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Author Insight
A woman's wartime perspective
Patriot of the Lowcountry is based on letters written by Eliza Wilkinson in 1781-83. Eliza was a young and beautiful widow who found herself caught between warring armies in the summer of 1779, when the British moved up from Beaufort to take control of Charleston and the surrounding sea islands. Though she is a few miles from the action at the battle of Stono Ferry, worry for her friends in the North Carolina Light Dragoons causes her imagination to run wild and dread to overcome her, as was evidenced by her recollection. How terrifying to be a helpless bystander and victim! I felt great sympathy for Eliza as I studied her letters, but I wanted to make sure her patriotism, independent spirit, and will to survive was evident in the novel. I hope you'll pick up a copy of Patriot of the Lowcountry and immerse yourself in the story of a woman who refused to sit on the sidelines of history, and instead stepped up to aid the Revolutionary cause.
Book Excerpt
Patriot of the Lowcountry
When the roar of the guns ceased, the quiet was more unnerving than the cannonades, and when the first messenger galloped up the causeway I ran to meet him. “How did the battle end?”
“General Lincoln and his army are cut to pieces.”
The ground tilted beneath me and I sank to my knees as my imagination transported me to the field of battle. There I imagined the friendly dragoons, wounded and in agonizing pain, as the enemy brought them to their end with the thrust of a bloody bayonet. Still others were dragged away as prisoners and treated in the most insulting manner. The visions crowded so close I could not breathe.
The messenger dismounted and held his horse’s reins as he helped me to my feet. As we made our way toward the house, two more horsemen galloped their mounts up the avenue. Startled, my escort’s horse reared, and I dodged the metal-shod hooves as I pulled away and stumbled toward the new arrivals. I clutched the nearer one’s stirrup and begged, “Please, tell me the truth of the battle.”
He answered, “The shot fell thick as hail, and there were many killed on both sides. The troops on this island are ordered to retreat, for their number is too small for an adequate defense.”
“If this detachment is called away and the Redcoats come ashore here, what will happen to us?”
The other messenger replied, “We shall stop them in their tracks before that becomes a worry, madam.”
“But it seems you have not done so. Where is Major Moore? I want to speak with him.”
“I cannot say, madam. There were many units on the field of battle.”
Finding no comfort in anything they said, I went into the house. The hall clock struck ten and I realized it was not even midday.
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