Confederate Winter

by Kurt Vetters

Confederate Winter is historical fiction based on a family story. It was written for middle school/high school readers so that history would come alive for them.The author’s great-great-great-grandfather, William Sweeney, fought as a Confederate soldier at the tender age of 14. His father, John, had been drafted the year before into the Union Army. Confederate Winter is their story.By 1864 the Confederacy is on the verge of defeat. Atlanta has fallen and Confederate General John Bell Hood’s army is in retreat. Hood formulates a bold plan to re-capture Nashville, the great base for the Union Army in the West. A victory could change the course of the war. Hood needs manpower, however, and sends his conscription parties out to scour the countryside.Confederate Winter tells the story of a true-life family caught up in this grand adventure. The Federals conscript John Sweeney, the father, in late 1863 as General Sherman prepares his march on Atlanta and the sea. His son William is left in charge of the family farm, until one early fall morning…

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 19, 2012

About the author

Formerly a U.S. Army Captain, Mr. Vetters has studied the Civil War his entire life, both as a military professional and as a hobbyist. The author has also been a Civil War reenactor, allowing detailed perspectives in the day-to-day life of a Civil War soldier.

Mr. Vetters' active role in the classrooms of his three children ingrained him with an understanding of children's interests in this powerful subject.

Reviews

[Clayton Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

As historical novels go I think this one is great. It is well written and the events depicted are mostly accurate I believe. It is incredible to think what hardships our ancestors endured during the civil war. This book gives an interesting glimpse of one young mans time as a soldier during the last few months of the civil war.

[Ian Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a realistic look into what it was like back in the days of the civil war.