Saber Roses

  During the historical period in American history known as the Civil War, the nation embarked on one of its darkest journeys. Between the years of 1861-1865 over 620,000 Americans became casualties of war, either by wounds received in battle or succumbing to various types of disease. Every household in the North as well as the South was affected in someway by this great conflict and the tragedies that it offered.  It was the first time in American history that families were sorely divided over the social issues of states' rights and the morality of slavery. What was even a greater tragedy was the fact that son fought against father, brother against brother, and friend against friend. Never had the nation in it's youthful history been faced with such a dramatic challenge for survival such as this conflict presented, and afterward, the unprepared changes the nation as a whole would have to encounter with the era of Reconstruction.

 Through the characters in the story Sabers & Roses, you will be drawn personally into the conflict from Manassas to Winchester. Follow the life of Pete Barker and his wealthy family as they live day-to-day life on a farm near Harpers Ferry, Virginia (West Virginia.) An invitation has been extended to you to become acquainted with each of the Barker family members, to travel, to share in their personal emotional journey through what was known to citizens of that era in history as the Great Rebellion. How will the family handle success, wealth, and disappointment, but also once the war begins and the lower Shenandoah Valley is engulfed by conflict, what drama will play out in their personal lives as a result?  How will they survive and learn to deal with the issues of their life? You are invited to become involved with each supporting character as they vigorously attempt to influence, manipulate and at times shape various family members views concerning the social-political issues during this time.

    Once Katie McBride arrives in Harpers Ferry, what effect will she have upon the family? Will Katie's presence divide the Barkers, or will the family accept Katie, knowing that being from Boston her social views are much different? The question may surface and you may ask why did she leave Massachusetts? Will you really accept her answer? Is she mysteriously hiding something in her past or present that even the Barker's are unaware of? Come and join her personal journey and share Katie's disappointments, challenges, dreams, hopes, and her struggle for acceptance in a community that's being ravaged by war and suffering.