Another Small Coincidence

Time and time again, small coincidences occur during the course of my research into the lives and military service records of soldiers.

This morning, for example, I began to search for information about Dennis Edwin Barnes, a captain in the Ninety-third New York Infantry killed in action at the Battle of the Wilderness. I easily located genealogical records and other basic facts, and then found the mailing address (no Web site) for his hometown historical society in Minerva. I decided to send a letter. I typed in today’s date, August 22, then stopped and checked my notes. Today is Capt. Barnes’ birthday — the 180th anniversary of his birth.

Help Identify the Unknowns

For every one identified soldier photograph in existence, there are scores of images of unidentified men in uniform. Occasionally I am able to identify one of these unknowns — usually stumbling across an image as I pursue research on another soldier who is identified.

To help increase the odds of putting together names and faces, a new feature makes its debut on the site today: Unknown Soldiers: Can You Identify Them? Please spend some time perusing the thirty-image gallery. Please use the email link on each gallery page if you make a connection.

This is not an original idea. Civil War Mysteries has been around since 2000, and features numerous unidentified photos.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Fall 2008

This is the tentative release date for the book! I requested and received this information yesterday, and it will help me to plan accordingly. I also learned that the working title has changed to "Faces of the Confederacy," to distinguish it from "Faces of the Civil War."

Whirlwind Weekend

On Friday afternoon I received most welcome news: The JHUP senior manuscript editor who did such a fine job on the first book, and with whom I had a great working relationship, is assigned to this project. I cannot stress how important the editing phase of the project is, and how critical it is to have the right people on the job. I couldn’t be comfortable and pleased with this development.

Friday’s news resulted in a schedule change: Instead of turning in the print and digital copies by August 15, I had to send off everything by yesterday morning. So, I spent most of the weekend preparing all of the necessary text and image files, and made deadline!

Publishing Agreement Received

The contract from The Johns Hopkins University Press arrived in yesterday’s mail. Anne left it on the kitchen counter, where we leave incoming mail. I didn’t open it for about two hours, as I enjoyed the feeling of just knowing that it was in the house.

Finally, curiosity got the better of me, and I carefully opened the large envelope. The Publishing Agreement is very similar to the one received for Union Faces. Part six of the four-page document is of immediate interest to me: The delivery of the manuscript. Due by August 15 is the final version, submitted in both print and electronic formats.

The due date is not a surprise. The assistant preparing the contract emailed me a couple days ago, and asked me when I planned to send the manuscript.

This agreement marks a definite turning point: Up until now, I’ve worked on my own, and on my schedule. After August 15, the manuscript will be on a production, marketing, advertising and sales track.

Lots of work ahead — and I’m looking forward to digging in!