The Cotillion Brigade
The Cotillion Brigade is an historical novel that sweeps you into the bloodiest conflict fought in the USA—the Civil War. The story is told from the perspectives of a Southern belle from LaGrange, Georgia, and a Union military officer directed to burn a stake deep into the heart of the Confederacy. The novel begins in 1856 when Nannie Colquitt Hill makes her debut in antebellum society. She is not a demure belle but a single-minded, intelligent woman who defies Southern gentility by forming a women’s militia to defend her hometown. To the north, a farm boy, Hugh LaGrange, joins an Abolitionist crusade to ban slavery and later enlists in the First Wisconsin Cavalry to fight for the Union. Plunged into the maelstrom of brutal warfare, they finally meet in a climactic confrontation at war’s end.
Author Glen Craney masterfully captures the essence of Nannie and Hugh through dialogue and multilayered scenes foreshadowing how the story will end. The narration alternates between the two characters, chapter by chapter, as the war approaches and then progresses into bloody battles. One of the aspects that I enjoyed most is how each character considers previous historical events to make decisions. As with most wars, Nannie and Hugh adamantly believe in their causes, but the realities of death and destruction ultimately challenge their humanity and forever change them. Yet, even in the darkest moments, moments of compassion rise above the cruelty of war. The story reflects the author’s impeccable research and passion for the subject.
The Cotillion Brigade will appeal to readers who enjoy reading poignant, character-driven Civil War stories that will resonate in their minds long after finishing them. Highly recommended.
