To Stand on Solid Ground: A Civil War Novel Based on Real People and Events: A Civil War Novel Based on Real People and Events

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As a nation teeters on the brink of civil war and slavery faces collapse, a mountain community grapples with life-and-death choices that threaten to fracture family and friendships. North Carolina secedes from the United States on the same day Transylvania County is formed, marking the appointment of Robert Hamilton as its first sheriff. While many in the community share Robert's opposition to slavery and his plea against secession, the pressure to support the South looms large. Robert strives to honor his oath as sheriff while staying true to his conscience, even if it means bending the rules. He enlists a few close friends and family to keep their actions secret, but complications arise when Elizabeth Neill, the deputy's daughter, becomes intrigued by a Confederate soldier and suspects the sheriff's family of harboring secrets. Simultaneously, her friendship with Pink, a young slave, challenges her naive views on slavery. As the war intensifies, the new county must confront hunger and ruthless bushwhackers, indifferent to loyalties. Based on real events and individuals, this narrative explores the complex relationships between Confederate loyalists and Union sympathizers, offering a poignant reflection on the Civil War's impact on the community and the enduring struggles that resonate today. It invites readers to reflect on the necessity of mutual support amid intense division, providing insight and hope relevant to contempo