Bøger af Gerald W. Fischer

Usually, when people think about "guerrilla activity" during the Civil War, the border conflicts between Kansas and Missouri come to mind, enhanced by tales of Quantrill's Raiders and Bloody Bill Anderson preying upon innocent townsfolk and civilians. However, guerrilla forces roamed throughout the border states and beyond throughout the entire war, and similar tales can be found in Kentucky, the Virginias, and other areas at a time when loyalties could be found for both North and South. This is especially true for the "Heartland of Kentucky", roughly defined by the Pennyroyal and Bluegrass regions in the central/west-central areas of the state -- an area declared "neutral" to the conflict but important to both sides. Guerrilla Warfare in Civil War Kentucky explores the real guerrilla fighters of the region, their exploits and their eventual demise, along with some of the infamous "lawmen and soldiers" assigned to bring them to justice.

For more than 175 years, many folks who wander the woods near Battletown, Kentucky have seen the ghost of Leah Smock, who was burned as a witch at the age of 22 in August 1840. Enveloped in a purple glow, her spirit stands beside her grave, wearing a long white robe...her black hair flowing as if in blown by the wind. Battletown Witch tells the story of Leah Smock, the legend of her supernatural powers and death at the hands of neighboring families. It also tells about the socioeconomic environment of the area in which she lived and died, and as much as is known about her family, death and afterlife. The book also explores the evolution of witchcraft from early beliefs, superstitions and cultures across the world, primarily in Europe, and how these beliefs influenced life in the early American colonies. Battletown Witch is a fascinating look at how fear of witchcraft and community gossip led to the death of a country girl nearly two centuries ago, and how her legend still lives today.