Despite my hectic schedule, I am continuing to move along on my book about Confederate encampments in the Spotsylvania region. This piece is requiring a lot of prep-work, but I am enjoying it tremendously as it will be a different kind of publication from what I usually do. The end goal is to create a valuable collection of insights that can appeal to both the casual reader and the enthusiast. Each chapter opens with a 500-600 word narrative by me presenting a detailed overview w/ supporting letters and accounts to follow. Here are the current topics (in no particular order) based upon the quality and quantity of transcripts I have to support each section:

• Religious Services (Camp chaplains and prayer meetings)
• Camp Dining (Food types, distribution and messes)
• Crime and Punishment (Execution of deserters, court-martials, humiliations)
• Disease and Dysentery (Death, sickness and poor conditions)
• Slaves and Servants (Black cooks, body servants and teamsters)
• Baseball Games (Recreation during down times, game recollections)
• Winter Quarters (Cabin construction, snowball fights and weather issues)
• Love Letters Home (Sweethearts, wives and last communications)
• Civilian Memoirs (Security, soldier assistance and local ‘friendly’ troops)
• Monuments (VA Roadside Markers in area marking major camp locations)

If anyone can think of any other topic that might fit this work, please feel free to let me know. As this is a title for The History Press' American Chronicles Series I have a word count, but would like to add some more topics that I may be missing. Remember, this covers ONLY Confederate camp experiences in the Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania area and adjacent counties. Thanks in advance for any ideas.