Before The Creeks Ran Red
Before the Creeks Ran Red by Carolyn Reeder.
Focusing on life in the Civil War, this book uniquely covers three people’s life’s set in different time periods during the war. Each person’s life is uniquely told in third person, covering the hard ways that life is treating them. Striving to make an everlasting impression on either their family, friends, or militia unit, these three young men’s life focus current events of the Civil War, mixed in with a bit of drama of their own.
In Timothy Donovan’s Story, the story is told of a young boy no older than fourteen serving as a bugler in the local militia unit. After being outsmarted numerous times by his friend, Norris, Timothy often thought that he in fact could be smarter, but chose not to listen to many of the conversations going on. This story focuses on the Charleston Harbor, from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter. After having to change location due to the election of President Lincoln, the story covers all of the hardships of living in an unfinished Fort. Not to mention the ongoing feud between Timothy and Hanson, which eventually leads to an agreeable friendship that leaves them both at peace. Following the historical events of the bombardment of Fort Sumter and the retreat of the Union soldiers, this story does not leave out the tiniest detail, even mentioning several times the low provision rate that has started to become a problem.
In Joseph Schwartz’s Story, the story is told of a young boy who comes from a poor family. He is attending one of the schools for rich boys on a scholarship, and wishes to fit in with the others. The only problem is that he and his family are Unionist, where as everyone else isn’t. He is finally accepted by one of the boys, but has to lie to him about being a Secessionist. In the end, the others find out that he is a Unionist, and turn to ignoring him altogether. He would have kept at least one friend, had it not been for him lying. In the end, he becomes friends with another boy, who is also a Unionist. This story also covers the acts of secession by Maryland, and provides us views on the invasion of the Union troops.
In Gregory Howard’s Story, the story is told of a young boy no older than thirteen that has differing views with his father. Although his mother and two sisters are Secessionist as well, his father remains a Unionist. This story follows the events following the invasion of Virginia by Union troops, including the deaths of many people. Union soldiers simply enter houses, demanding to be feed, and taking items dear to everyone’s heart. Many people flee from these cruel actions, but Gregory’s father refuses to leave, and they endure the cruelty of the Antebellum period. The only protection they hold is an American flag hanging from the upstairs window that his father insisted upon hanging, but that does not stop his father from sending Gregory and his sister to their Aunt’s farm for safety.
In conclusion of this book, it covers the time before the Civil War, which may have seemed horrible to some. Unfairness seeped through the air, and the scent of death was faint, yet more to come. The cruel treatment of women by soldiers only begins to get covered, but so many other actions by them are covered through and through, making you wonder if they really are fighting for the better, or simply abusing their status. Life was hard before the Civil War, and it could only get worse during. Yet people did not give up hope, and remained strong even in the toughest situations, which may have lead to the death of certain people.
