JLNicky Author romance Sexy Scholar blog article Historical Moments

Historical Moments
by JLNicky

My new Kindle Vella novel Soldiers In Arms is set during the Civil War of the United States (1861-1865). My MC, Ester May, is a young woman who enlists as a private in a cavalry Regiment assigned under Captain Woolman. All her youth she was raised to respect the military and to care for her father’s bugle, nicknamed Betty. This historical romance plots Ester, known as Emmit, and her trials inside the cavalry during battles of the Civil War.

My first research target was to find the perfect bugle. Having served in the USAF I had some idea of military life, albeit not in the 1860s but an understanding of units and being under someone’s direct military command. Dear Betta, the bugle, was difficult to find as the 1860 bugles did not adhere to the dated version I wanted to use. I looked up different bugles during that period and older. Bugles were used for mounted troops because common signals of drums and fife were impractical. According to Ester May’s legacy, she inherited the bugle from her father’s father who served in a previous conflict of 1812.

The origin of the term “bugle” stems from the horns of the musk ox used by the Jaeger fighters of hunting parties. This circular hunting horn was used to call those of the hunting party to gather for the feast. The horn is the most ancient of Germanic musical instruments and is often used in religious rituals. Although it’s known to be used by Romans and Vikings and in many other conflicts.

However, I wanted to use a Bugle made of silver or brass. Silver was tested and was known to hold the clearest note and best tone.

While these images were not quite satisfactory, I continued to look. I wanted a gem-studded awesome shiny thing with engravings such as that was recovered later in the centuries.

Alas, I did not find anything with gems in it. So, I searched for other horns with those items. I eventually found this conch shell horn and combined the idea with the calvary horn of mixed metals

I ran across many cavalry units using bugles and researched many bugle commands used in the civil war. Here is a short list.

Reveille – soldiers awake

Assemble – Fall in

Taps – End of the day, and later military funerals to offer honor

Retreat – signals the end of the day

Water call – water the horses

Stable call – picket horses and or muck the picket line.

Boots and Saddles – notified the troops to mount up for drill.

To Arms – notified the troops to prepare for battle without delay

During a field battle, there were specific marching commands that buglers were oft made to play by command.

Forward Walk
Trot
Gallop
To the Left–a change of formation and direction by fours toward the left
To the Right–a change of formation and direction by fours to the right
Left Turn Wheel–change of direction
Right Turn Wheel–change of direction
Come About–turning 180
Halt.

Soldiers In Arms
By JLNICKY Author

Here is a sample from Soldiers In Arms where my character bugles her way into the unit.

****

Stepping up on the stump, Emmit leaned over the bay. The horse’s ears laid back and the withers shifted. He brushed a calm hand down the mare’s neck and spoke the poetry, again sing-song and slow. “For those who dare the truth to tell, fays, elves, and fairies, wish them well.” He led the horse back near the stump and smoothed the blanket on its back. A single ear laid down. With a smooth motion, he leaped and threw his leg to land square on the back of the horse. Buster froze. Emmit sat loosely, like a sack of potatoes. The horse seemed to look back at him with indecision.

Voices seemed to shout from all directions, but the horse held in place and Emmit ignored the promptings to circle the corral. He pressed his hands down and moved his leg back across the withers and slid down the horse’s side. He moved in front of Buster and gave praise as he fessed up a small bit of sugar and removed the bridle. “Such a good horse. I see lots of apples in your future.”

“Hey wait. You didn’t ride her. You can’t pass unless you ride. Right, Captain?”
The men waited.

“You do have to contribute to the test, Mr. Echols. We need to know if you can guide your mount.”
Emmit turned to look at the captain. “I can, Captain. Just not this way. Buster and I barely know each other. Ain’t right to ride a lady on the first go-around.”

The soldiers roared.

The Captain’s eyebrow rose again. “What other way can you provide proof?”
Ester May bit her lip and patted her cloth sack. Then she straightened her shoulders with a man’s confidence. Inside her boy persona, she looked around at the men, then looked past a few to a nearby holding pen. Over a dozen horses were resting inside. Grasping at the drawstring Emmit untied the knot and pulled out Betta. A quick lick of her lips and he held the bugle out straight. A quick press of air to the mouthpiece and a clear three-tone sequence rose into the air.
Every horse from the pen nearby lifted their head. The new recruit looked over at the Captain, and even the Captain’s mount stood taller. The two boy’s green mounts were stock still.

The Captain narrowed his eyes and lifted his chin. “Go on, son. You can’t leave a military call half done.”
Ester nodded. Putting the bugle to his lips, he repeated the short call to attention and followed it up with an ‘at ease’ command that tapered a perfectly pitched A to C fall.

The horses relaxed once more. Buster nudged him on the shoulder, and he quickly picked out another chunk of apple.
Emmit looked back at the Captain and found him looking at the Sergeant.
Mac was grinning broadly. It was probably the reason he allowed the lad to come with him in the first place, regardless of the signature on his papers. He told the boy right away he should go home to his ma. But when he mentioned the bugle, he relented.

“They all pass. Get them uniforms and gear.” Captain Woolman commanded.

****

Backwards to Oregon
By Joe

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the research on my bugle, Betta. Here are a few other authors that did their research.

The Seduction of Moxie by Colette Moody – New York City, 1931–this author’s writing is so witty, and hysterical laughter will ensue.

Backwards to Oregon (The Oregon Series, #1) by Jae–sometime between 1840 and 1860 travels hardships and loves adventure by covered wagon.

Hild (The Light of the World Trilogy #1) by Nicola Griffith–a renowned author who researched the death out of 7th century Britain and all its woes and rising tides. Astounding writing, with an unbelievable character development. I couldn’t put it down and I still pick it up.

Sweetwater (Sweetwater Saga, #1) by Mickey Minnor–the late 1800s in the far west springs up SweetWater, a fictitious town made up of the realest characters, I’d love to know.

Please read and review my serial publishing novel Soldiers In Arms, on Kindle Vella. You can read the first three chapters free on Amazon by searching for “Soldiers In Arms Kindle Vella” or click here. I hope you enjoyed this blog. Please subscribe to my website if you want to be notified when I’ll be publishing or to get free samples of my work.

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JLNicky, LGBT Romance Author