An intimate portrait of Charlie Dickey and his service

during the American Civil War, based on his real-life

experiences as General Sherman’s bugler, part of

General Grant’s escort and fighting behind fence

rows with African American troops.

Historical Fiction

Website: A Soldier's Friend.

By Georgiann Baldino

T. Lyle Dickey, Charlie’s father, practiced law with

Abraham Lincoln.

Interior of Fort Sumter in April 1861 after its surrender by U.S. garrison

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After Fort Sumter

fell, four men in

the Dickey family

enlisted in the

Union army.

Junction of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers

Charlie joined

Union forces

encamped at

Cairo, Illinois.

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To get near

Fort Henry by

land meant

moving

through wild,

hilly country

filled with

heavy timber.

Admiral Foote’s Navy

led the assault, and Fort Henry

fell to the Union February 6, 1862.

Grant consolidated forces for the next

assault on Fort Donelson.

Confederate batteries guarded the river.

Charlie blew the call “Boots and Saddles”

and managed to get to his horse.

A roar of musketry surrounded Shiloh Church

Diorama from Shiloh National Battlefield, photo by Georgiann Baldino

Sherman posted his men in the right positions

Ulysses S. Grant,

standing alongside

his war horse, "Cincinnati"

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Charlie served in

General Grant’s

escort

for a time.

Direct assaults failed, and

Grant settled in for a siege.

In 1863, Union forces moved on Vicksburg.

African-American Troops proved

themselves in battle.

Women faced

hardships of war

without husbands,

sons, brothers

or lovers.

Copyright 2014 Georgiann Baldino

all rights reserved.

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Journal of a Cavalry Bugler

available for Apple devices,

Nook, from other fine e-

book retailers and coming

April 11, 2014,

to Amazon in paperback

and Kindle.