Last November I received an email from Sharon Brown asking if I would conduct a walking tour for her and her husband Thanksgiving weekend. I said yes and the three of us had an absolutely wonderful time together. I discovered that they had driven the long distance from Taccoa, Georgia because Sharon had read Marching Through Culpeper and was anxious to see the town. She had purchased the book from Jack Marlar, field representative for the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

About a week later Tom Brown called me and invited me to speak at the Georgia state convention of Sons of Confederate Veterans in June. I accepted because of the size of the group. I felt God was opening a door for me to promote Marching Through Culpeper in Gone with the Wind territory.

Although I had never driven that distance alone before, I still resolved to drive to Villa Rica. Thus I had many hours to pray and to listen to inspirational CDs. I knew God was sending me on this trip for a purpose. I prayed that He would connect me with one person who would help me promote my book as comparable to Gone with the Wind.

When I was selling books Penny Gaskins walked up and we started chatting. I mentioned the comparison with Gone with the Wind, and she informed me that she was the event planner for Coalson Plantation which is now a resort. There is a theater on the grounds where the first private showing of Gone with the Wind took place. Penny is planning a huge Gone with the Wind anniversary weekend in 2009 and she invited me to come and sell books.

After inhaling sharply, I said, “I believe you are the answer to my prayers.” But it gets better. She decided I should come sooner, so she is promoting my upcoming visit August 16 as a “Day with the Author.” She’s sent fabulous promo information out to her email list of 2,000, placed ads in the paper, and my book cover is on the website of the Thomasville, Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Space is still available if you’d like to join the fun for the day or weekend. (penny@coalsonplantation.com)

How awesome is our God! Do you have a story of answered prayer you’d like to share? I encourage you to post your story on my blog under “Answered Prayers.”

Prayer power
Dear Heavenly Father, how great thou art. I praise you for always being faithful and loving to Your children. You hear every prayer and answer each one in your perfect timing and in the way that is best for us. Nothing is impossible with you. I pray blessings on each one reading this, that they will be inspired to share their stories of answered prayer. And by doing so that together we may grow spiritually and give all honor, praise, and glory to You. In the powerful, precious name of Jesus.

Dear readers and friends,

I have wonderful news to share. Because of you, my readers and friends, I have sold over 10,000 books! This is a rare achievement for an unknown, independently published author. To put this in perspective, only 2.1% of books sell over 5,000 copies, the number considered the benchmark of success for a hardback book of fiction. Therefore, I humbly want to thank each of you for your fabulous “word-of-mouth” publicity. It is absolutely the best publicity on the face of the earth, and you’ve blessed me in an amazing way.

Furthermore, credibility in the academic world is coming. This past semester Dr. David Aiken, professor of English at The College of Charleston and the Citadel, assigned Marching Through Culpeper and Gone with the Wind to his students. In a recent newspaper article he said, “In a way, her (Morton’s ) book does for Culpeper what Gone with the Wind did for Atlanta. It gives us a chance to understand the point of view of Southerners.” (Click here to read full article.)

And through the kindness and creativity of my good friend, Dr. Randy Peck, I have been blessed with a new interactive website www.marchingthroughculpeper.com. I invite you to watch my video on the homepage, explore the site, and post comments on my blog.

Many of you know that I have been collaborating with two screenplay writers on an adaptation of Marching Through Culpeper for a miniseries. I’m persevering with this project in the hope of blessing Culpeper with increased tourism. Thank you to those who have prayed and sent messages of encouragement. Keep in mind that this script is being written on speculation and we must then market it. We are nearing completion of the two-hour pilot and I will be updating you on this project in future newsletters.

I hope you history buffs will enjoy my “Hidden History” facts and suggested books, which will be archived on my blog.

I have many inspiring stories to share with you about my literary journey, the amazing friends I’ve made along the way, and my phenomenal movie prayer team. So please join my journey and invite a friend. I love hearing from you and I invite you to send me an email (morton@edgehillbooks.com)

Upcoming:
August 15-17: “Meet the Author Weekend” at Coalson Plantation near Thomasville, Georgia. I’ll be speaking two times.

Over 4500 people have taken my Culpeper Civil War tours! Call to arrange a tour by appointment 540-825-9147. Profits benefit the Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield.

Prayer Power
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray blessings on each person reading this message, that they may persevere to pursue whatever dream You’ve planted in their hearts. For You are the Dreamgiver and You birth dreams within us for Your purposes. Nothing is impossible when we put our faith and hope in You. May we expect the best from You and seize our futures. In the name of our Savior, Amen

Your humble servant,
Virginia Morton
www.marchingthroughculpeper.com
Edgehill Books and Civil War Tours
540-825-9147
morton@edgehillbooks.com

Hidden History
Facts rarely found in history books

FROM
“Stonewall Jackson, The Black Man’s Friend”
By Richard Williams

It is common knowledge that Confederate General “Stonewall” Jackson was a devout Christian. But his founding of a “Colored Sabbath School” and the legacy he left in the African-American community is seldom mentioned.

Determined that blacks, both slave and free, should be taught to read the Bible, Jackson organized his “Colored Sabbath School” in 1855 and taught the classes himself.

Jackson became personally involved in many students lives. He prayed for them on a regular basis and they admired, respected and loved him.

Many joined him on Sunday nights for his family devotions and prayed around the Jacksons’ dining room table. Since nighttime gatherings of slaves were unlawful, Jackson gained permission from slave owners and his pastor for these prayer meetings.

After the battle of First Manassas, the townspeople of Lexington eagerly awaited news. When a letter from Jackson arrived to his pastor, all gathered. It contained a $50 check for the Colored School with an apology for the delay after a fatiguing day’s service.

At Jackson’s funeral in Lexington, his devoted African-American cook, Jim Lewis, had the honor of leading Little Sorrel. Scores of his Sunday School students mourned. Margaret Junkin Preston wrote, “There were not many more sincere mourners at his grave that these very people, whom he had done so much to teach the way of life.”

Read more…