-AUTHOR’S NOTE-
This is a work of fiction but contains a ton of very nonfictional elements. Allow me to clear up some things so I don’t anger Civil War diehards, professors, archivists, museum people, and especially reenactors.
PENNSYLVANIA’S VOLUNTEER REGIMENTS
I’ve taken some creative liberties with the battle actions and muster dates of the Pennsylvania regiments featured in this book. The 104th formed in September of 1861 in Doylestown, and the 68th roughly a year later in Philadelphia. Both regiments fought at Gettysburg; the 68th actually has two monuments on the battlefield, including the one the trio visits at the book’s end. Go 68th.
PRIVATE RAYMOND STONE
Private Stone did not exist—or at least not to my knowledge. Who knows: There could be a Private Stone out there somewhere; the name isn’t that odd. I googled it just to be sure and came up empty. My point is that I made his name up.
But I based Stone on many soldiers, North and South, using their letters as a guide for syntax and content. For every three soldiers killed in a Civil War battle, five more died of disease. Consider how horrific that is. No really—think about that. Your chances of dying from just sitting around camp—primarily from disease—were basically double the odds of dying in combat.
HISTORICAL SOCIETIES
These places are massive troves of all sorts of amazing historical gems. The local historical society in this book is based on the real Doylestown Historical Society near my hometown, with some details changed to fit the narrative. Ditto for the Adams County Historical Society, located near the Gettysburg battlefields.
GETTYSBURG
Having toured this battlefield as a kid and an adult, I highly recommend a visit. The museums and tours are second to none; these guides know more about the events of that day than Wikipedia could ever hope to. While I don’t claim the same, I have attempted to cite all geography, battle details, and monuments with accuracy, and took only slight liberties with the topography.
REENACTORS
I am not a reenactor—Civil War or otherwise—but I have a special place in my heart for the bunch, and have brought them into my classroom to speak. These guys (they are mostly men, but a great many women join their ranks also) take great pride in wearing authentic uniforms, carrying replica weapons, and doing mock battle according to nineteenth-century standards. I have serious respect for their dedication and believe they give the modern observer an accurate window into the past.
The Gettysburg Anniversary Committee runs and organizes annual reenactments, including the especially epic 2013 event to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg that Oliver and Ella took part in. The real-life event did not feature the Battle of Little Round Top, but the regiments did camp out for several days and wear wool trousers.
QUAKERS AND THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
As pacifists, Quakers faced a conflict of conscience during the American Civil War—especially when drafted into service. Some paid the $300 commutation fee, while others abandoned the Peace Testimony and enlisted (mainly in the Union Army). While I have no evidence that a wealthy Philadelphia banker bucked the Quaker tradition to hire a substitute in secret out of grand patriotism, it certainly is not that far outside the bounds of recorded history. I also just thought it was cool.
-ACKNOWLEDGMENTS-
Books are like skyscrapers; nobody can build one alone. Here’s some people who helped me put this thing together:
Kristy Landis, the wise and beautiful woman who let me put a ring on it and gave us two hilarious kids who have all of my drama and all of her quirkiness. You are my sounding board and cheerleader and the person who says, “Let’s take it down a notch, diva” when needed—which is pretty much every five seconds. Most importantly, you remind me that writing is something I do, not someone I am.
My mom, Mary Landis, who first read my really crappy ramblings in high school and told me that I had sort of a way with words. And my dad, Dave, who served not only as the real-life version of Oliver’s dad, but whose own love of the history and the Civil War first hooked me. I love you both and would not be writing this now without your support.
Lauren Galit, my amazing agent, who first suggested I write this book because I literally live it every day in my classroom. Incredible work negotiating the tight-rope deal that landed Oliver at Dial; also, incredible work responding to all my emails within forty seconds.
Dana Chidiac, my deeply insightful editor, who fell in love with Oliver and then fought to get him. Your ability to keep all the pieces of the Stone mystery straight and orient the plot for maximum tension was incredible. I cannot wait for the books we’re going to write.
The amazing and hilarious Dr. Judith Giesberg, my Villanova professor, who read an early draft and pointed me to some great sources. Thanks for reigniting my love of the Civil War era, and also for forcing the entire class to be a part of the Emilie Davis diary transcription project, which scarred me for life but also inspired how my characters view cursive.
Team Dial, including Lauri Hornik and Namrata Tripathi, who weighed in on some of the issues of race and history that the book explores; Regina Castillo, for her copyediting skills; cover designers Maria Fazio and Kristen Smith, who accomplished the amazing task of making a book with the word “boring” in the title look anything but; and Mina Chung, who picked amazing fonts and typefaces that even my uber-picky self could live with.
My gracious sensitivity readers, Nic Stone and Cecile Kim, who offered insight into Mrs. Mason and Kevin, respectively.
And God, because I believe He wove this passion for writing into my DNA and put the amazing people above in my life.
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The Not-So-Boring Letters of Private Nobody Page 19