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Chapter 17: Benton Barracks

“There she is!” Cried an excited Willis DeLay as they marched down the trail from the bluff to the river quay. “Side-wheeler packet,“ observed Reuben. “Looks like a lot of folks are there to see us off.” “Here we are marching off to war with no guns,” mused their cousin, John. Continue reading “Chapter 17: Benton Barracks”

Chapter 16: Camp Rankin

“DeLay, I’m promoting you to Quartermaster Sergeant.” “That’s fine, Sir. What is a Quartermaster Sergeant?” “You’ll be responsible for all the company supplies and equipment.” Reuben glanced down the barren street assigned to the company. Some of the men had made half-shelters out of the blankets they had been issued the evening before. The restContinue reading “Chapter 16: Camp Rankin”

Chapter 15: Enlistment

Chapter 15: Enlistment “You did what?” fumed Margaret, her eyes flashing angrily. “I enlisted,” was Reuben’s meek reply. “Damn you Reuben DeLay! Did you not think of us?” “I did. This is about protecting you and the kids. If we hit the Secessionists hard from the git-go, they’ll fold like they did in Kansas.”Continue reading “Chapter 15: Enlistment”

Damage Assessment:

Have We Been Played? A few weeks ago, America was negotiating with Iran on curbing its nuclear capabilities. This had been a bone of contention between the two nations since President Trump pulled out of the previous nuclear deal in 2018. Without notifying us, Israel attacked Iran. They took out missile and air defense systems,Continue reading “Damage Assessment:”

Bottom Land

Rusty corn planter, The plow horse, Long gone. A home, Hewn from cottonwoods. No lights, no water. Much love. Empty now, It’s stories untold. Of laughing children, Chasing bugs, Log cabin, Two rooms, Melting into the prairie. The Wilson Ranch, Lush grass, Horses and Herefords, Branded, Rocking XA. A lazy river, After the flood. TheContinue reading “Bottom Land”

Chapter 14: Mounted Riflemen

Chapter 14 Mounted Riflemen “Yer out!” Cheers erupted from the crowd of spectators. The Country Boys had just defeated the Centerville Nine by a score of 3-2. They had finally learned to work together as a team and make the best of each player’s skills. There were Huzzahs all around and the opposingContinue reading “Chapter 14: Mounted Riflemen”

No Damn Parade

There’s no damn parade for me, For some emperor wannabe. I refuse to anoint a damn king, Bone spurs no accolades bring. His whole life has been a charade, He ain’t earned no stinkin’ parade. He dishonored the oath he swore, And we, who went off to war. We’re losers andContinue reading “No Damn Parade”

John Brown’s Body

John Brown’s Body A lot can happen in a week. At 4:30 AM on April 12, 1861, the guns of the Confederate States of America opened a bombardment on Fort Sumter. The fort had been designed to defend Charleston Harbor from attacks by sea. It’s defenses were pointed the wrong way, and it was stillContinue reading “John Brown’s Body”

No Kings Protest

Like many, I* will be attending my local No Kings Protest on June 14, 2025. Peaceful protests are the sacred right of all Americans. The right to assemble and seek redress of our grievances is enshrined in the First Amendment of the US Constitution. Whether you are participating in the No Kings Protest, counter-protesting it,Continue reading “No Kings Protest”

Life in 2050

Coltrane stopped and pivoted as he reached the steel door. The digital timer next to the little observation window ticked down. Eight seconds. He had plenty of time before the shock collar began buzzing. He held his wrist up to the scanner. He didn’t like the chip, but what could he do? He hadContinue reading “Life in 2050”