Rose O’Neal Greenhow is one of the most interesting women of the Civil War. I encourage you to read more about her. She was a spy for the Confederate Government. Here is a short story I wrote about her and her daughter. I’ve included a photo of Rose and Little Rose. Let me know what you think of the story.

Little Rose and the Confederate Cipher

Sacred Hearts Convent, England, 1871

The nuns here taught me that a “cipher” is a dark secret. My life’s been filled with dark secrets, and most of them the world will never know, and some of them I’ll never understand.

My father died not long after I was born, and I’ve no memory of him. I was only nine years old when my mother drowned in 1864. She had left England on a blockade runner, but the ship grounded on a sandbar off the coast of Virginia. Fearing capture by the Yankees, she tried to escape, but her rowboat overturned and the Confederate gold she carried dragged her to the ocean’s bottom. I still miss Mama, but I don’t cry for her like I did. I know I’m not the only child who lost her mama in the war of the South’s secession, but it doesn’t make losing mine any easier.

Sometimes I dream of the day Mama and I were arrested and sent to Old Capitol Prison. I had just looked out the window. “Lincoln’s Pinkerton man is back, Mama,” I said.

My mother, also named Rose, had been writing on a small piece of paper. The handwriting was strange to me. Confederate cipher she called it. She set down her reading glasses and dropped the pen into the inkwell. “Tell me what you see, Little Rose.”

“He’s outside talking with two Yankee soldiers. You want me to open the door?” I heard the man knocking.

“You know they’ve come to take me to prison.”

I nodded.

“My friends warned me.” She blew the blotting sand off the paper and rolled it into a tiny cylinder. “So, I want you to take this. Put in your stocking, and promise me no one will ever see it. Tell me, Little Rose.”

“I will never show it to a living soul.”

When I opened the door, the Pinkerton man strode past me and said, “Rose Greenhow, you and your daughter are under arrest for treason.” He nodded to the soldiers with him. “Search the house.”

“You’re going to arrest Little Rose too?” mother asked.

“Those are my orders.” He grinned cruelly. “As General Sherman said, ‘There is a class of people—men, women, and children—who must be killed or banished before we can hope for peace and order. To the secessionist . . .’

“Death is mercy,” my mother said. “I know what General Sherman thinks. I’ve entertained him in this very house. What are you looking for?”

“Information you’re intending to pass to the enemy,” he replied.

My mother glanced at me and smiled. “You’ll find no evidence of that here, sir.” I wanted to spit on this man and his guards who had come to arrest my mama. My ill will must have shown on my face because my mother placed her hand on my shoulder and said, “Rosey. Shhh.”

Old Capitol Prison was a terrible, dilapidated place. Once it had been a grand boardinghouse where she had been courted by men like Congressman John C. Calhoun. It wasn’t grand when I saw it. I still recall the gallows I could see through the iron bars of our window and the others there with us—blockade runners, spies, and Confederate general. There were even newspaper editors from the North who had dared to criticize Lincoln or Stanton or Seward.

We weren’t given much food in the five months we were there. Without the help of some of the other prisoners and people on the street who would slip us food, we would surely have starved to death. At times I was so hungry and cold that I would cry myself to sleep on that hard prison bed. I knew my mother was hungry too, but she never complained. She would just pat my back and sing softly to me until I fell asleep. She had a toughness that most mothers don’t have.

One day, that Yankee photographer, Matthew Brady, came to Old Capitol Prison and photographed us. I’m told he did it because we were the most notorious Confederate prisoners there, and I guess it means something to be famous like that. Brady’s photograph is the only one I have of my mother. The photograph will tell you some things about us, but it won’t tell you of the hardships we endured there—the abusive guards, the bugs, the hunger, the cold, nor will it tell you about the cipher in my gray stocking.

Mother never told me what the cipher meant, nor if that little piece of paper was what the Yankees were looking for. I had always meant to ask her about it.

Years later, I stand outside the convent my sister had placed me in when Mama drowned and whispered my goodbye. I sighed and wondered what parts of me had been left in its cold stone walls, my home now for over six years. The nuns had been good to me, tutored me, cared for me, but they couldn’t take the place of my mama, the “Wild Rebel Rose.” Nor could they take away the anger and pain in my heart. My mama’s war had cheated me of my childhood and taken away my mother and sisters. I couldn’t decipher why it all had happened to me.

At my sister’s house, I retired early and found myself missing Mama. I removed my scuffed shoes and carefully peeled the gray stocking off my foot, waiting for the faded cipher to fall out and float to the floor like it had every night. It didn’t. I panicked and quickly turned the stocking inside-out. I realized that the little piece of paper was gone.

The cipher I never understood was lost. Just like my mother. Like my childhood. Just like the lost cause of the Confederacy. But I had kept my promise to my mama. I have never shown that piece of paper to a living soul.

Rickey Pittman
rickeyp@bayou.com
1105 N. 8th St.
Monroe, LA 71201
318-547-2906
995 words

One of the most significant growing areas of the Dallas-Fort Worth Area has to be Weatherford. I was there Saturday. I was interviewed by Linda Brooks Bagwell at KYQX-FM at 10 a.m.  I found this beautiful lady interesting, literate, and skilled in her fields of study. Here is a photo of us after the interview:

Here is a photo of me and Randy Cook at my book signing after the radio interview at the Lark Bookstore just outside of  Weatherford. Randy is the owner, a man devoted to books, reading, and the promotion of the arts. I predict you’ll hear more of him in the future.  Here is the store’s website: Do yourself a favor and check it out.

A Short Review: A Model Summer by Paulina Porizkova

I first met Ms. Porizkova this past January at Kathy Patrick’s Girlfriend Weekend. After listening to her speak, and conversing with her as she signed my book, I must say that I am most impressed with this lady—especially after having read her new novel, A Model Summer (Hyperion).  I mean, not only is this lady stunningly beautiful, but her writing reveals that she is sensitive and an acute observer of life.  And if you are as fortunate as I was to meet her in person, you will find her polite and caring.  If you’ve been following the reality shows, you know she was appointed a judge, replacing Twiggy, on America’s Top Model. She also had a short stint on Dancing with the Stars.  She has appeared in movies: Anna, Portfolio, Her Alibi, Arizona Dream, Thursday, Roommates and Knots. She is married to Ric Okasek and they have two sons. Model, actor, writer—how much talent can one woman have?

Now to her novel. A Model Summer is the story of Jirina, a fifteen-year-old model. The story is of her first summer as a professional model. You could read this as an expose of the modeling business, a tale of innocence lost, or just as a young lady’s rite of passage. I would say that this book could be helpful and would provide valuable life-insights to any young lady who aspires to be a model.  Being a successful model is harder than people think, and an industry that can cause an individual to crash and burn.  I’m not sure how much of the novel is auto-fiction, not that any writer would admit anything in a novel to be autobiographical, but the suggestion is there. At least, we know the author is someone who knows the fashion industry. Indeed, she knows secrets that the fashion industry has cloistered.  Her writing style is smooth, I found it had a distinct voice, the plot is captivating, and so many of the lines were superbly written. I feel fortunate to have met Ms. Porizkova, and even more fortunate to have read her novel. I truly wish her the best.

Here are photos of the author and of the novel’s cover.

I’ve been researching some songs for my Civil War program, and I was rather shocked to find that in Lincoln’s administration, Septimus Winner, the man who wrote “Listen to the Mockingbird” (see earlier post) was arrested for treason during the Civil War because he wrote a song calling for the reinstatement of McClellan as commander of the Federal Army. I was shocked, not because Lincoln arrested someone who wrote and said things he didn’t like, but because the offense seems so harmless.  One site I found says this of Mr. Winner: “During the Civil War, Winner was greatly affected by the political atmosphere. His composition “Give Us Back Our Old Commander: Little Mac, the People’s Pride,” was written in plea to President Lincoln for the return of Union General McClellan who had been removed from command. The song was considered anti-Union and Winner spent a brief time in jail on a charge of treason. Winner was released from jail only after agreeing to destroy all remaining copies of the song.” You can read Winner’s full biography and achievements here:

Unfortunately, the sanitized, revised, mythologized version of Abraham Lincoln is the only Lincoln that many people know. Lew Rockwell has an extensive list of free articles you can read about Abraham Lincoln. These articles make good reading for high school and college students. You can find that list here:

Here is a poster of Lincoln from a Confederate point of view:

I’ve just returned from Oklahoma (a place without Internet and cell phone service) and am tired and overwhelmed; thus, the entry today will be short. My mother’s surgery was successful and she is doing well. Thank you readers for your kind prayers and well-wishes.

As a Civil War writer, I understand that my task is not only to reveal to you new information in my blog, but to direct you to sites where you can find interesting information about the Civil War in North Texas and Indian Territory. Here is a great site that is devoted to a family history during the Civil War. I found it absolutely fascinating, a site full of information. It is entitled, A Short History of the 22nd, 31st and 34th Texas Cavalries, with emphasis upon the Fannin County Texas McFarlands (and their neighbors and relations) in the Civil War. You can find it here:

I’m still waiting on some photos of last Saturday’s author event, but when I receive them, I’ll post them. I did get some reading accomplished during my trip, finishing A Model Summer by Paulina Porizkova (review coming soon) and Little Altars Everywhere by Rebecca Wells.

I was delighted to learn yesterday that my children’s book, Jim Limber Davis: A Black Orphan in the Confederate White House made the LOUISIANA YOUNG READERS’ CHOICE AWARD. I’ll post more information on that award later. If you don’t know, The Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Award is a reading enrichment program of the Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana. The purpose of the program is to foster a love of reading in the children of Louisiana by motivating them to participate in the selection and recognition of outstanding books.

Return from Author Event

Yesterday, I was at Author! Author! event in Shreveport. It was held at the Municipal auditorium, a haunted place, that was once the site of the famous Louisiana Hayride. I had a grand time, performing with my guitar and signing books. I met so many cool people. Here is a photo of Rosemary Thompson and Sandra Hadwin is on the right.  I need to mention that that were volunteer workers representing the Altrusa Club of Shreveport, which is a literacy focused service organization. These beautiful ladies are the kind of people who truly make the world a better place.

Here is Aubri McHugh. In addition to the over 50 writers, their friends and fans, and the staff workers, there were present many wonderful librarians, teachers, and writers. Aubri is one of the many writers I met. I was able to read several of her poems, and I’m convinced the young lady has writing talent.

Of course, I also want to thank the Pulpwood Queens who work with the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, Lynn Laird and Teresa Micheels. These ladies are so talented and so committed to promoting literacy. I met several other authors and event workers that I hope to comment on later, and perhaps feature on my blog with a review or an interview.

For example, Here is Rebecca. Her smile and hard work certainly helped make the day a success.

And here I am, performing in the alcove they assigned to the children’s authors. The acoustics in this building are amazing! And to think–I performed in the same building as Elvis and other star performers. You can read more of the Louisiana Hayride and its fascinating history here:

A short post today, as I must prepare for a very busy day tomorrow at the Shreveport, Louisiana Book Festival called, “Author! Author! Shreveport Celebration of the Written Word.” I’ll be speaking in the morning and part of a panel in the afternoon.  I returned from Cameron Parish late last night and crashed. This morning, I faced the usual trip-return ritual of unloading my Toyota RAV, attending to book business neglected during my week of travel, and to home chores like mowing the yard, going to the bank, laundry, etc.

Anyway, yesterday I went to Johnson Bayou Library in Cameron Parish. I dipped my toe in the Gulf of Mexico as I stood at the edge of Louisiana. (My friends have always said I like to go to the edge of anything.)  As I drove to this definitively Cajun parish community, I hit some construction, and I took a picture of something I had never seen before: A pilot car to guide us through the construction. Notice the sign in the back of the truck. It says, “Pilot Car: Follow Me!”

Here is a photo of the large trailer used as a library at Johnson Bayou My program was actually in the Johnson Bayou Baptist Church. I’ll have a photo of me and the pastor posted later, as well as information about the history of some of these communities in Cameron Parish.

Early this morning, I was interviewed by Evan Johnson, Sunrise Reporter for KPLC TV, Channel 7 in Lake Charles.  Johnson is a sharp television broadcaster. He is full of energy, and he is one of those people in whose eyes you can see future greatness. Evan’s photo is below. KPLC’s link is here:

Today, I presented programs at Grand Lake, Grand Cheniere, and Cameron Libraries. The kids were wonderful, and I can tell that the librarians and their staffs are working their hearts out.  Several parents were there and added much to the programs.  Tomorrow, I’ll be at the Hackberry and Johnson Bayou libraries. Back in the hurricanes Katrina and Rita days, I did not hear much about this parish.  The librarians showed me photos of the devastation, and even now, the land is scarred beyond imagination. I would say that the devastation would have to have been as great, if not worse, than what south Mississippi suffered.

In some ways, I felt I am at the end of the world–flat, beautiful marshes stretching as far as the eye can see. When I return to Monroe, I am going to reopen Bayou Farewell and see if that writer talks much of this part of the state. The area has a deep beauty, though after the hurricane, a sad beauty.  I love the people here with their Cajun accent, their love of life, and their strong work ethic. I hope I can come back. I’ve presented the programs a little differently than I did at schools. The presentations have been more kinesthetic, allowing the kids to touch and handle my Civil War artifacts and the other display items.

Jefferson Davis Statue at Beauvoir

I still can’t get the images of Beauvoir out of my head. As Jefferson Davis Parish is nearby, folks are quite interested in the Jim Limber story. Here is a statue of Jefferson Davis on the grounds:

Today, I took a tour of Beauvoir, and I can see why the Davis family loved this place. The well-trained staff at Beauvoir were helpful, and you can tell by talking to them that they all have a deep passion, intense knowledge of, and a reverence for this place. I signed the books of mine (Jim Limber) that are there, and had a grand time.  Though the site has been formerly rededicated, there is still some restoration going on. The storm that came through Biloxi must have had the meanness and destructive power of Sherman’s bummers. Signs of the storm are everywhere in that area, and Biloxi still has a long way to go before we could say the area has fully recovered.  The most interesting fact I learned: Oscar Wilde (and other significant literary characters) had visited the Davis family. That is a story I must pursue. I also managed to do some more research on Jim Limber. I’ll talk about my findings in a future post.

Here are two more photos of Saturday’s celebration of General Nathan Bedford Forrest’s birthday. The first is of a man who takes on the General Forrest persona (and does so effectively, both in spirit and in looks). The resemblance to the past General Forrest is so startling, that one begins to think he is indeed an incarnation. The second is of Kim Shannon, a beautiful singer of Confederate songs. She and I alternated spots for the Forrest progarm, played some songs together, and I was most impressed with her voice and with her love of the South. I’ll have more to say of this talented lady later.

Tomorrow morning, I’ll be interviewed on KLPC TV here in Lake Charles.  The next two days will be spent presenting programs, songs, and stories to the libraries in Cameron Parish. I’ll report on my blog as I can.

Just wanted to post some photos and quick notes about my trip. Saturday morning, I visited the Hank Williams Museum on Commerce Street in Montgomery. Now, youve got to understand, I was raised hearing this man’s records, and hearing my daddy sing his songs. The first songs I learned on my guitar were Hank’s songs. It was fascinating to see mementos and artifacts of this Country Music Legend. There museum’s website is here: Here is a photo of the museum, followed by a wooden statue of the famous Kawliga.

Here is the famous wooden Indian, Kawliga! He stands just inside the museum.  Numerous performers have done versions of this song.

From the museum, I found the Holy Ground Battlefield. Here is a photo of Nell, the park’s gatekeeper. She is also a Civil War writer. She allowed me to play her a couple of tunes.

Here is the famous bluff where Red Eagle and his horse jumped into the river to avoid capture.

Finally, arrived at Fort Dixie, just outside of Selma, for the General Forrest celebration.

A cannon was fired in salute of General Forrest memory and again after I performed my song, “Cry, Little Artillery Man.”

I’ll have more photos and information on the General Forrest Celebration in future posts.