American Connections in War and Peace: Letters to Raintree County

"Letters to Raintree County" has three sets of 19th century letters from Virginians or ex-Virginians, Pennsylvania Dutch, and Indiana Volunteers in the Civil War. The letters often dramatic and compelling deal with life and death, earning a living, religion, politics and the great tragedy of the American Civil War. There are exceptional letters in each group: one from a doughty Virginia pioneer befallen by a stroke; another by a spunky 18 year old girl whose turn it is to get married; another by an early business venturer who went West at precisely the wrong time; or the sergeant who carefully analyzes the tactics and strategies of his generals. In a way the letters section culminates in the death and devastation of the Civil War. But life went on. There is a fourth section, a quiet ending, telling. The book contains some short essays and many notes so the modern reader can understand and relate to the people and their times. ABOUT THE AUTHOR James B. Cash was born in Chicago and worked in steel mills and oil refineries during and after college. He has previously wrote and published an Ohio historical bestseller called "Unsung Heroes" and a satirical history of golf.