CIVIL WAR BOOK
Volume I 1574 - 1906
Good Times and Bad Times
An American Tale
Volume I 1574 - 1906
Our American tale began in the year 1574 with the birth of an English boy named William Mays: (or as it is sometimes written Mease, or Mayes). His father was of Dutch heritage, the roots of which we shall not take time to examine now, for this adventure is bound for
America. I do not know, nor do I care to speculate, as to how or why William chose to become a preacher, but that was his profession. By the events that would begin to unfold in this young man’s life, we can know, with some certainty, that he was of a bold and adventuresome spirit.
These were times of great explorations and colonization as all Europe, and especially England, sought to expand its influence and power in the “New World”. The Virginia Company of England was organized in 1606 for the express purpose of
establishing a colony in this “New World”, which we call America. On December 19th, 1606, three small ships set sail on this bold new venture. Filled with great expectations of power and wealth, they entered the James River on April 26th , 1607: continuing up-river for about fifty miles from the mouth, they settled on a site which they named Jamestown in honor of their King, James I of England.
Replicas of these three ships have been constructed and are open to the public at the sight of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia. I have walked about on these ships, and can personally say that “small” is not an adequate term to apply to these vessels when contemplating an Atlantic crossing. On my boldest day, I would not venture beyond sight of land on such a small and fragile craft.
INTRODUCTION ...................................... page. 1.
PRE CIVIL WAR ........................................ page. 8.
THE CIVIL WAR ........................................ page. 25.
POST CIVIL WAR ........................................ page. 125.
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