“A number of the young folks were in the parlor this evening singing all the patriotic and popular songs. Quite a squad of rebels gathered outside to listen and seemed much pleased with the music — ‘When This Cruel War is Over’ nearly brought tears from some. They sent in a petition to have it sung again which was done, then they thanked the girls very much and left — they acted real nicely.”
War Seen Through the Artist's Eye
Enduring War tells its story through the acts and letters of its main characters, through the movements of great armies, through the strategies of generals and presidents -- and through the words and music and paintings of artists who sought to comment on their troubled times.
“ARM’D year! Year of the struggle!
Year that suddenly sang by the mouths of round-lipp’d cannon,
I repeat you, hurrying, crashing, sad, distracted year.”
Poets and painters, songwriters and engravers -- the artistic output of the 1860's is woven throughout the narrative, highlighting artists lost to history and others revered to this day.
The reader is immersed in the language and the imagery of 1860's America: the sweet sad melodies of a song that would sell more than a million copies of sheet music and drive young soldiers to the brink of tears; a sky of torn clouds and enduring colors in a Northern sky; a horse at twilight carrying its riders to an uncertain freedom; a fallen Rebel who would inspire a society.
“The Richmond papers would tell a powerful story about William Latane’s burial: a minister is turned back from the grave by Union troops, leaving two women to conduct an improvised service, attended by several of their slaves...within a year, the story is immortalized in one of the Confederacy’s most popular paintings...”
Born from patriotism, from despair, from faith in a cause and a hope to see home again -- the art of history offers readers a rich sensory experience that lingers long after the final page.
"Our Banner in the Sky" by Frederic Edwin Church. Click to enlarge.
"A Ride for Liberty -- The Fugitive Slaves" by Eastman Johnson. Click to enlarge.
"The Burial of Latane" by William D. Washington. Click to enlarge.
“I heard the bells on Christmas day, their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat, of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head, ‘There is no peace on earth’ I said, ‘For hate is strong, and mocks the song, of peace on earth, good will to men...’”