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The Manhattan Stories #5
D'Arcy Curran: The Currans, Book One
In 1861, in the small town of Manhattan, Kansas, the Curran girls have expectations of what their lives will be. D’Arcy, 12, redheaded and freckled, curious and rebellious, wants to grow up and dominate her world. Suzanne, not yet 18, wants only to marry her handsome lieutenant from Fort Riley, Jonathan Taylor. The beginning of the Civil War and Suzanne’s one night of passion sends everyone’s lives in an unexpected direction. Jonathan is sent to the battlefields that will determine the survival of the nation. To avoid scandal in their small town, the girls are sent to Detroit to live with family. They not only find a welcoming aunt and uncle, they discover a burgeoning city, both ugly and beautiful, rough and cultured, drunk and refined. As she matures, D’Arcy develops a friendship with the older boy next door, and it changes her opinion of men. Fate throws both girls undreamed-of twists, and D’Arcy is forced to cope. A rash decision changes everything. Will D’Arcy be prepared for the consequences?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2016
192 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Donna Foley Mabry
46 books213 followersA Michigan native who studied writing in school, Donna first came to Vegas to make costumes and soon was weaving the stories she heard in the back of the girls' dressing room into her first novel. Now she is the author of The Alexandra Merritt Mysteries, which include 'The Last Two Aces in Las Vegas', 'The Las Vegas Desert Flower', 'The Las Vegas Special', 'Rough Ride in Vegas', 'M.I.A. Las Vegas' and 'The Las Vegas Sophisticate'. Her latest novel, 'The Vegas Tycoon' is also set in Las Vegas
Donna has written several other stand-alone novels, recent releases 'Kaleigh McKenna' and 'The Russell House', as well as 'Desperate Ambition', 'The Right Society', 'The Other Hand', 'Conversations with Skip', and an anthology, 'Killer Coffee and a Batch of Cookies'.
In addition to those stand-alones and others, Donna has a popular series of historical romances, 'The Manhattan Stories', and a series of female detective stories 'The Case Files of Molly Evers".
Her most popular novel, 'Maude', the story of her Grandmother, is a #1 best-seller on Amazon and spent 16 weeks on the Wall Street Journal's Top-10 list. 'Maude' is available as an audiobook, and is published in Italian, Russian and German. Donna is actively working on the screenplay for 'Maude'.
She has also written three screenplays, a stage play, poetry, short stories, and a children's story.
Donna lives in Henderson, Nevada, sharing her home with two cats and her dog, Abigale, all three shelter rescues. She has two children, a daughter in Las Vegas and a son in New York and a grandson who is the light of her life!
Donna still takes occasional classes at UNLV and at writer's conferences and is an active member of the Anthem Author's in Henderson, NV.
donnafoleymabry.com
facebook.com/donnafoleymabry
twitter.com/donnama12
Donna has written several other stand-alone novels, recent releases 'Kaleigh McKenna' and 'The Russell House', as well as 'Desperate Ambition', 'The Right Society', 'The Other Hand', 'Conversations with Skip', and an anthology, 'Killer Coffee and a Batch of Cookies'.
In addition to those stand-alones and others, Donna has a popular series of historical romances, 'The Manhattan Stories', and a series of female detective stories 'The Case Files of Molly Evers".
Her most popular novel, 'Maude', the story of her Grandmother, is a #1 best-seller on Amazon and spent 16 weeks on the Wall Street Journal's Top-10 list. 'Maude' is available as an audiobook, and is published in Italian, Russian and German. Donna is actively working on the screenplay for 'Maude'.
She has also written three screenplays, a stage play, poetry, short stories, and a children's story.
Donna lives in Henderson, Nevada, sharing her home with two cats and her dog, Abigale, all three shelter rescues. She has two children, a daughter in Las Vegas and a son in New York and a grandson who is the light of her life!
Donna still takes occasional classes at UNLV and at writer's conferences and is an active member of the Anthem Author's in Henderson, NV.
donnafoleymabry.com
facebook.com/donnafoleymabry
twitter.com/donnama12
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 14, 2020
The story, set in the year when U.S. civil war began, in the favourite setting of the author, to begin with - Manhattan, Kansas, where D'Arcy, a young girl beginning teens, lives with her parents, the father a well to do enough farmer, and an older sister being courted argently by a U.S. army lieutenant who's at home with the whole family.
When one is finished, it's a pause for thought about why this highly unsatisfactory, even shocking, ending; was the author deliberately aiming for a cliffhangar and a bad one at that?
Then a glimmer of ray steals in, when one has given up this book as just bad, unexpectedly. What if, on the background of U.S. civil war as experienced by those not really partisan - anti slavery southerners, Quakers, people with one soldier in either side fighting until loss of limb, ... - what if, on all this background, the story was simply that of a second daughter who, under guise of a rebellious nature, is merely suffering from jealous rages amounting to the point of pointless destruction?
Certainly this pre teen who stalked her sister and her fiance coukd have stopped them from consummation of a marriage planned for the morrow, but chose instead to watch and listen and cry in a rage, instead; instead of pointing out that her sister ought to take care of both kids, she chose to take responsibility for the boy who was difficult; and finally she didnt allow the boy a chance to get to know his dad when he returned from war, much wounded and debilitated. Instead of pride in the veteran, or even sympathy, first she asked why he came,then insisted her sister couldn't marry the father of her twins, and finally kidnapped the boy after she'd been suggested she go home, leaving the family to have a chance.
Favourite character of the author that repeats over and over in various names and disguises, this particular red curlytop isn't heroine material, however much she tries to reduce the beautiful older sister to a manipulative character. Which she really isn't.
............
"The Manhattan Mercury printed stories of the unrest in the Eastern states almost every day. Settled largely by abolitionists, Riley County overwhelmingly supported the anti-slavery movement. During the 1850s, bloody battles over whether Kansas should be admitted to the Union as a free state or a slave state went on. Neighbor fought neighbor over their conflicting ideals. So many lives were lost in the skirmishes, the state earned the nickname, “Bloody Kansas.”
"South Carolina declared its withdrawal from the Union on December 20, 1860, while Buchanan was still President. In January, Governor Pickens demanded the Union withdraw its troops from Fort Sumter in the Charleston Harbor. Buchanan refused.
"Lincoln was inaugurated President on March 4,1861, and hopes of avoiding out-and-out war faded. On Friday, April 12, the news ran through Manhattan and the outlying properties like a flash of lightning. Confederate batteries had fired on Fort Sumter. The war had begun."
General Winfield Scott, appointed by Lincoln to contain South, planned to blockade all southern ports. He didn't hurry. Lincoln replaced him with McClellan.
"On July 21, the North suffered a terrible defeat at the Battle of Bull Run, called Manassas by the South. Soon after, McDowell was out, and General George McClellan—with great political support—replaced him as commander of the Union troops. After winning two minor battles, he was hailed by the public as a national hero.
"On August 28, the North suffered another defeat at the Second Battle of Bull Run. Skirmishes went on almost every week. Sometimes the South won, sometimes the North. With two consecutive victories in September, the North began to hope for a quick end to the war."
............
It's unclear why some of the details had to be provided unless it's the author's intention to state that it isn't necessarily always the young man's fault, the young woman could take the initiative explicitly too, however difficult to believe.
A confederate loner's bullet almost found Lieutenant Taylor, but wounded only his saddle, as he was on watch at night. He wrote regularly to Suzanne, and his letter mentioned this. She was hysterical.
Suzanne is expecting soon after her fiance leaves as his troop is called up, their intention to elope being frustrated by his having had to leave before they could marry - her mother had nixed their wish to marry in a hurry before he left - and the family decides to send the daughters to live with their uncle and aunt in Detroit, so the neighbours need only know it was for safety from war.
............
It seems strange that a family concerned with social standing sends two young daughters without even a groom to accompany and protect them, all the way from Topeka, Kansas, to Davenport, Iowa, on stagecoach, which takes about a week. It's unclear why both the parents didn't go with them, to begin with, rather than sending them by themselves.
That was the plan, but fortunately the father did send the groom, Quinn, with them. Unfortunately it wasn't enough - when they were accosted by robbers, his presence with weapons made the robbers go berserk, searching for a Strongbow with treasure and when there was none, treating the young girls roughly, hurting them in the process of robbing the elder one of jewellery. Shots were fired, the driver and the assaulting robber dead, and Quinn wounded grievously.
............
The various ordeals they go through as a pair of young females have to look after a man suffering from gunshot wounds, while the three travel by stagecoach to Des Moines with stops at various intermediate stations, is horrendous enough to make one grateful for modern amenities one usually takes for granted.
They brought Quinn to Detroit with them instead of his returning to Topeka from Davenport as planned, since he couldn't stand the journey back to Topeka so soon, and they were met at the station by their uncle who was a bigger version of their father.
"As they passed through the huge Michigan Central Railroad Terminal, D’Arcy heard people speaking in French, which she knew very well. When her mother was angry, she often resorted to the language of her childhood. There were other languages, too, some she’d never heard. D’Arcy asked Uncle Sean, “Where are all these people from?”
"“All over the world—Germany, Italy, Poland, even China.”
"Holding her hand close to her stomach, D’Arcy pointed a finger to the man and woman walking in front of them. “What about them?” she whispered. “I think I know the language, but I don’t understand them.”
"Uncle Sean threw back his head, and the booming laugh that came out of him again reminded D’Arcy of her father. “They’d be from England.”"
One falls in love with Aunt Colleen immediately, what with her hugging the girls and feeding everybody. She had a solution for Quinn too, having heard the story from them at dinner.
"She hurried to the kitchen and returned with a mug of hot, greenish liquid. “Let that steep for a minute, and as soon as it’s cool enough, drink it all down.”
"Quinn sniffed the cup. “What is it?”
"“Dried dandelion greens. The tea will heal ya inside. Come morning, I’ll make ya a poultice of ribwort.”
"Quinn sipped a bit. “That’s pretty good.”
"“I told ya!”
"He blew on the tea and took a longer drink. “You know, my mom used to say when you wanted to eat or drink a lot of something, it must be what your body needs. I think I’ll be asking you to make this for me all the time.”
"“Say the word. I have a pantry full o’ the greens.”"
............
"Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant waited for orders to attack the Confederate forces downriver, but they did not come. He sent repeated requests for a call to action and waited, and waited. When no word came giving him permission, he decided to take matters into his own hands. He met with General John McClernand after ten o’clock on the evening of November 5 and told him to alert his brigade. They were to pack two days’ rations in their haversacks and carry forty rounds of ammunition in their cartridge boxes. They would depart camp on the assembled riverboats.
"The next morning, before the roosters had even ruffled their tail feathers in the Army camp, the word passed that every man should be ready."
............
"“I wonder where they’re sending us today.”
"“We’ll find out sooner or later.”
"Bright sunshine showed them the way to the riverbank. Seven boats, five steamers, and two gunboats lined the east bank of the Ohio River, gangplanks at the ready. Three thousand troops, including two hundred cavalrymen and their horses, filed onto the boats. It took the better part of the day to load the cannons, ammunition, supplies, and men. It was after three in the afternoon before the last of the troops were aboard. “This time,” Taylor told Brown, “we’re really going to fight.”
"The three thousand men and horses settled in and waited—and waited. It was even later in the afternoon before the boats cast off their lines and made the trip across the river to Bird’s Point to take the 22nd Illinois Regiment from the Kentucky side. As the last of the infantry and cavalry boarded, the sky spread a blood-red canopy above. With everyone aboard, they waited more. All lights were extinguished. Taylor peered into the night.
"“I wonder where we’re going—up the Ohio or down the Mississippi.”
"No answer came. No one but Grant and McClernand seemed to know, and they weren’t sharing the information. Except for the occasional nicker of a horse, silence fell. The only sound was the churning of the water, the slapping of the water against the boats, and the rustling air of men and horses breathing in and out. As the night went on, some of the men eventually lay in the available spaces and slept. Taylor and Brown made no effort to join them.
"The sun rose at six thirty. As it had been at sunset the evening before, the sky again glowed the color of blood. The men ate breakfast from the rations they’d packed the previous day. The signal came, and the fleet threw off the lines and began the journey. The gunboats—the Tyler and the Lexington—led the way. They were followed by Grant in his luxurious steamer, the Belle Memphis.
"When the Tyler turned downstream into the Mississippi, the men cheered. Taylor had to fight back the impulse to shout. “We’re going to war! That’s where we’re going!”"
"It was as if an electric current charged the men. Around eight in the morning, the boats arrived at Hunter’s Farm on the Missouri shore, three miles away from Belmont. The boats moored, and the troops disembarked and waited while the cannon and supplies were pushed and pulled up the steep riverbank. The men murmured amongst themselves their impatience—and waited."
"The troops gathered in a clearing along the bank and formed ranks. The cavalry lined up in front. Taylor inspected each of his men—including the sergeants and corporals—to make sure they had their weapons and were carrying their proper portion of food and ammunition and nothing else. The horses, sensing the men’s excitement, champed at their bits. The men, volunteers all, wore crisp, new uniforms but carried weapons they’d brought from home; a few had rifles, but some only muskets and swords from their grandfathers’ revolution. Instead of Grant, Colonel Napoleon Buford took the front and made a rousing speech, assuring them that the Lord of Hosts was on their side."
............
"They began the three-mile trek to Belmont.
"The forest of cottonwoods and buttonwoods stood so thick, those on horseback had to wend their way around the trees. As quietly as possible, trees here and there had to be felled to make room for the cannons to get through. The sound of drums in the distance urged them on. As they advanced, those men more fortunate found solid ground underfoot, but many encountered a swamp with mud and water four-foot-deep in some places.
"Silently, they felt their way along. As they advanced, the occasional sound of musket fire came to them, and a few ineffective Confederate shots crashed through the woods. The forest concealed Grant’s advancing troops.
"Near their destination, the young medical director, John Brinton, chose the Bratcher cabin to set up a field hospital. The principal surgeons were to wait at the cabin, and the assistant surgeons were told to go to the front. The ten musicians of the 7th Iowa were sent to the rear of each company to assist the wounded back to the hospital.
"At ten in the morning, two companies from each regiment were ordered forward to seek out the enemy. At the edge of the forest, they could see the Confederate camp going about their business, as if it were a normal morning.
"Colonel Schmidt stopped and wheeled his horse around to face the men of Taylor’s brigade. He told them to forget about regimental precision and fight Indian fashion. He then ran his gaze from one end of the row to another, and turned his horse back to face the front. He drew his saber, held it in the air, and nodded to the bugler, who played the charge. The colonel spurred his horse, and it surged forward."
"They charged through the few remaining trees, surprising the small contingent of Confederates. The thousand or so Rebs scattered. The Rebel Cavalry ran for their horses, and the enlisted men grabbed their weapons."
It was over in an hour.
"The Union soldiers still celebrated and looted when the Confederate cannons across the river at Columbus, Kentucky finally made themselves heard. The shelling seemed endless and kept up until twenty-five hundred Confederate reinforcements, sent by General Leonidas Polk, arrived and the battle began again."
"The call for retreat sounded in short order, and the exhausted Union forces abandoned the cannons and scrambled for the river with only what they could carry in their hands.
"With the Confederate forces close behind, they barely made it to the boats. The men stampeded, shoved at one another, and fought to get on a boat—any boat. There would be no formations. Every man boarded whatever vessel stood before him when he emerged from the forest."
"Running at full steam, the boats headed upriver. For protection, the gunboats— firing as quickly as possible—brought up the rear. The turn into the Ohio River brought murmurs of relief from the men still standing. The boats safely delivered what was left of the five regiments back to Cairo. Taylor wondered how many had been lost in the three miles of swamp and thick woods and didn’t make the boats. He heard one colonel tell another that Grant, himself, avoided capture by a narrow margin."
"In spite of having gained no ground and experiencing the loss of over a hundred men, Grant declared the attack a Union success. In doing so, he drew the attention of Abraham Lincoln, who was fed up with generals who wouldn’t fight."
............
D'Arcy was discovering her new world, already very cold. There was six inches of snow on ground, and she ....
When one is finished, it's a pause for thought about why this highly unsatisfactory, even shocking, ending; was the author deliberately aiming for a cliffhangar and a bad one at that?
Then a glimmer of ray steals in, when one has given up this book as just bad, unexpectedly. What if, on the background of U.S. civil war as experienced by those not really partisan - anti slavery southerners, Quakers, people with one soldier in either side fighting until loss of limb, ... - what if, on all this background, the story was simply that of a second daughter who, under guise of a rebellious nature, is merely suffering from jealous rages amounting to the point of pointless destruction?
Certainly this pre teen who stalked her sister and her fiance coukd have stopped them from consummation of a marriage planned for the morrow, but chose instead to watch and listen and cry in a rage, instead; instead of pointing out that her sister ought to take care of both kids, she chose to take responsibility for the boy who was difficult; and finally she didnt allow the boy a chance to get to know his dad when he returned from war, much wounded and debilitated. Instead of pride in the veteran, or even sympathy, first she asked why he came,then insisted her sister couldn't marry the father of her twins, and finally kidnapped the boy after she'd been suggested she go home, leaving the family to have a chance.
Favourite character of the author that repeats over and over in various names and disguises, this particular red curlytop isn't heroine material, however much she tries to reduce the beautiful older sister to a manipulative character. Which she really isn't.
............
"The Manhattan Mercury printed stories of the unrest in the Eastern states almost every day. Settled largely by abolitionists, Riley County overwhelmingly supported the anti-slavery movement. During the 1850s, bloody battles over whether Kansas should be admitted to the Union as a free state or a slave state went on. Neighbor fought neighbor over their conflicting ideals. So many lives were lost in the skirmishes, the state earned the nickname, “Bloody Kansas.”
"South Carolina declared its withdrawal from the Union on December 20, 1860, while Buchanan was still President. In January, Governor Pickens demanded the Union withdraw its troops from Fort Sumter in the Charleston Harbor. Buchanan refused.
"Lincoln was inaugurated President on March 4,1861, and hopes of avoiding out-and-out war faded. On Friday, April 12, the news ran through Manhattan and the outlying properties like a flash of lightning. Confederate batteries had fired on Fort Sumter. The war had begun."
General Winfield Scott, appointed by Lincoln to contain South, planned to blockade all southern ports. He didn't hurry. Lincoln replaced him with McClellan.
"On July 21, the North suffered a terrible defeat at the Battle of Bull Run, called Manassas by the South. Soon after, McDowell was out, and General George McClellan—with great political support—replaced him as commander of the Union troops. After winning two minor battles, he was hailed by the public as a national hero.
"On August 28, the North suffered another defeat at the Second Battle of Bull Run. Skirmishes went on almost every week. Sometimes the South won, sometimes the North. With two consecutive victories in September, the North began to hope for a quick end to the war."
............
It's unclear why some of the details had to be provided unless it's the author's intention to state that it isn't necessarily always the young man's fault, the young woman could take the initiative explicitly too, however difficult to believe.
A confederate loner's bullet almost found Lieutenant Taylor, but wounded only his saddle, as he was on watch at night. He wrote regularly to Suzanne, and his letter mentioned this. She was hysterical.
Suzanne is expecting soon after her fiance leaves as his troop is called up, their intention to elope being frustrated by his having had to leave before they could marry - her mother had nixed their wish to marry in a hurry before he left - and the family decides to send the daughters to live with their uncle and aunt in Detroit, so the neighbours need only know it was for safety from war.
............
It seems strange that a family concerned with social standing sends two young daughters without even a groom to accompany and protect them, all the way from Topeka, Kansas, to Davenport, Iowa, on stagecoach, which takes about a week. It's unclear why both the parents didn't go with them, to begin with, rather than sending them by themselves.
That was the plan, but fortunately the father did send the groom, Quinn, with them. Unfortunately it wasn't enough - when they were accosted by robbers, his presence with weapons made the robbers go berserk, searching for a Strongbow with treasure and when there was none, treating the young girls roughly, hurting them in the process of robbing the elder one of jewellery. Shots were fired, the driver and the assaulting robber dead, and Quinn wounded grievously.
............
The various ordeals they go through as a pair of young females have to look after a man suffering from gunshot wounds, while the three travel by stagecoach to Des Moines with stops at various intermediate stations, is horrendous enough to make one grateful for modern amenities one usually takes for granted.
They brought Quinn to Detroit with them instead of his returning to Topeka from Davenport as planned, since he couldn't stand the journey back to Topeka so soon, and they were met at the station by their uncle who was a bigger version of their father.
"As they passed through the huge Michigan Central Railroad Terminal, D’Arcy heard people speaking in French, which she knew very well. When her mother was angry, she often resorted to the language of her childhood. There were other languages, too, some she’d never heard. D’Arcy asked Uncle Sean, “Where are all these people from?”
"“All over the world—Germany, Italy, Poland, even China.”
"Holding her hand close to her stomach, D’Arcy pointed a finger to the man and woman walking in front of them. “What about them?” she whispered. “I think I know the language, but I don’t understand them.”
"Uncle Sean threw back his head, and the booming laugh that came out of him again reminded D’Arcy of her father. “They’d be from England.”"
One falls in love with Aunt Colleen immediately, what with her hugging the girls and feeding everybody. She had a solution for Quinn too, having heard the story from them at dinner.
"She hurried to the kitchen and returned with a mug of hot, greenish liquid. “Let that steep for a minute, and as soon as it’s cool enough, drink it all down.”
"Quinn sniffed the cup. “What is it?”
"“Dried dandelion greens. The tea will heal ya inside. Come morning, I’ll make ya a poultice of ribwort.”
"Quinn sipped a bit. “That’s pretty good.”
"“I told ya!”
"He blew on the tea and took a longer drink. “You know, my mom used to say when you wanted to eat or drink a lot of something, it must be what your body needs. I think I’ll be asking you to make this for me all the time.”
"“Say the word. I have a pantry full o’ the greens.”"
............
"Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant waited for orders to attack the Confederate forces downriver, but they did not come. He sent repeated requests for a call to action and waited, and waited. When no word came giving him permission, he decided to take matters into his own hands. He met with General John McClernand after ten o’clock on the evening of November 5 and told him to alert his brigade. They were to pack two days’ rations in their haversacks and carry forty rounds of ammunition in their cartridge boxes. They would depart camp on the assembled riverboats.
"The next morning, before the roosters had even ruffled their tail feathers in the Army camp, the word passed that every man should be ready."
............
"“I wonder where they’re sending us today.”
"“We’ll find out sooner or later.”
"Bright sunshine showed them the way to the riverbank. Seven boats, five steamers, and two gunboats lined the east bank of the Ohio River, gangplanks at the ready. Three thousand troops, including two hundred cavalrymen and their horses, filed onto the boats. It took the better part of the day to load the cannons, ammunition, supplies, and men. It was after three in the afternoon before the last of the troops were aboard. “This time,” Taylor told Brown, “we’re really going to fight.”
"The three thousand men and horses settled in and waited—and waited. It was even later in the afternoon before the boats cast off their lines and made the trip across the river to Bird’s Point to take the 22nd Illinois Regiment from the Kentucky side. As the last of the infantry and cavalry boarded, the sky spread a blood-red canopy above. With everyone aboard, they waited more. All lights were extinguished. Taylor peered into the night.
"“I wonder where we’re going—up the Ohio or down the Mississippi.”
"No answer came. No one but Grant and McClernand seemed to know, and they weren’t sharing the information. Except for the occasional nicker of a horse, silence fell. The only sound was the churning of the water, the slapping of the water against the boats, and the rustling air of men and horses breathing in and out. As the night went on, some of the men eventually lay in the available spaces and slept. Taylor and Brown made no effort to join them.
"The sun rose at six thirty. As it had been at sunset the evening before, the sky again glowed the color of blood. The men ate breakfast from the rations they’d packed the previous day. The signal came, and the fleet threw off the lines and began the journey. The gunboats—the Tyler and the Lexington—led the way. They were followed by Grant in his luxurious steamer, the Belle Memphis.
"When the Tyler turned downstream into the Mississippi, the men cheered. Taylor had to fight back the impulse to shout. “We’re going to war! That’s where we’re going!”"
"It was as if an electric current charged the men. Around eight in the morning, the boats arrived at Hunter’s Farm on the Missouri shore, three miles away from Belmont. The boats moored, and the troops disembarked and waited while the cannon and supplies were pushed and pulled up the steep riverbank. The men murmured amongst themselves their impatience—and waited."
"The troops gathered in a clearing along the bank and formed ranks. The cavalry lined up in front. Taylor inspected each of his men—including the sergeants and corporals—to make sure they had their weapons and were carrying their proper portion of food and ammunition and nothing else. The horses, sensing the men’s excitement, champed at their bits. The men, volunteers all, wore crisp, new uniforms but carried weapons they’d brought from home; a few had rifles, but some only muskets and swords from their grandfathers’ revolution. Instead of Grant, Colonel Napoleon Buford took the front and made a rousing speech, assuring them that the Lord of Hosts was on their side."
............
"They began the three-mile trek to Belmont.
"The forest of cottonwoods and buttonwoods stood so thick, those on horseback had to wend their way around the trees. As quietly as possible, trees here and there had to be felled to make room for the cannons to get through. The sound of drums in the distance urged them on. As they advanced, those men more fortunate found solid ground underfoot, but many encountered a swamp with mud and water four-foot-deep in some places.
"Silently, they felt their way along. As they advanced, the occasional sound of musket fire came to them, and a few ineffective Confederate shots crashed through the woods. The forest concealed Grant’s advancing troops.
"Near their destination, the young medical director, John Brinton, chose the Bratcher cabin to set up a field hospital. The principal surgeons were to wait at the cabin, and the assistant surgeons were told to go to the front. The ten musicians of the 7th Iowa were sent to the rear of each company to assist the wounded back to the hospital.
"At ten in the morning, two companies from each regiment were ordered forward to seek out the enemy. At the edge of the forest, they could see the Confederate camp going about their business, as if it were a normal morning.
"Colonel Schmidt stopped and wheeled his horse around to face the men of Taylor’s brigade. He told them to forget about regimental precision and fight Indian fashion. He then ran his gaze from one end of the row to another, and turned his horse back to face the front. He drew his saber, held it in the air, and nodded to the bugler, who played the charge. The colonel spurred his horse, and it surged forward."
"They charged through the few remaining trees, surprising the small contingent of Confederates. The thousand or so Rebs scattered. The Rebel Cavalry ran for their horses, and the enlisted men grabbed their weapons."
It was over in an hour.
"The Union soldiers still celebrated and looted when the Confederate cannons across the river at Columbus, Kentucky finally made themselves heard. The shelling seemed endless and kept up until twenty-five hundred Confederate reinforcements, sent by General Leonidas Polk, arrived and the battle began again."
"The call for retreat sounded in short order, and the exhausted Union forces abandoned the cannons and scrambled for the river with only what they could carry in their hands.
"With the Confederate forces close behind, they barely made it to the boats. The men stampeded, shoved at one another, and fought to get on a boat—any boat. There would be no formations. Every man boarded whatever vessel stood before him when he emerged from the forest."
"Running at full steam, the boats headed upriver. For protection, the gunboats— firing as quickly as possible—brought up the rear. The turn into the Ohio River brought murmurs of relief from the men still standing. The boats safely delivered what was left of the five regiments back to Cairo. Taylor wondered how many had been lost in the three miles of swamp and thick woods and didn’t make the boats. He heard one colonel tell another that Grant, himself, avoided capture by a narrow margin."
"In spite of having gained no ground and experiencing the loss of over a hundred men, Grant declared the attack a Union success. In doing so, he drew the attention of Abraham Lincoln, who was fed up with generals who wouldn’t fight."
............
D'Arcy was discovering her new world, already very cold. There was six inches of snow on ground, and she ....
May 9, 2016
Great book except for the abrupt ending
Terrible ending
It stops too abruptly and then starts book 2 but there is no ending . why does it say book 2?
Terrible ending
It stops too abruptly and then starts book 2 but there is no ending . why does it say book 2?
November 17, 2017
D'Arcy Curran: The Currans, Book One (The Manhattan Stories 5)
High strung D'Arcy Curran is the young sister of Suzanne and she feels a sense of competition to be as beautiful as her older sister. When Suzanne and her betrothed Jonathan Taylor share one night of passion, D'Arcy is there to keep her sister's secret. Jonathan goes off to fight in the Civil War and Suzanne doesn't tell him about her pregnancy.
He returns from the war injured, but determined to get married. He learns about the twins when he comes to Detroit and proposes. D'Arcy is resentful and decides to take lil' Aidan (Danny) back home with her to Manhattan, Kansas.
High strung D'Arcy Curran is the young sister of Suzanne and she feels a sense of competition to be as beautiful as her older sister. When Suzanne and her betrothed Jonathan Taylor share one night of passion, D'Arcy is there to keep her sister's secret. Jonathan goes off to fight in the Civil War and Suzanne doesn't tell him about her pregnancy.
He returns from the war injured, but determined to get married. He learns about the twins when he comes to Detroit and proposes. D'Arcy is resentful and decides to take lil' Aidan (Danny) back home with her to Manhattan, Kansas.
June 2, 2017
Great series
I love the way the writer weaves history into the story and makes her characters and their feelings so real. I'm ready for book 2.
I love the way the writer weaves history into the story and makes her characters and their feelings so real. I'm ready for book 2.
January 12, 2018
Good Read
This was a quick and easy book to read. The details of the war and life in Detroit were written in an informative way and added to the tale.
This was a quick and easy book to read. The details of the war and life in Detroit were written in an informative way and added to the tale.
July 1, 2018
Another Good Story
I loved this book. I am enjoying this series so much! Well written and the history aspect is so interesting.
I loved this book. I am enjoying this series so much! Well written and the history aspect is so interesting.
January 18, 2019
Very good read
I enjoyed this book very much, well planned with lots of history included. The time line and story line are great.
I enjoyed this book very much, well planned with lots of history included. The time line and story line are great.
January 25, 2020
Good
Not as good as her other books,drags a little. Character are not as complex and I interesting. But will read all her books.
Not as good as her other books,drags a little. Character are not as complex and I interesting. But will read all her books.
Read
January 27, 2020Good read. Made me ready to read the next book in the series immediately!
March 10, 2017
Two sisters different as the day is long!!
Must I found this book very interesting and full of love and hate by two sisters. The older one Suzanne is very much a lady and the youngest D'Arcy is a spitfire of a lass. The two of them together give the story a great read, set before the Civil War and after. If you like stories of family then you'll love this one. I give it a 5 star rating
Must I found this book very interesting and full of love and hate by two sisters. The older one Suzanne is very much a lady and the youngest D'Arcy is a spitfire of a lass. The two of them together give the story a great read, set before the Civil War and after. If you like stories of family then you'll love this one. I give it a 5 star rating
February 8, 2017
Civil war drama ,one family's journey.
Book one of two about a family's coping with the civil war era. The story had its share of twists and turns. The characters are well defined.D'arcy the younger sister provides a lot of the dialogue the story as seen through her eyes and thoughts.the author truly brings her to life,sometimes too well.i ended up on several occasions wanting to reach in and shake her. The cliff hanger at the end makes reading book two almost a necessity ...
Book one of two about a family's coping with the civil war era. The story had its share of twists and turns. The characters are well defined.D'arcy the younger sister provides a lot of the dialogue the story as seen through her eyes and thoughts.the author truly brings her to life,sometimes too well.i ended up on several occasions wanting to reach in and shake her. The cliff hanger at the end makes reading book two almost a necessity ...
September 3, 2016
Loved this book! It moved right along, and to a certain extent, it kept me guessing...wondering what was going to happen next with the two sisters. Can hardly wait to start Book 2.
Loved this book. I had a tough time putting it down. It moved right along, keeping me guessing and at the same time wondering what was going to happen next. Have to go... I'm in a hurry to get to Book 2.
Loved this book. I had a tough time putting it down. It moved right along, keeping me guessing and at the same time wondering what was going to happen next. Have to go... I'm in a hurry to get to Book 2.
January 12, 2017
I started books by Donna Foley Mabry with her book Maude and enjoyed it so much have gone on to read The Manhattan Series, this was book 5 and I've already downloaded the next one. I have really enjoyed her writing and the weaving of the characters from the decades in the little town of Manhattan, Kansas.
October 9, 2016
D'Racy Curran
Another good book from Donna Mabry this one about the feisty young D'Arcy Curran. I look forward to the next book in The Currans, Book Two (The Manhattan Stories 6). If you enjoyed the other books in the Manhattan Stories don't miss this one.
Another good book from Donna Mabry this one about the feisty young D'Arcy Curran. I look forward to the next book in The Currans, Book Two (The Manhattan Stories 6). If you enjoyed the other books in the Manhattan Stories don't miss this one.
January 29, 2017
Patient love
This I had to read straight through. I admire d how the main character wanted to experience life on the farm in all it challenges. She wasn't afraid to work hard..she loved hard too and was smart enough to get what she wanted.
This I had to read straight through. I admire d how the main character wanted to experience life on the farm in all it challenges. She wasn't afraid to work hard..she loved hard too and was smart enough to get what she wanted.
June 24, 2016
A hit
One of the best writers around.the plot is great and she really can pull it together.life is full of ups and down and that's how she writes. True to life.thanks Donna
One of the best writers around.the plot is great and she really can pull it together.life is full of ups and down and that's how she writes. True to life.thanks Donna
July 14, 2016
(Kindle Unlimited) Very disappointing.
January 28, 2017
Another great book by this author
Onto book two... Looking forward to the rest of the series. Great historical references. It takes you back in time.
Onto book two... Looking forward to the rest of the series. Great historical references. It takes you back in time.
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