Review of “The Lost and The Found” by Ellen Murphy

Score: 90/100 (9.0 out of 10)

The Lost and The Found by Ellen Murphy is the second volume in a series of short stories surrounding the Civil War. Like the previous book, The Snow Goose and Other Tales, it is particularly focused on the lives of civilians in the Confederate South (especially in Virginia) and how these lives were affected, shaken, and upended by the war.

This three-story collection concerns themes of family, resilience, human compassion, and people setting aside their differences and coming together during a dark time or disunion.

The first story (“My Son is Missing!”) is a tense and emotional story—arguably the most tense and emotional story in the whole three-volume series. The story follows Henry Thomas, a farmer in Virginia during the Civil War. Henry runs a small farm that he struggles to manage alone after his son, Jamie, joins the Confederate army. He learns that Jamie has been killed at the Battle of Gettysburg, but refuses to accept it, as does Jamie's fiancée, Charlotte Johnson.

Encouraged by friends and a sense of hope, Henry decides to travel to Gettysburg with Charlotte's father, Timothy Johnson, to search the hospitals and camps for Jamie. Their journey is arduous, filled with treacherous roads and the misery of wounded soldiers. They encounter an overwhelming number of injured soldiers and conditions of hardship in the makeshift hospitals.

After a long and exhausting search, they eventually find Jamie alive, though injured. Alongside him is Howard England, another young man from their community. Both Jamie and Howard are brought home, where they begin to recover with the care of family and friends. Jamie's return sparks hope and joy, leading to the promise of a future wedding with Charlotte. The story highlights themes of hope, perseverance, community support, and the lasting impact of the Civil War on the lives of ordinary people.

The theme of hope really shines through this particular story as Henry, Charlotte, and Timothy refuse to give up on the hope of confirming their loved one's fate. Speaking of which, this story also shines in that it explores the anxieties and fears of not knowing what has truly become of a loved one who has gone missing. It also shines a light on the dismal yet improving state of healthcare at the time, with American healthcare being forced to advance in response to the mass-casualties during the war.

Lastly, one of the great things about this story is that it also highlights how weddings worked at the time, especially the urge to get married and to do so at a younger age. This is accelerated and, in a sense, exacerbated by the chaos and uncertainty caused by the war.

The second story (“The Bravery at VMI”) begins by focusing on events at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) during the Civil War. It follows a group of young cadets who demonstrate courage and loyalty amidst the chaos of the war. The story sheds light on the experiences of these cadets, exploring themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the coming-of-age challenges faced during such a tumultuous period.

Keep in mind: a lot of these cadets and soldiers were under the age of 15 (some as young as 13) due to lost or forged documents and an insatiable desire to fight, protect, and make a difference.

In chapter 2, this story drastically, dramatically, and somewhat abruptly shifts focus to Mildred Adams, who runs a large estate in Virginia. She is portrayed as a strong, efficient, and compassionate woman, constantly managing the household and caring for others during the tumultuous times of the Civil War.

Mildred displays remarkable hospitality when she takes in a foreign soldier who is found injured on the roadside. Despite the chaos of war, she maintains a welcoming environment and ensures the soldier receives proper care. Her responsibilities extend to overseeing the household staff, including her maids and butler, Jimmy (a“Darkie” who stands 6'6 and is treated very well on the estate). She is known in the community for her generosity, providing food, medicine, and even homemade quilts to those in need.

With that said, she is also always on guard for those who might take advantage of her and her estate. Not only does she have Jimmy, a very large man who often comes armed with a gun (a rarity among Blacks), but she also has three attack dogs who warn her of danger. The guard dogs kinda reminded us of the guard goose from the previous book.

Through the story, Mildred emerges as a figure of resilience and leadership. Her actions underscore themes of compassion, duty, and the quiet strength that helped communities endure the difficulties of the Civil War.

While Mildred is compelling as a protagonist, this particular story really highlighted how idealistic and rose-tinted the Confederate South is painted throughout this series, to an unrealistic degree. Pretty much all of the slaves and former slaves, like Big Jim, are shown to be treated well and respectfully, almost like free people. They're always portrayed as being happy and content with their situation. It almost reminded us of the infamous scene from the movie The Patriot in which the good guy's slaves claim to work the fields as “free men” because the filmmakers knew this would make the protagonist (and America) look better.

The young Confederate cadets, while incompetent at times, are shown as being loyal, dedicated, and committed to what we are coaxed to believe is a good cause (fighting for the Confederacy). Meanwhile, Mildred is shown as basically being Wonder Woman, Supergirl, or a Mary Sue, saving everyone who is injured or in need regardless of what side of the war they're on.

She has some kind of sixth sense that allows her to detect when people are lying to her or possibly dangerous. You can maybe call this an instinct or street smarts.

Even other characters throughout the book (in different stories) refer to her either with reverence or a tinge of jealousy because of how great she is.

That would be great if literally every other book in the series didn't feature a character like Mildred—a strong woman who runs a house, helps hurt/lost people, and keeps bad people at bay—to the point where it becomes formulaic and cliche.

The third story in the book, titled "A Foreigner In Their Midst," follows that formula to an extent, although it branches off to explore themes like alienation. The story follows Gretchen Harper, a German immigrant who finds herself in a Virginia community during the Civil War. As a foreigner, Gretchen faces suspicion and prejudice from the locals, who view her with a mix of curiosity and distrust due to her accent and unfamiliar customs. However, Gretchen’s resilience and determination allow her to navigate these challenges.

Gretchen is married to Thomas Kennison Harper, who owns a fleet of ships. The story captures her experiences as she adjusts to life in a new country while working during her husband's frequent absences due to his business interests.

If that sounds familiar, that's because it's the setup for seemingly every other story in the series, and it gets a bit tiresome after a while.

Gretchen arrives in the community and starts working on the estate, helping with household chores and daily tasks. Despite the initial mistrust, her hard work and kind-hearted nature gradually win over some of the locals. The narrative explores how Gretchen builds relationships with those around her, including the household's staff, such as Jimmy, the butler. Through her interactions, the story delves into themes of cultural differences, acceptance, and the struggles of adapting to a new environment during a time of conflict.

As the plot progresses, Gretchen's story serves as a lens to examine the wider impact of the Civil War on individuals and communities. Her presence challenges the existing norms of the society she has joined, revealing the complexities of human relationships in a time marked by division and uncertainty. Ultimately, the story showcases how compassion, empathy, and a willingness to understand others can bridge the gaps between people of different backgrounds.

Some of these stories really start to sound eerily similar and blend/blur together. However, they're still worthwhile reads.

Check it out on Amazon!