Editor’s Note: This is an ongoing series which runs each Thursday morning titled the Richland Chronicles Volume 5, by author Paul Lintern. It is set in the 1860s and tells the story of Richland County through the eyes of young people. This is the fifth in a series. Volume I was Amelia Changes Her Tune. Volume II was Isaac and Wolf Paw Find Their Home. Volume III was Autumn Keeps Her Secret. Volume IV was Mr. Gamble Starts a School.
“Mother, what have you brought to spoil your sons?” Phillip asked, as he took the basket and opened the top.
“It certainly will have more than one taste, making it an improvement over army food,” Nathaniel added, taking the blanket from Cassie and giving it a fling to open it up and place on the ground.
“Stop your complaining, little brother. You know the food has been marvelous since we’ve been here. The farmers are bringing in all the best they have and are happy to sell it to the army. Mr. and Mrs. Vasbinder have been supplying us practically on their own. They’ll never want this war to end,” Phillip said.
“Hush now,” Mama said. “The Vasbinders are good Christian folks. And they are feeding you well. I just want to be sure you don’t forget the taste of my grapebread pudding.”
“I knew it,” Nathaniel laughed, slapping Phillip on the arm. “I told you she would bring it.”
“That is just right after the paces we went through today,” Levi piped in, reaching for a biscuit.
“Now you wait,” Mama said. “You can wait until your father gets here.”
Everyone groaned.
“Oh all right. Who knows when he will get here. Now, who will say the blessing, since Papa isn’t here?” Philip offered, since everyone was looking at him.
He always seemed to be the one who would speak up for everyone else, especially if they needed something from their father. And from their Heavenly Father.
“Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these Thy gifts which we receive from Thy bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.”
“Just the right length,” Jacob thought. “Covered all the important parts without letting the food spoil.”
“So you thought you could get the best pieces eaten before I got here?”
Everyone looked up and Jacob and Cassie hopped up to give their father a hug. He reached down to kiss Mama and said, “You know, Autumn, the other men are jealous that I get to eat a home-cooked meal like this.”
“No they aren’t,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“Half the women in town are here every night, feeding their men.”
“And the other half are here looking for men to feed,” Levi joked.
“Ah, but I am served by the most beautiful,” Papa said.
“Are you boys taking notes on this?” Mama asked.
The boys feigned empty and confused looks, as though they had no idea what she was talking about. Cassie grinned.
As they ate together, Jacob asked as many questions as he could about what his brothers did during the day.
How big is the brigade? What are the drills? Have they shot at anything yet? Why do they march so much? What does the bugler’s wake-up call sound like? When will they get uniforms? Will they march together? When do they get to fight? When will the cannons arrive?
“Good Lord, little brother, slow down,” Nathaniel said. “Wait for an answer before you ask the next question. We’re just soldiers, we can’t think that fast!”
Phillip added, “That’s why we train, so we don’t have to think. Levi’s lucky if he can remember which is his left foot.”
“I march like I dance, with two left feet,” Levi piped in.
“We drill without much equipment right now, but that’s because it hasn’t arrived yet. It takes a lot to put 3,000 soldiers into battle,” Phillip said. “I hear Mr. Brinkerhoff is on it, though. Senator Sherman asked him to be quartermaster.”
“And that is why I am later tonight,” Papa said. “Roeliff asked me to help him in his duties. I guess my infantry career will be short-lived.”
Mother let out a hoot of joy.
“Oh, thank God! I was so worried about you going off to war and all.”
“Now hold on, Autumn. I’m still going with the brigade. It’s just that I will have to help get them everything they need — uniforms, ammunition, food, horses, blankets, tents…”
“Pay,” Levi added, smiling.
“Yes, Roeliff — Lt. Brinkerhoff — says that is the most challenging part, connecting the troops and their pay at the appropriate times,” Papa said.
“So you will be traveling with them?” Mama asked.
“I’ll be right by their sides, well, a few miles behind,” he smiled.
“Is Senator Sherman going to lead the brigade?” Jacob asked.
“He wanted to,” Papa said. “Most of the politicians want a commission to lead the charge. Probably figure it will get them reelected next year after the war. John has better intentions than that I am sure, but I heard that President Lincoln told him, ‘I can make a brigadier general with the stroke of a pen, but I can’t make a statesman or a financier.'”
“High praise,” Phillip said.
“Yes, and the president said Mr. Sherman is needed for helping us figure out how to finance the war,” Father said.
“Isn’t he the one that wrote a bill to create paper money?” Nathaniel said.
“Sure is, last year when he was in the House of Representatives. Greenbacks they are calling them,” Father said.
“Then he can just print more money to pay for it all,” Nathaniel said.
“I want that job,” Jacob said.
Everyone laughed.
“What about your job, Papa? What about the stoves and tinware you make? Who will do that while you are gone?” Cassie asked.
“Mr. Vonhof has a man that will fill in. A couple of men, actually. They will add it to their regular duties. Everyone is pitching in to try to cover for what the city needs — at a price of course,” he smiled.
“Seems like a lot of people can make money on a war, while others lose limbs and livelihoods,” Phillip said.
“And lives,” Mother added.
“Oh now, that’s just the way the world is. Let’s just enjoy this marvelous meal without trying to solve too many things. Tell me, Jacob, how are you coming with your bugling?” Father asked.
“Please, Papa,” Cassie said, “As you said, let’s just enjoy the meal!”
