As the author of, and in light of the fact that you have addressed some of my posts, I wanted to take a moment to express my joy and gratitude for the research and time that you devoted to gathering the information included in your book, Tears On The Bluestone. Having received the book only yesterday, I have already finished it. My children are thrilled to see their great great grandfather's (William H. "One Arm Bill" Lilly)'s picture in a book. The book not only addresses the various campaigns, but also draws together some of the many hours of research that I have done regarding my numerous Lilly uncles and cousins that fought in these regiments during the civil war, and why some of their service records seem to show different unit attachments at various times during the war. I also, was especially thrilled to see included, excerpts from other sources with references made about the general life conditions and overall temperament of the folks living in the area. Though a simple folk, their hardy constitution and self reliant ways are definitely genes that have carried down through the generations. I recently ran across a reference made in a letter from Rutherford B. Hayes to his wife during the war, citing that they had just burned the cabin of Pleasant Lilly. Pleasant Lilly is one of my ancestral uncles. Small bits of information such as that, and the bits of information such as the outbreak of the measles which you included in your book and which I have seen on several service records, brings home the human aspect of what is often addressed as only the structured movements of men, weapons and machines.

Thank you again for a wonderful book. Should there be a way that I could send the book to you for your signature, I would be most anxious to know it. It would be an honor.

Sincerely,
Lori Johnson