Libby McNamee's Blog

When America shatters during the Civil War, Elizabeth Van Lew risks everything to save our embattled Union.
 
As an elite member of Richmond society, abolitionist Elizabeth Van Lew delivers food to starving Union prisoners at Libby Prison, risking her status and her life. She soon exchanges coded messages, coordinates daring escapes, hides fugitives in her mansion, and smuggles them up North.
Drawing on her web of contacts at every level, Miss Van Lew creates the Richmond Underground, a secret network bolstering the Union. Then she infiltrates Confederate President Jefferson Davis’s home through her servant, Mary Jane, who reports on the inner workings of the Confederacy. Using a cipher, she shares troop movements and military intelligence with Union Generals and ultimately provides daily updates to General Grant.
As grisly battles rage in trenches nearby, the weakened Confederates become suspicious of her every move. If she cannot save herself from persecution, how can she help to preserve America and end slavery?
 
The true story of a bold Patriot who led the Union’s most valuable spy ring of the Civil War

My third novel, “THE UNION SPYMISTRESS: THE STORY OF ELIZABETH VAN LEW” will publish on Thursday, July 17! Hip Hip Hurrah!

Please join me for a launch party and book signing on Thursday, July 17, at the Patrick Henry Pub on Church Hill in Richmond from 5-8 PM, a block from the site of Miss Van Lew’s former mansion.

**Description**

When America shatters during the Civil War, Elizabeth Van Lew risks everything to save our embattled Union.

As an elite member of Richmond society, abolitionist Elizabeth Van Lew delivers food to starving Union prisoners at Libby Prison, risking her status and her life. She soon exchanges coded messages, coordinates daring escapes, hides fugitives in her mansion, and smuggles them up North.

Drawing on her web of contacts at every level, Miss Van Lew creates the Richmond Underground, a secret network bolstering the Union. Then she infiltrates Confederate President Jefferson Davis’s home through her servant, Mary Jane, who reports on the inner workings of the Confederacy. Using a cipher, she shares troop movements and military intelligence with Union Generals and ultimately provides daily updates to General Grant.

As grisly battles rage in trenches nearby, the weakened Confederates become suspicious of her every move. If she cannot save herself from persecution, how can she help to preserve America and end slavery?

The true story of a bold Patriot who led the Union’s most valuable spy ring of the Civil War. #theunionspymistress#elizabethvanlew#susannasmidnightride#dolleymadison#va250#america250#phpub

My third novel, “THE UNION SPYMISTRESS: THE STORY OF ELIZABETH VAN LEW” will publish on Thursday, July 17! Hip Hip Hurrah!

Please join me for a launch party on Thursday, July 17, at the Patrick Henry Pub on Church Hill in Richmond from 5-8 PM, a block from the site of Miss Van Lew’s former mansion.

**Description**

When America shatters during the Civil War, Elizabeth Van Lew risks everything to save our embattled Union.

As an elite member of Richmond society, abolitionist Elizabeth Van Lew delivers food to starving Union prisoners at Libby Prison, risking her status and her life. She soon exchanges coded messages, coordinates daring escapes, hides fugitives in her mansion, and smuggles them up North.

Drawing on her web of contacts at every level, Miss Van Lew creates the Richmond Underground, a secret network bolstering the Union. Then she infiltrates Confederate President Jefferson Davis’s home through her servant, Mary Jane, who reports on the inner workings of the Confederacy. Using a cipher, she shares troop movements and military intelligence with Union Generals and ultimately provides daily updates to General Grant.

As grisly battles rage in trenches nearby, the weakened Confederates become suspicious of her every move. If she cannot save herself from persecution, how can she help to preserve America and end slavery?

The true story of a bold Patriot who led the Union’s most valuable spy ring of the Civil War. #theunionspymistress#elizabethvanlew#susannasmidnightride#dolleymadison#va250#america250#phpub

Racing The Night: The Teenage Girl Who Saved the American Revolution

By the spring of 1781, the War for Independence had dragged into its fifth year since the signing of the Declaration of Independence (the sixth since Lexington and Concord) and had effectively ground to a stalemate. With George Washington and British General Henry Clinton locked in a standoff in New York, the fate of the war rested on the shoulders of British General Cornwallis and his staggering 7,500 troops making their way to Virginia to capture and hold Yorktown from the colonists. His only resistance came from French General le Marquis de Lafayette fighting on behalf of the Americans with a much smaller complement of untrained militiamen. By late September 1781, General Lafayette and General Washington would win the decisive victory for American independence at Yorktown – a battle that almost didn’t happen.

“Racing the Night” is the unbelievably true story of Susanna Bolling, a 16-year-old girl who found herself in possession of information that could change the course of the war. Follow Susanna’s story in this vibrant and gripping new half-hour mini- musical by composer/playwright Gary Spell. Set in revolutionary Virginia, “Racing the Night” tells the tale of Susanna’s secret midnight ride to outsmart British forces and deliver crucial intelligence to the Continental Army. With a dynamic score and an all-teen cast, “Racing the Night” celebrates the power of youthful courage and unsung heroism, proving that even the quietest voices can echo through history. It may be the most important Revolutionary War story you’ve never heard.

July 24 – August 16 | Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm and 9pm

Location: 13th Street Virginia Legends Live Stage

FREE and open to the public

Racing The Night: The Teenage Girl Who Saved the American Revolution

By the spring of 1781, the War for Independence had dragged into its fifth year since the signing of the Declaration of Independence (the sixth since Lexington and Concord) and had effectively ground to a stalemate. With George Washington and British General Henry Clinton locked in a standoff in New York, the fate of the war rested on the shoulders of British General Cornwallis and his staggering 7,500 troops making their way to Virginia to capture and hold Yorktown from the colonists. His only resistance came from French General le Marquis de Lafayette fighting on behalf of the Americans with a much smaller complement of untrained militiamen. By late September 1781, General Lafayette and General Washington would win the decisive victory for American independence at Yorktown – a battle that almost didn’t happen.

“Racing the Night” is the unbelievably true story of Susanna Bolling, a 16-year-old girl who found herself in possession of information that could change the course of the war. Follow Susanna’s story in this vibrant and gripping new half-hour mini- musical by composer/playwright Gary Spell. Set in revolutionary Virginia, “Racing the Night” tells the tale of Susanna’s secret midnight ride to outsmart British forces and deliver crucial intelligence to the Continental Army. With a dynamic score and an all-teen cast, “Racing the Night” celebrates the power of youthful courage and unsung heroism, proving that even the quietest voices can echo through history. It may be the most important Revolutionary War story you’ve never heard.

July 24 – August 16 | Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm and 9pm

Location: 13th Street Virginia Legends Live Stage

FREE and open to the public

Hail to Queen Dolley, the Presidentess! The audiobook for “Dolley Madison and the War of 1812” is now live on Audible! Many thanks to Theresa Bakken for her wonderful work! You’ve got to hear Dolley’s bright green Macaw parrot – absolutely hilarious! “Susanna’s Midnight Ride” is available on Audible as well!

https://www.audible.com/pd/Dolley-Madison-the-War-of-1812-Americas-First-Lady-Audiobook/B0DHSZJ1G2?eac_link=I7c7mf3OPj4w&ref=web_search_eac_asin_2&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B0DHSZJ1G2&qid=al0hEi3Okl&eac_id=139-6283864-2748969_al0hEi3Okl&sr=1-2

“THE GIRL WHO WON THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR”

Please join us at The Half Way House Restaurant in Chester, VA, on Sunday, October 27, at 2 PM. The Richmond Sons of the Revolution (SAR) will unveil a historic marker honoring Susanna Bolling. This 16-year-old girl saved General Lafayette from capture by British General Cornwallis, paving the way for the Battle of Yorktown.

As described in “Susanna’s Midnight Ride,” GEN Cornwallis quartered in her family’s home. Susanna overheard his plot to capture General Lafayette headquartered at the Half Way House, 10 miles away. Susanna snuck out, rode through the night, and warned Lafayette who escaped.

We would love for you to come to this outdoor event. It should last thirty minutes, including wreath-laying. A big HUZZAH to Chris Yohn and the Richmond SAR for their generosity, organization and commitment to this project!

The Halfway House will open at 11 AM with a special menu honoring Susanna’s heroic ride in May 1781. Fun cocktails in the making too- “Susanna Temple” and “Lafayette Lemonade” for the kids as well as “The Midnight Rider,” “Cornwallis’ Revenge,” and “Bourbon a la Bolling” for the big kids. 

Celebrations will continue after the marker reveal.     

*** This date marks the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s visit to Richmond in October 1824 on his return tour as “Our Nation’s Guest.” ***

“THE GIRL WHO WON THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR”

Please join us at The Half Way House Restaurant in Chester, VA, on Sunday, October 27, at 2 PM. The Richmond Sons of the Revolution (SAR) will unveil a historic marker honoring Susanna Bolling. This 16-year-old girl saved General Lafayette from capture by British General Cornwallis, paving the way for the Battle of Yorktown.

As described in “Susanna’s Midnight Ride,” GEN Cornwallis quartered in her family’s home. Susanna overheard his plot to capture General Lafayette headquartered at the Half Way House, 10 miles away. Susanna snuck out, rode through the night, and warned Lafayette who escaped.

We would love for you to come to this outdoor event. It should last thirty minutes, including wreath-laying. A big HUZZAH to Chris Yohn and the Richmond SAR for their generosity, organization and commitment to this project!

The Halfway House will open at 11 AM with a special menu honoring Susanna’s heroic ride in May 1781. Fun cocktails in the making too- “Susanna Temple” and “Lafayette Lemonade” for the kids as well as “The Midnight Rider,” “Cornwallis’ Revenge,” and “Bourbon a la Bolling” for the big kids. 

Celebrations will continue after the marker reveal.     

*** This date marks the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s visit to Richmond in October 1824 on his return tour as “Our Nation’s Guest.” ***