Crossing The Line

by Taylor M. Chamberlin and James D. Peshek

Book Description

When Virginia joined the Confederacy in 1861, the Potomac River became an international frontier. Loyal Unionists in north Loudoun County found themselves cut off from family and friends – and from traditional markets in the North. Harassed by Confederate forces, scorned by their rebel neighbors, and isolated from their usual sources of supply, these people faced increasing hardship as the war dragged on for four long years.

Here is the first detailed account of their struggles to reestablish their personal and commercial links to the North. Their successes and failures are set amid the political intrigue, smuggling, profiteering and bitter personal feuds visited on them by an unwanted war.

Samuel L. Steer's wartime customs ledger proved an invaluable resource in adding a human dimension to the story. More than 6,000 entries record the names and other information about those who were permitted by Union authorities to cross the Potomac from Virginia to Point of Rocks, Maryland, to purchase "family supplies." This material, which will be of great value to genealogists and other researchers, has been painstakingly compiled on a CD-ROM, which is sold separately. The CD-ROM lists the more than 6,000 names appearing in the Steer ledger, both chronologically and alphabetically, and is intended for use on a PC using Excel.

Book Details

• Paperback: Spiral bound; Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 inches
• Publisher: Waterford Foundation (December 2002)