Ragman's Roll is the story of the unsung hero of the Civil War, General William HL Wallace. This novel has multiple story lines. The main story follows two men, Tom and Will, who are Lincoln aides who help Lincoln win the nomination for President at the Wigwam in Chicago in 1860. They also help in the security of Lincoln and his family on their famous train ride into Washington DC. The two men enlist when the war breaks out. They fight in the major battles out west for the Union army, Fort Donelson and Shiloh, both in Tennessee. General Will is the hero in both battles and saves General Grant's army at Shiloh. Tom is Will's scout and assists him in his campaign for freedom for all even though he isn't an abolitionist like Will. The sub text to the novel is the Mother Africa scenes. She appears in the dreams of a severe wounded commander, General Will, who lies on a bed recovering from his injury at the Cherry Mansion in Savannah, Tennessee. She shows General Will the real reason for his sacrifice, and his duty to his country. His goal is to insure that slavery end and to preserve democracy.
About the Author: While attending Vermont College on an art scholarship, I was advised that I showed promise as a writer. Then, while reading up on genealogy and my family tree, I had came across a quote from Ulysses S Grant that struck me. Grant had said to a captain from General Will's division, that had General WHL Wallace lived, he would not have been where he was today - President and hero of the Civil War. This statement sent my mind in motion and I researched the information thoroughly. I found out that General William HL Wallace was indeed what Grant had described, a hero for all ages. I felt compelled to write this novel. Ragman's Roll is dedicated to the memory of General William HL Wallace. I am a graduate of the Goddard College Creative Writing Program, and I'm emerging author. I am also an international visionary artist and theorist. I am represented by the Art Next Gallery, Chelsea NY. I am the inventor of a new design principle in art and design. It is entitled 'Directions'. I wrote a thesis paper on it (Light from Design) and it was published by UMI ProQuest in 2008. Additional Information My art, and my design principle theory, will be featured in Churn art magazine 9