While preparing to write The Quaker and the Rebel, book one of my Civil War series of romances, I was pleasantly surprised to discover Ohio’s pivotal role. Being a northern and decidedly “Yankee” state, Ohio provided a multitude of soldiers and officers to the Union Army. Several leading generals hailed from Ohio including Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman and Philip Sheridan. Five Ohio-born officers would later serve as President of the United States. As the third most populous state, Ohio sent 320,000 volunteers to the Union ranks, behind only New York and Pennsylvania. Since only two minor battles were fought within its borders, the state was spared the destruction suffered by Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. However Morgan’s Raid in the summer of 1863 spread terror among the citizens. Morgan’s division of Confederate cavalry rode through southern and eastern counties until his capture in Columbiana County. My central character, Alexander Hunt, is a fictional composite of John Hunt Morgan and John Singleton Mosby, who wreaked havoc in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
Ohio also had a crucial role in the Underground Railroad. No actual railroad existed for their path to freedom and it certainly wasn’t underground. Slaves on southern plantations passed information by mouth of mouth. Guides pointing out the way were called “conductors” and homes offering hiding places were called “stations.” Most runaway slaves traveled on foot at night, often guided north by the stars on their way to Canada. Follow the “drinking gourd” became a common refrain among escaped slaves. Approximately 40,000 runaways traveled through Ohio, assisted by Quakers and others with abolitionist views in 700 safe-houses throughout the state. Once across the river in a “free” state, slaves still faced capture by bounty hunters due to the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. My Quaker heroine, Emily Harrison, continues her clandestine Underground activities while working as a governess for a wealthy planter. What joy I had doing research close to home, and how proud I am of Ohio’s role during this turbulent period of America’s past.
About Mary Ellis
Mary Ellis has written ten bestselling novels set in the Amish community. Before “retiring” to write full-time, Mary taught school and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate. Living in Harmony, book one of her last series won the 2012 Lime Award for Excellence in Amish Fiction. Love Comes to Paradise won the 2013 Lime Award. An Amish Miracle, a collection of novellas, released in December from Harper Collins. She is currently working on a three-book series of historical romances set during the Civil War. The Quaker and the Rebel released January 1st. Book two, The Lady and the Officer will release this summer, both from Harvest House.
She can be found on the web at www.maryellis.net or www.maryeellis.wordpress.com. She may also be found on Facebook.
Leave a comment with your email address or contact info to enter to win a signed copy of Mary Ellis’s new release, The Quaker and the Rebel! US and Canada only. Winner has one week to respond.
Congratulations to Jackie, last week’s winner of Gigi Devine Murfitt’s two inspiring books.
Love History! Thanks for this offer. 🙂 It looks so good!
mandn(at)wisper(dash)wireless(dot)com
Thank you so much for visiting my blog and entering the book giveaway! I enjoy history too.
I would love to win. angelachesnut246(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love you to win too! Good luck in the book giveaway!
please enter me love to read these !
Peggy J
amishangel@bellsouth.net
You are entered in the book giveaway, Peggy! Thanks for visiting my blog!
I’d love the opportunity to win this book, Looks good!
Kathy Milburn
bearangel0@yahoo.com
Hi Kathy! Thank you for entering the contest and good luck!
Sounds wonderful – would love to read it. Rachel Lepree rlperee@musfiber.com
Thanks for writing, Rachel, and entering the book giveaway!
Looks like a wonderful book…would love to win – thanks for the review and Congrats!! truckredford(at)Gmail(dot)Com
It does look like a good book, Eliza. Good luck in the contest!
Love history, sounds like an amazing book. Please enter :
Rita meeker
godskid91@gmail.com
thank you
Hi, Rita! Thanks for entering the book giveaway!
I’ve read some of Mary’s Amish books and loved them and I’ve read Ann Gabhardt’s Quaker books and loved them, but that with historical and I think this book sounds GREAT! Thank you for the chance to win this book.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Mary’s book does sound great, Wendy! Thank you for entering the contest and good luck!
Sounds like another wonderful book by Mary. Love to win.
Blessings
joeym11(at)frontier(dot)com
Good luck to you, Diana! Thanks for entering!
Please enter me in this contest. Would love to win and read this book.
serapahinagel7(at)aol(dot)com
You are entered, Juanita! Thank you for stopping by. Good luck!
I love read about the Civil War. It’s one of my favorite times in history.
I agree, Judy, it is a fascinating period of history. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment!
Thank you for the post on Mary. My late husband’s grandfather fought in Union side in Civil War and was wounded July2 at Gettysburg. He survived but was said to have suffered from his wounds till his death. I am from Ohio and love the history of this state. Mary’s book looks like a great read.
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com
It does look like a great read, Jackie! Your family’s history sounds fascinating! Thank you for entering the contest and good luck!
I love her books, but I don’t have this one! Great blog post!! Thanks!
susanlulu@yahoo.com
Thank you for entering the contest! This is a brand-new novel. How exciting!
Love the history of the civil war era! Would love to win! Grandmama_brenda@yahoo.com
Thank you for entering the giveaway, Brenda! Sounds like this book would be perfect for you. Good luck!
Interesting post
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment! You’re entered in the book giveaway!
You’ve whetted my interest about the Civil War. Great post, Mary!
It does sound like an intriguing book, Carolyn. Thank you for leaving a comment!
Hello Kate and thanks for having Mary Ellis. I enjoyed the interview. This is an interesting subject. I would love to win her book. Thanks for the give-away.
Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
Hi, Maxie! I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. Thanks for entering the book giveaway!
This is a terrific book. Had the privilege to read it already but have a friend in mind I would love to give it to. Thanks for this chance. clSwalwell@gmail.com
In Him,
Cheri
What a great endorsement, Cheri! Thanks for entering the contest!
We may have several gray days & very changeable weather in Ohio, but Ohio has proven instrumental in many historical events! Have loved all of Mary’s books!
Linda lldietz(at)gmail(dot)com
I didn’t realize Ohio was so instrumental in many historical events and look forward to learning more, Linda. Thank you for entering the contest!
This book sounds really interesting and would love to read it (win it)
Have a great day !
Campbellamyd at gmail dot com
This book does sound interesting, Amy! Thanks for entering the giveaway. I hope you have a great day too!
The history of the Underground Railroad is fascinating! The courage it took is amazing! Kathleen McCann teacherkathleen(@)yahoo dot com
I agree, Kathleen, the history of the Underground Railroad is fascinating. Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the contest!
I would love to read this book. I really like historic fiction. My email is momndad243@yahoo.com
Thanks for writing, Polly! You are entered in the contest. Good luck!
would love love love to read this…vrush729@aol.com
Thanks for your enthusiasm, Virginia! Good luck in the book giveaway!
I would love to read this book! Donna d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com
Good luck, Donna! You are entered in the book giveaway!
I would love to read The Quaker and the Rebel – especially since there is a house in my small town that was part of the Underground Railway, and I love novels about the Civil War!
I have heard so many wonderful things about Mary’s books, and would love to become acquainted with her writing! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of The Quaker and the Rebel!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
How interesting about the house in your town that was part of the Underground Railway, Bonnie! Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the contest!
I love these kind of books. Have never read any of yours. I would like this to be my first!
trichie(at)windstream(dot)net
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering to win one of Mary Ellis’s books, Trichie! Good luck!
Hello Kate. Hope your weather isn’t too bad. I like the books about the Civil War and WW ll . I really like books about The Underground Railway for helping the slaves. Mary is a great writer. I would love to try again to win this book of hers. Thanks!
Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
Hi, Maxie! Mary Ellis is a wonderful writer and her time period and topic sound fascinating. Good luck in the contest and thanks for entering!
Love your books Mary Ellis!
The Quacker and The Rebel looks like
an excellent book!
Keep up the wonderful writing!
Love your books also Kate!
CherylB1987 AT Hotmail DOT com
Mary’s new book does sound excellent, Cheryl! Thanks for stopping by my blog and entering the contest. Good luck!