Tag Archives: Third Iowa Cavalry

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 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”

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”

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”

Damn Yankee

   “Git offa mah property you damn Yankee som beech!” commanded the little man with the tobacco-stained teeth. “And stay away from mah Niggah, you heah?”             Reuben’s first encounter with the residents of Linn County had rapidly gone south. He could tell the little man meant business because his hand had moved to theContinue reading “Damn Yankee”

Galvanized Rebel

After a few days of recuperating at home, Reuben rode into Centerville. He had some letters to mail and was anxious to get fresh news from the front. The post office was in the back of the Square Deal General Store. As he strode up the steps a man leaving the store hunched over asContinue reading “Galvanized Rebel”

Interrogation

“Whar’s that damn Yankee Lieutenant?” barked the Rebel Sergeant.             Reuben struggled to his feet. His stomach still churned from the half-cooked Confederate cornmeal of the night before. He’d been up half the night tending to the wounded Cronin. They had finally fallen asleep about the same time. His back ached from sleeping on theContinue reading “Interrogation”