There are a few books about women soldiers geared towards young readers. Courageous Women of the Civil War by Melinda Cordell comes to mind, as does I'll Pass for Your Comrade by Anita Silvey. Both books are suitable for youngsters around ten to twelve years old, and I thought both were well done and include information that adults would find interesting and useful.
A new addition to this genre is a forthcoming book, Guts for Glory, that introduces youthful readers to Rosetta Wakeman who fought as "Lyons Wakeman" with the 153rd New York Infantry. The publisher recently sent me an advanced copy of this work, authored and beautifully illustrated by Joanna Lapati. At 52 pages, it is perhaps more appropriate for readers younger than those who peruse the works mentioned above.
Lapati relays to readers why and how Rosetta disguised herself in order to join the army. And I was impressed with the way she did so. For instance, she says that Wakeman "clutched a pair of shears in one hand, took a deep breath....and cut off her braid," which effectively depicts how difficult it must have been for these women to cut their hair. I can actually relate as I took that same deep breath when I had my long hair lopped off as I donned the uniform as a woman soldier reenactor. Lapati goes on to describe a breeze that "tickled her neck." Such a simple depiction, yet illustrative and impressive. In a time when women had long hair, what kind of a reaction such a common event as feeling the wind on a bare neck must have elicited. Surely, it must have aroused the senses in a way that we take for granted, and something I honestly had not considered before.
One impressive illustration demonstrated the different arms positions that Rosetta would have executed during drill with the names written above the depictions. It is a thoughtful and helpful addition.
It's not just the author's words that comprise the account. Lapati allows Wakeman to tell her own story as she weaves small portions of her correspondences into the narrative with images of the actual letters set as a background on the pages.
The story ends with the Battle of Pleasant Hill, part of the Red River Campaign. Following are two helpful glossaries, a timeline, and more information, including a note of Rosetta's ultimate fate of succumbing to disease in a New Orleans hospital.
Also helpful and intriguing is an explanation of Lapati's artistic methods she used to illustrate her book along with an author's note in which she details her personal journey of discovering Rosetta and her sister soldiers in addition to Lapati's own ventures into Civil War reenacting as a soldier in the ranks.
I do want to make a slight clarification of a statement she makes in her author's note section. She says, "[Wakeman] is the only female soldier whose letters represent a woman's point of view during the Civil War." This is not entirely true. There are many letters written by women that give a woman's point of view - from the civilian side. What Laptati undoubtedly meant to imply was that Wakeman's letters represent the only woman's point of view as a soldier during the Civil War. And even that isn't true. Other women soldiers wrote letters, including Mary Ann Clark, Almeda Hart, and Fannie Lee, among others. But these are single letters - or at least that survived. Rosetta's letters are the only ones known thus far that comprise a collection of multiple correspondences written by a woman soldier. And thus, we get a better glimpse into the life of distaff soldiers through her writings.
Thanks to my friend, Sheritta Bitikofer, for bringing this book to my attention. You can read her wonderful review [here].
If you have a little history lover in your life, Guts for Glory would be a good way to introduce the youngster to a unique aspect of the Civil War that is typically not taught. The book is set to release on February 27th, and you can purchase a copy [here] or at other retailers.
Until next formation....rest.
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