Notes from a Deserter: A Soldier's Journey Home

by C.W. Towarnicki

A Civil War farmer's harrowing odyssey from battle to desertion ends in tragedy, revealing the era's tumultuous spirit through a series of poignant vignettes.

William Henry Howe, a modest farmer, leaves his pregnant wife, Hannah, and their small family behind in pursuit of a soldier's stipend and honor. Joining the Pennsylvania 116th regiment, Howe's journey reveals a nation and culture in turmoil. Each chapter of his story is punctuated by letters to Hannah, written to bridge the void of his absence as war and the seasons progress.

During the brutal winter siege of Fredericksburg, Howe, weakened by dysentery, fights valiantly in a devastating defeat, emerging as one of the few survivors. As his superior officers retreat to Philadelphia to regroup and overwhelmed medical facilities crumble, Howe embarks on a grueling 275-mile journey home to Perkiomenville to recover.

Upon returning to his rural family life, local bounty hunters descended on the small town, seeking a reward for capturing deserters. A failed attempt leads to the death of one bounty hunter and Howe's imprisonment. Torn from his young family once more, Howe is tried, convicted, and on August 26, 1864, becomes the only soldier hanged for desertion at Fort Mifflin. His body, rejected by the local graveyard, is finally laid to rest in the family plot, where one last letter was left for the widowed Hanna.

A gripping short story cycle, Notes from a Deserter uses a shifting point of view to explore themes of duty, sacrifice, and the cost of war on individuals and communities. It's a moving collection of stories that captures the essence of a nation and its people in crisis while highlighting the tragic and profound impact on one Pennsylvania family.

Genres: Historical Fiction

Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2025

Reviews

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A literary historical fiction based on a true story of a farmer who fought in the US Civil War, and his subsequent fate. Written as a series of vignettes from shifting character perspectives. Unusual writing structure, great historical representation, fabulous imagery, unfiltered depiction of war brutalities, limited character development (though this is because of the structure.) My lack of personal connect with this war probably stopped me from loving this book more. Regardless, a great debut novel. Recommended. Don’t read the GR blurb!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Plot Preview:

1863. Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania. William Howe, a young farmer of German origin, feels emotionally compelled to join the Civil War efforts, even if it means leaving behind his pregnant wife Hannah and their toddler son. Though Hannah isn't happy about his decision, he follows his heart and promises to write to her regularly.
Through short-story-style chapters coming from the third-person perspectives of various characters, we get to know what happens to William, and also see the impact of the war on various groups that were a part of it, willingly or otherwise.

Bookish Yays:
🎖️ The writing choice of having an actual historical person’s life story coming from the perspective of events that happened around him. Usually, it is the other way around, when we learn about an event through multiple characters. A brave decision, and mostly well-handled.

🎖️ The first chapter, the only one coming from William’s perspective. This foundational chapter was instrumental in getting to know him, especially as we don’t get his direct perspective after this.

🎖️ The historical feels. The content seems apt for the era and covers many events connected to the war as well to ordinary citizens living through it.

🎖️ The impartial narration. I like how the story sticks to its purpose without succumbing to finger-pointing or speculation, with no personal or emotional opinion attached. We hear from whites as well as Blacks, older volunteers as well as veterans, professionals connected to the war and profiteers capitalising on it. Everyone’s perspective is presented neutrally.

🎖️ The beautifully written imagery. Everything was so easy to visualise, even though the author never resorts to “telling.”

🎖️ The splendidly written nature components. I think the author must love nature very much because no matter what scene, there is a strong element from nature in it, be it bird calls or trees or water bodies. This made it easy to immerse myself into the narrative.

🎖️ The realism of the war-related brutalities. Not easy to read, but also not sensationalised.

🎖️ The author’s note – Wowza! Reminded me of all the reasons historical fiction is among my top favourite genres. The inspiration behind this book, William Henry Howe, is buried close to the author's home in Pennsylvania.

🎖️ Can I please given an extra Yay to the fact that this is a commendable debut? It’s probably one of the most complex and well-planned first novels I have read. No typos, no telling, balanced between plot and prose, historically accurate… You bet I am going to keep a eye out for this author’s future works! (Fingers crossed that the next book will be on a topic I am more aware of.)


Bookish Mixed Bags:
⚔️ While I admire the idea of narrating William’s fate through the eyes of other characters who may or may not know him personally, it takes some time to get used to a new perspective after every chapter, especially as the perspectives come from so many different types of people. Most of the accounts worked well for me, so that was a big plus.

⚔️ The events, though chronological, are sporadic. So we don’t see a continuous account of William’s life after he leaves home. In some chapters, he makes just a fleeting appearance in the background. Most of the chapter narrators don’t know William intimately, so we get only a limited insight into his thoughts. There are also time jumps. Thus if you have any questions about what happened to him in the interim or how he managed certain things, there’s no answer most of the times.

⚔️ Thanks to the blurb saying that “each chapter of his story is punctuated by letters to Hannah”, I had assumed that this would partially be an epistolary novel. But though many chapters mention the existence of letters, we don’t get to see his words on paper. I’m a bit disappointed at this because I love epistolary novels and this was one of the reasons I had picked this book up. Expectations problem, this!


Bookish If Onlys:
🏳️ I wish the GR blurb had kept at least some things in suspense. It reveals William’s entire life story! So if you are like me and decide on a book based on the blurb, you already know what’s going to happen and how it’s going to happen.

🏳️ I wish the title had been different. Even if I hadn’t read the blurb, the title still contains a crucial spoiler: “deserter”. I get that some might be more attracted to a story on seeing this unusual tag, but I prefer discovering such details while reading the book.

🏳️ I wish one final chapter would also have come from William’s perspective, bringing us a full circle and maybe giving us some insight into his feelings at that point.


Overall, I am quite impressed at the path taken by this book. It is rare that the main character of the book isn't the MAIN character in the plot. Despite barely having a few pages to himself beyond that first chapter, William does leave a mark. The outstanding prose and imagery further value to the book.

Definitely recommended. This impressive debut would be a great option for readers who enjoy both historical fiction and literary fiction. It would help if you are familiar with basic details about the US Civil War. As a character-driven narrative, it might not work for those who like smooth plot-oriented storylines.

3.75 stars.


My thanks to History Through Fiction Publishing for providing the DRC of “Notes from a Deserter: A Soldier's Journey Home” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Threads || X/Twitter || Facebook ||

[Margo Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book to appeal to Civil War buffs - a novella inspired by the life of a real Union soldier, William Henry Howe, who is buried close to the author's home in Pennsylvania. The cover and description have 'Cold Mountain' vibes, but the story is told in a more down-to-earth way. It succeeds in creating a vivid impression of time and place, based on extensive research, and also in treating the near-forgotten William Henry Howe with empathy and compassion. There is a kind of emotional labour involved in that which I admired. It's not without its imperfections, as is probably inevitable with any debut novel, but I really liked the ethos of the project, so 5 ⭐

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Isabella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute story, not what I expected. Different characters each chapter did make it hard to really feel connected to anyone over all. 

I did like that it felt sort of like little splices of life, rather than a adventure book like most stories based during the civil war

[Nick Mehalick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Towarnicki’s dedication to detail and authenticity, as well as his unique vignette approach makes this an immediately engaging read and an astounding debut. With language and a cadence that echos the time period, Towarnicki has created literature that is both transportive and somehow also quite prescient. There is humanity and the overarching question of conscience at the core of “Deserter,” leaving the reader with the answers history allows but also forcing one to walk many miles in a damned man’s shoes and reconcile our own hearts regarding notions of honor, legacy, and one’s own mortality. A brief but enormously impact debut.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each chapter shows the effects the Civil War had on everyday Americans. The characters and their reactions to the world-changing events feel authentic. I haven't ever read a historical fiction book like this before. Each chapter could stand on its own as a literary work, yet together they tell the story of one man trying, with mixed results, to create a legacy for his family. This is a must-read for people who love reading about the Civil War, or about Pennsylvania history.

[Steve Schafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a Civil War buff. I am not even a history buff. However, I am someone who enjoys stories told well. And I loved this book.

Notes from a Deserter captures a remarkably vivid portrait of the Civil War era. I don’t typically read books written in vignettes, so it took me a few chapters to accustomed to this style. But when I did, I realized how perfect this choice of was. It gave the author the ability to cherry pick perspectives and moments throughout the deserter’s journey, spotlighting an array of fascinating, disturbing, and emotionally impactful scenes. These snapshots are captured with such rich language that the words nearly merge and pixelate like photographs on the page, depicting both a wondrous and ominous sense of what life was like in this time.

Beyond the outstanding writing, I also appreciated that the book neither celebrates nor vilifies the characters or era. It merely presents them, sans sugarcoating. Killing, bigotry, and other sins are not glossed over nor apologized for. They are merely laid on the page we are left to reflect on them in the way that a good book makes you think.

The wonderful exception to this is Wallace’s overly harsh fate, discussed and lamented by a multitude of characters, including the unlucky soul whose duty had him pull the lever to end Wallace’s life. This strikes hard at your heart. It’s through these final chapters that the humanity of those involved bleeds through the pages, as they try to weigh their societal norms and obligations against their own moral compasses. This closure underscores the epicenter of the world in which this novel immerses you—a strange, pubescent time of evolving morals in our nation’s history.

I plan to gift this book to others. I’d suggest you do the same for yourself.

[Ruth Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided with a free Kindle edition of this book as an Early Reviewer for the LibraryThing website. This review is my own.
I was totally impressed with this piece of historical fiction. Without summarizing the entire plot, it was based on the true story of a Pennsylvania farmer (William Henry Howe) who joined the Union Army during the Civil War, deserted after the harrowing battle of Fredericksburg, and then, after capture, was hung. There are thirteen chapters, each told from a different character perspective in a sequential order of events. The unfortunate soldier, William Howe, floats through the chapters, as a character, but it's primarily through the first chapter where his feelings, motives, and thoughts are most apparent. Having changing perspectives throughout chapters was an effective means to view events through different lenses in a time of turmoil and horrible violence. We view Howe's plight and angst as he struggles at first to attempt to serve the Union, while providing for his young family. Either choice (to stay or leave) had brutal ramifications.
The author's writing craft was meticulous---I felt that I was reading a painting with clear descriptions--full of color, but with mood setting and foreshadows of an impending doom.
I give this short novel high marks. Thank you!

[Emi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Publishing date: 08.04.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and HTF Publishing for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

TLDR: Views from a war following a specific character from pre-conscription to ... yeah this would be a spoiler. 4 stars

Keeping this very short and a little less descriptive as the book is short and best experience with little to no info.

The one main guy that the story is revolving around is a complicated character. Difficult, naive, stubborn, but always changing. Very interesting to read to about,

Our environment and events in the book are also very complicated. We get to see during wars, in infirmaries, post-war, conscriptions, and opposite sides interacting with each other. It hammers home how un-glorious war is and how horrible it is for everyone, fighting or not.

I did see where the book was heading about 40% in, and I was indeed correct. It was ... an experience. In a very sickening way. Still thinking about this at least once a day.

Giving this 4 stars. A little short, had a few draggy parts, very complicated, grotesque. Highly recommend to those who enjoy complex characters and dour narratives.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Henry Howe, a farmer in Perkiomenville, PA, enlists in Pennsylvania’s 116th regiment, despite his wife Hannah’s hesitation. Ultimately, he embarks on a 275 mile journey home to recover, but local bounty hunters seek to capture deserters, and Howe is once again torn from his family after being imprisoned, tried, and convicted for desertion.

This is an impressive debut novel, perfect for those with a strong interest in history, especially Civil War era. The author’s descriptive writing fully immerses you in the scene, and the book is thoroughly researched. The novel is based on the true life of William Henry Howe, whom is buried near the author’s home in Perkiomenville, PA. I really enjoyed reading the author’s note at the end of the novel, explaining the inspiration behind writing this story, and his extensive research behind it. Overall, this was an outstanding debut novel, and I look forward to the author’s future work.

[Maree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little work of historical fiction, inspired by finding the actual grave of William Howe on the author's property in present-day Montgomery County, PA. In a creative narrative structure, the reader mostly views Howe through his family, neighbors, fellow soldiers, and adversaries in short period of time between him joining the Union Army and his death by hanging for desertion in 1864. The writing is captivating and clearly the product of careful research. Howe was not an major historical figure and that's the point; reading his story gives us a glimpse of the ordinary lives of Civil War soldiers and those who supplied and supported the armies. Gritty but not grim, I found this a fascinating, fast read.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book! A crisp, fascinating tour through the existence of multiple people trying to live regular lives during a massively irregular time - The American Civil War. Even though the main character is at the center of the story, Towarnicki weaves multiple different other memorable people into the tale. After reading the "Author's Note", I was amazed to understand that all of these characters and real and well-researched, and the story has a once-in-a-lifetime link personally to the author! The author touches on many subjects a history buff (like me!) would love - military airships, soldier camaraderie, treating wounds - the story really puts you there. In the end, it is a thrilling and astonishing tour through the most tumultuous time in American history.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy of "Notes From a Deserter: A Soldiers' Journey Home" via a LibraryThing giveaway. This is C. W. Towarnicki's first novel. Nailed it! I love history and this was a story about an event I had never heard before. Towarnicki did a great job! This story was well researched and written in a way to feel and understand what the characters were feeling. I look forward to other books written by this author.

[Jennifer R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptional book, once I started it I could not put it down and completed it in 2 days- this book is beautiful work of historical fiction that brings to life the everyday struggles of not only a soldier during the civil war but other people’s roles and struggles during this time period. I also loved the fact that it was local to where we live. Thank you for writing an awesome page turner!

[Lisa Heinsohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is historical fiction based around the story of a man named William Howe and his service and desertion from the Union Army during the American Civil War. Researched and written by an author who lives only a few hundred yards from Howe’s grave, this book provides insight into the people and the politics of this rapidly changing country at that time. It also gives rise to comparisons between a rapidly changing US from then and now. A great read!

[Nick Gregorio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is pure word cinema. It’s a time machine, it’s a poem, it’s a love letter to who we are and where we’re from that bigger, thicker books have failed to encapsulate so effectively. And powerfully. Towarnicki is a major force in American fiction and Notes from a Deserter is an unforgettable debut.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Towarnicki delivers an impressive debut in the historical fiction genre. A gripping story of that keeps the reader wanting more. Don’t skip the notes from the author as the reader is given valuable insight to not only Towarnicki’s background, but the story that inspired this piece.
For fans of civil war writing, realistic adventure, and the hero’s journey.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. The prose is so descriptive that you feel like you are there with the characters. His writing flows easily and draws you in .

[Kevin Mikhail · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was such a good book and i enjoyed how the character develops throughout the story even though he dies at the end

[Antony S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a masterpiece. I loved this so much! This is one of my best reads of the whole year as it is.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating look at life and war.