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.