A former radio announcer turned writer, William Hallett is a twelfth-generation descendant of a first settler of Newbury, Nicholas Noyes. Always a fan of American history, Bill lived in Maryland near Pennsylvania as a youth and by his twenties had acquired an interest in Civil War history, which is so prevalent in that region. In 1994, he returned to New England and not long after became involved in the Civil War Roundtable of New Hampshire. He led that group as president for ten years and as vice-president for two. He also joined the Civil War Roundtable of the Merrimack and served on the board. During the same time, he was introduced to the world of reenacting, with his first occasion being an encampment on the grounds of Gettysburg National Military Park in June 1994. Determined to keep alive the memory of the people and events of this most crucial time in history, Bill has decided to create this book hoping to spotlight Newburyport's place in Civil War history. Bill lives in Newburyport with his wife, Elizabeth. The couple periodically hosts Footsteps of Heroes: Civil War Walking Tour of Newburyport.