Editor’s Note: This is an ongoing series which runs each Thursday morning titled the Richland Chronicles Volume VI, 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 sixth in a series. Volume I is Amelia Changes Her Tune. Volume II is Isaac and Wolf Paw Find Their Home. Volume III is Autumn Keeps Her Secret. Volume IV is Mr. Gamble Starts a School. Volume V is Jacob Blows his Horn.
Dec. 10, 1862
Dearest Sister;
December 7 is a day that will forever live in infamy in our broken family. It is the day that the Lord took not one, but two of our brave sons, facing each other on the same field of battle.
Every parent fears, as I know you do, of losing their son on some distant field in an unfamiliar place. Our lads met their Maker only a few miles from our Arkansas home, in a place called Prairie Grove.
We could hear the cannon fire from our home but had no idea that either boy was involved.
Dan was the proud one, fighting for the Union cause. He had joined up at the beginning and regaled us with news from skirmishes in Missouri, as the Union pushed Johnny Reb out of that state and back toward us. He was in the battle of Pea Ridge last March, where General Curtis pushed the Rebs back to Boston Mountain.
Tad was the determined one, fighting not for slavery but for Dixie, loyal to his cause, which was not ours, but we had to respect his passion, too. He and Dan did see each other once, they said, and met under a white flag for a couple of hours one evening.
How odd this war is. Because of it, now they are united in Heaven. We had been daring to hope, when this part seemed to be falling into Union hands and perhaps calmness for the duration, but now we are devastated.
My dear Anna is beside herself and the girls and even little Tobias offer no condolences. Fayetteville has been twice destroyed already, by the Union as they retreated, then by the Southerners as they were pushed out.
It didn’t matter your views if you lived there; your property was just as burned. And now we are faced with burying two sons — we cannot bury them side by side and give both military honors.
Daniel will be buried in a Union cemetery on the south side of Fayetteville; Tad in a confederate cemetery on the top of a hill to the east.
God’s part of creation that is northern Arkansas is no longer paradise. Anna and I solicit your prayers and please know that we keep Levi and your brave sons in our prayers.
Please give Father our love and heartfelt condolences as you break to him the news.
Faithfully yours, Samuel
Cassie recognized that letter in Mama’s satchel, and wondered why she was bringing it. She always is quiet when she has it, like it is sacred.
How sad for Aunt Anna and Uncle Samuel.
Why does she have it today? Should I ask?
Mama did not look at the twins when she simply said, “I want Mr. Emmett to read Uncle Samuel’s letter. He knows my brother from early days and will see the poetry in Sammy’s grief.”
She never calls him Sammy.
Suddenly the trip was less exciting, more solemn. Little was said until the train arrived at Mount Vernon.
“This town was here before Mansfield,” Mama said, suddenly refreshing the mood. “It is the heart of Knox County, out of which our Richland County was formed. It is a pleasant city.”
The walk a few blocks to the Emmett house seemed to go briskly and lift everyone’s mood. When a smiling Mr. Emmett himself answered the door, the twins were ecstatic.
“Do come in Miss Autumn and what I assume to be her grown up twins. Where is your husband?”
“I’m afraid he is tied up with army work. He and Mr. Lincoln send their condolences,” Mama said.
Cassie was impressed with the way that Mama greeted such a famous person. It was much better than when Cassie tried to greet him — a frog grabbed her throat and she squeaked out a little “uh.”
Smooth Cassie, very smooth.
Thankfully, no one seemed to notice as Mr. Emmett was already spying Jacob’s banjo and inviting him in to play. They immediately sat down for a duet and Jacob was strumming along to “Turkey in the Straw” before Cassie had removed her gloves.
My, Jacob is good.
Cassie was used to Jacob not being better than her at anything, except climbing trees, but she found herself in awe of her brother with such a great man.
Mama took time to share the news, all of it, and Mr. Emmett was saddened by Samuel’s news, but also recalled visits to the Oakland Inn.
He made the twins feel like family members as they were treated to a wonderful lunch by his housekeeper and Mrs. Emmett.
At one point, after Cassie had found her voice, she asked the composer, “Are you angry that the South took your song?”
Mr. Emmett paused and smiled. “I lost that song twice. A smart businesslike composer keeps his song and collects royalties for every time it is purchased or performed. A penny here, a nickel there can really add up.
“I sold the song for $300 to a New York publisher. A tidy sum, yes, but that money is long gone, so my reward is done. If I had control of it, I would have much more now, and a steady stream of income from it.
“But then, the South suddenly claimed it as their marching song so people in the North are reluctant to play it, even though they like it,” he said. “I must confess, if I had known that the South would want it so, I never would have written it!”
