VIDEO: Local Author Investigates Legend of Civil War Horse's Frankfort Connection
Sam, the horse of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, is one of the village's most enduring historical figures. But Rachel Gilmore fell in love with the story behind the horse's story and wrote about it in her new book, 'Upon Which Everything Depends.'
Most people wouldn't be thrilled at the possibility of a horse buried under their swimming pool. For Rachel Gilmore, it would've been a dream come true.
As long as it was one particular horse: Sam, the steed of Civil War Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman.
Gilmore became enamored with the Sam and his history while she was doing publicity in 2004 for the sculpture that honors the horse at Founders Center. The more she found out about Sam and his time with Sherman--and then on the Sanger farm in Frankfort--the more she fell in love with the legends and stories surrounding the equine.
That love eventually turned into her new book Upon Which Everything Depends: Two Tales of a Horse Named Sam, which she researched for seven years, reading Sherman's journals and even traveling to the general's home in Lancaster, Ohio. The book tracks Sam's life as a warhorse on the frontlines of the Civil War to his life in Lancaster and finally to his time in Frankfort.
Gilmore took Frankfort Patch on a video tour of some of the significant Frankfort places that are connected to Sam. Watch it in our media gallery.
Author Signing
Gilmore will be signing and selling copies of Under Which Everything Depends: Two Tales of a Horse Named Sam at three locations during the Midnight Madness holiday shopping event Friday, Dec. 16.
- Glory Bee: 7-8 p.m.
- Monkey Mind Art Studio and Gallery: 9-10 p.m.
- White Street Gallery and Framing: 10:15-11 p.m.
Ordering the Book
Copies of Under Which Everything Depends can be ordered at the book's website.
Editor's note: Rachel Gilmore has been a Patch contributor.
In This article
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Frankfort Park District
140 Oak St, Frankfort, IL -
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Glory Bee
104 Kansas St, Frankfort, IL -
Monkey Mind Art Studio & Gallery
3 W Nebraska St, Frankfort, IL -
White Street Gallery & Framing
11 N White St, Frankfort, IL
