Captain William Monks was from West Plains, Missouri, where my Great-Great-Grandfather fought a battle in February 1862. A Union man, Monks and his family suffered greatly at the hands of Rebel bushwhackers and irregular troops. Escaping certain death in captivity, he joined the Union Army, spending the rest of the war fighting those who hadContinue reading “Civil War Forgiveness”
Tag Archives: military
Traitor
“Don’t make a sound,” whispered Reuben as he crooked his arm around the Rebel picket’s throat and clapped his other hand over the man’s mouth. The sleepy man grunted as Reuben tightened his grip on his throat. The Rebel’s beady dark eyes looked at Reuben in terror. Another trooper grabbed the hapless man’s rifle. SoContinue reading “Traitor”
Chapter19: Bloodied
“At ease, men. Close the door!” ordered Captain Taylor. He had assembled the men of I Company in the Howell County courthouse. There was a feeling of anticipation as the troopers waited for their company commander to speak. Taylor looked sternly at the men, making sure he had their full attention. “How many of youContinue reading “Chapter19: Bloodied”
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”
Resolution
A fictionalized account of Reuben DeLay’s time in Confederate prisons Reuben gently pushed the blanket he shared with Dawes over the form of his softly snoring bedmate. The air was cold and his joints ached from sleeping on the hard ground. He needed to stretch and get his blood circulating. He crawled outContinue reading “Resolution”
Lines for My Mother
PVT. Frederick Buckmaster Poem written to his mother, Mary Ann, on May 9, 1864 Clifton, Tenn. It is a calm still night Mother, the winds are lulled and still… The moon’s soft light is beaming bright on yonder sleeping hill… But this soft dreamy hour, Mother, no magic may impart… To check theContinue reading “Lines for My Mother”
Outlaws, Outrages and Outright Lies 