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Friends of the Wigwam
A WGN EMMY AWARD nominee news video on this fascinating Civil War novel can be viewed @friendsofthewigwam.com EDITORIAL REVIEW ... This is a love story about six young friends whose innocence is stripped from them seemingly overnight in the brutal setting of the American Civil War. The subplots woven into the story include each friend's successes and struggles on the battlefields, the story of those who led the battles, and a magnificent war-horse that is a steadfast survivor in the face of many tragedies.
""Friends of the Wigwam" is a fascinating and thoroughly engrossing historical novel. Author John William Huelskamp has combined extraordinary research and vivid narrative to create a compelling story. For people looking for a successor to Michael Shaara's PULITZER PRIZE winning novel, The Killer Angels, they'll find it in "Friends of the Wigwam.""
-Dwight John Zimmerman, New York Times bestselling co-author of Lincoln's Last Days
"Using previously unpublished letters and diaries, the author re-creates the feel, the sense, and the sound of the 1860s. History repeats itself in the pages of "Friends of the Wigwam" in the best possible way."
-Robert I. Girardi, Civil War Author and Historian
"It took a stranger passing through town to pull together one of the most important historical dramas of the Civil War. Huelskamp's research and story has set the record straight for future generations."
-Harriet Gustason, Freeport-Journal Standard
""Friends of the Wigwam" is a fascinating and thoroughly engrossing historical novel. Author John William Huelskamp has combined extraordinary research and vivid narrative to create a compelling story. For people looking for a successor to Michael Shaara's PULITZER PRIZE winning novel, The Killer Angels, they'll find it in "Friends of the Wigwam.""
-Dwight John Zimmerman, New York Times bestselling co-author of Lincoln's Last Days
"Using previously unpublished letters and diaries, the author re-creates the feel, the sense, and the sound of the 1860s. History repeats itself in the pages of "Friends of the Wigwam" in the best possible way."
-Robert I. Girardi, Civil War Author and Historian
"It took a stranger passing through town to pull together one of the most important historical dramas of the Civil War. Huelskamp's research and story has set the record straight for future generations."
-Harriet Gustason, Freeport-Journal Standard
384 pages, Paperback
Published April 8, 2016
8 people are currently reading
718 people want to read
About the author
John William Huelskamp
1 book19 followersJohn William Huelskamp is a historical novelist whose early passion for Civil War history was ignited when he discovered a cavalry saber in the Maryland woods near his boyhood home. An avid research historian, he is a consultant to Civil War scholars, writers, and artists and has been a frequent guest commentator on national television broadcasts raising public awareness of forgotten Civil War heroes. He was appointed an honorary Board Member for the General Longstreet Memorial Project at Gettysburg National Military Park and continues to promote Civil War legacy through monuments, museums, and battlefield preservation
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 20, 2016
If educators would use more books like Friends of the Wigwam as a tool to bring the past to life, I think more students would embrace the love of history and not take brief naps while going through those dry textbooks. History is about events, yes, but those events affected human beings, whether as victims or the cause.
The Civil War robbed this country of its innocence, it made enemies of brothers and divided a young country with the blade of hate. John William Huelskamp brings the human element to life by using a fictionalized version of real people, real events and real tragedies.
With well-researched facts and by keeping to the atmosphere of the mid nineteenth century when Lincoln made his run for the presidency, the Civil War broke out and neighbors that once worked together as one for the good of all, shredded the sense of unity.
Follow six young children, allies and friends in their own adventure find their world turn into a living Hell on Earth without truly understanding why. Heroes will rise and fall, blood is shed and the innocence of youth is shattered.
Enjoy the laughter of friends, feel the animosity of political enemies, and cry at the positions young men are thrown into on the battlefield. This is history, this makes war feel real, not numbers on a page or dates and places on a map. John William Huelskamp has given young and older readers a window into a time that helped shape the world of today and he did it with respect to those who lived it as he told the human side of the story.
I received this copy from John William Huelskamp in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: BARRINGTON GROUP PUBLICATIONS; 1 edition (March 24, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0692348824
ISBN-13: 978-0692348826
Genre: Historical Fiction YA/Middlegrade
Print Length: 382 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
The Civil War robbed this country of its innocence, it made enemies of brothers and divided a young country with the blade of hate. John William Huelskamp brings the human element to life by using a fictionalized version of real people, real events and real tragedies.
With well-researched facts and by keeping to the atmosphere of the mid nineteenth century when Lincoln made his run for the presidency, the Civil War broke out and neighbors that once worked together as one for the good of all, shredded the sense of unity.
Follow six young children, allies and friends in their own adventure find their world turn into a living Hell on Earth without truly understanding why. Heroes will rise and fall, blood is shed and the innocence of youth is shattered.
Enjoy the laughter of friends, feel the animosity of political enemies, and cry at the positions young men are thrown into on the battlefield. This is history, this makes war feel real, not numbers on a page or dates and places on a map. John William Huelskamp has given young and older readers a window into a time that helped shape the world of today and he did it with respect to those who lived it as he told the human side of the story.
I received this copy from John William Huelskamp in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: BARRINGTON GROUP PUBLICATIONS; 1 edition (March 24, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0692348824
ISBN-13: 978-0692348826
Genre: Historical Fiction YA/Middlegrade
Print Length: 382 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
July 28, 2016
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
Don't just read the first sentence, please:
This book has all the elements of a winning historical novel -- a great (and large) cast of characters, solid research, rich setting -- but it just doesn't come together in the way it should. But it frequently comes close. What it really needed to be successful is pretty simple: More. More of just about everything. Longer scenes, more developed characters, more developed storylines. The book covers the years from 1857 to 1864 in 358 pages -- roughly 51 pages a year (with some of those taken by pictures) -- you just can't do a whole lot in that space. Longer scenes could've given the chance for characters and events to develop, for nuance to be shown.
The only thing it didn't need more of was dialogue. Well, that's not exactly true, it could've used more, but primarily it needed better dialogue. There was one scene, and only one, that I didn't cringe almost every time someone spoke. It was wooden, stiff, artificial.
The book follows a group of friends and people they know from their part of Illinois in the days leading up to and through the heart of the Civil War -- just about everyone mentioned was a real person that the historian Huelskamp researched thoroughly. The book is littered with photos of the people, letters and other documents supporting his work. Some of them are political movers and shakers, some are in the military, and some are citizens worrying about loved ones.
The characters -- as historically accurate as they might be -- were drawn pretty thinly. If Huelskamp is going to talk about interpretation of historical figures, he needs to interpret them multi-dimensionally. I wanted to like everyone (well, except Loomis -- who no one is supposed to like), but I couldn't muster up affection for anyone, there wasn't enough of anyone to really appreciate.
Beyond the clearly extensive historical research (and documentation!), this book had a few strengths that I want to focus on:
* The Battle Scenes were great -- the internal dialogue of the combatants detracted a lot from that, but the description of the events, the action was just about everything you'd hope for.
* In the early days of the war, one of the friends is killed -- seeing the emotion when the group gets the news was a high point of the book, Huelskamp captures it perfectly and then ruined the moment with clumsy writing.
* The best part of the book is in the aftermath of a battle concerning two friends comforting each other after being wounded -- it was just perfect.
The book could've been really strong; maybe as a trilogy (or duology), it could've been great. But in its too-short form, it was just almost a good book. I bet Huelskamp's historical writing is really something -- his fiction? Maybe one day. The richness of the historical work here does elevate this over a lot of historical fiction I've read recently, so I'm going to give it the 3rd star.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this from the author in exchange for my honest thoughts.
---
Don't just read the first sentence, please:
This book has all the elements of a winning historical novel -- a great (and large) cast of characters, solid research, rich setting -- but it just doesn't come together in the way it should. But it frequently comes close. What it really needed to be successful is pretty simple: More. More of just about everything. Longer scenes, more developed characters, more developed storylines. The book covers the years from 1857 to 1864 in 358 pages -- roughly 51 pages a year (with some of those taken by pictures) -- you just can't do a whole lot in that space. Longer scenes could've given the chance for characters and events to develop, for nuance to be shown.
The only thing it didn't need more of was dialogue. Well, that's not exactly true, it could've used more, but primarily it needed better dialogue. There was one scene, and only one, that I didn't cringe almost every time someone spoke. It was wooden, stiff, artificial.
The book follows a group of friends and people they know from their part of Illinois in the days leading up to and through the heart of the Civil War -- just about everyone mentioned was a real person that the historian Huelskamp researched thoroughly. The book is littered with photos of the people, letters and other documents supporting his work. Some of them are political movers and shakers, some are in the military, and some are citizens worrying about loved ones.
The characters -- as historically accurate as they might be -- were drawn pretty thinly. If Huelskamp is going to talk about interpretation of historical figures, he needs to interpret them multi-dimensionally. I wanted to like everyone (well, except Loomis -- who no one is supposed to like), but I couldn't muster up affection for anyone, there wasn't enough of anyone to really appreciate.
Beyond the clearly extensive historical research (and documentation!), this book had a few strengths that I want to focus on:
* The Battle Scenes were great -- the internal dialogue of the combatants detracted a lot from that, but the description of the events, the action was just about everything you'd hope for.
* In the early days of the war, one of the friends is killed -- seeing the emotion when the group gets the news was a high point of the book, Huelskamp captures it perfectly and then ruined the moment with clumsy writing.
* The best part of the book is in the aftermath of a battle concerning two friends comforting each other after being wounded -- it was just perfect.
The book could've been really strong; maybe as a trilogy (or duology), it could've been great. But in its too-short form, it was just almost a good book. I bet Huelskamp's historical writing is really something -- his fiction? Maybe one day. The richness of the historical work here does elevate this over a lot of historical fiction I've read recently, so I'm going to give it the 3rd star.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this from the author in exchange for my honest thoughts.
February 7, 2017
This book is definitely for students of social history as well as war history. Due to meticulous research, demonstrated by letters, written accounts and photos, we meet six young people in a town called Freeport on the Pecatonica River, Illinois before the Civil War and follow their lives. Through their histories we see electioneering, a move to secession, the fate of a warhorse and how ordinary settlers lived, loved and fought.
The scale of this work is impressive and we come out of it with a much better understanding of the times. I particularly liked a tomboy character, Allie, who is determined that she won't be stopped from going to war. We also see the role of the sharpshooter TJ and his new-made Sharps rifle. The politicians and generals who ride through the towns and battlefields are deftly portrayed but the author would probably be happy that his ordinary people, based on genuine persons, are those who best engaged my sympathies. And the fine black horse, Black Hawk, of course.
Read this remarkable accomplishment if you are interested in battlefield reconstruction or to see the peoples and politics of the times. Although there is plenty of drama, it's not intended as a thriller. The paperback copy is very handsome and the covers are well presented.
A paper copy was sent to me by the author through an agent. This is an unbiased review.
The scale of this work is impressive and we come out of it with a much better understanding of the times. I particularly liked a tomboy character, Allie, who is determined that she won't be stopped from going to war. We also see the role of the sharpshooter TJ and his new-made Sharps rifle. The politicians and generals who ride through the towns and battlefields are deftly portrayed but the author would probably be happy that his ordinary people, based on genuine persons, are those who best engaged my sympathies. And the fine black horse, Black Hawk, of course.
Read this remarkable accomplishment if you are interested in battlefield reconstruction or to see the peoples and politics of the times. Although there is plenty of drama, it's not intended as a thriller. The paperback copy is very handsome and the covers are well presented.
A paper copy was sent to me by the author through an agent. This is an unbiased review.
October 1, 2016
To properly review Friends of the Wigwam, I need to separate it out into the two elements of its genre – “historical” and “fiction”.
From the historical side of things, I found these regiments from Illinois compelling and inspiring. Knowing that the people on the pages of Friends of the Wigwam were real people who lived and breathed and fought for our country made the history that much more real as well. The inclusion of scans of the originals of several of the letters quoted in this book is an added bonus that made the history geek in me quite giddy. If you approach Friends of the Wigwam as a storified historical account, you will probably be mostly satisfied with the reading experience.
On the flip side, looking at it as a novel, it just doesn’t quite come together. The characters are not as developed as they could have been – the potential exists for a deep emotional connection with several of them but it’s not readily given to us. You will, of course, begin to feel for these characters and react emotionally to the outcomes of the war in their lives, but it’s still a very reserved connection as from afar. Additionally, the dialogue is stilted and unnatural, and I often paused over a word that just didn’t seem to fit the rest of the sentence. For instance, the word “screamed” shows up quite frequently – when really no screaming is occurring. A more accurate word such as “called” or “cried”, etc. would have seemed a better fit. As such, I kept getting this mental image of a mostly calm situation and suddenly one of the participants makes everyone jump fifty feet in the air by literally screaming the line given to him in the book. Needless to say, this made the book feel rather disjointed and disconnected more often than not.
This is a moving historical account of people who made a difference in the Civil War – and of the people who loved them. They were friends, brothers, husbands, sweethearts… even a spitfire of a girl who hid her gender so she could fight for her country. While I wish it made a more appealing novel, it’s a book worth reading if you approach it as less of a story and more of a documentary in book form.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
See my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
From the historical side of things, I found these regiments from Illinois compelling and inspiring. Knowing that the people on the pages of Friends of the Wigwam were real people who lived and breathed and fought for our country made the history that much more real as well. The inclusion of scans of the originals of several of the letters quoted in this book is an added bonus that made the history geek in me quite giddy. If you approach Friends of the Wigwam as a storified historical account, you will probably be mostly satisfied with the reading experience.
On the flip side, looking at it as a novel, it just doesn’t quite come together. The characters are not as developed as they could have been – the potential exists for a deep emotional connection with several of them but it’s not readily given to us. You will, of course, begin to feel for these characters and react emotionally to the outcomes of the war in their lives, but it’s still a very reserved connection as from afar. Additionally, the dialogue is stilted and unnatural, and I often paused over a word that just didn’t seem to fit the rest of the sentence. For instance, the word “screamed” shows up quite frequently – when really no screaming is occurring. A more accurate word such as “called” or “cried”, etc. would have seemed a better fit. As such, I kept getting this mental image of a mostly calm situation and suddenly one of the participants makes everyone jump fifty feet in the air by literally screaming the line given to him in the book. Needless to say, this made the book feel rather disjointed and disconnected more often than not.
This is a moving historical account of people who made a difference in the Civil War – and of the people who loved them. They were friends, brothers, husbands, sweethearts… even a spitfire of a girl who hid her gender so she could fight for her country. While I wish it made a more appealing novel, it’s a book worth reading if you approach it as less of a story and more of a documentary in book form.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
See my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
July 17, 2016
"I will not forget you. I have carved you on the palm of my hand."
This historical novel was took thirty years to research. The author, John Williams Huelskamp, set it in the area of Illinois where he himself grew up.
It is a Civil War story which begins in 1857 and ends in 1864. The Civil War officially began in 1861 and ended in 1865.
So, what are the Friends of the Wigwam? They are Will, and Aaron; younger and Will's best friend, Allie, a tomboy, and Jenny, her best friend, and Trick and his friend T.J.( a sharpshooter). These six dear friends have met and continue to meet regularly by the Pecatonica river near where they live. They form a bond which is undying. We follow them from earlier ages and onward, right into the Civil War. As they are realistically described, and are in fact real people, the reader will be all the more fascinated by what happens to them during the book. They serve to outline parts of the Civil War and make it all the more real.
The first full-on battle described is the Battle of Shiloh, and the description is very powerful and immediate.
Later in the book, a letter from a father, Major Luther Cowan, who was in that battle is delivered to his daughter, and we read what fighting has felt like, to him. It is eyeopening in its compassion and honesty.
Eventually the four boys who are Friends of the Wigwan join the 93rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment (with a bit of a surprise you probably can figure out, but I am not going to provide any spoilers).
The personal stories of the friends and their families eventually converge with the war. We are there as we read of the horrors of the Civil War from various points of view, including Ulysses S. Grant's. The anguish and the reality of this war are brought to life with no theatrics or high drama. The author is too well versed on what he wants to convey to need to overdo anything. Friends of the Wigwam speaks for itself
I found this book, Friends of the Wigwam, to be incredibly moving and brilliantly written. I was touched right from the beginning by the intensity of the descriptions and the beauty of the author's writing. Even minor details are fascinating when you read this book. You learn things about the time period you didn't know (unless you are a crackerjack Civil War expert). For example, the description of the New York Fire Zouaves Regiment, and their uniforms, is wonderfully visual, so that the reader is there, marching with them, one thousand strong, as they prepare to protect the city of Washington, and then invade Alexandria, Virginia, which has just recently seceded from the Union. One character who has been followed up to this time plays a large part in the action at this point. You feel what was felt by the people during that time.
Ultimately, this is less a simple story of the Civil War than of the Civil War plus the people who played a small part in it, and who represent everyone who fought or stayed at home, waiting.
You will be touched by their photographs at the end, and by the letters you will read throughout the book.
I found Friends of the Wigwam to be exemplary and beautifully written. It is a true gem of a book, written by a great author. Don't miss this one if you love history, historical novels, or stories which are noble and magnificently told.
This historical novel was took thirty years to research. The author, John Williams Huelskamp, set it in the area of Illinois where he himself grew up.
It is a Civil War story which begins in 1857 and ends in 1864. The Civil War officially began in 1861 and ended in 1865.
So, what are the Friends of the Wigwam? They are Will, and Aaron; younger and Will's best friend, Allie, a tomboy, and Jenny, her best friend, and Trick and his friend T.J.( a sharpshooter). These six dear friends have met and continue to meet regularly by the Pecatonica river near where they live. They form a bond which is undying. We follow them from earlier ages and onward, right into the Civil War. As they are realistically described, and are in fact real people, the reader will be all the more fascinated by what happens to them during the book. They serve to outline parts of the Civil War and make it all the more real.
The first full-on battle described is the Battle of Shiloh, and the description is very powerful and immediate.
Later in the book, a letter from a father, Major Luther Cowan, who was in that battle is delivered to his daughter, and we read what fighting has felt like, to him. It is eyeopening in its compassion and honesty.
Eventually the four boys who are Friends of the Wigwan join the 93rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment (with a bit of a surprise you probably can figure out, but I am not going to provide any spoilers).
The personal stories of the friends and their families eventually converge with the war. We are there as we read of the horrors of the Civil War from various points of view, including Ulysses S. Grant's. The anguish and the reality of this war are brought to life with no theatrics or high drama. The author is too well versed on what he wants to convey to need to overdo anything. Friends of the Wigwam speaks for itself
I found this book, Friends of the Wigwam, to be incredibly moving and brilliantly written. I was touched right from the beginning by the intensity of the descriptions and the beauty of the author's writing. Even minor details are fascinating when you read this book. You learn things about the time period you didn't know (unless you are a crackerjack Civil War expert). For example, the description of the New York Fire Zouaves Regiment, and their uniforms, is wonderfully visual, so that the reader is there, marching with them, one thousand strong, as they prepare to protect the city of Washington, and then invade Alexandria, Virginia, which has just recently seceded from the Union. One character who has been followed up to this time plays a large part in the action at this point. You feel what was felt by the people during that time.
Ultimately, this is less a simple story of the Civil War than of the Civil War plus the people who played a small part in it, and who represent everyone who fought or stayed at home, waiting.
You will be touched by their photographs at the end, and by the letters you will read throughout the book.
I found Friends of the Wigwam to be exemplary and beautifully written. It is a true gem of a book, written by a great author. Don't miss this one if you love history, historical novels, or stories which are noble and magnificently told.
September 30, 2016
Well done fictionalized account of Civil War friends based on real letters and diaries. My rating 4.75.
Will and Aaron are teen friends in Freeport, Illinois. One summer they find an old Indian cave along the bank of their favorite river and they pledge to always be “Friends of the Wigwam.” Allie, a tomboy finds the cave and she and her friend, Jennie, a daughter of a wealthy family, soon join the Friends. They are joined by two other local boys who fish and hunt in the woods. The friends share fun, pranks, growth and young love by the river until the time comes to go to war.
Several local men gather in support of Lincoln, first as he runs for Senator and later when he runs for President. There are also men who are clear opponents. Several of these men go on to become significant officers in the war.
The author uses actual diary entries and letters to create a remarkable view of the personable lives of these individuals as they all become involved in the tragedies of the war. Some will return, and friends will remember those who do not. The dialogue is natural and the descriptions are beautiful in peace and chillingly detailed during battle. The entire package makes the events come alive.
I was impressed by the deep love and feelings expressed in the real letters of the Union officers.
Copies of the letters are included as well as images of buildings and sketches of battle scenes. At the end of the story the author lists the real ‘characters’ and what happened to them as best the records reflect. I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy Civil War stories.
I received this print book through The Cadence Group for an honest review.
Will and Aaron are teen friends in Freeport, Illinois. One summer they find an old Indian cave along the bank of their favorite river and they pledge to always be “Friends of the Wigwam.” Allie, a tomboy finds the cave and she and her friend, Jennie, a daughter of a wealthy family, soon join the Friends. They are joined by two other local boys who fish and hunt in the woods. The friends share fun, pranks, growth and young love by the river until the time comes to go to war.
Several local men gather in support of Lincoln, first as he runs for Senator and later when he runs for President. There are also men who are clear opponents. Several of these men go on to become significant officers in the war.
The author uses actual diary entries and letters to create a remarkable view of the personable lives of these individuals as they all become involved in the tragedies of the war. Some will return, and friends will remember those who do not. The dialogue is natural and the descriptions are beautiful in peace and chillingly detailed during battle. The entire package makes the events come alive.
I was impressed by the deep love and feelings expressed in the real letters of the Union officers.
Copies of the letters are included as well as images of buildings and sketches of battle scenes. At the end of the story the author lists the real ‘characters’ and what happened to them as best the records reflect. I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy Civil War stories.
I received this print book through The Cadence Group for an honest review.
May 1, 2018
Timeline: 1857-1865.
12/1857, Pecatonica River Freeport, IL. Tutty Baker Tavern. Ol’ Tutty (owner) Will (16, Aaron’s BMF), Aaron (13, Will’s BMF), Major Elmer Ellsworth (Rockford City Greys, Rockford, IL.), Alfred Smith (West Point cadet, Galena, IL.) was getting all the fellas the drinks they wanted.
John Sheetz came busting through the front say they needed volunteers for bucket brigade,
Fire Marshal Holden Putnam (banker) was hunted down.
3 horses & a colt were saved from a burning barn.
Chicago, IL. Tremont House Hotel (Lake/Dearborn St.’s). Mr. Couch (owner, piano player) was taking requests.
12/24/1857, Home High St. Galena, IL. Mississippi Riverboat Town. Colonel John E. Smith (husband/father, jeweler), Mrs. Amy Smith (wife/mother), Ben Smith (11, son/brother, Grant & Perkins store clerk) & several guests were enjoying the entertainment of Adelaide “Addie” Smith (8, daughter/sister, musician).
Grant & Perkins store. Ely Parker (Seneca Indian) listened to Ulysses Grant (freed black man) business proposition.
5/234/1861, Colonel Elmer Ellsworth was showing of the Union Zouave Cadets of Chicago.
What later happened to Colonel Ellsworth?
4/6/1862, Colonel Elmer Ellsworth was in charge of the Shiloh 45th Illinois Infantry.
4/27/1864, 29th Regiment Infantry, Company E; US Colored Troops (USCT) Quincy, IL. Captain Flint, Colonel Bross, & Brigadier General Prentiss were addressing parade dress role call.
Privates: Thomas Adams Moses Alexander, Joseph “Li’l Joe” Arbuckle, Conrad Arbuckle, Robert Arbuckle, & William Arbuckle, all present & accounted for.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written Civil War love story book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Civil War love story movie, PP presentation, or better yet a mini TV series or even a documentary (A & E; History channel). There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Barrington Group Publications; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
12/1857, Pecatonica River Freeport, IL. Tutty Baker Tavern. Ol’ Tutty (owner) Will (16, Aaron’s BMF), Aaron (13, Will’s BMF), Major Elmer Ellsworth (Rockford City Greys, Rockford, IL.), Alfred Smith (West Point cadet, Galena, IL.) was getting all the fellas the drinks they wanted.
John Sheetz came busting through the front say they needed volunteers for bucket brigade,
Fire Marshal Holden Putnam (banker) was hunted down.
3 horses & a colt were saved from a burning barn.
Chicago, IL. Tremont House Hotel (Lake/Dearborn St.’s). Mr. Couch (owner, piano player) was taking requests.
12/24/1857, Home High St. Galena, IL. Mississippi Riverboat Town. Colonel John E. Smith (husband/father, jeweler), Mrs. Amy Smith (wife/mother), Ben Smith (11, son/brother, Grant & Perkins store clerk) & several guests were enjoying the entertainment of Adelaide “Addie” Smith (8, daughter/sister, musician).
Grant & Perkins store. Ely Parker (Seneca Indian) listened to Ulysses Grant (freed black man) business proposition.
5/234/1861, Colonel Elmer Ellsworth was showing of the Union Zouave Cadets of Chicago.
What later happened to Colonel Ellsworth?
4/6/1862, Colonel Elmer Ellsworth was in charge of the Shiloh 45th Illinois Infantry.
4/27/1864, 29th Regiment Infantry, Company E; US Colored Troops (USCT) Quincy, IL. Captain Flint, Colonel Bross, & Brigadier General Prentiss were addressing parade dress role call.
Privates: Thomas Adams Moses Alexander, Joseph “Li’l Joe” Arbuckle, Conrad Arbuckle, Robert Arbuckle, & William Arbuckle, all present & accounted for.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written Civil War love story book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Civil War love story movie, PP presentation, or better yet a mini TV series or even a documentary (A & E; History channel). There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Barrington Group Publications; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
August 26, 2016
Friends of the Wigwam is the debut novel of Civil War historian John W. Heulskamp, who is particularly interested in forgotten heroes of that conflict. The first section of the book relates the formation the strong friendship of six young men and women, and follows their experience of the social and political friction that leads to the war's outbreak. The fact that these characters are based upon real people increases the impact of this section, which is further enlivened by the appearance of such soon-to-be icons as Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, and Ulysses Grant. As the plot moves forward into the heat of battle, poignant in itself, knowing the backstory of the friends makes reading of their struggles even more so. Perhaps my favorite character is Jennie (Allie) Hodges, who fought as fiercely and courageously as any man and whose true gender was never discovered during the war years, and it's great that her contributions are now being recognized.
Wigwam is a promising debut, but it is clear that Mr. Heulskamp is a novice at writing fiction. Many of the passages are overly descriptive, for instance, and his choice of words (quaint hands, stout uniform) sometimes baffling. But practice makes perfect, and with his skill at research and plotting, those are flaws that can be corrected.
Wigwam is a promising debut, but it is clear that Mr. Heulskamp is a novice at writing fiction. Many of the passages are overly descriptive, for instance, and his choice of words (quaint hands, stout uniform) sometimes baffling. But practice makes perfect, and with his skill at research and plotting, those are flaws that can be corrected.
December 2, 2025
Really good book, well written, great story. If you are a fan of the civil war then this book is highly recommended.
November 27, 2016
It was a quick and easy read. I enjoyed the history within the story.
Want to read
May 1, 2019Placeholder
I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
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