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”
Tag Archives: Civil War
Part II: War
Chapter 12: Better Angels Crack! Reuben slung the bat behind him and dashed for first base. He looked up to see the direction of the ball as he ran. It was fair, but flying high. As it started on its downward trajectory, the man on third base ran towards it. His bare handsContinue reading “Part II: War”
Chapter 11: Wanted Man
Two years after leaving Kansas, Reuben was in the field checking the growth of his corn when a well-dressed man drove up to his Iowa farm in a buggy. He looked official. Was he trouble? Reuben peered at the stranger from the cover of the field. The man got out of the rig and knocked.Continue reading “Chapter 11: Wanted Man”
Melancholia
Reuben sat on the bench reflecting on the War, his marriage, his family, his sorrow, and his guilt. Beside him sat his revolver, cold, hard, loaded. Next to the gun was a crock of rye whiskey. He twisted the cork off, cradled it in the crook of his arm, and took a long swig.Continue reading “Melancholia”
Chapter 9: 1857
“This court is now in session. Would the defendants please rise?” The three men looked around as if seeking allies in the crowd. Two of them slowly began to stand. “Git yer sorry ass up!” demanded the farmer serving as both guard and bailiff. He nudged the reluctant man with the butt of his SharpsContinue reading “Chapter 9: 1857”
Margaret
There she was, her long dark hair flowing behind her as she ran toward the approaching wagon. “Reuben!” she exclaimed as the long months of worry washed away. The runabout rolled to a stop as Reuben leapt out. They ran toward each other in great anticipation, nearly colliding as Reuben’s arms folded around her.Continue reading “Margaret”
Chapter 7: Sam
“Sam?” Reuben asked dumbfounded. “You heard me Brother DeLay. You are taking Sam with you,” Montgomery retorted. Many thoughts ran through Reuben’s mind as he pondered Montgomery’s demand. Sam was the slave he encountered on his first day in Linn County. How could he get him safely out of Kansas? What wouldContinue reading “Chapter 7: Sam”
Chapter 6: Retribution
Kapow! Kapow! Kapow! Reuben had just settled down for a good night’s sleep when he heard the three shots. There was trouble, but where? The gunfire obviously came from one of his Sugar Creek neighbors. Reuben scanned the night as he exited his canvas shelter. A red glow came from Mace Johnson’sContinue reading “Chapter 6: Retribution”
Chapter 5: Fort Montgomery
There it is, Reuben thought as he rounded a bend and first gazed on Montgomery’s place. It was built against a hillside and was larger than most frontier cabins. The only visible window was on the attic level. The little window offered a commanding view of the approaches to the cabin. As Reuben rodeContinue reading “Chapter 5: Fort Montgomery”
Unbowed: The Saga of a Civil War Cavalryman-Index
I am in the process of converting my research on the life of my ancestor, Reuben DeLay, into a work of historical fiction. As each draft chapter is completed, I will post it here. Readers are invited to follow my blog to stay up-to-date on the book’s progress at: Blog – Outlaws, Outrages and OutrightContinue reading “Unbowed: The Saga of a Civil War Cavalryman-Index”
Outlaws, Outrages and Outright Lies 