Affectionately Yours: The Civil War Letters of William R. Jackson and his Wife Julia

Our nation’s Civil War had been raging for just six months when William R. Jackson joined the Third Ohio Volunteer Cavalry as quartermaster. His wife, Julia, joined the ranks of women on both sides of the conflict who prayed fervently that they would not see their loved ones’ names on the growing lists of casualties. As with most soldiers and their families, handwritten letters were to be their main contact during those four long years of war. As the Third moved further south into “Dixie,” William and Julia’s letters increased in frequency. It was these carefully folded pieces of paper, each still in its original envelope, that were found decades later tucked away in a closet. Realizing her ancestors’ letters were not just historically significant but also a wonderful human interest story, the editor resolved to transcribe and share them with others. Her transcription and diligent research makes for a great read; whether you’re a history buff or just looking for a good love story, you will find this book captivating.

Cheryl Jackson Baker moved from her South Florida roots to pursue a career in Special Education. After obtaining her B.S. from Florida State University in the Education of the Visually Impaired, she taught for two years in Virginia. She obtained her M.A. from University of Northern Colorado in Orientation and Mobility after which she continued to teach blind and visually impaired students (from infants to clients in their nineties) until her retirement in 2009. Cheryl is an avid cyclist and hiker, having hiked all the trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ridden in several bicycle tours for various charities. When not traveling or substitute teaching, she enjoys cycling the roads in the "foothills" of the nearby mountains. She and her husband, Phil, have lived in East Tennessee since their marriage in 1979. Their adult children, Matthew (and his wife and daughter) and Megan, live in Richmond, Virginia. When not traveling to visit their children, or other family, Cheryl has enjoyed traveling to various places mentioned in the book for research purposes. One of her next "projects" is to travel to all the National Parks across this expansive and diverse country of ours. This book about her great-great-grandparents' Civil War letters, is her first.