TOO AFRAID TO CRY:
MARYLAND CIVILIANS IN
THE ANTIETAM CAMPAIGN
Stackpole Books
"Superbly readable... It will stand as the premier work on the subject for a long time."
— Ted Alexander, Park Historian,
Antietam National Battlefield
"A masterful blend of military and social history that should be read by everyone."
— Michael Russert, The Civil War News
"A book of unusual merit."
— James Bready, The Baltimore Sun
Too Afraid to Cry is the third of Kathleen's twenty-five published books, and her only non-fiction history book. It is written for adults and mature teens, especially those who enjoy reading about the experiences of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events during the American Civil War.
Story Description
Historians identify the battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg), which unfolded on September 17, 1862, as “the bloodiest day in American History.” By best counts, more than 23,000 men were dead, wounded, or missing by nightfall. And left in the smoldering aftermath were the children, women, and men who made their homes in the village of Sharpsburg and on surrounding farms.
The soldiers who participated in the 1862 campaign did so because they had chosen to march to war. The Maryland inhabitants who met them had not made that choice. Some rose to the challenge and demonstrated remarkable courage; others exhibited extraordinary foolishness or greed. Whatever their experiences may have been, their stories—told for the first time in Too Afraid to Cry—are no less important that those of the soldiers who marched through their cornfields, and are essential to a full understanding of the Civil War.
This book contains numerous period photos and illustrations, detailed author's preface, and extensive footnotes, bibliography, and index.
Originally released as a hardcover, it is now available as a 320-page softcover book.
What Others Are Saying
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David J. Eicher American Civil War Historian Author of The Civil War in Books “Through careful and thorough research coupled with spirited writing, Too Afraid to Cry lifts the veil on an untold story of the Maryland campaign of 1862. Readers will not likely think of the effects of the Civil War on civilians the same way again.” |
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Civil War Book Review LSU Special Libraries' Collections Review "Too Afraid to Cry captures the saga of those Marylanders who left to fight and the civilians who stayed behind -- only for war to come to them." |
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The Citizens' Companion The magazine of civilian Civil War reenactors Review by Sue Lyons Hughes “Ernst demonstrates some fine literary touches that elevate this beyond a mere retelling of old stories. An exceptional bibliography and detailed endnotes attest to the depth of research." |
At the request of the Antietam National Battlefield Park, Kathleen Ernst provided a signed, personalized, hardcover copy of Too Afraid to Cry for the time capsule that the park buried in 2012, which is to be opened in fifty years on the 200th anniversary of the battle.
About the Author
Bestselling author Kathleen Ernst writes award-winning mysteries and historical fiction for adults and young readers. Her work has earned numerous honors, including multiple Edgar and Agatha mystery award nominations, and an Emmy for educational programming.
To date, readers have purchased well over 750,000 audio, electronic, and printed copies of kathleen's twenty-five books. more>>
Related Blog Posts
Read the author's insights about the book people, and settings.
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A powerful and poignant tribute to Civil War soldiers takes place each December on the rolling hills near Sharpsburg, Maryland... more>> |
Heading Home |
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The first novel I ever wrote, The Other Side of the Line, was set during the American Civil War. I was fifteen, growing up in the border state of Maryland, and already long fascinated by the difficult complexities citizens faced... more>>
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Author's Note
I grew up in the border state of Maryland, surrounded by Civil War battlefields. At that time most programs and books focused on the soldiers’ experiences, but I couldn't help wondering what had happened to the people living in the old homes still gracing the area.
For the next decade I scoured libraries and archives and private collections, looking for anything that shed light on the civilian experience during the war. What emerged was a mosaic of stories about women, children, and men who endured through a dreadful time.
I wrote this book because I believe those stories must be preserved and shared. I hope they touch your heart as they have touched mine.
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Keywords
Ambrose Burnside, American Civil War, American History, Antietam Creek, Arabella Barlow, Army of Northern Virginia, Army of the Potomac, Arrests, Baer Family, Barbara Fritchie Poem, Battle of Antietam, Battle of Sharpsburg, Battle of South Mountain, Belinda Springs, Benjamin Brown, Biggs Family, Bloodiest Day, Bloody Lane, Boonesboro Maryland, Burial Details, Burkittsville Maryland, Cathy Beeler, Catoctin Mountain, C&O Canal, Chambersburg Pennsylvania, Christian Women's Association, Civilians, Civil War, Clandestine Work, Clara Barton, Clara Brining, Clementine Baker, Cockey Family, Confederate Army, Confederate Soldiers, Dunker Church, Effie Titlow Heron, Elias Chaney, Eliza Beard, Foraging, Frederick County Maryland, Frederick Maryland, Funkstown Maryland, Genealogy, George Beale, George Blessing, George McClellan, Gideon Bantz, Hagerstown Maryland, Harpers Ferry Virginia, Hanson Beachley, Harry Barnard, Henry Hebb, Heros Von Borcke, History, Invasion, James F Clark, James Clarke, Jeanette Blackford, John And Margaret Best, John Brown, John Castle, JR Boulware, Julia Bantz, Kathleen Ernst, Lucy Hayes, Luke Tiernan Brien, Maryland, Mathew Brady, Matthew Barber, Mayberry Beeler, Mrs Appleman, Mumma Farm, Nancy Campbell, Napier Bartlett, Nathaniel Banks, Non-Fiction, Pillaging, Piper Farm, Richard Brown, Robert E Lee, Roulette Farm, Rutherford B. Hays, Savilla Miller, September 17, 1862, Sharpsburg, Southern Sympathizers, South Mountain, Sunken Road, Therese Kretzer, Union Army, Union Soldiers, Virginia Mumma Hilderbrand, Washington County Maryland, Western Maryland, William Ballentine, William Blackford, William Child, 1862
