Neptune's Honor

Book excerpt: Born into slavery in 1831 on Retreat Plantation, St. Simons Island, Neptune became the childhood friend and servant of plantation heir Henry Lord King. Their devoted friendship, which finally evolved into a shared struggle to survive on the Civil War battlefields, is an inspiring example of how two men from completely different backgrounds can stand united as brothers in times of sacrifice and tragedy. This historical account of courage, honor, compassion and loyalty accurately chronicles family records of the man called Neptune.Award winning author Pamela Bauer Mueller has dreamed of introducing readers to the history of Georgia's Golden Isles since becoming a resident of coastal Georgia. In Neptune's Honor, she offers the unforgettable story of a noble servant named Neptune Small. ?As a descendant of Neptune Small and a student of coastal Georgia history, I'm delighted that a story has been written in honor of my great-great grandfather's heroism. Neptune's Honor touched me deeply. I felt as though I were there with Neptune, experiencing his life, hearing the subtle billowing of the Atlantic, smelling musty earth odors of the island marshes and feeling the ocean breezes as they blew on Neptune's St. Simons Island. While Neptune's Honor is a very touching and powerful story of love, loyalty and honor, it is based on the life of a privileged slave, and in no way represents the level of intense bondage and deprivation endured by the vast majority of my enslaved ancestors.' William Bernard Barnes Jr., Great-great grandson of Neptune Small