Across Five Aprils: War And Hope: Robert C. Peters

for it was 1863 nearly 2 years since the Civil War had begun dividing my family in half and changing our lives forever my brothers John and Tom had joined the union along with cousin e and Shad the school Master though we supported the north I wondered what happened to Bill he was the only member of the family who went South to fight for the rebs because of it folks around home looked down on us with Paul too weak to help the work of the farm fell to my sister Jenny and me as I became the man of the house I began to learn a lot about life death and hope for though the days were long we clung to the hope that the war would soon be over afternoon deathro you m home yes sir ma m afternoon ahead Miss Katon we BR news about your boy Tom I'd rather be whipped than be the bearer such news but we know we had to do it my boy Dan was was with him I reckon I don't know where to begin Tom and me was together a lot in them days we done a good deal of laughing and joking and his spirits were always high and then it started all of a sudden I never heared such a noise it was like one long Roar of cannons and screams maybe had not tell you these things we want to hear everything Danny we managed to get through that first day all right and then towards evening fuel's reinforcements commen to come in across the Tennessee River Tom was standing beside me when we seen the boats coming we both took off our caps and waved like we was crazy go on son that's when I heard the shot he never even known what happened I'm Sorry Miss kraton but I figured you'd want to know the way it [Music] was thank you Dad for telling [Music] bring the family back son [Music] you do it Jenny sat down the date the place I've done it so often so many times I'm going going sit with you Paul [Music] so scared Jeff the war didn't seem real till Danny come bringing this awful word of [Music] Tong I used to dream about the nice home me and Shad would have how I'd keep it right bright and [Music] pretty nowadays I don't dare have any dreams for fear someday a soldier will come home and tell us that he was standing beside Shad the way Danny was standing beside Tom [Music] Copperhead what was that what is it Jeff there's treble for folks that stands up for their red loving Sons what's that mean M well for some folks it ain't enough we got three boys fighting in the union four ma don't forget about Shad I know [Music] got to be on guard is just in [Music] case winter came without any more trouble but we were always on edge I knew if there was trouble it would be up to me to defend the family Paul began to get better he could sit on his own but we still had to feed him to pass the time I read shad's books and Jenny wrote him letters but the maale took weeks to get where it was going which made the waiting even worse we heard more and more of Outlaws and deserters in the Hills I carried Paul's gun with me when I went out and Jenny wasn't allowed to go far from the cabin [Applause] who's there who's there come on out I know you're in there be still Jeff it's me Jeff you you growed past all believing e mom Paul be glad to no no I could get him in a lot of trouble I deserted jff I up and left old Abe's Army why e why' you do it don't know for sure we was burying dead boys all day the smell it was awful all at once I know I couldn't take it anymore [Music] I guess you hear about Tom I almost figured I could stand things long as he was with me reckon it sort of broke my spirit when he died now there's no place on Earth for me to hide I'll freeze or starve or be catched [Music] tell me about him Jeff Uncle Matt Aunt Ellen Jenny Paul had a stroke he ain't been the same since M's tolerable Jenny's fine we work the farm together she still in love with Shan more than ever I guess she writes him a lot any word from Bill nothing that's too bad I know you two was close if you could go back you would wouldn't you you're asking a man if he had a chance to live would he take it but a deserter can't go back I'll be hunted the rest of my my days come on back I guess I better be getting back before someone misses me I'll bring you what food I can tomorrow go ahead I I'll be okay that night I couldn't sleep the image of E's sunken face and sad eyes staring at me from the trees was firmly stamped in my mind he promised to move on soon but we both knew he had nowhere to go I couldn't just let him starve to death but I couldn't tell anyone either there had to be some way to help then it hit me if the president couldn't help no one could morning Mr Milton morning young Katon what brings you out to these parts Mr Milton well I thought maybe you folks could use a little mail from Shad well I don't know but it is addressed to you thank you it's from his aunt what's it say Dear Miss Jenny kraton I'm sorry to be the bearer of such bad news but I feel that I must I'm a volunteer at the local hospital here in Washington shed was brought to me direct from Battle with serious wounds that turned gang grinis before his [Music] arrival he has short periods of Consciousness where he has begged me to write to you as his final wish I will gladly pay your expenses and give you shelter if you will come to Washington and visit him [Music] are you sure Jenny you could be too late by the time you get there I couldn't live myself I didn't go M I [Music] know get up get up [Music] Shad was only one of thousands of young men who fell at battles in Vicksburg Gettysburg and chonga but at that moment my heart was with Jenny as she drove away a part of me went with her a part that still held hope that Shad would be alive when she got there jeck this just came it's from the president dear jeffro my secretary has called my attention to your letter knowing how I feel about boys your age and the interest I have in letters from my home state of Illinois the problem which you describe is one among so many others that has troubled me night and day however I made a decision on this matter just days ago you will understand that if it be a wrong one I will have aired on the side of Mercy the conditions are as follows all Union soldiers who return to their post by April 1st shall be restored to their respective regiments without punishment other than pay for the time that they were gone this information you may relay to the young man in question and may God bless you for trying to seek out what is right yours respectfully Abraham [Music] Lincoln I couldn't wait to write Jenny and tell her about the letter it seemed like forever since she'd left and there' been no word when a letter finally did arrive it was from John and the News was hard to believe my dearest family it is late at night but I have a story to tell and I must write it because I can't sleep till I have told you a few days ago I was put in charge of helping to feed red prisoners when I walked among them I see a man that I thought I know it was my brother Bill we sat together without thousands of sad men around us and talk like brothers ought to talk ma Bill wants that I should tell you that after the war he won't come home to cause you further grief and Ma bill weren't at Pittsburgh Landon the bullet that killed Tom was not fired by him I'm glad I'm glad feels all right [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] for [Music] mother if you could have known all the grief your spirits need Bing today old man you know good and well I wanted m that cran for mine awful bed um I'm sorry there's a lot of life left in [Music] you come sit with me for spell J bill was only two when you Paul built that cabin don't matter much now does it don't give up jet folks will pitch in to help looks like a Twan job to me sh it I thought I'd never see you again I got news Jeff good news the war it's over but how when 2 days ago Grant and Lee signed a treaty at aaic courthouse in Virginia are you sure I don't think I can take it if it ain't the truth I'm sure sh Bo come on man go ahead [Music] je ain't it wonderful I can hardly believe in myself you changed you look so grown up go well look at you Jeff gron you're looking more a man than ever got more news Jeff P's gave his permission for me and Shad to be married does that mean you'll teach at school this winter I'm going back to college Jeff my uncle's going to get me a teaching position while I finish my work that means you'll be leaving again that's true but we want you to come too Jeff to live with us back east and get a real education that'd be the finest thing on Earth for me what about the farm mul and Paul they need me they want what's best for you you've plowed long enough they'll be helping the fields this summer John will be coming back and E too don't build me up too much I don't know if I can take it something's liable to burst inside me it'll work out Jeff we'll see h [Music] [Music] a [Music] morning Katon morning Mr Melvin I'm going to do a complete story on what happened over at bdo's place before I get through you'll be a hero and that letter from the president my paper wants to print it I'll be proud Mr Milton I knew folks would come Jenny hurry and get your paw la [Applause] n a there was warmth in the air that day and the sunlight was like pure gold John and E would be coming home and I was going to live back East with shad and Jenny I reckon things turned out after all la I [Music] all all [Music]