Author to Host Book Signing at Civil War Reenactment

As you read Willow Grove author Mark Hubman’s book, “Dearest Issabella,” you can almost see the Civil War soldiers from the 123rd Pennsylvania Regiment huddled over the fire, cooking their rations and preparing to march to the next battle. And, in the case of fictional union soldier Samuel Ripley, penning heartfelt letters home to his wife, Issabella, in Philadelphia.

Mark Hubman will offer a book signing of “Dearest Issabella” during a Civil War encampment on April 23 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem Township.

Hubman, a virtual lifelong follower of Civil War history, researched the regiment - which was recruited from the Philadelphia area - and wrote his romance/historical fiction book from the vantage point of Ripley, incorporating actual facts, sights and people into Ripley’s telling of the war that pitted north against south … and separated him from his beloved Issabella.

“One hundred percent of the story concerning the regiment is true. All the letters were written at a time and from a place where the regiment would’ve been, discussing the things that the 123rd had to endure during the war,” Hubman said, adding that illness sidelined the regiment from fighting in the Battle of Antietam. “I thought that would make an interesting letter from Samuel to Issabella because he would’ve had regret, like any soldier in a regiment that’s not able to take part in a battle.”

Hubman’s creation of Samuel transformed what could have been a straight history book into a touching portrait of love interrupted by war.

The author’s love affair with the Civil War began at age 11, during his first trip to the Gettysburg National Military Park.

Then, years later, while attending Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., Hubman practically lived on the battlefield. During frequent visits, he hiked the same trails that soldiers had traversed so many years before and peered across the same grassy fields where decades before, the war that pitted brother against brother had played out.

While much of the book is centered on our nation’s conflicts, both then and more recent wars, the message Hubman wants to get across most lies more in the roots of his own deep-seated passion. “Love is timeless,” he said. “Being in love today and being in love 150 years ago is still the same. The language is the same. The feelings are the same. The emotions are the same.”

If you go

Mark Hubman will host a book-signing for “Dearest Issabella” on April 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as part of the 27th annual Neshaminy State Park Civil War Reenactment. The park is located at 3401 State Road in Bensalem.