When Johnny Comes Marching Home

by Lillian M. Henry

  It wasn’t until Asa was half way across the fields that he missed his haversack and had no idea of where he had left it. As he reached the signpost by the road leading up to the Hickok farm he found it there. Grinning at himself he slung it over his shoulder and started up to the house he’d not seen for what seemed like an eternity. He was still almost convinced that he would wake up any minute to find himself bedded down in Mossy Creek.

  Uncle Justus and Aunt Mary’s three young boys, Orin, George, and Winfield burst from the house as they caught sight of this stranger in uniform coming up the road to the house. For a brief moment Asa saw himself with David and Thomas doing the same thing whenever someone came to call. He could see Aunt Mary framed in the doorway like Granny used to be, wiping her hands on her apron and smell the bread baking.

  “Justus is at the smithy,” she explained after greeting him with open arms and floury hands. “We had no idea you were coming. Didn’t you send word?”

  “Yes,” Asa answered, “but I guess my letter has yet to arrive. This all happened sort of unexpectedly. Most of my outfit has reenlisted and we were given thirty days furlough. The army is hoping we can persuade some of the men still here to join up and help us finish this job.” His eyes darkened as the idea he’s been sent to find replacements for those no longer living became an unbelievable reality in this warm, homey kitchen. He caught sight of the three excited boys and fell silent. May they never have to experience the things I’ve seen, he prayed.

  Justus came through the door flushed and dirty from the work he’d been doing and clapped him on the back with a loud shout. “Well,” he boomed, “look at you! Corporal no less, thought you’d be a general by now, you rascal.” Asa brushed his hand across his face and managed a grin.

  The days passed too quickly as Asa made the rounds giving his argument that more troops were needed. Johnny Reb was on the run, he assured them, and if all would pitch in this unpleasantness would finally be over. After a full day of traipsing about he more often than not spent the evening visiting the Kunkle kitchen. Watching Rebecca completing her domestic chores soothed his frayed nerves and he began to wonder what her relationship with Thomas might be. She had asked questions of course, which he couldn’t answer since what his outfit was doing was so different from what Thomas and the Kunkle boys were up to. The last thing he wanted to do was to tell her how awful things really were no matter where you might find yourself. She told him she had heard from Thomas several times but,” she hesitated, “it’s not likely you’ve heard.” Tears welled in her eyes and she slumped down into the nearby chair. “George was captured quite some time ago at that battle at Bull Run, I’m sure we’ve told you that, but he has been exchanged he tells us and is back with his unit. We’ve not heard much from Jacob at all. None of them are any good at writing,” she muttered. Her voice faltering…“and,” she stared at him, “you’re not much good either.”

  He started to object then realized something was really wrong. “Becky, what is it you’re not telling me? What’s happened that has you so distressed?”

  She turned away and buried her face in her apron. “Oh, Asa, I was so sure you must have heard, I couldn’t imagine how we could just sit here like this all evening as if nothing had happened. I’m so very happy that you are here safe and sound but your brother and two of mine are still away fighting this terrible war and I don’t know if I can stand it another minute.”

  “Who?” He asked. “You mentioned George and Jacob. Something has happened to Wesley?”

  She trembled and he hastened to her side to help her to a chair.

  “Wesley is dead!” She spit out the words as if they were something rotten in her mouth. “He was wounded and has died after that battle in Gettysburg last July. You did know about that didn’t you? Surely Thomas wrote you?”

  He shook his head slowly, quite certain that he had not known about that. “Becky dearest, how?”

  “We don’t really know much. Apparently he was wounded and taken to the hospital. All the Army has told us is that he died from his wounds in August. Jacob and George don’t seem to know much either. We’re not even sure where George and Jacob are. We are consumed with worry, Asa, and hardly know where to turn. When I saw you there in the mail truck I could hardly believe my eyes. It’s as if God has sent you to us. I fear for Ma and Pa if anything happens to the others but I have a bad feeling. Are you home to stay? Do I have to keep on worrying about you? I know that Thomas is still in danger but I thank our Lord your David is safe now and doing well enough from what we hear.” She reached up for him and he lifted her and gathered her into his arms feeling hollow inside and completely at a loss to know what to do. “Becky, I’m only on leave for the rest of this month and have no idea of what I will have to do next but I promise I will do everything I can to come back when this is over.”

  The thirty days did pass far too soon. Upon rejoining his outfit after the long, arduous trip back to Tennessee, Asa and Company E continued on as usual, but Asa had a warm spot in his heart that had not been there before…

  Chapter Four

  Hickok Farm

  Ionia, Michigan

  January, 1864

  David shivered as he made his way from the attached shed that passed for a barn into the cabin he had constructed according to the requirements proscribed by the Homestead Act agreement. The twelve by fourteen foot structure of the plentiful white pine was cozy he had to admit. Granny and Aunt Esther were living with him and tended to hover, fussing about his shoulder and his ability to cope. Of course, he did feel a responsibility for the two older women who were not about to let him live alone. But lately he’d had about all the mothering he could handle. He’d purposely chosen a site some distance from the others hoping to have a little privacy.

  He’d been surprised that they’d not accepted his father’s invitation to stay with him. I thought, he mused to himself, that being closer to her oldest son was the main reason Granny had wanted to come west, but I suppose now they feel that I am the needy one with this bum arm.

  Letting his thoughts run on while dragging the load of wood into the mud room he reminded himself that he should continue to talk about finding them a place in town. Both of them would be much better off in the midst of more people. We’re pretty much isolated out here. Aunt Esther might find something suitable to do that would help support them. And, he grinned, give her a chance to meet someone who might need her more than I do.

  Slowly stacking the split logs up off the floor the young man sighed. I’ve surely got to give it to Uncle Thaddeus. He hasn’t wasted any time establishing himself as a mill builder and his daughters’ husbands have managed to plow their acreage and put in a crop of winter wheat. Of course, what Uncle Daniel is up to these days is hard to say. That man is always busy. David’s smile widened as he remembered the recent performance the master mechanic had put on with his instruments and fine voice. He had the whole group hand-clapping and foot-stomping for an hour or more at that party Thaddeus and Sally gave when their house was ready for occupancy. Straightening his back with some difficulty, David groaned as he lifted the last piece of firewood into place and made his way into his cabin where Esther and Granny had supper on the table.

  Later that evening as the three sat comfortably in front of the fire a knock at the door roused him. David rose and went to the door. To his surprise he found Thaddeus and Daniel standing there. “Whatever brings you two out this late?” he chuckled. “Come in, come in before this wind blows out the fire.”

  Aunt Esther hurried to take their hats and scarves while they stomped their boots and shook the snowflakes from their coats. “My gracious,” she chided, “one would think men your age would know better than to come this far this late. Whatever you have to say must be important.” Urging them to take seats by the fire she busied herself filling mugs of hot cider while David reached into the upper chimney nook for the whiskey he kept ther
e and added a bit to each of the mugs before he passed them around.

  The three men settled in front of the cheery glow and sipped the warm brew gratefully. When the old clock chimed the hour Thaddeus roused himself from his comfortable position and set his mug aside. “You did ask if what we came to say was important and I would have to agree that Sally would think so.” He chuckled, glancing at his nephew. “Apparently the ladies are planning a quilting bee to be held at our house next Friday. They’ve kept me busy setting up quilt frames for the past couple of days now. You are not to say ‘no’ or beg off in any way she tells me. You are to bring your Granny and Aunt and plan to hang around until they are ready to return home. I’m sure we’ll find something interesting to do.”

  David moaned inwardly feeling certain he understood what his female relatives were up to. They’re right, I suppose, he thought, running his hands over his unshaven face. It’s about time I took a wife, but I have to say that I haven’t caught a glimpse of anyone I would feel comfortable with so far. All I get is overly bright smiles or sympathetic glances at my shoulder. I’m always made to feel that I don’t measure up to what they are looking for somehow.

  He heard Granny tell her sons as they bundled into their coats and cap that she and Esther “will be delighted to be there and be sure to let Sally know we will bring some of those cookies she likes so much.”

  The evening of the party, for that’s what he knew it was intended to be, David brushed his suit coat, cleaned his boots and trimmed his beard. He smiled to hear Granny and Aunt Esther chattering away like a couple of school girls.

  He loaded their baskets of pieced quilt tops and the cookies, heated several large stones in the fire to help keep their feet warm on the trip and bundled them into the wagon hoping nothing would go wrong along the way. It was snowing again but the flakes were flinty, not soft, and he hoped he and the women wouldn’t end up stuck somewhere. The old wagon had traveled too many miles he feared. It was about time to get a new one. An owl hooted from a nearby tree and he smiled again with a small shiver wondering if it was some sort of omen. For some reason or other, maybe all the looks he was getting lately from Aunt Esther, he felt like he might be the main topic of conversation that evening and prayed his uncle had thought to make plans for the men to be elsewhere for a while at least.

  The snow had let up by the time they arrived in town and the coated eaves of the assorted dwellings and overhanging tree branches sparkled from the lights that shone from every window. His cousins’ husbands hurried out to help the women into the house giving David knowing looks as they greeted him. His heart sank and he muttered under his breath that he would rather face enemy artillery than a room full of women. Aunt Sally accepted the basket of goodies with a smile and announced his arrival to the gathering. Dutifully he acknowledged each introduction while planning his escape until his eye was caught by the fair-haired girl seated at the far end of the largest quilt frame.

  “This is Miss Jennie Gibson,” is all he heard Esther say. He caught his breath feeling a flush rise in his cheeks. The young woman nodded with a small, sweet smile. A soft rosy pink tinged her cheeks and all he saw in her eyes was warmth. Her fingers held the needle she was plying aloft and she hesitated a brief moment before continuing with her stitching.

  He mumbled something appropriate he hoped and caught Granny’s look of amusement and approval. Realizing he was still wearing his hat he hastily removed it. A few giggles from the group brought another flush. David bowed feeling like an awkward school boy. Clutching the offending cap, he made his way to the back door entryway where the men had gathered and already smoking.

  Daniel was eagerly tuning up his fiddle. He liked nothing better than to get everyone singing and clapping along with him. Thaddeus noticed David and hailed him while uncorking a new jug of home brew. “Come, come, my boy, I don’t think you’ve met Martin Gibson, He’s been doing some work for me these days.”

  David offered his hand to the man who looked to be close to his own age, but saw nothing that spoke of the military about him. Both men nodded and Martin started to shift over to make room on the bench but David murmured his thanks and took a seat by the rear door. He wanted time to think.

  Daniel’s bow began to fly over the fiddle strings regaling the group with his music while the other men continued to smoke and pass the jug around.

  When the lamp lights began to flicker and the melodious chatter from the group of quilters inside grew louder, David became aware that the evening’s affair was just about over. The tea pots were empty and the cookies and cakes gone. The hustle and bustle of the women gathering their things and helping Esther with the clean-up roused him from his reverie and he looked around at the other men apologetically. None of them seemed to have noticed that he had dozed off and paid no attention to anything anyone had said for quite some time. Sally looked up as he came into the kitchen and surprised him by announcing that Esther and Granny were going to stay with her for a few days. Sally had someone she wanted Esther to meet and she also thought it was too late for the elderly woman to go out into the cold and ride all that distance. “But,” she said, laying her hand on his arm, “I do need you to do me a favor.” He looked quizzically at her and saw the mischievous glint in her eye. Before he could ask what she was up to, she said simply that the Gibson family was without transportation home. Mr. Gibson had brought his horse in for shoeing in the morning so needs to spend the night in town if he is to be on time for work. Remembering that David passed close by their place, she’d offered them his assistance. “I assumed it would be no trouble at all for you to see the ladies and the little ones home, now would it?”

  Had he really been all that transparent? He wondered. “It would be my pleasure, Aunt,” he answered attempting to sound less than enthusiastic. Jennie was standing to one side clutching her basket and already wearing her coat and bonnet. Her brother was paying her no mind and simply nodded in his direction.

  David looked from one to the other, kissed Granny good bye and flashed a look of amusement at his Aunt. She appeared to notice nothing amiss as he donned his own coat and hat. “Ladies,” he said with a courteous bow, “Please, wait here where it’s warm while I bring the wagon around, it will take only a few minutes.” He’d noticed the two little boys hovering close by. Jennie flushed lightly, but nodded and looked up at him with apologies. “Mr. Hickok, this is very kind of you, I’m sure. We are sorry to be such a bother…” “Nonsense,” he muttered, “It’s my pleasure. As my Aunt has said, I do go right by your place on my way. It’s no bother at all.” Managing to bundle the children into the bed of the wagon, he piled some straw around them for warmth and assisted Jennie and her sister-in-law up unto the wagon seat beside him which didn’t bother him a bit. The little group rode in silence for the first mile or two.

  By now the snow had stopped completely and the moon was casting its silvery light over the whitened ground. They gradually left the other wagons behind as the party-goers reached their own turn-offs or homesteads. David concentrated on his driving, dying to ask questions but didn’t dare. Jennie sat beside him composed, trusting him to deliver them safely.

  Reaching their destination David looped the reins loosely over the brake handle, slid quickly to the ground then hurried around to assist Mrs. Gibson down and escort her into the house along with the children who had quickly tumbled out of the back of the wagon and were racing around in the snow. He returned for Jennie and his hand trembled as hers grasped his and he felt her other hand tighten on his arm. “I wish to thank you for your courtesy, sir,” she said with a smile that melted his heart.“It was most neighborly of Mrs. Hickok to include us in the festivities tonight. Poor Lydia doesn’t get out much these days. It’s been my pleasure to be able to assist her.”

  David, bemused by her touch, assured her that bringing her home had been no trouble at all. She smiled again, freeing her hand and gathered up her skirts before slipping in
through the heavy door. He waited, his heart beating, to hear her slide the bolt on the door behind her. Satisfied that she was safe he climbed back into his wagon, picked up the reins and let the patient horse take him home.

  He woke the next morning with no idea of how to pursue his cause, but he did know he’d found what he’d been looking for despite the fact that he hadn’t known what that was until he’d found it. When he rode into town later to fetch Granny and Esther home he learned that Mr. Gibson did work on occasion for Uncle Thaddeus and that Jennie lived with him since their parents had died and the other brothers and sisters had scattered about much like David and his siblings had done. He wasted no time setting his course and quickly became a regular caller at the Gibson farm.

  Chapter Five

  News from all Fronts

  Summer, 1864

  Uneasiness was spreading throughout the country as the seemingly endless war continued. The need to refill the ranks of all military units included those from Michigan and to the Hickok family’s dismay Uncle John had found himself ordered to report for duty. Since each state was pledged to provide the Federal forces with a certain number of men, a draft had been imposed. Realizing in time that he was likely to be called up John had enlisted on the 9th of January leaving his wife, Emily and their children in the care of his mother and brothers. Granny and the other women constantly fretted over the lack of news from all the boys they’d watched grow into men. Now they added John and their new acquaintances to their prayers.