It’s been another steamy week. While there were a few episodes of thunder, there wasn’t enough rain to break into the heat cycle. The upcoming week is supposed to be 88-94, which thunderstorms predicted on four days.
Deer and wild turkeys continue to visit, along with the regular retinue of birds and squirrels. Yesterday, there was a young buck staring at the house and in the background we could seen a fawn hiding with the other does.
Over the past week, the Detroit Tigers played six games, winning three and losing three. Their record now stands at 59-37, and they’re still in first place in the American League’s Central Division, with a 11.5 game lead ahead of second place Minnesota. Today, Detroit plays their final game before the All-Star break. After a well-deserved rest, I hope they roar back!
“There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.” ―Beatrix Potter. Compliments of https://www.nicolemgulotta.com/blog/25-inspirational-quotes.
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on July 13th, the twenty-eighth Sunday of 2025 and the second one in July. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).
Wilhelm Heinrich Wackenroder, German writer (Fantasies about Art); John Clare, English poet (Poems Descriptive of Rural Life and Scenery); Gustav Freytag, German writer and playwright (Debit and Credit); Isaak Babel, Russian writer, playwright and journalist (Red Calvary); Kenneth Clark, English art historian (Civilisation); Charles Scribner IV, American literary publisher; David Storey, British novelist and playwright (This Sporting Life); Peter Gzowski ‘Mr Canada’, Canadian broadcaster, writer and reporter; Wole Soynka, Nigerian playwright and poet (Road, Kongi’s Harvest-Nobel 1986); ean-Pierre Plooij, Dutch writer and playwright (Duvelsmoer verhalen; Patience; Bird House); Cameron Crowe, American journalist (Rolling Stone), film director (Almost Famous; Jerry Maguire), and screenwriter (Fast Times at Ridgemont High); and Ian Hislop, British writer, satirist and editor of Private Eye.
Any names familiar to you? There were two for me this week: John Clare and Charles Scribner IV. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today’s your special day I hope you have a great one!
My Work In Progress
This week, I continued editing chapters in the manuscript of Harding’s Challenge: The Great Rebellion based on reader feedback. All chapters are now posted to the two online subscription sites I use. There were another eight new chapter reviews this week, bringing the total to 259. As always, plenty of feedback to improve the story.
Here’s another snippet:
Latimer, Lester, and Amos entered the grounds of Oakham Farm near Middleburg, Virigina. Lester and Amos each drove a team of horses pulling supply wagons while Latimer rode with Lester.
An armed guard near the gate raised a hand. “What can I do you for?”
“We are here on behalf of President Davis.” Latimer studied the guard’s face. “Colonel Mosby is expecting us.”
“Any who are you?” The guard chewed on his tobacco and spat.
“My name is Latimer.” He gestured to Lester and Amos. “The brave Confederate boys are my aides.”
“Why didn’t you say so? The colonel is likely in the parlor in the main farmhouse.”
“Thank you.” Latimer motioned Lester forward.
Amos followed.
At the farmhouse, Lester and Amos stopped near the steps leading to the porch.
“Wait here.” Latimer climbed down, dashed up the steps, and knocked on the door.
Moments later, the door swung inward.
Another armed guard stood at the entrance. “Are you “Latimer?”
“Yes.” Latimer gestured toward the wagons. “My aides are waiting for me.”
“The colonel is waiting for you in the parlor. Second door on the right. Just go right in.”
Latimer nodded and headed where he was directed.
Tall, with a trimmed beard and wavy black hair, Mosby noticed Latimer and waved him forward. “Welcome, Latimer. The president and General Lee have told me wonderful stories about your machines. Will they really help the South win the war?”
“You will still require intelligence from your spy network, but, yes, I will be able to tell you what the Yankees are doing.”
Mosby approached Latimer and clasped him on the shoulder. “Welcome to Mosby’s Raiders.” He chuckled. “We are formally called Rangers, but I prefer the term raiders cuz that is what we do.” He led Latimer to a sofa and gestured for him to sit.
Latimer did as instructed, leaning forward after sinking in the soft cushions.
“We have a raid planned near Chantilly in a few days. One of our sources in Washington informed us about Union-mounted pickets from the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry in the area. If we are lucky, we will chase them away while grabbing their horses and weapons.”
Latimer nodded. “I can launch one of my birds and check on the pickets.”
“Excellent.” Mosby grinned. “No need for a demonstration now. Just do your work when the time comes.”
“You must realize I cannot provide details as the fighting unfolds. Once I recover one of my birds, I must develop the film and print the images before I can share them with you.”
Mosby pursed his lips. “How long do you reckon that will take?”
“Not long—perhaps two hours.”
Mosby sighed. “Okay, if that is what it takes, I will welcome your information, and we will respond accordingly.”
Two days later, Latimer developed the film from one of his birds.
Mosby studied the images as he stroked his pointed beard. “I reckon at least nine Yankees are milling about.” He turned to one of his aides. “Deploy the men.”
After a brief encounter, Mosby’s Raiders captured nine Yankees and made off with their horses and weapons before fading back into the woods.
The following day, Latimer reported a large force of Yankee cavalrymen were approaching Middleburg. “Appears to be around two hundred men.”
“We will stay out of the town until they leave. Once they depart, we will attach from the rear.”
After a brief clash, Mosby and seven of his men left the area. Both sides had captured three of their opponents.
***
President Davis grinned as he read the telegram handed to him by Confederate Secretary of State Judah Benjamin.
Dear President Davis,
I am pleased to notify you and Secretary of State Benjamin about our resounding success on January 31st in scattering the Union fleet off Charleston. The CSS Chicora and CSS Palmetto State slipped out of the harbor and attacked the Union blockade. While inflicting severe damage to some Union ships and minor damage to others, both of our ships returned to the harbor unscathed.
The Charleston ‘iron-clad’ fleet is a force to be reckoned with.
General P.G.T. Beauregard
Davis stood and paced his office before returning to his desk, facing Benjamin who sat across from him. “This is the naval victory we needed. I shall announce to foreign powers, especially England and France, that the Confederate Navy stopped the Union blockade of Charleston. Perhaps this will convince them to support us in our time of need as we require their assistance with equipment and supplies. I hope England and France will not use Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation against us.”
Benjamin nodded. “I shall do my utmost to gain their official recognition. I do not believe any other countries will help us unless they agree first.”
This brings us to an end for another week. I hope you found something of interest. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading and hope you drop in again.
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