When Calvin Osborne set out to trace his ancestry, he never imagined that buried within dusty archives and faded photographs was the epic story of a once-enslaved man who would fight for freedom, help shape a nation, and unknowingly lay the foundation for generations to come.

Contraband Hearts is a sweeping historical narrative that begins in the pre–Civil War South and follows the life of Osborne’s great-great-grandfather—a man born into slavery, forged in the fires of war, and reborn in a small Kansas town where he settled with his wife to begin anew. As a soldier, he marched alongside pivotal figures through the Battle of Westport and beyond, playing a vital yet overlooked role in America’s defining conflict.

Told through the eyes of a descendant determined to uncover the truth, Contraband Hearts blends meticulous research, rare historical documents, stunning imagery, and powerful genealogical insights. Osborne discovers a poignant twist of fate: his ancestor was born in the same Alabama town where his wife’s lineage would later emerge—intertwining their family’s destinies more than a century before they ever met.

This deeply personal yet historically expansive story illuminates the journey from bondage to battlefield to legacy. It’s a must-read for:

Historians who crave authentic, untold Civil War narratives

Genealogy enthusiasts tracing African American lineages through generations of silence

Preservationists and culture keepers committed to honoring landmarks and the stories they hold

With heartfelt prose and compelling detail, Contraband Hearts is more than a story of ancestry—it’s a tribute to resilience, heritage, and the enduring power of love that spans generations.