Mandy's Uncle Buffalo Bill

Uncle Buffalo Bill

In real life, William "Buffalo Bill" Mathewson, was Mandy's uncle. I'm writing a book about him, too, as you can see from "his" blog (link above). I don't think he'll play much of a role in Mandy's life in the book, Papa Goes to War, because he lived in the West (Kansas Territory) during the Civil War years.

He was significant in the history of that area, especially in Indian relations and development of the Santa Fe Trail. He originally went west as a fur trapper and then stayed to help develop that country.

His is a fascinating story, as well as that of his wife, Lizzie.

Celebrating Christmas During the Civil War

I received as a Christmas gift today from my granddaughter, the book, God Rest Ye Merry Soldiers (A True Civil War Christmas Story) by James McIvor. As I began reading it and learning about the soldiers at Christmas time during the second year of the war, I wondered how Mandy's father and uncles endured being away from home at this time.

• Where were they?
• What were the troops doing?
• What was Christmas like for Mandy and her family back home?

These are ideas to research. I might not include them in my present story, Papa Goes to War. But perhaps I could make a Christmas story of them. What do you think?

The Fascination of Family for Story Plots

Family History

As I've delved into my family history, I've found many interesting people. Some are well-known like Mandy's uncle...William "Buffalo Bill" Mathewson. Others, like Mandy, have disappeared into the pages of history, perhaps unknown even to their descendants.

However, I've discovered that these ancestors are fascinating, and I'm working at telling their stories and having them come alive. Some will remain as names on a family tree until I can tell their stories. Others I'll change their names slightly so I can expand upon the events of that day.

Mandy, based upon a young girl who definitely lived, will find her way into your lives as well as her descendants.

"When are you going to finish Mandy's story?" youngsters ask me after I've read them the first chapter or two during my school visits.

Author friends encouage me to do this, too.

So.....I must spend more time with Mandy and complete her story, which is in its first draft.

The Search for Uncle George

As I work some more on Mandy's story, Papa Goes to War, I think about my husband Jim's and my search for Uncle George's grave. From letters and Civil War records, I learned that he, Mandy's uncle (and my great, great uncle) died of dysentery near Atlanta during Sherman's March to the Sea.

Our search finally took us to the Union Cemetery at Marietta. There we actually did find the stone for Uncle George's grave, near the oblisk that marked his unit, as described in an old letter.

In my book, I write about Mandy and her family receiving the news of Uncle George's death and how the seriousness of the war struck home.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Is the Photo the Original Mandy?

I found a photo in my grandmother's photo album of a girl, who may be the "original" Mandy. It's a young girl who, I think, may be the daughter of Uncle James, the widower.

Even if she isn't, I could base my description around her, develop a story about her life that becomes Mandy's story. If I look at the genealogy records a little closer I may find the names of his children. That will tell me if the girl in the photo is my Mandy...the main character of Papa Goes to War.

Inspiration to Work on Mandy's Story Again

My inspiration has been sparked again to get back to writing my middle reader novel, Papa Goes to War, about Mandy and her family. The idea for Mandy's story comes from my genealogy research where I discovered a great, great uncle...a widower who goes off to war, leaving his children in the care of a new wife.

When visiting an author friend the other day, we began talking about our novels inspired by Civil War ancestors. Janet Elaine Smith wrote My Dear Phebe, a children's novel based on letters from this era in her family.