When Calvin Osborne began tracing his ancestry, he uncovered a powerful truth buried in forgotten records: his great-great-grandfather, William Lacy, was born enslaved, fought for freedom, and helped shape a legacy that would span generations.

Contraband Hearts follows William’s journey from the pre–Civil War South to the battlefields of Westport, where he served alongside pivotal figures in America’s defining conflict. After the war, he began a new life with his wife, Lucinda, in a small Kansas town—unknowingly planting roots that would echo across centuries.

Told through the eyes of a descendant, this narrative blends rich genealogy, rare documents, and historical detail. Osborne even discovers a striking connection: William’s birthplace in Alabama was also home to his wife and her family’s, intertwining destinies long before their paths crossed.