A Christmas Miracle in 1862
Inspirational Christmas story - Civil War7 total reviews
Comment from WalkerMan
Among the countless tales, whether true or fictional, of the scourge of war human beings perpetrate upon themselves, regardless of reason or excuse, a precious few focus on some rare occasion when civility overcomes enmity, however briefly. This story, though the characters are fictional, is based on an actual occurrence in the time frame and approximate location depicted. The setting, participants, personalities, dialog, and details of events are all realistic and plausible for the circumstances in that time and place.
In the first section, you present the overall situation: battle-weary Union soldiers camping overnight after heavy losses; the deep friendship between young Colonel Jack Taylor and Captain Will Ledecker, the regimental surgeon; plus the runaway slave boy, Obadiah, who begs Jack to help his pregnant older sister, Lena, suffering in the throes of life-threatening labor. Jack carries her back to camp, where she ends up in his tent for privacy, with Will attending to her needs.
In the second section, orders come for Jack's troops to move out under cover of darkness before approaching Confederate troops can find them. However, Lena is in no condition to be moved; so, after some debate, Jack sends his troops off, while remaining behind with Will and Lena.
In the third section, Confederate Major Parker Mercer arrives and temporarily gains control until Jack pulls his own hidden revolver and turns the tables. Lena survives birth of a healthy son, but Jack must surrender when many Confederate troops arrive. What happens next is the "Christmas Miracle" you have so effectively led us to, without hint of the splendid outcome.
There are times in life when even bitter enemies may pause long enough to let civility guide their conduct. You showed us one such moment here.
Superb.
Let us pray that the leaders at the top of the power struggle in today's dangerous world will realize that civility is humanity's only hope for survival -- just as Chairman Nikita Khrushchev of the Soviet Union and U.S. President John F. Kennedy did in the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, a hundred years after the events described in this story.
reply by the author on 30-Aug-2022
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Among the countless tales, whether true or fictional, of the scourge of war human beings perpetrate upon themselves, regardless of reason or excuse, a precious few focus on some rare occasion when civility overcomes enmity, however briefly. This story, though the characters are fictional, is based on an actual occurrence in the time frame and approximate location depicted. The setting, participants, personalities, dialog, and details of events are all realistic and plausible for the circumstances in that time and place.
In the first section, you present the overall situation: battle-weary Union soldiers camping overnight after heavy losses; the deep friendship between young Colonel Jack Taylor and Captain Will Ledecker, the regimental surgeon; plus the runaway slave boy, Obadiah, who begs Jack to help his pregnant older sister, Lena, suffering in the throes of life-threatening labor. Jack carries her back to camp, where she ends up in his tent for privacy, with Will attending to her needs.
In the second section, orders come for Jack's troops to move out under cover of darkness before approaching Confederate troops can find them. However, Lena is in no condition to be moved; so, after some debate, Jack sends his troops off, while remaining behind with Will and Lena.
In the third section, Confederate Major Parker Mercer arrives and temporarily gains control until Jack pulls his own hidden revolver and turns the tables. Lena survives birth of a healthy son, but Jack must surrender when many Confederate troops arrive. What happens next is the "Christmas Miracle" you have so effectively led us to, without hint of the splendid outcome.
There are times in life when even bitter enemies may pause long enough to let civility guide their conduct. You showed us one such moment here.
Superb.
Let us pray that the leaders at the top of the power struggle in today's dangerous world will realize that civility is humanity's only hope for survival -- just as Chairman Nikita Khrushchev of the Soviet Union and U.S. President John F. Kennedy did in the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, a hundred years after the events described in this story.
Comment Written 02-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 30-Aug-2022
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Thank you so much for your review. Yes, I too, hope in the midst of so much chaos and turmoil we don't lose our humanity and compassion for others, especially those who suffer.
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You are most welcome, Judy.
I hope you are well, as you have been gone so long that I had forgotten about this fine post. Now I don't see anything in your Portfolio, so i hope you are back and will see this response to your review reply.
Though you had some trouble with punctuation, your writing was good; so I urge you to resume posting your stories (and poems, if any).
I am here to help writers improve, and do so daily. Please don't be shy, as you are among friends here, many of whom started out just like you.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to go to my Profile and use the "Contact" form to ask them. I am here most days. :)) -- Mike
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Thank you so much for your review. I love to write and have one story being reviewed by a publisher. I've missed writing and though I don't feel I'm up to a long work, I think I'd like to get back to some shorter works. I'd appreciate any advice from you. I have several longer works in need of editing but am waiting for a response from a publisher. Will probably end up self-publishing. Thanks for your comments. So appropriate for this time. We've lost our sense of humanity and compassion toward others. I'm coming back to Fanstory, so hope to hear from you again. Thank you.
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You are most welcome, Judy. I am sending you notice that I am becoming your first Fan. It is lengthy to explain how I can help you in several ways. You have great potential, and I can help you publish too. I am still here most days, helping FanStorians all over the world. :)) -- Mike
Comment from Therese Caron
This is an excellent, beautiful, well-written story. I really had no idea what was going to happen and the ending was quite a surprise. The pain and exhaustion of war is evident in the story, and two men willing to risk their lives to help someone makes the story very deep and very exciting.Lovely work! Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2020
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This is an excellent, beautiful, well-written story. I really had no idea what was going to happen and the ending was quite a surprise. The pain and exhaustion of war is evident in the story, and two men willing to risk their lives to help someone makes the story very deep and very exciting.Lovely work! Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 27-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2020
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Thanks so much for your feedback. This has been sitting in
my files for years. Had to get it out this Christmas. Have a wonderful 2020.
Comment from royowen
What a wonderful Christmas story my friend, this is so well written and so appropriate for this time of the year. I got such lovely rush, you captured my attention from beginning to end. The story may be fictional but God's miracles remain as wonderful as ever, and recognisable as ever, well done, blessings, and merry Christmas, Roy
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2020
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What a wonderful Christmas story my friend, this is so well written and so appropriate for this time of the year. I got such lovely rush, you captured my attention from beginning to end. The story may be fictional but God's miracles remain as wonderful as ever, and recognisable as ever, well done, blessings, and merry Christmas, Roy
Comment Written 24-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2020
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Thanks so much for your feedback. This has been a labor of love for years and finally decided it needed to "get out there." Have a wonderful new year. Thanks for reading!
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Welcome Judy, new here? Well done.
Comment from RShipp
What a grand story to have read on Christmas Eve night.
So many deaths occur in wars ... such a waste of life on both sides.
You have done an excellent job at recreating this historical happening.
Good luck in the contest and Merry Christmas.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2020
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What a grand story to have read on Christmas Eve night.
So many deaths occur in wars ... such a waste of life on both sides.
You have done an excellent job at recreating this historical happening.
Good luck in the contest and Merry Christmas.
Comment Written 24-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2020
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Thank you for reading and giving me feedback. This is my first posting so I'm so happy to have someone read it and comment.
Happy New Year!
Comment from beizanten
Attention catching title and beautiful picture. A very interesting and intriguing first paragraph. Interesting characters and engaging plotline. You describe the character's emotion and action well.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2020
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Attention catching title and beautiful picture. A very interesting and intriguing first paragraph. Interesting characters and engaging plotline. You describe the character's emotion and action well.
Comment Written 24-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2020
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Thanks for the feedback. This will help me improve my writing.
Hope you have a great 2020.
Comment from Sandra Ludwick
Thank you for sharing your thoughts through your story. It held the reader's interest throughout and was certainly enjoyable. You put the reader right there. Well done.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2020
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts through your story. It held the reader's interest throughout and was certainly enjoyable. You put the reader right there. Well done.
Comment Written 24-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2020
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Thanks so much for reading and providing feedback. It's always good to know what others like about my story.
Comment from Ben Colder
Well written and yes it did happen. My post coming this new year touches on Morgan. Thanks for sharing this. Well done writer. I find nothing wrong. Thanks for sharing your talent.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2020
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Well written and yes it did happen. My post coming this new year touches on Morgan. Thanks for sharing this. Well done writer. I find nothing wrong. Thanks for sharing your talent.
Comment Written 24-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2020
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Good to hear your comments. Glad to hear from another History buff? Thanks for reading my story.
