I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires

Civil War #2

by Cathy Gohlke

The bonds linking family and the lines separating enemies have become very blurry for 17-year-old Robert. With his father away fighting for the Union, Robert must decide to act alone in order to help his ailing mother, extricate his injured Confederate Uncle, and bring relief to his cousin, Emily. When he unwittingly gets entangled in a Confederate escape plot, Robert must forge his anger and shame into a new determination to save his family. And, perhaps, he must also realize that the saving might not be entirely up to him. Honor and duty to God and country aren’t as clear-cut as he hoped them to be.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Civil War, Christian Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction, Romance

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

About the author

Bestselling, Christy Hall of Fame, and Carol and INSPY Award-winning author, Cathy Gohlke writes novels steeped with inspirational lessons, speaking of world and life events through the lens of history. She champions the battle against oppression, celebrating the freedom found only in Christ. Her critically acclaimed novels include Every Given Day, This Promised Land, Ladies of the Lake, A Hundred Crickets Singing, Night Bird Calling, The Medallion (Christy Award), Until We Find Home, Secrets She Kept (Christy Award; Carol Award; INSPY Award); Saving Amelie (INSPY AWARD); Band of Sisters; Promise Me This (listed by Library Journal as one of the Best Books of 2012); I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires (Christy Award, American Christian Fiction Writers Award and listed by Library Journal as one of the Best Books of 2008) and William Henry Is a Fine Name (Christy Award).

Cathy has worked as a school librarian, drama director, and director of children's and education ministries. When not traveling to historic sites for research, she and her husband, Dan, divide their time between Northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, enjoying time with their children and grandchildren. Visit her website at www.cathygohlke.com and find her on Facebook at CathyGohlkeBooks. Follow her on BookBub.

Reviews

[Stephanie Fitzgerald]

I was a bit disappointed that this book, the sequel to “William Henry Is a Fine Name”, was not as good a read as the first one. I didn’t like the plot of this one as much; it wasn’t as interesting to me. However, it did have good details about what the civilians went through during the last two years of the Civil War, in the North and in the South. My favorite part was about the families burying valuables before the soldiers confiscated them. My fifth-grade teacher told my class stories about her great-grandparents who had done that very thing, and that in the passage of time had forgotten where the valuables were stashed, so they were most likely still somewhere on that property! I was fascinated to imagine that! Good childhood memories!

[Kendra Frieden]

I loved this sequel to William Henry is a Fine Name and read it in less than two days. The author captures the heartache and injustice of slavery and the grim reality of war-torn America during the Civil War. She does not gloss over the tragedy or messiness of this conflict but portrays hope and redemption in the midst of the struggle.

[Louise]

“I Have Seen Him In The Watchfires” is the sequel to “William Henry Is A Fine Name” and is just as brilliantly written. This time, instead of traveling north, Robert is traveling south in order to rescue his mother. He is also 5 years older and still an unlisted union soldier.

Robert receives a letter from his cousin Emily begging him to visit her father who was captured during the battle of Gettysburg and is now incarcerated at the Fort Delaware prison on Pea Patch Island. While there he unwittingly becomes involved in a prison escape and is himself captured and treated poorly. Emily’s father, the very man he rode all that way to see, tricked and used him in the escape plan. An elderly couple, who had early assisted Robert, recognize him amongst the prisoners and garners his freedom and sends him on his way again in search of his mother.

Robert is thought to be a Confederate spy on the run and is risking his life at every turn. He is angry with himself for not joining the Union and fighting against slavery when he turned eighteen like he had promised his father, Charles. But Robert soon learns that God’s plan and his are not always the same. Slavery is a terrible thing and comes in many different forms and finally has to learn to be a slave to Jesus Christ before he himself will ever be free. Robert learns “I know the plans I have for you”,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” He realizes he needs hope and a future and “...to trust someone.” That someone is God.

Not only does Robert realize that his beloved country is divided, but so is his own family and he realizes that the rescue just might not be up to him but up to God.

This was a touching, exciting, thought-provoking read and one I would highly recommend to anyone. I’m actually quite sad to see the story end and would have liked a third book to make this a trilogy! Excellent writing, excellent story-line...thank you Mrs. Gohlke!

[Ann]

I'll review this, along with her first book, William Henry is a Fine Name, on my website blog soon. Visit annshorey dot com for my book review blog.

[Sara]

I absolutely loved this book! I read it in three days. I was hooked the whole way through!

It was so beautifully and finely written! As I read this book, I felt like I was transported into the time and place of the story. I could smell and feel the seasons. I didn’t just picture the events that were being told, I was pulled into the events. I experienced the prison, the hospital camp, the storms, the fear, the love, and everything else that Robert and his companions experienced.

In the last fourth of the book, there is so much strong and beautiful Christian spiritual truth. Robert’s encounter with and surrender to the Lord was so moving to read. I felt like I was experiencing it with him. Robert’s spiritual transformation at the end challenged and encouraged me in a powerful way in my own spiritual life. The ending was so beautiful that I literally cried! Now that I’ve finished the book, I find myself missing the story and the characters (my friends!) so deeply!

[Cindi]

Deeply moving conclusion to the two book series. I am sad to have this story end. It really stirred my emotions.

Extremely well written and the characters came to life. The spiritual message was woven into the storyline seamlessly and was so uplifting.

I'll admit that I put off reading these books since they are categorized as YA. The only reason I decided to read them is because I have read everything else by this author and wanted more. I'm so thankful, as I devoured them. I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires is so touching and realistic, showing the tragedy of war as well as how important friendship and faith are.

I highly recommend this book as well as William Henry is a Fine Name to anyone that enjoys the Civil War era and accurate historical fiction.

[BELLE B. GFB :)]

I loved this book so much! The whole story really broke my heart. I loved all of the connections to the first book and somehow, the book found a way to break my heart even when some of my least favorite people died. I loved how beautifully Cathy taught a Christian story along with all the heartbreak. The book taught that even when your whole world may fall apart Jesus will always be with you and if you accept him, he’ll give you a peace that passes all understanding. This book was so beautifully written and I am not ashamed to say that it was the first book that I have ever cried at while reading.
Cathy Gohlke- Thank you for another beautiful story to challenge me in my faith :)

[Elizabeth]

I loved the prequel to this book, William Henry Is A Fine Name, and was so excited to read this one. However, I did not like this one very much. It was honestly so depressing! I am used to reading books centered around war, but this book seemed to really be filled only with heavy themes and suspense. It also seemed to go on and on and felt like thr particular storyline was never going to resolve.

I also didn't like that they kind of changed the direction of the first book. I felt like it didn't really fit. It was almost like they wrote the second book and decided to change the story of the first one, to rethink everything. It was just odd to me.

[Pauline]

This is the second in the Civil War series. Plan to read it directly after William Henry is a Fine Name because you will want to finish the story and you won't sleep until you know the end. It continues from the Underground Railroad into the Civil War. It focuses on the challenges of living and surviving during the Civil War. I found it leading the reader to ponder the questions Robert faces throughout his ordeals. For this second book in the series, I will again say it captivates you, transports you, and takes you on a wild ride. Another "must read" of Cathy Gohlke's excellent books.

[Elaine]

I'm still finding books from my own bookshelves to read. This book was from the civil war era. Families against families, brother fought against brother. What a horrible war.

Robert receives a letter from his cousin Emily asking him to help her Confederate father, a prisoner of war and help his estranged mother who fled to the south. Along the way, he is wrongly accused of being a spy and is able to escape other dangers to find his mother.

[Leash]

Cathy Gohlke did it again. It’s nice to read a different historical time period novel from her. This is such a wonderful novel about the power of God’s faithfulness. God never abandoned His People, even though they may feel He has.

I love the friendship between Wooster and Robert. It amazed me how committed Wooster was to becoming friends with Robert. Both of them have a good friendship journey that is worth reading.

[Lana]

“I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires” is Cathy Gohlke’s sequel to “William Henry is a Fine Name”.

I have thoroughly loved these two Christian HF novels, about life during the civil war, and have become a HUGE fan of Cathy Gohlke. Her writing style is so like one of my all-time favorite Christian authors, Francine Rivers.

These two novels were as deeply moving and intense as Laila Ibrahim’s HF novels, also set during the civil war / post civil war era, “Yellow Crocus” and “Mustard Seed”.

I wholeheartedly recommend Cathy Gohlke and Laila Ibrahim’s books to everyone who is an avid reader of Civil War HF novels.

[Suzanne Roq]

I was definitely not ready for William Henry to end so I was quite happy to slide right into this sequel. This story is fairly complicated but I think CG does a great job keeping the storyline straight.
Content considerations: slavery, civil war atrocities

[Ashley Moore]

Another home run by Cathy Gohlke. I always learn so much. She has a way with words. Very poetic voice. I also appreciate that her love stories are beautiful, and not cheesy. They're not the main point of the novel.

[Best Chapter Ever]

This book is such a perfect follow up to William Henry. It is emotional, heart, wrenching, gripping, and beautiful in so many ways. I'm so glad the author decided to write the story and bring Robert's and Emily's stories to where she did. I highly recommend this book!

[Carol Birch]

Had to read this after I finished the first one. Read it in about 24 hours and boy, what an ending. Many surprises along the way as Robert, now 18 searches for his cousin and his mother in the south during the Civil War.

[Melody]

Even better than the first.

[Teresa Merriman]

Couldn’t put it down!

[Karen]

Interesting story line. I am always saddened by stories of the "Old South" and the Civil War. The lives of the people were so hard during that time - unimaginable.

[Debbie C]

Enjoyed this series of two immensely!

[Rosaury Vlz]

Grat book!

[Roberta]

Excellent

[Marlee B]

Some reviews said they didn’t like this one as much as the first, but I thought it was a well written follow up book. I enjoyed learning more about Robert & his family.

[Sara]

Ok, so first of all I would like to point out that when I registered to win this book I was unaware that it is by a religious writer (whether that be my fault for not clearly reading the synopsis or the person who listed this giveaway not making sure the fact is visibly noted, I'm not sure). Either way, had I been aware of that fact, I would not have registred for this book.

That being said, I did win this book, and because I follow the rules, I read it. Though "I Have Seen Him in the Watchfire" was fairly well written, I have to assume this book was geared more towards the young adult group. While the storyline is good, the main character, Robert, seems to lack emotional maturity. Also, while the book is set in the middle of the Civil War, the greatest conflict ever to touch this country, the writer seems to gloss over anything involving the actual war itself.

The premise of the book is that Robert, a 17-going on 18-year old is living in a Northern state, while his mother had gone back to her family home in the south several years prior to the beginning of the war and his father has recently joined the Union army. He promises his father that he will not enlist until he turns 18. When he is 17, he receives a letter from his cousin in the South (whom he, incidentally, is in love with) requesting that he visit his uncle who is being held in a Union prisoner camp. During these visits, his uncle is able to help his men plan an escape from the camp before he dies, and Robert is taken away with them. He is left behind in town with a sympathetic family and a crippled Confederate soldier named Wooster. While Robert is dilirious with fever, Wooster smuggles them out of town before they can be found. They end up in a Confederate army hospital, only to find the Captain who left them for dead is on his way. Again, they manage to leave just in the nick of time, heading south to bring Wooster home and Robert to his family.

I say many things about the war are glossed over because, while there is no actual fighting--Robert is not actually a soldier, Wooster recalls his time in the battle of Gettysburg with so little emotion that its very difficult to beleive he was actually there. And Robert, who we learn helped smuggle a slave boy from his grandfather's plantation, just does not seem to have the emotional maturity at 17 of someone who would actually have done such a thing.

The story plods along, while we listen to the thoughts going through Robert's head, witnessing him narrowly escape capture several times, only to find himself finally with his mother who is in the throws of a mental breakdown. Or is it some sort of disease like Alzheimer's? I have no idea. Her mind is confused and she wanders in and out of the present like someone who may have that, but its very hard to tell where the writer was going with that. Suffice it to day, mom has issues. This then leads Robert to have his Glorious Epiphany about how he should just trust in God and do whatever it is God has set before him to do (because we didn't see that coming at all).

The most realistic portion of the entire novel is witnessing the mental breakdown of Robert's mother. The rest is not especially believable--Wooster's account of the Gettysburg battles, the potential of being captured again and again--mostly because its very hard to form an emotional attachment to these characters. I spent the entire book watching from afar rather than being in the story with the characters. All in all, some people would enjoy this book, but its not one that I will be referring to friends or my book club.

[Jill Williamson]

Slavery comes in many forms.

I couldn’t wait to read the sequel to William Henry is a Fine Name, and Cathy Gohlke didn’t disappoint. I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires hooked me from page one.

Not yet eighteen (which is old enough to enlist) Robert Glover bides his time at home in Maryland. Pa has gone off to the Civil War and his mother has been living the past five years at her childhood home in North Carolina. A letter from Robert’s cousin, Emily, begs he visit her father, a Confederate colonel who’d been captured during the battle of Gettysburg. Unbeknownst to Robert, her father uses him to pass secret information to his men, helping them escape the prison.

Now thought to be a Confederate spy, Robert is on the run. He heads for North Carolina, hoping to get to his mother and cousin and be of use. But war has ravaged the land, and Robert is in danger at every turn. He berates himself for not joining the Union and fighting against slavery like his Pa and other young men his age, but he learns that his plans are not always God’s plans. As Robert cheats death again and again, he discovers slavery comes in many forms and only by becoming a slave to Christ will he ever be truly free.

Very highly recommended.

[Kirsten]

4.5 stars
While still an excellent read, it doesn’t get a full 5 stars because it lacks some of the personality of its predecessor.
Robert is all grown up and ready to enlist in the Union army, or so he thinks. A simple mission to extract his mother and cousin turns into capture, escape, sickness, and new friendships.
Robert matures even more in this story. He still struggles with bitterness and selfishness, but circumstances and people he encounters help him grow. He has a powerful conversion and learns to trust the Lord too.
I love the side characters of Katie Frances, Rev Goforth, and Wooster.
I feel like I would have loved a longer book, with half of it being told from Emily’s perspective. She is such a strong character.
The subplot about Robert’s mom makes me so sad. 😥
I love Civil War history, and this is an interesting perspective on it, because Robert never actually serves. He encounters both Rebs and Yankees, and he makes friends with both. He realizes that not everything is black and white.
I love this series and while the epilogue is satisfying, I would have loved for it to continue on into Reconstruction with Robert & Emily’s story.

[LeAnne]

This sequel to William Henry is a fine Name is equally well written. Robert is five years older and makes a new friend who is a Confederate soldier. The author seems to make a point of keeping him a non-combatant, sympathizing with the abolition of slavery, but never actually enlisting in the Union army. I think I would have been more comfortable with this if she had made him a Quaker who struggles with pacifism in the face of injustice on both sides. As it is, she seems to be trying so hard to bring out the good and bad of both sides in the war, that neither is really effective. Parts of the plot seemed contrived to prolong the journey and give opportunity to portray yet another aspect of the Civil War. I enjoyed revisiting some of the people Robert met on his trip north in the first book as he now travels south to rescue his mother. The resolution of her story is both tragic and inevitable for a 'happy' ending. That and some of the other content is pretty strong, not suitable for younger readers.

[Diane]

This was a second book in a sequel, but it can be read out of order if you have not read the first.

Robert is a young man who has wanted to join the fight for his country during the Civil War but has kept his promise to his father to stay and help with the farm while his father has gone off to fight. He receives a letter from his cousin begging him to visit her father who is in prison having been captured in the battle at Gettysburg.

When visiting his Uncle he is tricked into helping with a prison break. He finds himself then on the run for his life and is angry with himself for not joining the army and fighting against slavery like his father and others that he knows.

In all of this he learns what if means by Honor and duty to God and Country really means. Sometimes we just don't understand what is expected of us and if we are doing what we should.

I found this really a wonderful book and read. Would recommend it.

[Vennie]

I very much enjoyed Ms. Gohlke's writing style, and although the subject being slavery is enough to infuriate anyone with a heart, the story was well written and made a point. William Henry and his grandmother are two characters who will not be forgotten quickly. They are slaves on Robert's grandfather farm . Robert is a 13 years old in 1859 and is best friend's with William Henry. Miz Laura, is a woman after my own heart. She will fight for what she believes to be true, and she does this through prayer and standing her ground against the white library ladies.
The story has many charming spots and also many heartbreaking parts, as is life even today. Without giving away the story and it's plot it is enough to say that it is a good read and I believe you will enjoy it if you give it a try.

[Rebecca]

This was a book that I pulled off the shelf at the library, buzzed the back, and tossed it in the pile to read. Did not realize until I was about 2/3 of the way through the book that it was Christian fiction (right about the time Robert has his big revelation) I'm not normally a reader of Christian fiction as in general I've found most of it to be heavy on prayer and thin on plot but Gohlke weaves an amazing tale that transcends the genre. While we don't actually get to meet Emily until the latter part of the book I found her character especially compelling and was happy to see such a strong female character. I found the ending to be a little too tidy and perfect (and is the reason it's 4 stars instead of 5) but overall a great read.