Rose Cottage Chronicles: Civil War Letters of the Bryant-Stephens Families of North Florida

by Arch Fredric Blakey (editor), Winston Bryant Stephens (Editor), Ann Smith Lainhart (Editor)

As fresh and poignant today as when they were written, these touching letters and diaries capture the heart of everyday life during the Civil War. Set both at home in north Florida and on the front, the letters were written from 1858 to mid-1865 by two generations of the Bryant and Stephens families, whose members included radical secessionists, moderates, and a few Unionists.

Genres: American History

Audio Cassette

First published April 18, 1998

Reviews

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a first-hand account, through letters and journals, of life in Florida during the Civil War. Tivie and Winston's letters to each other during their separation while Winston served are touching and revealing. They share affection, insecurity, concerns about home, health, and family, and grief. Other family members' correspondence fill out the picture of hope and loss.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for listening. Good mix of Florida and Civil War history, romance and Southern culture.

[E B · Rating 4 out of 5]

As this book is written with a plethora of letter correspondence it can take some getting use to as most letters/journals tend to either be one sided or between two parties. With that being said, it is a very interesting piece as it has a good mix of local history of the time in North East Florida along with some rare looks into the lives of those in the deep south during the war. This isn't about some grandiose family as many seem to be; probably in part due to the lack of literacy of the time. Instead you get transported back in time to a family living at the edge of civilization.

There is a tremendous amount of loss with some only related to blockades for medicine instead of combat itself. It is known that countless people lost their lives simply because the war was going on and not due to having anything to do with a battle, but when you see it from the eyes of someone who lived it, its unimaginable.

Another shocked thing was the open discussion of extramarital affairs (albeit in code). Again, it is well known that women of loose morals often followed the soldiers on either side to secure monetary gains, but its often not something written about, nor openly accepted.

it gives you a rare glimpse into the realities of a woman taking on the role of a farm manager as was often the case with their husbands off fighting the war. Some of their correspondence is simply a husband telling his wife when to plant, when to sell, etc.

By the end you really do feel the depravity which was felt by those at the end of the war in the prospects of loosing loved ones, family members and their entire way of life.

[Blake · Rating 2 out of 5]

Often monotonous

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read to understand the civil wars impact on an Eastern Florida family. These diaries really allow you to be in the moment of their lives!