Have you read my Carnton novel With This Pledge?
If you have, then these photographs of the real people who lived and worked at Carnton—and who populate this novel—will mean even more to you.
Especially the image of the heroine, Lizzie, that was just unearthed this year!
Roland and Lizzie met following the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864, and the story in With This Pledge was inspired by their love letters that Carnton (and the Jones family) shared with me.
The wild thing about this image of Lizzie is that this portrait was only found a handful of months ago following the death of one of Roland’s ancestors!
David Doty, the great-great-great grandson of Captain Jones buried his dear father earlier this year (his father, of course, being the great-great grandson of Roland). As David was going through file after file of historical documents and images his father had meticulously collected through the years, low and behold, what does David come across?
This portrait of two women…
You can imagine how excited I was to see this image of (who we really think is) Lizzie. All I knew about Lizzie as I was writing the novel was that she had brown hair. Because in one of his letters, Roland references her “brown curls.”
The period of the photograph and the historical documents with which it was found points with overwhelming probability that this is Elizabeth “Lizzie” Clouston seated for a portrait with her mother, Sena.
Next, meet the McGavock family…
John and Carrie McGavock, the owners of Carnton, were Scotch-Irish immigrants (two generations back) from County Antrim, Ireland, where my own ancestors hail from, if you can believe that! #smallworld #Carntonismyhome #UncleJohn #AuntCarrie
The McGavocks never referred to Carnton as an estate or plantation. It was always simply “the farm.” The image of Hattie and Winder above was captured in 1864 (the timeframe depicted in With This Pledge), and I kept this photograph close at hand as I wrote the book.
Next, meet Dr. George Phillips…
Dr. Phillips was a surgeon who operated on and treated wounded soldiers that night at Carnton following the Battle of Franklin (November 30, 1864). Dr. Phillips is the most prominently featured “real” doctor in the novel, and he and Roland really did know one another and also served together in the Civil War.
Finally, meet some of the real Federal and Confederate military generals who populate the novel...
As depicted in the story (and true to life), General Forrest burst into the house only hours before the battle and wordlessly strode up the staircase to the second-story porch to view the Federal Army’s progress on the breastworks. Then promptly left without a word.
General Hood was the Confederate commander of the Army of Tennessee, and General Schofield was the Federal commander of the United States troops. Hood and Schofield were former classmates at West Point, and their armies met in the Harpeth Valley in the small town of Franklin that afternoon at 4PM in what became one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War.
Next, meet these Confederate generals who were killed at the Battle of Franklin…
Early on the morning of December 1, 1864, their bodies were laid out on the back gallery porch at Carnton so their men could pay last respects.
Next, meet Second Lieutenant James Shuler…
Lieutenant James Shuler (so young, around 16) fought at the Battle of Franklin and is a prominent secondary character in the novel. I really grew to love James as I wrote this book.
Finally, meet Preacher E.M. Bounds…
E.M. Bounds (Edward McKendree Bounds) was an extraordinary man whose ministry impacted countless lives and whose writings on prayer (especially his remarkable devotional classic Power Through Prayer—click for more) are well worth reading! He is also an influential character in With This Pledge.
Note: Every quote in the novel that’s attributed to Bounds are really his words on prayer and his beliefs about God.
Would you like to read more about what’s Truth or Fiction in With This Pledge? And my other novels? Click below!
Finally, be sure to sign up for this month’s GIVEAWAY on my website. It’s something I love…and think you will too!
Do you live near a famous historical site? Or have a historical home or landmark scheduled for your summer travels? What historical landmark have you visited that had an especially profound impact on you?
Also, HarperCollins and I recently filmed SIX video vignettes at Carnton and they’ll be ready soon! Can’t wait to share!
Blessings on your week!
Tamera
What? Only .99 cents for the month of July
Tamera Alexander
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This is on my wish list. Sounds so good and to put faces to the real people is so interesting. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much, Lelia, for being part of this community!
It is a wonderful book, Tammy. I love seeing the old pictures and learning how you incorporated the real story into the novel. Fascinating history!
Thanks, Lynn, for your kind words (and for endorsing the novel!).
I’m looking forward to reading this series. I’m currently reading the Belle Meade series though and am enjoying that. I live close to Valley Forge, PA. It’s always a great place to wander through either by foot or by bike (although it’s a bit hilly). I can’t imagine having been camped there during the winter though.
Hugs to you, Joy, and wow on living that close to Valley Forge. Another place I’d love to visit.
We live way out west, so there is a different sort of history here. I’ve always loved Ft. Simcoe, a remote military encampment far from towns at the base of Mt. Adams. We love visiting and imagining all the men and women living there in the simple buildings. Fascinating! Love the photos!
I love our western history, too, Angie. I’m often asked if I’ll write any more Colorado Territory books—and I might. I’d love to visit Ft. Simcoe some day, too.
Back in March, me and a couple of friend visited Carnton. When we purchased our tickets, the staff member asked what brought us to visit and we told him your book (which was conveniently placed right beside the cash register). It was fascinating to see the house behind “With This Pledge” especially seeing the blood stains on the floor, the doctor’s footprint by the upstairs bedroom, and hearing about the dead generals being placed on the porch. My friend Christy and I have both read your book and were nodding along enthusiastically when the tour guide would mention something we’d read. We were even more ecstatic when the guide informed everyone that the governess on-site during the Battle of Franklin ended up marrying one of the injured soldiers. SQUEAL!!!!! Extreme feels for Lizzie and Roland!! <3 <3 <3 I took a picture of me and my friend holding your book in the gift shop, but since I don't have FB or Instagram I was unable to send it to you.
We then visited the Carter House and seeing the bullet ridden farm office and the smoke house made these historical events come even more alive. Me and my friends thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were so glad to take in some of our state's heartbreaking history. Looking forward to the second book in the Carnton Series.
Oh Amy!!! Thanks so much for sharing all of this with me. You made my day, babe. I love that you went to Carnton and walked in their footsteps. I’d love to see that pic! Did you post it on your FB page, by chance? You could put the link below, perhaps? But no worries, if you cant. Seeing the Carter house is also moving, isn’t it? Bless you again for sharing!
This is what I love about your books – the research and connections to history. The pictures are wonderful, and I can sense your excitement.
Being born and raised in Virginia, I have seen many battlefield sites. In fact our children used to joke that every vacation meant another battlefield. After living many places during my husband’s 20 year career in the Marine Corps, we settled in Virginia Beach on his retirement. He is a transplanted Yankee and a Civil War buff, who taught me so much through his love of history. In fact, when I taught 5th grade history, he was always a guest speaker during our study of the Civil War. I have found that most people have no idea of the friendships that existed between so many of the commanders on opposite sides of the war, such as you note above. One that my husband spoke of was between Union General Winfield Hancock and Confederate General Lewis Armistead who faced each other at Gettysburg. Armistead was fatally wounded and asked that his Bible (given to him by Hancock’s wife) be returned to Hancock, who had also been wounded on the same day, but survived.
Another thing of special meaning that I learned from this post is about Rev. E. M. Bounds. After working many jobs following his retirement from USMC, my husband felt a call to the ministry, graduated from Duke seminary, and was a United Methodist pastor for 12 years before retiring a second time in 2014. Now I know why there are so many Methodist churches named McKendree.
Thanks so much for connecting history to real life through your novels. This is why historical fiction is my favorite genre. I apologize for the lengthy comment.
How I loved reading your comments, Betty! And never apologize for a “lengthy” share. I love it! What a wonderful husband you have, and what wonderful history you’ve been exposed to through the years. Isn’t that something on E.M. Bounds?!! Bless you, friend.
Loved the book, so I really love seeing the pictures of the real people. I love historical fiction of all kinds but there is something special about a novel that brings to live people who really lived, people who weren’t famous and probably never imagined someone of future generations would care about their history. Thank you for fleshing out such a great piece of history!
Thanks, D’Ann, for your kind words and also for reading WTP for endorsement. I still remember our breakfast together at First Watch when we first talked about this book. ; ) Hugs to you!
I love the pictures of the real people in your book. Please enter me in the monthly giveaway as I have not yet had the chance to read this book. Sorry if I am to enter elsewhere, but I cannot find a link anywhere. Thanks again for all your research – it is so good to learn more history!
Hey Betti, thank you for pointing out that I hadn’t posted a LIVE link for the giveaway. That’s done now. Bless you! And I agree with you, it’s always a good thing to learn more history. : )
I read With This Pledge a couple of weeks ago and loved it. I went to your website and looked at the photos and other behind the scenes information. I’m delighted to see the photo of Lizzie since I was disappointed there wasn’t one on your website. One question that wasn’t answered is one I hope you can answer. At the end of the book, Roland and Lizzie are talking about baby names. Was that baby a boy or girl?
Thanks for that nudge, Pam! I need to add this pic of Lizzie to that “Truth or Fiction” document, and will do that. And as long as you won’t tell anyone else…, it was a girl. And they named her after Carrie McGavock. : )
Wow, thanks for sharing the new photo of Lizzie and her mother! When you’re able, please add it to your webpage on the Carnton series.
Will do, Elisa! : )
Carnton is on my historical site bucket list. I got to visit Belle Meade after reading your Belle Meade series. Nashville’s only a three hour drive from where I live now. My home state of Kentucky is full of historical site that I’ve either been two or on my historical site bucket list.
I’m reading the Belle Meade novels now. I’ve been involved in Thoroughbred racing in my past, so reading about the beginnings of it in America, or maybe the revival of it, has been very intriguing. I love the mixture of historical truth with the fictional characters and events. You do a tremendous job of blending everything together to create an enchanting and meaningful story. I love the exploration of various prejudices and relationships.
Thank you for sharing the inspirations for your tales. It makes them even more special.
I read With This Pledge earlier this year, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I grew up in South Carolina, so I tend to to consider the Confederate side to be the “right” side–but your novel presented a much truer picture. Nothing glamourous or glorious about it. I was amazed at the impact of the Battle at Franklin–to both the Union and Confederate sides. The facts and realistic portrayals of historical figures was wonderful. I appreciate the amount of research that went into the novel. The characters of Lizzie and Roland stayed with me long after I finished reading the novel. I highly recommend it!
I do live near Kings Mountain, NC, where a battle was fought that was a turning point in the American Revolutionary War. This past weekend I saw a drama, “Liberty Mountain,” (written by Robert Inman) which brought the various elements of that battle to life for me as well.
I am proud the be an American–and pray that our nation will one day be really unified.