battles, trying to survive while patriotically performing their duty to the nation. Based on many letters and diary entries, most never published, this is a timeless story of love and courage -- back cover.
Behind all descriptions of historical events are the stories of real people. This is the extraordinary true story of a citizen soldier and the girl he loves, as both become embroiled in the cauldron of our nation’s Civil War. Rufus R Dawes will emerge from a troubled family background to become an officer in a famous unit thrust into horrific battles in the eastern theater. But before those stirring war scenes, there is the early life of a proud and intelligent descendant of leading Revolutionary War figures, ancestors who helped form the United States, the Northwest Territory, and the state of Ohio. Rufus will meet beautiful and vibrant Mary Beman Gates and fall in love. But there is separation due to distance and social standing, apparently little reciprocal feeling, and competition by others better situated than he. Can it ever become more than infatuation? The outbreak of war intervenes. Faced with the doubt of his own survival, is it possible to fulfill any dream of a life with Mary? Mary is a girl with a loving family who becomes a young woman while witnessing many acquaintances and suitors, along with an only brother, march off to war. Tragic battle losses soon mount. Will she— should she—become involved with a soldier whose life is in daily jeopardy far away? The drama unfolds upon Rufus and Mary, and upon family members and soldiers who experience their own battles, trying to survive while patriotically performing their duty to the nation. Based on many letters and diary entries, most never published, this is a timeless story of love and courage.
Let this author take you back with a couple memories to an earlier, wilder Kodiak, Alaskawhen the seafood industry was booming and the town never went to sleep, when trappers were popular and often sold most of their prime furs to the locals and tourists, when the churches and the bars ran neck and neck in number and the congregation was always greatest in the latter. The "Wreck of the Rustler" will give the reader a feel for what living on Kodiak Island meant in the 1950s and '60s and take a few boat rides around the island, one of which became a terrifying nightmare for the four young boys aboard when the skipper and other adults drank too much whiskey. The boat plowed into a rockpile on a windy Christmas night and began taking on water. For hours, impending death loomed in their thoughts as they helped in the fight to save the vessel and aid toward their eventual rescue by Coast Guard helicopters. "Confessions of a Seal Hunter" is a descriptive recollection of a small-scale commercial seal hunt down the east side of Kodiak Island during which an untried boy took his first steps into manhood, learning the skills of work and survival as he followed his skipper down the island in a small skiff; dreading his first kill with the club, learning to skin the seals and care for the hides; working brutal, long hours every day to help increase the catch; and learning that a workingman was expected to carry his share of the load no matter how tired, wet, and cold he was.
Thank you for visiting our website. Would you like to provide feedback on how we could improve your experience?
This site does not use any third party cookies with one exception — it uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic.Learn More.