“THE BROTHERS’ DUTY”
“THE BROTHERS’ DUTY – ECHOES OF VALOR AND SACRIFICE” by Gordon L. Sheaffer, Jr.
In 1994, Gordon “Gordy” Sheaffer, Jr. was moved by the knowledge of his lineage to several Civil War veterans, that of 2nd Lt. Jefferson Truitt and Cpl. David “Port” Truitt, enough to start a small living history project to honor their service…in time, that project grew into what has become “The 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Living History Family”…
In more recent years, Gordy wanted to do more…he wanted to share the story of the Truitt brothers, along with other family members, friends and neighbors who had enlisted to serve in the “Finlay Cadets”, which would become Company D, Sixty-second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in a more personal light…along the way it had been suggested to him that “historical fiction” might be an avenue to tell the story, including many factual accounts of their service, while making it more than just a biography…
Aided by a tremendous amount of research help and support of family, Gordy published his first novel which allows you to walk through the American Civil War alongside two brothers, as they struggle with family heartbreak, decisions to enlist, and the day-to-day life as soldiers, from the mundane inactivity while waiting to meet their foes, to the terrifying reality when it finally occurred…
“The Brothers’ Duty” is available through Plum Street Books, Amazon, and at the Gettysburg Heritage Center…to order online: https://plumstreetbooks.com https://amazon.com https://gettysburgmuseumstore.com
REVIEWS:
“The Brothers Duty” is a superb novel that tracks the authors’ ancestors, the Truitt brother’s service with Company D of the 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry regiment during the Civil War. Company D was recruited primarily from Armstrong County, and the county seat of Kittanning is the backdrop to the novel. The 62ns PA regiment was engaged in most of the major battles in the eastern theater, to include a severe encounter in the wheatfield during the Battle of Gettysburg.
So much fiction is contrived but not “The Brothers’ Duty”. The homefront, camp life, the interaction of officers and enlisted men, battlefield descriptions, battle carnage, hospitals, death and dying are all presented in a realistic believable way. The author’s storytelling ability, coupled with extensive research, brings the lives of the company members and the brothers to life.
“The Brothers’ Duty” ranks with the best in Civil War fiction and is highly recommended.
–John Haltigan, contributor on “Those Who Fought” by Arthur B. Fox, co-author of “In The Center Of The Storm” [The 139th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the Civil War] with Arthur B. Fox, and “The Old 13th is at the Front” [A History of the 102nd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment 1861-1865] with Arthur B. Fox and Jeane H. Stetson.
Music on this page: “American Theme” by Briane Keane, performed by The Irish Film Orchestra from the soundtrack “The Long Journey Home”