This may sound like a weird request but I'm looking for fiction books set in the 1800s to very early 1900s. And I'm partial to the setting being the south (althought that's not entirely necessary). An example of what I'm looking for are books like Cold Mountain, The Color Purple, and Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Also, if someone could recommend any books where someone has an arduous adventure and meets strange people/situations (once again like Cold Mountain .. or Grishams "The Testament", or The Odyssey) it would be greatly appreciated.

Red Badge of Courage? It's an American Civil War story.

Blood Meridian, by Cormac McCarthy.

The Alienist by Caleb Carr

The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles. Set in England and one of the best novels I've ever read.

damn, beat me to it.

anything by Mark Twain

Although I have never read it, Spangle by Gary Jennings could work for you (it is broken into 3 paperbacks).

Plot: A circus troupe traveling the South after the Civil War picks up new members before setting out for Europe.

Try Lonesome Dove. You will never regret it.

Currently reading Cottonwood by Scott Phillips. Pretty good so far. Set between 1870 and 1890's (haven't finished yet).