This document provides a summary of the historical fiction book "A Soldier's Friend" which tells the story of Charlie Dickey and his experiences as a bugler in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It describes how Charlie joined the Union forces in Illinois and served under General Grant, participating in key battles like Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Vicksburg while also fighting alongside African American troops at times. The document provides context on Charlie's family and their connection to Abraham Lincoln as well as images illustrating some of the locations and events described in the story.

1. An intimate portrait of Charlie Dickey and his service
during the American Civil War, based on his real-life
experiences as General Sherman’s bugler, part of
General Grant’s escort and fighting behind fence
rows with African American troops.
Historical Fiction
Website: A Soldier's Friend.
By Georgiann Baldino

2. T. Lyle Dickey, Charlie’s father, practiced law with
Abraham Lincoln.

3. Interior of Fort Sumter in April 1861 after its surrender by U.S. garrison
LC-DIG-ppmsca-35429
After Fort Sumter
fell, four men in
the Dickey family
enlisted in the
Union army.

4. Junction of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers
Charlie joined
Union forces
encamped at
Cairo, Illinois.

5. LC-DIG-ppmscd-0001
To get near
Fort Henry by
land meant
moving
through wild,
hilly country
filled with
heavy timber.

6. Admiral Foote’s Navy
led the assault, and Fort Henry
fell to the Union February 6, 1862.

7. Grant consolidated forces for the next
assault on Fort Donelson.
Confederate batteries guarded the river.

8. Charlie blew the call “Boots and Saddles”
and managed to get to his horse.
A roar of musketry surrounded Shiloh Church

9. Diorama from Shiloh National Battlefield, photo by Georgiann Baldino
Sherman posted his men in the right positions

10. Ulysses S. Grant,
standing alongside
his war horse, "Cincinnati"
LC-USZC4-4579
Charlie served in
General Grant’s
escort
for a time.

11. Direct assaults failed, and
Grant settled in for a siege.
In 1863, Union forces moved on Vicksburg.

12. African-American Troops proved
themselves in battle.

13. Women faced
hardships of war
without husbands,
sons, brothers
or lovers.

14. Copyright 2014 Georgiann Baldino
all rights reserved.
“Taps” provided by U.S. Army Bands Online (ABO)
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Bands. Information presented on ABO is considered
public information and may be distributed or copied.
Journal of a Cavalry Bugler
available for Apple devices,
Nook, from other fine e-
book retailers and coming
April 11, 2014,
to Amazon in paperback
and Kindle.