Читать книгу Daughter of Shiloh - Ilene Shepard Smiddy - Страница 8

Introduction

This book is a historical novel based on the life of Clarinda Allington. Captured by Indians at age twelve, she lived almost twelve years with the Cherokee.

Clarinda married a Cherokee chief named Chulio Shoe Boots, whom she thought to be her savior. Clarinda’s principal desire was to get back to her family in Kentucky.

Research into the archives of the War Department of the United States, Indian Affairs, Cherokee Indian Letters, and the memos and documents written by Indian agents who knew Clarinda and Chief Shoe Boots, reveal much about their life together.

Although essentially fiction, the novel contains many documented facts that breathe life into both character’s personalities. The conflict between the Indian nations and the frontier settlers from 1790-1806 provide background for the book.

Clarinda was an ordinary girl, forced to live an extraordinary life. The fact that she survived, and her devotion to her children is testimony to her indomitable spirit.

After learning that the chief actually engineered her capture Clarinda devised an ingenious plan to gain her freedom. She returned to not only a life of poverty, but prejudice and bigotry directed at her three Indian children.

Because the Cherokee held Clarinda in such high regard, she has many namesakes down through Cherokee history. She is an American legend whose story has never been told.

Several historians mention Clarinda in their work. She was a remarkable pioneer woman and her voice cries out to be heard.

It is the author’s hope that the reader will not only enjoy Clarinda’s amazing story, but also learn something new about the forces that shaped America in its formative years.