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. The books are available from Lintern for $25 a set, tax and shipping included. Each book is about 120 pages written for intermediate readers (4th grade) with local illustrations. 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.
June 22, 1863
Dear Baby Sister;
I send this in care of your friend Amelia so that you are sure to get my reply and know that I accept your invitation to be in Boston on Independence Day.
It is generous of the Fitzpatricks to host me; I will be happy to make the short train ride from Bowdoin College on the first and will gladly stay until the fifth. I will have some business I can attend to on the 5th before heading back.
I had occasion to meet Captain Roeliff Brinkerhoff here in Maine. He says he is in close acquaintance with your Levi and that he had much to do with helping their brigade in its inception. (I call it Autumn’s Brigade, but it seems Senator Sherman claims it as well.)
He seems a most upright man, and was genuinely happy to meet someone who could “talk Mansfield.” The men of Maine are giving a good show in the war, as I know are the men of Ohio.
I look forward to seeing you and my ever-growing niece.
With much love, Brother Luke
“That is truly an added bonus,” Amelia said after she and Mama read the letter together.
“I was hoping he could make the connection with us. All the men seem so involved in this war, if not fighting it, then running it or supplying it. It is so consuming,” Mama said.
“Is Uncle Luke a professor?” Cassie asked.
“Of science and mathematics, yes,” Mama replied. “He is very intelligent and graduated from Bowdoin back when I was about your age. His college roommate was Nathanial Hawthorne.”
Cassie wrinkled her nose. Who?
“Hawthorne, the author. Legend of Sleepy Hollow?”
Cassie’s eyes brightened up.
“He wrote that?”
“Yes, and Uncle Luke knows him well. He also was a classmate with President Pierce.”
Cassie nodded.
I remember that.
“And his wife died?” “Aunt Caroline. She died giving birth, to twins, who also died,” Mama said. “Years ago.”
Cassie let it all sink in.
Everyone travels a different path to get where they are going, and some have it much harder than others.
About midday on July 1, the carriage pulled up to the Fitzpatrick home, and tall, thin Uncle Luke stepped out, his back to the house, wearing a long black coat and a stovepipe hat.
He could be President Lincoln, Cassie thought.
Then he turned around and revealed a full beard and a huge smile.
I take that back.
He greeted Autumn enthusiastically then picked up Cassie as though she were six.
Ooo, not expecting this!
He set her down quickly, too.
“Oh my, I’m sorry young Cassie. I was not prepared for how grown up you are. I suppose my days of picking you up and spinning you around have come and gone,” Uncle Luke said.
“That’s all right, Uncle Luke. I don’t mind.”
Well, maybe a little.
“That’s exactly how your father greeted me that first time I walked into the Oakland Inn, when I was 10,” Amelia laughed.
“That’s where I learned it,” Uncle Luke said.
The household seemed to come to life as Uncle Luke entertained everyone in their own way — sharing memories with Autumn and Amelia, telling news of Bowdoin College to Abigail and Athena, and holding the baby as he asked Cassie about what is new in Mansfield.
She told him about Maggie, about helping at the Costin store, and about playing Rounders with the boys.
“You do take after your mother — good with horses, helpful wherever needed, and beating the boys at their own game,” he laughed.
Mama smiled and nodded her head. Uncle Luke seemed right at home in a house full of women, even though his was mostly a male-oriented world at college.
“It is nice to be here in a cheerful, feminine household,” he smiled. “My home is rather dark and studious, most of the time, and my housekeeper, although efficient, is rather old and dowdy.
“You may inspire me to improve my surroundings.”
“By redecorating or remarrying?” Mama asked.
“Probably should do both. One would likely lead to the other, whichever is first,” he laughed.
Mama’s worried about him, I can tell.
He changed the conversation to the war and asked each woman about the circumstances of their man. He was pleased to know that Amelia’s husband commanded a ship in the Navy.
“It looks as though old Winny Scott’s Project Anaconda is finally being effected,” Luke said. “Vicksburg will no doubt surrender soon and with it the Union will have complete control of the Mississippi. That will cut the South in two. That’s what Grandpappy drew at the beginning of the war — a snake wrapping itself around the south to keep it from getting to the outside world.
“And your husband’s part in keeping all the southern ports blocked from ship travel will starve the enemy of its supplies.
“That can end the war as effectively as guns and bullets.”
Then, when Abigail and Athena told him their husbands were in the 20th Massachusetts, he looked just delighted.
“A stellar outfit, that 20th. They have marched alongside the 9th Maine, which is commanded in part by my colleague, Col. Chamberlain. A good man, a fine professor, an excellent officer. They are somewhere in Maryland these days, I suppose. “Let’s just hope they can stay out of trouble and have a relaxing Independence Day.”
