The Tattered Coat of Gray

By Steven Brewer

Tens of thousands of the North Carolina youth, middle age, and very old wore Confederate gray and fought the army of the North to a stand still with honor. Come join us in this saga of war, courage, tears, and family struggles. This historical fiction account reflects the mountain cultural dialect of the time period, and shows how the War between the States involved brother against brother, kin against kin throughout the home front and mountains of western North Carolina. Epic battle scenes will leave you feeling like you can almost see the haze of smoke & smell the sulfur. The Tattered Coat of Gray is book one of a three part series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steven Brewer
• Release date: Jun 27, 2024
• ISBN: 9798227438171

Book preview

The Tattered Coat of Gray

Written by Steven M. Brewer

Cover Artwork by Tamara B. Mace

Copyright 2024 @ Steven M. Brewer

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

All similarities to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and unintentional. Although many portions of battles and places are historically relevant (as referenced in the bibliography at the end), the characters and scenes are not based on specific real-life persons or real-life events.

This book is dedicated to all Americans so that we may never forget the many soldiers of Confederate gray and Union blue, both of whom marched and fought for their God, their family, and for each other.

I also write in appreciation of my family. My wife has supported me through the years in my study of history, and in the writing of this book. My daughter contributed artwork, and my sons have encouraged me to write this.

I also appreciate what I have learned over the years from my real brother John. Although this book is historical fiction, my brother and I both served in the US Army. I am especially proud of John. He served in the Vietnam War and earned a purple heart. I appreciate his service.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 - The Homeplace

Chapter 2 - Going to See the Militia

Chapter 3 - Telling Pap and Ma

Chapter 4 - Swearing Allegiance to  North Carolina

Chapter 5 - News of Fort Sumter, South Carolina

Chapter 6 - The Love of My Life

Chapter 7 - Wilkesboro Honeymoon

Chapter 8 - Three Letters & Two Sides

Chapter 9 - Leaving for Raleigh

Chapter 10 - To See the Elephant

Chapter 11 - Henry Poteat in Battle

Chapter 12 – Homesick

Chapter 13 - Going Back to the 37th

Chapter 14 - The Battle of New Bern

Chapter 15 - The Aftermath of Battle

Conclusion

Reference Books Used in this Fictional Account

Author Biography

Cover Artist Biography

Introduction

The Old North State did not play a huge lead role in leaving the Union. North Carolina for the largest part wanted to remain in the Union of the United States of America, mainly because the state was more suited to growing tobacco, than cotton. There were not that many rich planters with huge slaveholding ranks that would justify leaving the Union for economic or slavery reasons. Many of our grandfathers had fought in the American Revolution to obtain freedom and a Declaration of Independence. In 1861, that memory was not that far away in the past.

In November, 1860 Lincoln won the office of President of the United States. That triggered secession of the states of the lower south. North Carolina governor, John W. Ellis (Nov. 23, 1820 to July 7th, 1861) did believe that Lincoln, a Republican, would not have a lot of power because he held a minority in the Senate and hopefully in the House of Representatives.

Although Governor Ellis did not openly in public seek secession, he did recommend that our state list all the wrongs we suffered. He wanted a thorough, swift reorganization of our armed militia. The radicals and conservatives shouted in a hotly contested debate. They agreed on NC preparedness. They wanted to be ready no matter what was to come.

On December 20th, 1860, South Carolina withdrew from the Union. As the news spread throughout the south, a pro slave stronghold (100 guns) were fired in Wilmington, NC to honor this event. Conservative North Carolinians condemned the state of South Carolina for doing this. However, almost everyone opposed the use of force to bring the southern people back into the Union. One man said, I am a Union man, but if they send men south, it will change my mind. I won’t do nothing against my own people. The whole state of NC was in an uproar, half for secession and half against.

Two days after SC seceded, NC representatives adjourned for Christmas to return on January 7th, 1861. On the 31st day of December 1860, Wilmington citizens wired Governor Ellis asking permission to seize fortifications vital to their city’s welfare. The Governor said no because he didn’t feel he had the authority to grant the request. The people would have none of that. On January 1st, 1861, a commission called on Ellis at Raleigh, NC and pleaded with him to go along with the request. He again said NO.

Now that brings us to our story about a mountain family - a father and a mother with two sons. One son was 18 and the other 16. This is their journey in history, and through the War between the States. The narrative is purposefully drafted in a mountain cultural dialect of the time period.

img1.jpg

Chapter One - The Homeplace

The home place is lovely in the mornings. You can always feel a cool breeze flowing through the valley. I can stand on the porch of the cabin looking straight ahead at the beautiful mountain in front of me.

It is still shady where I am, and the mountain is crisp and bright with warm sunshine flowing over it. It makes me picture in my heart how wonderful and mighty God really is. Good morning, Lord. Thank you for your world, my family, and that you hear when we pray.

Suddenly I look over to the right of the porch to the long field and I see about 15 or 20 deer. What a sight! We own 300 acres, this whole holler is ours with a mountain range on three sides and the mighty Grandfather to our front.

We call it the Brewer Holler. There is a small smokehouse, and someday soon, a new sawmill. We want to make lumber for folks of the area. I live here with Ma, and Pap, and my brother John.

The little log house with wood shingles is quite beautiful with its rough look, glass pane windows, and a great looking chimney. When my Pap, Roby Brewer cleared the home place, he cut down a small forest of trees, trimmed the limbs off, then