Sweet Saturday Samples - September 28, 2013

Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Samples.

During the American Civil War, brigade-level commanders often led from the front. As you can imagine, this led to an awful slaughter of leadership. This letter from Peter to his mother, Julia Owen, illustrates such a loss, when Col. Turner Ashby was killed in a skirmish on June 6, 1862.
~~~

Der Ma,

You may have herd of our misfortuneate encounter near Harisonburg the other day. We ar distrawt at the loss of Col. Ashby. Where will we find another leder of his dash and skill? The boys are very loe of mind at his passing, as am I. We do not know who will become our comander. Pray for us to get a good'un.

I will leave off whinin, altho I coud speak my grieef all the day.

I hope to be able to see you again next time we pass nearby. If not, I will wave my hand in fond greetin. Does Pa ever stop by?

How big is the Baby now? Do you see him or does the Hilbrands family keep you away from him? I recall Rulon wanted Mistress Mary to live with you at the farm. Will she be moving there, now that she has presented Rulon with an eir?

The fellows are hounding me to go over the hill with them, but I told them I'm too yung to risk getting diseased. Yore teachin has sunk deep into my heart, Ma, so I will forebear.

I must close now. We are told we will be riding tonight.

Affectionately,
Your son, Peter
~~~

I hope you enjoyed this sample from my work-in-progress, Gone For a Soldier, set during the American Civil War. Thank you for visiting. I love to read your comments, so if anything in the sample compels you to speak up, rest assured that I eventually read what you write and will reply, if needed. Questions? I'm open to them, too.

Please come back next Saturday for another sample. Thank you!