By Peggy Koch
Chapter 1: The Tragic Journey – 1860
In 1860, the Union was still intact, but barely. With Abraham Lincoln’s election, the lines were drawn between those who favored secession and those who wished to remain united.
The two younger brothers clung to each other in wide-eyed confusion as men in uniforms approached. Their father lay slumped over, his back against a rib of the steamship that was taking them from Germany to the United States. Their father’s face was ghastly white.
Friedrich Mueller had been ill for many days. His oldest child, Franz, 13, had cared for him as best he could in the
By Peggy Koch
Fort Sumter was attacked on April 12, 1861, and began the Civil War 150 years ago.
Chapter 1
This story was inspired by a suggestion made by made by Trina Rasmussen and other re-enactors of Robinson’s Light Artillery, Confederate States of America. They played parts in the Civil War re-enactment event that was held at Fort Davidson in
By Peggy Koch
Introduction: On Nov. 28, 1905, a major storm raged on Lake Superior. Waves 20-30 feet high turned this calm inland sea into a destructive torrent of wind and water. At least 29 ships were sunk and 36 men died. In response, the government began to build a string of lighthouses along the shoreline. Lighthouse keepers were hired to keep watch and warn water craft away from the treacherous shoreline at night and during fog