Drew Case's new novel offers insights into Civil War life and death

Hartsville author Manson Drew Case plans to retrace Union Gen. William T. Sherman's march through Georgia and South Carolina during his planned book signing tour over the next two years.

Case visited many of the towns and villages Sherman's army swept through in 1865 as he researched his new novel, "Legions Now Quiet: The Civil War Novel."

This is Case's second novel. His first one, "The Divine Spark," was published in 2001

"This one has seemed to take on a life of its own," Case said.

His new novel chronicles the exploits of Confederate cavalry Capt. Jordan Cross as he flees Sherman's advancing army.

Cross has a secret, and the Yankees want it. The South Carolina captain has developed a secret weapon which could determine the outcome of the war.

Cross said he first started work on the novel about six years ago.

"I found out quickly that I didn't know enough to write about it," he said.

So he began a research project that would last years and that would become a labor of love. "I don't know if I enjoyed writing it or researching it more," he said.

"He's worried that the South is losing the way, but he continues to fight on," Case said of the book's central character. "He goes on this journey to try to get something done to win."

His journey keeps Cross one step ahead of the Union forces as they pursue him from Atlanta to Savannah and north to Columbia.

"It's a thriller. It's a suspense novel," said Case. A suspense novel, he said, with a surprise ending.

Through his extensive research, Case also describes in vivid detail the day-to-day life of Billy Yank and Johnny Reb, from what they wore, what they ate, how they traveled, their medical care and much more.

"The things described in this book happened during the Civil War," Case said.

"One of the things that I got out of the research was the fighting spirit these people had," he said.

Case is planning more than 40 stops on his two-year book signing tour, which is scheduled to begin in January.

In addition to visits to some of the larger bookstores like Books-A-Million and Barnes & Noble, the stops will include many smaller shops like Burry Bookstore in Hartsville, he said.

"One thing I want to with this book tour is promote the smaller, independent bookstores," he said. "These smaller independents like Burry are important to our communities. We need them, and I want to help them."

The book is available in bookstores now and is also available online, Case said.

Case said he has been struck by the reaction of readers to his new novel.

"It's just been overwhelming," he said. "People come up to me and start talking to me about it. You can tell they've read the book because they know so much detail about it."

An engineer by profession, Case said he plans to write some more because he enjoys it so much. He thinks he has at least one more novel left in him.

"Everybody needs a hobby," he said.