Rebels Along the Rio Grande
A trilogy of historical novels set in New Mexico during the American Civil War
Suitable for grades 4-adult
Book 1: Where Duty Calls
Two boys from different cultures, one a Texan, one a New Mexican, get caught up on opposite sides of the US Civil War.
Jemmy wants to get his mules home safely to Texas. Raul wants all the Americanos, both Union and Confederate, out of New Mexico. Neither want war, but will meet at the Battle of Valverde.
Published by Kinkajou Press, a division of Artemesia Publishing.
Jemmy wants to get his mules home safely to Texas. Raul wants all the Americanos, both Union and Confederate, out of New Mexico. Neither want war, but will meet at the Battle of Valverde.
Published by Kinkajou Press, a division of Artemesia Publishing.
Book 2: The Worst Enemy
Civil War action and drama for young readers that will appeal to young readers, parents, and teachers.
Two boys. One battle. A life-changing encounter. Jemmy Martin left his Texas farm and followed Confederate General Sibley's Army into New Mexico to keep his mules safe. Now he's protecting Willie, an orphaned drummer boy with a broken arm. Cian Lochlann is an Irish orphan who gave up gold prospecting to join the Union Army. All he wants is a full belly and a strong man to lead him into an unknown future. The three meet when the Confederate and Union Armies clash in the mountains east of Santa Fe in the Battle of Glorieta. Can Cian devise a plan that keeps all three boys alive?
Two boys. One battle. A life-changing encounter. Jemmy Martin left his Texas farm and followed Confederate General Sibley's Army into New Mexico to keep his mules safe. Now he's protecting Willie, an orphaned drummer boy with a broken arm. Cian Lochlann is an Irish orphan who gave up gold prospecting to join the Union Army. All he wants is a full belly and a strong man to lead him into an unknown future. The three meet when the Confederate and Union Armies clash in the mountains east of Santa Fe in the Battle of Glorieta. Can Cian devise a plan that keeps all three boys alive?
Teacher's Guide Coming soon.
Book 3:
The Famished Country
The Confederate Army of New Mexico has accepted defeat, and its soldiers begin the long, hard march back to Texas. Raul Atencio, conscripted by Captain Paddy Graydon, is ready to capture those who don't move quickly enough, while Cian Lochlann, recruited into Major John Chivington's unit, presses the ragged troops southward. Weakened by sickness and starvation, Jemmy will have to rely on the kindness of strangers to survive long enough to make it home -- if he dares returning without his beloved mules.
This final book in the Rebels along the Rio Grande series is packed with historical people.
This final book in the Rebels along the Rio Grande series is packed with historical people.
Illustrations by Ian BarstowJemmy Martin is a farm boy from San Antonio, Texas. He loves the family mules and has no interest in adventure or going to war. But when his brother sells the mules to the Confederate Army, he has no choice but to go along on the expedition to protect them.
Raul Atencio is the son of a poor peon, but his uncle is one of the most prosperous merchants in town. He wants to become rich and powerful like his uncle, even if it means trading with the American soldiers who are garrisoned at nearby Fort Craig.
Cian Lochlann's parents brought him to America to escape the Irish Potato Famine when he was only 2. By the time he was 12, he had become an orphan. He escaped the prejudice and poverty of Boston's slums and traveled west to search for gold in the Colorado Rockies, but gave up prospecting to join the Union Army. What Cian really wants is a full belly and a strong man to lead him into an unknown future.
Real People in
REBELS ALONG THE RIO GRANDE
Illustration by Ian Bristow from Where Duty CallsChristopher "Kit" Carson (December 24, 1809 – May 23, 1868) is perhaps the most famous Indian Scout, mountain man, and frontiersman of all time. Carson left his home in rural Missouri when he was only 16 to become a mountain man and trapper in the rugged Rocky Mountains. By the time of the Civil War, he had added wilderness guide, Indian agent, and U.S. Army officer to his resume. Carson was a legend in his own lifetime, and his exploits, although greatly exaggerated, appeared in dime novels.
Carson was a quiet man, short in stature, and uncomfortable with his own celebrity In Where Duty Calls, he is mending his own clothes when he meets Raul for the first time at Fort Craig. Carson was then leading a division of New Mexico Volunteers.
Carson was a quiet man, short in stature, and uncomfortable with his own celebrity In Where Duty Calls, he is mending his own clothes when he meets Raul for the first time at Fort Craig. Carson was then leading a division of New Mexico Volunteers.
Edward R.S.Canby (November 9, 1817 – April 11, 1873) was a West Point graduate who was in command of New Mexico territory's Fort Defiance when the Civil War broke out. He was appointed colonel of the 19th Infantry on May 14, 1861 and made commander of the Department of New Mexico after the man who had been commander left to join the Confederacy.
More an administrator than a fighter, Canby was a cautious and careful leader. He realized that defending the entire territory from every possible attack would stretch his forces too thinly, so he amassed his troops at Fort Craig, to guard the route up the Rio Grande. He was defeated at the Battle of Valverde, but managed to retain the fort and keep its precious stores of food and arms out of enemy hands. Eventually, this forced the Confederates to abandon their campaign and return to Texas.
Canby made no secret of his distain for the New Mexico Volunteers. His reports blamed them for more cowardice and incompetence than they deserved.
Canby was killed in 1873 while attending peace talks with the Modoc in the Pacific Northwest. He was the only United States general to be killed during the Indian Wars.
More an administrator than a fighter, Canby was a cautious and careful leader. He realized that defending the entire territory from every possible attack would stretch his forces too thinly, so he amassed his troops at Fort Craig, to guard the route up the Rio Grande. He was defeated at the Battle of Valverde, but managed to retain the fort and keep its precious stores of food and arms out of enemy hands. Eventually, this forced the Confederates to abandon their campaign and return to Texas.
Canby made no secret of his distain for the New Mexico Volunteers. His reports blamed them for more cowardice and incompetence than they deserved.
Canby was killed in 1873 while attending peace talks with the Modoc in the Pacific Northwest. He was the only United States general to be killed during the Indian Wars.
Henry Hopkins Sibley (May 25, 1816 – August 23, 1886) was also a West Point graduate who was serving in New Mexico territory at the outbreak of the Civil War. He resigned his commission on May 13, 1861, the day of his promotion to major in the 1st Dragoons and joined the Confederate Army. Sibley convinced Confederate President Jefferson Davis to put him in command of a brigade of volunteer cavalry in West Texas, which he named the Army of New Mexico. Sibley's intention for the New Mexico Campaign was to capture Fort Union on the Santa Fe Trail and make it a forward base of supply. He would then capture the gold and silver mines of Colorado and the warm-water ports of California. Sibley was accused of alcoholism during his time in New Mexico. Before the war ended, he had been court martialed and censured. After the war, he served as an advisor for the Egyptian Army, but continued to struggle with alcoholism. He died in poverty.
Do you have a copy of Where Duty Calls or The Worst Enemy that hasn't been signed by the author? Let her know and she will send you a signed bookplate that you can put into your copy.
Jennifer Bohnhoff is also happy to send bookmarks and other goodies to readers who've bought her book.
Teachers, contact Ms. Bohnhoff about a free teacher's guide, or a class visit by the author. She is happy to arrange visits either in person or on the internet. See the class visits and presentations page of this website for more information.
Jennifer Bohnhoff is also happy to send bookmarks and other goodies to readers who've bought her book.
Teachers, contact Ms. Bohnhoff about a free teacher's guide, or a class visit by the author. She is happy to arrange visits either in person or on the internet. See the class visits and presentations page of this website for more information.
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