Notes from a Deserter

<h4 class=ql-align-center><em style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>A Civil War farmer's harrowing odyssey from battle to desertion ends in tragedy revealing the era's tumultuous spirit through a series of poignant vignettes.</em></h4><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>William Henry Howe a modest farmer leaves his pregnant wife Hannah and their small family behind in pursuit of a soldier's stipend and honor. Joining the Pennsylvania 116th regiment Howe's journey reveals a nation and culture in turmoil. Each chapter of his story is punctuated by letters to Hannah written to bridge the void of his absence as war and the seasons progress.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>During the brutal winter siege of Fredericksburg Howe weakened by dysentery fights valiantly in a devastating defeat emerging as one of the few survivors. As his superior officers retreat to Philadelphia to regroup and overwhelmed medical facilities crumble Howe embarks on a grueling 275-mile journey home to Perkiomenville to recover.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Upon returning to his rural family life local bounty hunters descended on the small town seeking a reward for capturing deserters. A failed attempt leads to the death of one bounty hunter and Howe's imprisonment. Torn from his young family once more Howe is tried convicted and on August 26 1864 becomes the only soldier hanged for desertion at Fort Mifflin. His body rejected by the local graveyard is finally laid to rest in the family plot where one last letter was left for the widowed Hanna.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>A gripping short story cycle </span><em style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Notes From a Deserter </em><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>uses a shifting point of view to explore themes of duty sacrifice and the cost of war on individuals and communities. It's a moving collection of stories that captures the essence of a nation and its people in crisis while highlighting the tragic and profound impact on one Pennsylvania family.</span></p>