Strange stories of the Civil War

L. E. (Lucius Eugene) Chittenden

1824–1900

A vivid firsthand observer of Civil War Washington, this Vermont lawyer and banker turned public service into memorable historical writing. His books on Abraham Lincoln and the Treasury years blend insider detail with an eye for character and politics.

A lively newspaper man turned storyteller, he brought the energy of travel reporting into adventure fiction for young readers. His books draw on real places, hard-earned observation, and a taste for life at sea, on the frontier, and in fast-changing America.

G. A. Forsyth

Best remembered today as a Civil War veteran and frontier officer, he also wrote vivid first-hand pieces about military life and wartime episodes. His surviving published work is tied to historical recollection rather than a large literary career.

John Habberton

1842–1921

Best known for the wildly popular comic novel Helen's Babies, this American writer and journalist had a gift for turning everyday family chaos into lively, readable entertainment.

William J. Henderson

A lively early guide to classical music, written by one of America’s best-known newspaper critics of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His books aimed to make opera, orchestras, and music history easier for general readers to enjoy.

Best known for lively fiction for girls and for clear, approachable books on music and literature, this late-19th-century American writer moved easily between storytelling and education. Her work has a brisk, readable style that feels aimed at helping young readers enjoy ideas as much as plots.

Howard Patterson

1856–1916

A seasoned sea captain and nautical educator, Howard Patterson turned life on the water into practical guides for sailors, yacht owners, and maritime students. His books combine technical know-how with the colorful language and traditions of the sea.