An intimate portrait of Charlie Dickey and his service
during the American Civil War, based on his real-life
experiences as General Sherman’s bugler, part of
General Grant’s escort and fighting behind fence
rows with African American troops.
Historical Fiction
Website: A Soldier's Friend.
By Georgiann Baldino
T. Lyle Dickey, Charlie’s father, practiced law with
Abraham Lincoln.
Interior of Fort Sumter in April 1861 after its surrender by U.S. garrison
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After Fort Sumter
fell, four men in
the Dickey family
enlisted in the
Union army.
Junction of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers
Charlie joined
Union forces
encamped at
Cairo, Illinois.
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To get near
Fort Henry by
land meant
moving
through wild,
hilly country
filled with
heavy timber.
Admiral Foote’s Navy
led the assault, and Fort Henry
fell to the Union February 6, 1862.
Grant consolidated forces for the next
assault on Fort Donelson.
Confederate batteries guarded the river.
Charlie blew the call “Boots and Saddles”
and managed to get to his horse.
A roar of musketry surrounded Shiloh Church
Diorama from Shiloh National Battlefield, photo by Georgiann Baldino
Sherman posted his men in the right positions
Ulysses S. Grant,
standing alongside
his war horse, "Cincinnati"
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Charlie served in
General Grant’s
escort
for a time.
Direct assaults failed, and
Grant settled in for a siege.
In 1863, Union forces moved on Vicksburg.
African-American Troops proved
themselves in battle.
Women faced
hardships of war
without husbands,
sons, brothers
or lovers.
Copyright 2014 Georgiann Baldino
all rights reserved.
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Journal of a Cavalry Bugler
available for Apple devices,
Nook, from other fine e-
book retailers and coming
April 11, 2014,
to Amazon in paperback
and Kindle.