Happy New Year

New Year's Day, Harper's Weekly January 2, 1864

(Image courtesy of Sonofthesouth.net

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1864/january/new-years-day.htm)

Happy New Year!  May this be a blessed year for everyone.  2015 is going to be an amazing year as we commemorate and honor the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War and President Lincoln's assassination.  While we may complain about the current state of affairs, we should all pause and be grateful that we are not facing the grim New Year of 1865.  The bloody Civil War that had already claimed so many lives was finally starting to grind to a halt, but it would still take several months and countless more lives before it all ended.   

I plan on attending as many of the events as possible that commemorate the events of 1865.  One of these events is "The Long Road Home" living history event commemorating the surrender of General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia  to General Ulysses S. Grant's Army of the Potomac at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.  I will be attending as a vendor and I will be in the author's tent signing copies of "I Would Still Be Drowned in Tears": Spiritualism in Abraham Lincoln's White House the event will be held on April 10-12, 2015 and for more information please visit: http://www.appomattoxhistoricalsociety.org/long%20road%20home.htm   

Besides attending as many Civil War re-enactments as I can, I will also be very busy completing and publishing my second book!  I will be posting more information on the book here.

Looking for a good read this new year?  "I Would Still Be Drowned in Tears": Spiritualism in Abraham Lincoln's White House is available in paperback and digital (from Savas Beatie, LLC) on Amazon.com.  Read the book that has been called "a gem that is meticulously documented."

New Website

Introducing my updated website Michellelhamilton.net where you can connect to Facebook, Amazon, and this blog all in one handy-dandy spot.  You can also contact me through the site and request my articles, along with a calender of events detailing my next book signings and events.

Hope you enjoy!

http://www.michellelhamilton.net/

Book in Digital

Today Savas Beatie, LLC which publishes the digital format of "I Would Still Be Drowned in Tears" is advertising the book on its Facebook page.  For more information about this book and other great history titles please Like Savas Beatie, LLC

https://www.facebook.com/savasbeatie

To get "I Would Still Be Drowned in Tears" in digital visit:

http://www.amazon.com/Would-Still-Drowned-Tears-Spiritualism/dp/0964430460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418919593&sr=8-1&keywords=I+Would+Still+Be+Drowned+in+Tears%22%3A+Spiritualism+in+Abraham+Lincoln%27s+White+House

Civil War Christmas

Here is a link to my latest article on the Street Caroline Blog about Christmas during the Civil War!  Enjoy and Marry Christmas!

http://streetcaroline.com/?p=6167

Amazon Sale

Interested in "I Would Still Be Drowned in Tears": Spiritualism in Abraham Lincoln's White House?  Amazon is having a 25% off sale which ends on December 14th at 11:59 est.  For more details, follow the link!

http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=mh_DIBSmob_banrbd25?ie=UTF8&node=10510039011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-2&pf_rd_r=0KAMCETQYBRCR7J0J09K&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_p=2002852462&pf_rd_i=45

A White House Seance

Curious about "I Would Still Be Drowned in Tears": Spiritualism in Abraham Lincoln's White House?  Read an exclusive expert at Phantoms and Monsters!

http://www.phantomsandmonsters.com/2014/12/a-white-house-seance.html

Available now on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Would-Still-Drowned-Tears-Spiritualism/dp/0964430460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418259686&sr=8-1&keywords=i+would+still+be+drowned+in+tears&pebp=1418259688646

Gettysburg Remembrance Day 2014 Part 1

In November I went to Gettysburg, PA for my first Remembrance Day.  It was an incredible experience, and incredibly cold!  But I managed to keep warm, participated in two book signings and had the opportunity to meet renowned historian Harold Holzer.

 Upon arriving in Gettysburg on Friday, I got dressed as quickly as possible in my 1860s clothing.  Fortunately I was warm in my winter dress, the wool cloak, leather gloves, rabbit fur muff, and long johns kept me warm.

Posing with the statue of Jennie Wade.

That afternoon, I had an appointment to get my likeness taken by the renowned photographer Rob Gibson, whose work has appeared in the movie Gods and Generals.

 Rob Gibson is preparing the plate for the image.

Getting settled in for the photograph, the plate takes a few minutes to get prepared which allows for a little chit chat before having to sit still for the photograph.

Trying out a pose.

Getting my hoop to cooperate.

Rob making sure everything is in its right place and since I am an author I was given a book to hold as a prop.

While the image was being made I had to remain perfectly still for 30 seconds.  The image taken is stunning, I got a copy as a wet plate and four CDVs which I will scan and post here soon!

After lunch I visited the grave of Jennie Wade in Evergreen Cemetery and left a wreath.

While passing by the Hall of Presidents I found a familiar face.

This sycamore tree is called the Abraham Lincoln Witness Tree and is one of two on Baltimore Avenue.  Witness trees are trees that where there during the battle and are still alive.  This witness tree not only say the battle, but witnessed the parade of dignitaries, including President Lincoln, heading to the National Cemetery for Dedication Day on November 19, 1863.  The things that this tree has witnessed!

My first book signing was at Battlefields and Beyond, here I am chatting with fellow authors.  I enjoyed talking to the group about everything from Civil War history to the TV show Hogan's Heroes.

No visit to Battlefields and Beyond is complete without meeting Melville.

At first Melville was not interested in book.

He finally decided that he would take a peek after all.  Before the evening was over, Melville decided that he would hang out under my hoop and preceded to wrap himself around my feet.

Civil War Santa Claus made an appearance.

Finishing the day at the Lincoln Diner.

 The merging of time period's at dinner as I wrap up a very fun and busy day.