Works In Progress
Kelly Steed, Speculative Fiction Author Newsletter
Nonfiction Updated May 2008
On The Eve of War, Reflections of a Civil War Soldier Edward Michael Watson
By Kelly Steed
Here's to the soldier, though battered in wars,
And safe to his farm-house retired;
When called by his country, ne'er thinks of his scars.
With ardor to join us inspired.
Bright fame appears,
Trophies uprear (sic).
To veteran chiefs who became Volunteers.
--Henry Archer, 1780
Military History
Marquette, MI: 1898
This is the story of Captain Edward Michael Watson of the 1st. and 9th. Michigan Cavalry Regiments, who on the eve of the Spanish American War tells his son Edward (Ned) Clement Watson, who has just enlisted to fight, about his war experiences.
My relationship with Edward actually began back in 1985 when I was a student at Northern Michigan University. As a history major, one of our required courses was Historical Thinking and Writing. The major portion of our grade was to come from a local history term paper. The research was to be done at the Marquette County Historical Society's J. M. Longyear Research Library.
Needless
to say I was less than thrilled! Marquette is the largest
city in the Upper Peninsula so I had visions of finding only documents pertaining
to mining and the timber industries. Not carrying an interest in the
history of these industries, you can imagine
I pictured writing the paper to be a big drool-dripping snore fest.
To my surprise, I discovered a collection of transcribed letters that a Civil
War Cavalry officer had written to his family; and I love my soldiers!
His letters were just filled with information about camp life, his fellow
soldiers and the battles they participated in. When I got to the end of
his letters, I was disappointed to discover that some of his 1864 letters were
missing. Through the historical society, I met his
92-year-old niece Phyllis Rankin, a retired librarian, who told me many wonderful stories about him. I
absolutely fell in love with Edward and subsequently wrote a 40-page
term paper. (It wasn't supposed to be that long!)
I always knew that I wanted to write a book about Edward; but it was too large a project to take on while still in college. I went back to Marquette on research junket in 2004 to once again take up the project and happily discovered that his descendents had donated copies of the missing letters. In fact, the library hadn't got the rather large box of documents they had received on the Watson family catalogued yet. Interesting coincidence, wouldn't you say?
Thanks to the Marquette Historical Society I also have contact with Edward's descendants, an unexpected boon indeed!
As I was developing the outline for the manuscript, using my term paper as the basis, I was uncertain as to whether I should classify this book as historical fiction or military history. I wanted to present it as Edward's recollections to his son, which meant some conversations had to be created. This article is what resulted: History Vs. Historical Fiction and Alternative History. (Note the debate still rages on. I think I'm going to let the reenacted 1st. Michigan Cavalry make the decision. Edward would have wanted that.)
(Note also the Alternative History part was added for the sci-fi authors and fans who read my newsletter to explain the difference between this project and the one that follows.)
Progress Stage: Updated
As of 2008, I'm still doing research and hoping to visit some of the sites associated with his military service.
This summer Richard and I are planning to visit the Buffington Island Battlefield where Edward fought as a Captain in the 9th Michigan Cavalry. We are also planning to attend Civil War Days at Fort Wayne Detroit to see the Michigan Cavalry Brigade one of the units they're reenacting is the 1st. Michigan Cavalry from later in the war. I will be posting pictures on the website.
Marquette County History Museum
J. M. Longyear Research Library
Civil War Rosters Michigan: Ancestor Search
National Park Service Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System
Fort Wayne Detroit, MI: While Edward was never stationed here, many Michigan Military men passed through it. My father took his physical here when he was going into the Air Force during the Vietnam War. The Fort is now crumbling write to the state and beg them to preserve it. Michigan has lost so many of its historical landmarks don't let the state loose another!
Save Fort Wayne Webpage: This page has information on how to contact government officials to get them involved in this very worthy project.
Fiction
Past Through The Ice
by Kelly Steed
Michigan's Tribute to Kentucky
This Monument is dedicated to the
Memory of the heroes who
Lost their lives in our country's defense
In the
Battle and Massacre of the River Raisin
January 22nd. and 23rd. 1813
Erected by the State of Michigan
-1974-
Monroe, MI
Alternative History
Monroe, Michigan: 2013 ---- Frenchtown, Michigan Territory: 1813
Author Note: Past is about the Battle of the River Raisin during the War of 1812. The book opens with a ghostly encounter that actually happened to yours truly and my college roommate Mickie. Later in the book there is a flashback to an earlier encounter that occurred during the Old Frenchtown Days Re-enactment. My husband Richard was with me. Both happened on the battlefield in Monroe, Michigan.
Progress Stage:
As of 2007, Past is still being researched. A preliminary plot has been outlined.
Explore the Places in the Novel:
River Raisin Battlefield Visitor Center
Ohio Arts & Sports Facilities Commission- State Historical Facilities
Articles:
Remember the River Raisin by Roger L. Rosentreter (NEW)
