Union Frustration with the Phantom-like Blockade Runners

by DrRoger | Aug 10, 2021 | Roger Newman Author

The ability of the Southern Blockade runners, like the “Will O’ the Wisp” to pass undetected between them at night so immensely frustrated the Union captains in command of the Charleston blockade that they began to refer to the runners as...

Blockade Runners Sustained the South During Civil War

by DrRoger | Aug 8, 2021 | Roger Newman Author

The real hero of my new Civil War historical fiction novel is the Charleston-based blockade runner, “Will O’ the Wisp.” Constructed at the F.M. Jones Shipyard on Shem Creek by master shipwright and captain, Jack Whitesides Holmes, the “Will...

Bill Noel Reviews “Will O’ the Wisp: Madness, War, and Recompense”

by DrRoger | Aug 2, 2021 | Roger Newman Author

Bill Noel, the acclaimed author of the Folly Beach Mystery Series (“Washout”, “First Light”, “Darkhorse”, “Discord”, and “The Pier” to name a few) recently posted this review of Roger Newman’s new Civil...

Lost Southern Recipes From the Civil War Era- Charleston Turtle Soup

by DrRoger | Jul 28, 2021 | Roger Newman Author

The pinnacle of haute cuisine in pre-war Charleston was the successful presentation of a silver tureen of terrapin stew. The name terrapin itself comes from an Algonquian Indian word that translates as “good tasting turtle.” Terrapin stew had been...

Lost Southern Recipes From the Civil War Era – Palmetto Cabbage

by DrRoger | Jul 26, 2021 | Roger Newman Author

The Sabal Palmetto tree is the state tree of South Carolina dating to a Revolutionary War battle where its soft logs protected Charleston from a British Naval bombardment. British shells sank into the porous wood rather than exploding the embattlements. The inner core...

Lost Southern Recipes From the Civil War Era

by DrRoger | Jul 24, 2021 | Roger Newman Author

America’s sweet tooth did not appear with the advent of refined sugar. Antebellum Charleston was known for its sweet treats. “Monkey meat” was one of Charleston’s forgotten old school candies which probably emerged on our city streets in the...