The Old Barn (Part Two) (standard:other, 2036 words) [2/4] show all parts
Author: Kenneth Nash	Added: Feb 20 2006	Views/Reads: 2647/1904	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Part Two Of "The Old Barn"

There had been a lot of talk in town about the civil unrest that was
being felt in the country. A number of states in the south had elected 
to pull out of the government and form their own confederacy. There 
were a lot of different opinions about the issue of slavery. Some said 
it was a moral issue, others thought it was simply political, and the 
southern states viewed having slaves as an economic necessity. 
Nevertheless, it appeared that war loomed on the horizon. 

Many of the young men in and around Hickory Ridge were volunteering in
the army. Young Matthew McCauley was one of them. He felt compelled to 
help defend his home and family as the war drew closer to their county. 


He had discussed his decision with ma and pa for several weeks. Jeremiah
did not want to see his oldest son, only seventeen, go to war. But, 
like so many fathers knew that the boy would do what he had to do. That 
quiet, determined look in his eyes was one that Sarah and Jeremiah had 
seen often. 

By the end of May 1861, Matt had left the comforts of his home and
family and joined the ranks of many other young men in the quest for 
adventure, with the fierce determination to defend his homeland. 

After the signing of the enlistment papers, receiving uniforms, guns,
ammunition, and rations, the boys were anxious to get into the “action” 
and fulfill their duties. The general talk was, “We will show them what 
is what.” “When we're through with ‘em, they will run back home to 
their ma and pa.” 

Matthew rarely joined in with the boisterous bluster. He merely
exhibited a calm reserve to get the job done and get back to the farm 
he loved. 

The excitement of the adventure abruptly wore off as they saw men dying
all around them in the first battle. The “adventure”, the boys learned, 
was frightening and dangerous. These “boys” would become men overnight. 
War was something that they had not expected; it meant saving their own 
lives, while taking the lives of other young men, many their own age, 
that were considered the “enemy”. 

Nights, when the shooting and screams of pain quieted some, he would lie
in the “rifle pit” and think about home. 

“Pa, why can't I go?” The question by Lucas was asked more times than
Jeremiah wanted to hear it. “We have told you, son, that you are too 
young. Now that is the end of it!”  “But Ma,” Lucas persisted, “a lot 
of boys 14 years old is signin' up.” Sarah and Jeremiah's answer was 
always the same. 

Early, before dawn, in mid-June, Sarah awoke to build the fire in the
fireplace and start breakfast for her family. Something was wrong! She 
could feel it! When she found his bed empty she woke Jeremiah. “Luke!” 
Jeremiah yelled as he ran for the old barn. Pinned to the barn door was 
the note. “Ma and Pa, I know you are going to be mad as you read this. 
But, I just couldn't stay at home and let Matt go by himself. Tell 
Hannah and Leah I love them. I love you, your son, Lucas McCauley” 

“What has that foolhardy boy gone and done now?” Jeremiah didn't have to
answer his own question. He went into the barn, Lucas' mare and saddle 
were gone too. 

Anger rose in him as Jeremiah saddled his horse for the ride to Hickory
Ridge to bring back his stubborn youngest son. 

“No, sir, Mr. McCauley I ain't seen Luke” “There was a bunch of young
boys hightailin' it for Bluff City right after dark last night” drawled 
the sheriff. “But I couldn' tell you if Luke was in the pack”. “They 
was a-sayin' that they had to get there before the new regiment pulled 
out.” 

Jeremiah thanked the sheriff, bought a couple biscuit and egg sandwiches
from the general mercantile store, and started the hard ride to Bluff 
City some twenty miles to the east. 

Bluff, being the county seat, was, as usual, crowded with folks. He


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