By Benjamin Garrison
Chester, Virginia
Genre: Historical Fiction

In May 1862, Eric Fry, a private in a North Carolina unit defending Richmond, Virginia, marches against threatening Federal forces.  However, Eric is preoccupied by an unexpected letter received on the eve of battle from the woman whom he secretly loves and is desperately trying to forget–his brother’s wife.  Hoping to die, he refuses to open the dispatch.

Losing his closest friend during the action, Eric is left with nothing more than his campfire associates and the letter from her.  Reluctantly Eric reads the letter and begins correspondence.

As the defenses surrounding Richmond are restructured over the next few weeks, Eric reminisces over the relationship, the painful internal conflict it caused, and his ultimate decision to leave home.  John Dunlap, whose wife’s death spurred him to volunteer, empathizes with Eric’s struggles and looks after Eric as a son.  Along with John, Eric’s other new-found camp companions, at least, ease Eric’s pain. 

In late June, the Seven Days campaign begins, giving hope to Eric that death may yet release him. 

Available at Amazon.com
Release: July 18, 2007
Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-4327-0509-1
Soft cover: $20.95

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