Ellen B. Alden

Author of Yours Faithfully, Florence Burke

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A window into the past reveals Irish love, bravery, and resilience…

June 13, 2016 by Ellen Alden Leave a Comment

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Now that my book is released and the book launch is just days away, I wanted to give a “sneak peak” into the letters that my Irish immigrant ancestor wrote to his wife and children…His words are heartfelt and genuine. His motivation for joining the war was not political nor for personal pride; it was to benefit his family. Florence Burke joined the Union Army as a “substitute.” In other words he took the draft of a wealthy man in exchange for cash and a plot of land. He made a desperate gamble because he knew that owning land would be a life-changer for his family. Did his gamble pay off? (You’ll have to read the book to find out!)

Here are a few excerpts from his original letters:

March 4th
“In earnest I have commenced the life of a soldier. We were forced to march quick time eighteen miles to a place called James City where we bivouacked at night in an open lot. It is there that I slept under the stars, wondering if you or the boys were looking up at the same brilliant sky.” Same letter…
“On my arrival to camp I found a letter from you containing your well-known features and that of the children. Mingled tears of joy and sadness welled up to my eyes. Joy at seeing through the medium of a picture the features of those I hold so near and dear to my heart, but sadness to think they were not true nature itself that they might speak to cheer my drooping spirits. But thanks be to God the sight of them, though mute, shall even be a beacon to urge me on to duty.”

April 25th 1864

“This morning we have orders that all letters must stop for thirty days and it troubles greatly. We are on the march. I am in low spirits to go onto battle without hearing from you and the children for so long. As this may be the last letter you may ever get from me I hope, Dear Ellen, that you will try to take good care of yourself and the children and may the good God watch over you and them. If I am doomed to fall on the field of battle and we are destined to never meet again on earth, may we be so prepared that we will meet in heaven.”

June 16th 1864

“Dearest Ellen, all I want you to do is keep good courage and mind the children and keep them in school. That is the wish of an absent father to his family. My love to you and the children. Good night.” 

To read more about my historical novel Yours Faithfully, Florence Burke go to ellenalden.com

To purchase a book go to Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com,and i-books or locally at Andover Bookstore and a specialty store called Helen Thomas

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: County Cork, family history, Great Potato Famine, Irish, Writing

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