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Consecrated Dust: A Novel of the Civil War North
On September 17, 1862, an explosion at the Allegheny Arsenal in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, kills seventy-eight girls rolling bullet cartridges for the Union army. News of the catastrophe is buried, however, beneath the horrendous casualty reports from the Battle of Antietam, fought on the very same day.
Inspired by these two real-life tragedies, Consecrated Dust tells the story of four young northerners - feminist, Clara Ambrose; soldier, Garrett Cameron; industrialist, Edgar Gliddon; and immigrant, Annie Burke - friends, lovers, and bitter rivals. In the teeming streets and factories of Pittsburgh, and on the battlefields of the Army of the Potomac, they struggle to survive, forced to choose between love and duty, sacrifice and greed. Their choices ultimately lead to their presence at both the Arsenal and the Antietam battlefield on that fateful September day, a day that reveals the true meaning of courage - a day not all of them will survive.
"Mary Frailey Calland bridges the gap between historian and storyteller, adeptly using characters to walk the reader through the times and events in 1862 Pittsburgh where life and the consequences of war collide. Rich in historic detail, Consecrated Dust is a narrative window to the past."
MICHAEL KRAUS, Curator of Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, Pittsburgh, PA, and military consultant to the films Gettysburg and Cold Mountain.
"The Civil War is seared into American memory for the horrors of the battlefields, North and South. Mary Calland's Consecrated Dust brings the tragedy to the northern home front and Pittsburgh - the Arsenal of the Union - which experienced in a single day the greatest death of civilians during the four year conflict."
ANDREW E. MASICH, President & CEO of the Senator John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh, PA.
Inspired by these two real-life tragedies, Consecrated Dust tells the story of four young northerners - feminist, Clara Ambrose; soldier, Garrett Cameron; industrialist, Edgar Gliddon; and immigrant, Annie Burke - friends, lovers, and bitter rivals. In the teeming streets and factories of Pittsburgh, and on the battlefields of the Army of the Potomac, they struggle to survive, forced to choose between love and duty, sacrifice and greed. Their choices ultimately lead to their presence at both the Arsenal and the Antietam battlefield on that fateful September day, a day that reveals the true meaning of courage - a day not all of them will survive.
"Mary Frailey Calland bridges the gap between historian and storyteller, adeptly using characters to walk the reader through the times and events in 1862 Pittsburgh where life and the consequences of war collide. Rich in historic detail, Consecrated Dust is a narrative window to the past."
MICHAEL KRAUS, Curator of Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, Pittsburgh, PA, and military consultant to the films Gettysburg and Cold Mountain.
"The Civil War is seared into American memory for the horrors of the battlefields, North and South. Mary Calland's Consecrated Dust brings the tragedy to the northern home front and Pittsburgh - the Arsenal of the Union - which experienced in a single day the greatest death of civilians during the four year conflict."
ANDREW E. MASICH, President & CEO of the Senator John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh, PA.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
7 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Mary Frailey Calland
3 books7 followersMary Frailey Calland was born in Elmira, New York, and has always had a love of writing and history. She has a BA in American Studies from the University of Notre Dame and a J.D. from Notre Dame Law School. After five years of practicing law, she chose to be a stay-at-home mom and, five children later, sat down to write her first historical novel, Barefoot In The Stubble Fields.
Mary's particular focus is American history as experienced, not by the famous, but by the common people. Her books are a blend of engaging story and exacting historical detail that invite readers to experience the sights, sounds, and emotions felt by the people of a particular period. Her hope is that her books will serve as a springboard for readers to learn more about our nation's history.
When Mary is not writing, she is horseback riding, gardening, and/or attempting to coordinate the comings and goings of her grown children. She and her husband, Dean, live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Visit her website at www.maryfraileycalland.com
Mary's particular focus is American history as experienced, not by the famous, but by the common people. Her books are a blend of engaging story and exacting historical detail that invite readers to experience the sights, sounds, and emotions felt by the people of a particular period. Her hope is that her books will serve as a springboard for readers to learn more about our nation's history.
When Mary is not writing, she is horseback riding, gardening, and/or attempting to coordinate the comings and goings of her grown children. She and her husband, Dean, live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Visit her website at www.maryfraileycalland.com
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 28, 2018
A heartbreaking, realistic portrayal of the civil war and it's devastating impact. Being from Pittsburgh, I particularly liked the historical references to the city and how it's changed.
Very well done, I highly recommend.
Very well done, I highly recommend.
September 21, 2013
This is a well-written historical fiction. I loved that it took place in my hometown and I learned about some things I never knew happened where I lived. The characters were very real in their emotions and admirable in the way they picked up the pieces after tragedy strikes. Very good book.
February 22, 2024
In 1860, in Lawrenceville, PA (later incorporated into the City of Pittsburgh), young Clara Ambrose is being courted by Edgar Gliddon, the wealthy owner of an iron works. Clara’s mother is over the moon. A marriage to a catch like Gliddon would be a big social step up for the family of a middle-class doctor. But Clara is turned off by Gliddon’s domineering arrogance. Instead, she falls in love with penniless law student Garrett Cameron.
When the Civil War begins, Cameron volunteers for the 9th Pennsylvania Rifles, while Gliddon says home and rakes in money from government contracts. Gliddon and her mother put continual pressure on Clara to commit to marrying Gliddon, but she remains loyal to Cameron. At first, he is stationed nearby at a training camp, but then he is off to war and the lovers keep in touch only by intermittently-delivered letters.
Clara’s sister is soon widowed by the war and comes with her infant son to live with her family. Their father is drafted into service in the Army’s medical corps and his pay isn’t delivered reliably. The family faces destitution, and Clara goes to work at the Allegheny Arsenal, making bullet cartridges. Meanwhile, Gliddon's efforts to force Clara into a marriage become increasingly heavy-handed and even brutal.
Calland does an excellent job of bringing 1860s Pittsburgh to life. As a Pittsburgh resident, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about places that I could still recognize today. She also does a great job on battle scenes. Her research was very thorough. As with her other book, Our Lesser Angels: A Novel of the Elmira Civil War Prison Camp the details of movements and battles sometimes slow the story down, but I cared enough about these characters that I kept turning pages. This should have been a four or five star book for me.
But the ending! The ending is just so, so, so, so, so, so wrong!!! I guess it’s a measure of the success of the book overall that I feel so passionately about this. But I felt so disappointed and enraged by the ending that I complained about it to my poor husband for about half an hour. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
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Author of The Saint's Mistress
When the Civil War begins, Cameron volunteers for the 9th Pennsylvania Rifles, while Gliddon says home and rakes in money from government contracts. Gliddon and her mother put continual pressure on Clara to commit to marrying Gliddon, but she remains loyal to Cameron. At first, he is stationed nearby at a training camp, but then he is off to war and the lovers keep in touch only by intermittently-delivered letters.
Clara’s sister is soon widowed by the war and comes with her infant son to live with her family. Their father is drafted into service in the Army’s medical corps and his pay isn’t delivered reliably. The family faces destitution, and Clara goes to work at the Allegheny Arsenal, making bullet cartridges. Meanwhile, Gliddon's efforts to force Clara into a marriage become increasingly heavy-handed and even brutal.
Calland does an excellent job of bringing 1860s Pittsburgh to life. As a Pittsburgh resident, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about places that I could still recognize today. She also does a great job on battle scenes. Her research was very thorough. As with her other book, Our Lesser Angels: A Novel of the Elmira Civil War Prison Camp the details of movements and battles sometimes slow the story down, but I cared enough about these characters that I kept turning pages. This should have been a four or five star book for me.
But the ending! The ending is just so, so, so, so, so, so wrong!!! I guess it’s a measure of the success of the book overall that I feel so passionately about this. But I felt so disappointed and enraged by the ending that I complained about it to my poor husband for about half an hour. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Like my reviews? Check out my blog
Author of The Saint's Mistress
April 30, 2023
What is better than a book that opens with a Christmas sleigh ride through the snow at the beginning of the Victorian era? Clara is young, beautiful, and being rushed to marry by her mother, as a daughter of well bred parents should be. Her mother doesn’t approve of Clara's longtime friendship with Annie, daughter of an Irish immigrant family that has started working at the Arsenal in Lawrenceville. Clara can’t stand the thought of marrying Edgar; the wealthy businessman and suitor her parents have picked out for her. Clara likes the thought of marrying James- though not wealthy but definitely a handsome suitor who is smitten with Clara. Their relationship will have to withstand a war, and a battle against her parents as Clara faces pressure to marry Edgar. Pressure only grows for Clara as her father, a doctor for the Union in the war, is captured and money becomes very tight for the family- Clara will have to make a decision as to how best to help her family.
April 21, 2021
Consecrated Dust is super old-fashioned; I would have guessed it was written in the 30's. I didn't find that to be a bad thing, though. I like books from the 30's. Once I got into it, it was a very enjoyable reading experience with likable characters and soapy twists and a mellow flow.
I often thought people were being silly when they write about a choosing a book because it is set where they live - I want to read about different places and cultures - but I was actually wrong to think that. It turns out that I, too, enjoyed a book more knowing that most of it was set just a mile from my house.
Some of it was definitely corny (the last chapter, especially), and a lot of dialogue is too on the nose. Recommended anyways.
I often thought people were being silly when they write about a choosing a book because it is set where they live - I want to read about different places and cultures - but I was actually wrong to think that. It turns out that I, too, enjoyed a book more knowing that most of it was set just a mile from my house.
Some of it was definitely corny (the last chapter, especially), and a lot of dialogue is too on the nose. Recommended anyways.
August 25, 2022
I enjoyed this book especially since I live in Pittsburgh and have been to the areas mentioned in the book. I have also been to Gettysburg, Antietam, Harpers Ferry and the other areas. Antietam was actually the bloodiest battle of the civil war even though Gettysburg gets more attention. At times I found some of the logistics of the battles tedious and would have liked more about the arsenal and girls working there but there may be limited information to build on. This is why I didn’t give the book 5 stars. It was a good story to show how a devastating war effected a community and the people across the spectrum.
April 24, 2024
This novel centers around an arsenal explosion in Pittsburgh, PA on September 17, 1862 that killed 78 women rolling bullet cartridges for the Union Army - overshadowed in history because it happened the the same day as the Battle of Antietam.
It's been a while since I finished a book in tears, so for that alone I recommend it. However, the author does a beautiful job of weaving the narrative of the novel around historical events and battles, with a great balance of human interaction and military strategy.
Most of all, the book reminds us that war is hell - and to be careful what we wish for. "Tread softly. This is consecrated dust."
It's been a while since I finished a book in tears, so for that alone I recommend it. However, the author does a beautiful job of weaving the narrative of the novel around historical events and battles, with a great balance of human interaction and military strategy.
Most of all, the book reminds us that war is hell - and to be careful what we wish for. "Tread softly. This is consecrated dust."
April 20, 2025
A lot of the story focused on the battles fought by the 9th Pennsylvania reserve. The Arsenal explosion was only covered in the last 100 pages. The book had over 400 pages! The battle chapters were boring to me, but I can appreciate that the explanation of them included a main character. There is a back story along with the history that was interesting. I enjoyed the description of Pittsburgh and particularly Lawrenceville during the Civil War.
September 12, 2023
This was a fantastic historical fiction of the Civil War Era. The knowledge and insight of the tragedy at the American Arsenal created an entirely new community still loved by so many and remembered by them as well. The love of a soldier and his lady and her dedication to patriotism made for a page turning book.
June 4, 2024
Engaging and well-written story of Pittsburgh during the Civil War. I had heard about the explosion at the Allegheny Arsenal in Lawrenceville in 1862, overshadowed by the terrible Battle of Antietam fought on the same day. This book follows several characters through these events, with a surprise at the end that's both sad and satisfying. If you enjoy historical fiction, I recommend it.
February 17, 2023
Loved it! Very interesting history of the Allegheny Arsenal and the Battle of Antietam during the Civil War. Well written, characters to root for and a good picture of life during that period of time. I probably liked it a bit better because I live in Pittsburgh. The story really moved me as well.
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January 7, 2020Enjoyed this book very much. A tragic, yet informative story about a forgotten piece of the Civil War.
July 29, 2021
Entertaining and educational for the Pittsburgh and Civil War history. One star off for the exceptionally beautiful (intelligent, sweet, honest, brave.....) heroine.
August 16, 2022
I couldn't put this book down because it happened in my city. I think this is fiction. Reading it for my book club. I want to know what happened to Edgar.
February 23, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and learning more about Pittsburgh's history. Book Club selection
March 12, 2012
As we are in the midst of remembering the 150th anniversary of the events of the American Civil War, the timing of this publication is perfect.
Consecrated Dust is a fine example of local historical fiction. The descriptions of Pittsburgh and Lawrenceville of the 1860's are beautifully presented and historically accurate. The battle scenes are interesting with just enough detail. We see the horrors of war, and each time our hero, Garrett, faces another Rebel rifle, we are quickly turning the pages to see if he survives to fight again.
The main characters are well drawn as are the secondary characters. The reader will embrace these characters and share in their daily struggles and pleasures. Clara Ambrose, a properly raised daughter of a physician, yearns to escape the confines of her middle class upbringing. She is feisty and outspoken and we love her strong spirit. When she meets the handsome, Garrett Cameron, we embrace their burgeoning love for each other and Clara's will to defy her mother's wishes. Of course, Garrett answers the call to duty and enlists in the Union army. Annie Burke, an Irish immmigrant and Clara's best friend, is a tough young woman we can all admire. As the war progresses, the economic realities for both the Ambrose and the Burke families worsen and the battlefields for Garrett become bloodier.
The author has used two events to tie the narrative together. On September 17, 1862, occurred the bloody Battle of Antietam and the explosion at the Allegheny Arsenal in Lawrenceville that took the lives of 78 girls employed there to roll bullet cartridges for the Union army. Someone will live and someone will die that day.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book - in fact could not put it down - and wept over the tragedies and joys so beautifully depicted. You will long remember Clara, Garrett, and Annie.
Consecrated Dust is a fine example of local historical fiction. The descriptions of Pittsburgh and Lawrenceville of the 1860's are beautifully presented and historically accurate. The battle scenes are interesting with just enough detail. We see the horrors of war, and each time our hero, Garrett, faces another Rebel rifle, we are quickly turning the pages to see if he survives to fight again.
The main characters are well drawn as are the secondary characters. The reader will embrace these characters and share in their daily struggles and pleasures. Clara Ambrose, a properly raised daughter of a physician, yearns to escape the confines of her middle class upbringing. She is feisty and outspoken and we love her strong spirit. When she meets the handsome, Garrett Cameron, we embrace their burgeoning love for each other and Clara's will to defy her mother's wishes. Of course, Garrett answers the call to duty and enlists in the Union army. Annie Burke, an Irish immmigrant and Clara's best friend, is a tough young woman we can all admire. As the war progresses, the economic realities for both the Ambrose and the Burke families worsen and the battlefields for Garrett become bloodier.
The author has used two events to tie the narrative together. On September 17, 1862, occurred the bloody Battle of Antietam and the explosion at the Allegheny Arsenal in Lawrenceville that took the lives of 78 girls employed there to roll bullet cartridges for the Union army. Someone will live and someone will die that day.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book - in fact could not put it down - and wept over the tragedies and joys so beautifully depicted. You will long remember Clara, Garrett, and Annie.
February 24, 2013
Being a Pittsburgh resident, this was one book that received a lot of local reviews and mentions. That lead me to read it. I really hope this book receives more than local readership, though, because I think it deserves it. As historical fiction, Calland pays strict homage to the factual details of the service of the 9th Pennsylvania Rifles. As fiction, she has created characters who fulfill the promise of good story. The backdrop of the Allegheny Arsenal that provided so much of the munitions for the Union Army was a great platform for the war's effects on the homefront. The lives of Clara, Garrett, Annie and the despicable Edgar Gliddon are very well described and the character development is logical.
September 12, 2014
A less predictable plotline than I expected, written in a style completely appropriate to the period, I enjoyed this story of historical fiction. The author made me want to search out old photos of the towns that are now only known as Pittsburgh neighborhoods as well as explore the area for any remaining memorial. She also brought the Antietam battle to life, adding to my appreciation of the brutality I understood having visited the battlefield. Enjoy this other view of a war we think we know so much about.
April 26, 2015
I read this book while visiting Gettysburg. The author lives in Pittsburgh and the story centers on the lives of Lawrenceville residents during the Civil War. I really enjoyed reading about the city during the war as well as the soldier's lives during the war. This is a well constructed story of love and loss.
July 25, 2013
Enjoyed its story about the Civil War and is impact on local families.
March 5, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It was really cool to read about my hometown and things that happened during the Civil War. Thanks Colleen for the recommendation
November 4, 2013
Civil War from The Yankee perspective. Not bad but no Gone with the Wind.
April 28, 2014
If you live in Pittsburgh and enjoy historical fiction you should read this. It's written by a Pittsburgh author partially about the explosion at the arsenal in Lawrenceville during the Civil War.
May 11, 2015
Too much battle detail. Enjoyed the Pittsburgh history.
May 8, 2016
A twist, a bit predictable. It made me think a lot about the terrible fears these men faced in battle & specially when wounded both mentally & physically.
September 14, 2016
wonderful historical detail
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews