Send Me a Pair of Old Boots & Kiss My Little Girls
The Civil War Letters of Richard and Mary Watkins, 1861-1865
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
"Almost any time personal papers are rescued from the obscurity of the archives . . . there is cause for celebration. This is particularly true of the recently published "Send Me a Pair of Old Boots & Kiss My Little Girls." The letters of Richard and Mary Watkins recount a true love story and, at the same time, reveal rich details of everyday life in war-torn Virginia. "Boots & Kisses" deserves a wide audience . . . it will appeal to male Civil War readership (campaigning with the 3rd Virginia Cavalry) but it deserves the attention of those who are more interested in the details of home and family life in Virginia during America's greatest conflict." Russ Smith - BOOK REVIEW -"The Free Lance Star" - Fredericksburg, VA. - 5-9-09 "Mr. Toalson has produced another wonderful collection of letters from the War Between the States. It is a very personal "tell all" journey. . . My family was from southern Virginia and reading Richard and Mary's language and phrasing transported me back in time and had me sitting at the kitchen table listening to my grandpartents. I am doing "right well" and you need to "make haste" and read this book." Don Woolridge - James City County, VA. " . . . a Civil War love story that stands the test of time. The worry and heartache of separation and issue of home that Richard and Mary faced are the same challenges faced by our military families today. . . . I truly savored these letters and fell in love with the whole family . . . it is so personal . . . at the very heart of it this is very much a love story . . . "Boots & Kisses" is a treasure." J. R. Snider - WSJS Radio Host - Winston-Salem, N. C. "Boots & Kisses" like a fine cup of tea, is steeped with romance, adventure & drama . . . knowing it is true, and all first hand, just adds to the excitement . . . one of the finest collections of letters I have ever read. Mr. Toalson's arrangement and editing of the letters along with his selective editorial comments and explanations are what makes this books such a good read." Roy A. Fleming - Winston-Salem, N. C.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
“The letters of Richard and Mary Watkins are a treasure. A rare perspective offering tremendous insight into the daily life of both as they struggle with the hardships of war, farm operations and family concerns. A must read.” – Neal Wixson, editor, Echoes from the Boys of Company H -------------------------------- Between 1861 and 1865, Confederate Captain Richard Watkins and his wife Mary exchanged detailed and heartfelt letters. Richard had enlisted with Company K of the 3rd Virginia Calvary after Virginia seceded from the Union. Mary remained living near Meherrin, Virginia raising their three daughters and managing the farm. Sharing their letters with future generations was likely something the pair never envisioned. Editor Jeff Toalson, however, discovered, transcribed and annotated this extraordinarily rare collection of more than 300 unpublished letters. Held by the Virginia Historical Society, the letters convey detailed information about the war and daily life during a critical time in our nation’s history. Unlike military accounts of Civil War maneuvers and battles, the letters bring a clear sense of humanity to the conflict and its affects on those who lived through the time. Richard and Mary’s letters are touching and intriguing, weaving both a love story and an intense eyewitness account of the war. All of the major campaigns in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania are covered. Jeff’s editing and attention to detail bring this heart-warming and engaging story to life. Despite the hardships, fears, disease and separation, you’ll be fascinated by the humor, depth and the stark realities of the Watkins’s lives.
About the Author
Missouri native Jeff Toalson earned a BS in business management from Missouri State University. After the successful 2006 release of No Soap, No Pay, Diarrhea, Dysentery & Desertion, Jeff began work on the wartime letters of Richard and Mary Watkins. He lives in Williamsburg, Virginia with his wife, Jan.