“Women are like teabags. We don’t know our true strength until we are in hot water.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
If you’ve read any of my blogs here on P&P, you’ll recall I’ve often gone down the rabbit hole while researching my books. Which is exactly what happened a few weeks ago while I was researching information for an upcoming Civil War romance set to release in 2026, and came across a book, “The Cotillion Brigade” by Glen Carey.
Based on the true story of the celebrated Nancy Hart Rifles, “The Cotillion Brigade” is an inspiring
story of the Civil War’s ravages on family and love, the resilient bonds of sisterhood amid devastation, and the miracle of reconciliation between bitter enemies. Twenty-one-year-old year-old Nannie Colquitt Hill and her “Fighting Nancies” stand between their beloved homes and the Yankee torches. The all-female unit was composed of wives and daughters of Confederate soldiers.
While this book caught my interest, it was the mention of the Nancy Hart rifles that sent me tumbling down that tangled web. So, in honor of Women’s History Month here is the legend of Nancy Hart…
Nancy was born Ann Morgan in 1747. According to contemporary accounts, “Aunt Nancy,” as she was often called, was a tall, gangly woman who towered six feet in height. Like the frontier she inhabited, she was rough-hewn and rawboned, with red hair and a smallpox-scarred face. She was also cross-eyed. One early account pointed out that Hart had “no share of beauty—a fact she herself would have readily acknowledged, had she ever enjoyed an opportunity of looking into a mirror.”
Hart’s physical appearance was matched by a feisty personal demeanor characterized by a hotheaded temper, a fearless spirit, and a penchant for exacting vengeance upon those who offended her or harmed her family and friends. Members of the Cherokee Indian tribe soon began to refer to her as “Wahatche,” which may have meant “war woman.” She was also a domineering wife. Many remembered that she, rather than her husband, ran the Hart household, which eventually included six sons and two daughters. Although she was illiterate, Hart was amply blessed with the skills and knowledge necessary for frontier survival; she was an expert herbalist, a skilled hunter, and despite her crossed eyes, an excellent shot.
Nancy was known for being a devoted Patriot, who strongly disliked the British and their cause. She dedicated most of her life to fighting against it. She also fought British and Loyalist soldiers on her own property in the Georgia backcountry on multiple occasions. In one such instance, Nancy was making lye soap, and the liquid was extremely hot. Her daughter noticed a pair of eyes peeking through the wall of their log cabin. She alerted her mother, and Nancy stopped to throw a ladle of steaming soap mixture right into the eyes of the British soldier. She tended the soldier’s wounds before surrendering him to the Patriots.
Perhaps the most famous legend states that British soldiers entered the Hart property looking for a local patriot leader they had been pursuing. When they knocked on the door, Nancy refused to give them any information. Convinced she was lying, the soldiers slaughtered the last turkey on the property, barged into her house, and demanded Nancy cook it for them.
As the soldiers made themselves comfortable, Nancy served them plenty of her corn liquor, getting them drunk enough that they would not notice her sneaking their weapons outside the house each time she walked by them. Then, her daughter snuck outside and used a conch shell to alert the neighbors that they needed assistance.
When the soldiers caught on to what Nancy was doing with their muskets and threatened her, she turned the weapon on them. The soldiers ignored her warning, so she shot and killed the first to approach her. Nancy and her daughter held the remaining at gunpoint until the neighbors arrived. The rest of the soldiers were hanged on a nearby tree.
While this story is steeped in legend, it was given credence in 1912 by the discovery of six bodies on the Hart property. It was said that the skeletal remains were buried three feet underground and had been there for at least a century.
In 1853, the state of Georgia formed a new county from parts of Franklin and Elbert counties and named it Hart County after Nancy Hart. She is the only woman with a county named after her in Georgia. Near the city of Hartwell, G.A., the U.S. government dedicated a monument to her that says, “To commemorate the heroism of Nancy Hart.” In 1932, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), with the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps, rebuilt Nancy’s cabin. The DAR gave the cabin to the state of Georgia, and the area, about 14 acres, was turned into a state park.
My May 30th Release!
An outlaw looking for a fresh start. A schoolteacher who might hold the key to the entire town’s salvation.
Ash “Shotgun” McCrae can never make up for all the wrong he’s done. After leaving a notorious outlaw gang, he thought he’d discovered the peaceful existence he’d been looking for when he found work laying tracks for the railroad in Rivers Bend. Yet, when trouble shows up in town, he fears he may never free himself from the burden of his past.
Schoolteacher Kate Cummings stands as the one bright light in contrast to the curious looks and behind-the-glove whispers blowing through the town. The arrival of Padraic “Patch” Rooney and his gang challenges the small-town serenity she holds dear. Still, her steadfast trust in Ash awakens the strength of courage within them all, giving rise to the collective defiance against the approaching danger.
In a deadly game of dangerous outlaws and secret schemes, Kate and Ash must decide whether they are willing to risk everything for their love, including their lives.
Born and raised in western Massachusetts, Jo-Ann Roberts was fascinated by America’s Old West and always felt she was destined to travel on a wagon train following the Oregon Trail. With her love of history and reading, she began reading historical romance during high school and college. Victoria Holt, Jude Deveraux, and Roseanne Bittner were among her favorites. Influenced by her father, she fell in love with John Wayne, James Garner, and her all-time favorite, James Stewart and grew up watching Wagon Train, Bonanza and Rawhide.
A firm believer in HEA with a healthy dose of realism, Jo-Ann strives to give her readers a sweet historical romance while imparting carefully researched historical facts, personalities, and experiences relative to the time period. Her romances take her readers back to a simpler time to escape the stress of modern life by living in a small town where families and friends help one another find love and happiness.
When she isn’t creating believable plots and relatable heroes and heroines, Jo-Ann enjoys spending time with her husband, children and grandson. She also enjoys baking, quilting and eating way too much chocolate.
After 38 years in public education in Connecticut and Maryland, she’s now calls North Carolina home.
Wow! I learned a lot today. Thank you for the history lesson.
Welcome, Ann! I’m always pleased when I can share interesting facts with the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P.
What a fascinating story of Mrs. Hart. Thanks for sharing it.
Welcome, Danielle. Nancy Hart certainly had gumption! Yet, being a mother, she did what she had to do to protect her family. Very brave woman! Thanks for stopping by P&P.
I love reading stories like these. I bet she was amazing in real life.
Welcome, Debra. I’m always fascinated when I come across interesting women in my research and enjoy sharing with the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P.
My forefathers fought with Washington for our freedom. Stories of women who fought, in their own way, gets my attention.
A county named for Hart, how cool is that.
Welcome, Deb. What a wonderful legacy you’ve been privileged to have! I’m always fascinated when I come across interesting women in my research. Thanks for stopping by P&P.
Wow!! Love this!! I love when y’all share the cool things you find in your research!! And, the new book sounds good, too!
Welcome, Trudy. I’m always fascinated when I come across interesting women in my research and enjoy sharing with the readers. Sometimes, I lose track of time researching instead of writing. The series, Guns For Hire, begins on April 15th with “Creek” written by my fellow Filly, Linda Broday . Thanks for stopping by P&P.
Trudy, the correct date for Linda Broday’s book in the Guns For Hire series is MARCH 15th. I apologize for the error.
J.
Fun fact: I had my library order a copy of The Cotillion Brigade for me, and while reading it, I found several errors. I gave it 4 stars in my Goodreads review and mentioned that I would have given it 5 had it not been for the errors, several of which were glaringly obvious (like changing a baby from a girl to a boy!). The author contacted me and asked if I would send him a list of the errors, and he would correct them and send me a paperback copy of the book. I went back through and emailed him all of the errors I could find, and about a month later, I got a corrected copy of the book in the mail. P.S. I do editing work for an independent Christian author, so I’m really sensitive to errors in books. I usually overlook them unless they are REALLY bad, or there are a whole lot of them! LOL
Welcome, Kim. What an interesting story! How kind and humble the author was to contact you, ask for your input, and send a paperback copy to you. I hope he signed the book. Thank you for stopping by P&P.
Nancy Hart was quite a formidable woman
Welcome, Denise. I agree with you. I feel there were many women whose similar stories throughout history were not recorded. Here is the link to the National Women’s History Museum. They have lots of info as well as biographies of famous, infamous, and everyday women. https://www.womenshistory.org/
Thank you for posting this. I had never heard of Nancy Hart. She seems like she was quite a gal.
Welcome, Susan. I had never heard of her before I started the research which I find a bit odd as I love history, especially stories about women. Nancy Hart was certainly a formidable woman in the 18th century. I can only imagine what she must think of our present political/historical climate. Thanks for stopping by P&P.
Intriguing post! I had read that book about six months ago and found it to be another interesting aspect of the war. Genealogy is another hobby of mine, and I have done quite a bit of research during that time period as I follow the lives of ancestors.
Welcome, Catherine. I feel there were many women whose similar stories throughout history were not recorded. Here is the link to the National Women’s History Museum. They have lots of info as well as biographies of famous, infamous, and everyday women. https://www.womenshistory.org/ Thanks for stopping by P&P.
Would have loved to have met her! She sounds like a wonderful woman!
Welcome, Barbara. She was fascinating and fearless. Though not a handsome woman, she married and raised eight children. She certainly would have been a force to be reckoned with in the 18th century. Thanks for stopping by P&P.
Fascinating history! I think things like that happened many times, but the stories weren’t told. Of course some historical events we probably don’t want to know.
Welcome, Karijean. I feel there were many women whose similar stories throughout history were not recorded. Here is the link to the National Women’s History Museum. They have lots of info as well as biographies of famous, infamous, and everyday women. https://www.womenshistory.org/
Good morning, Thank you so much for sharing about Nancy Hart, she was quite a woman! Have a great day!
Welcome, Alicia. She was fascinating and fearless. Though not a handsome woman, she married and raised eight children. She certainly would have been a force to be reckoned with in the 18th century…or in the 21st century. Thanks for stopping by P&P.
wow this is so interesting. thanks for sharing. congratulations on your newest book. looks interesting.
Welcome, Lori. I had never heard of her before I started the research which I find a bit odd as I love history, especially stories about women. Nancy Hart was certainly a formidable woman in the 18th century. I can only imagine what she must think of our present political/historical climate. Thanks for stopping by P&P.
Good morning. Thanks for sharing her story.
Welcome, Linda. I’m always fascinated when I come across interesting women in my research and enjoy sharing with the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P.
WOW I never knew the Nancy Hart story. Thanks for sharing.
Your book sounds great!
Welcome, Carrie. I’m always fascinated when I come across interesting women in my research and enjoy sharing with the readers. Sometimes, I lose track of time researching instead of writing. The series, Guns For Hire, begins on April 15th with “Creek” written by my fellow Filly, Linda Broday . Thanks for stopping by P&P
Carrie, the correct date for Linda Broday’s book in the Guns For Hire series is MARCH 15th. I apologize for the error.
It’s all good. We’re all human. Thanks for the info!
Thank you so much for sharing this story. It was very facinating.
Welcome, Bonnie. I feel there were many women whose similar stories throughout history were not recorded. Here is the link to the National Women’s History Museum. They have lots of info as well as biographies of famous, infamous, and everyday women. https://www.womenshistory.org/
I love when you go down rabbit holes. It makes for an interesting post. People who say women can’t handle the military certainly don’t know much about history or how fierce a woman can be protecting those she loves. She was much more clever and ferocious than I think I could be. But you never know until you are put in the situation. Thanks for sharing her story and mentioning the Cotillion Brigade.
I am looking forward to reading Ash and the rest of the Guns For Hire series.
Welcome, Patricia. I’m always fascinated when I come across interesting women in my research and enjoy sharing it with the readers. Sometimes, I lose track of time researching instead of writing. The series, Guns For Hire, begins on April 15th with “Creek” written by my fellow Filly, Linda Broday . Thanks for stopping by P&P
WOW this history lesson was informative thanks
Welcome, Crystal. I feel there were many women whose similar stories throughout history were not recorded. Here is the link to the National Women’s History Museum. They have lots of info as well as biographies of famous, infamous, and everyday women. https://www.womenshistory.org/
Never heard of Nancy Hart but loved the history. What an amazing woman. Thank you.
Welcome, Sarah. Nancy Hart certainly had gumption! Yet, being a mother, she did what she had to do to protect her family. Very brave woman! Thanks for stopping by P&P.
Welcome, Sarah. Nancy Hart certainly had gumption! Yet, being a mother, she did what she had to do to protect her family. Very brave woman! Thanks for stopping by P&P.
This book will be a change from Regency romances. I knew women were on the go 24/7 just to keep their families fed/clothed/civilized, but actively taking up arms isn’t usually part of what we learn in history class. Sounds like Nancy Hart should be included!
Welcome, Mary. I feel there were many women whose similar stories throughout history were not recorded. Here is the link to the National Women’s History Museum. They have lots of info as well as biographies of famous, infamous, and everyday women. https://www.womenshistory.org/
Thanks for stopping by P&P!