The Bucktails' Last Call by William P. Robertson

Author:William P. Robertson [Robertson, William P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626754263
Published: 2013-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11: BUCKY’S BATTLE

The Bucktails had several more brushes with Rebel insurgents before celebrating a subdued Christmas. The wind howled through camp, and the men huddled close to their fires the entire day. There was little to eat and little to be joyful about until Jimmy read aloud the story of Jesus’ birth from Luke, Chapter 2, of his Bible and then led the others in a round of Christmas carols. The voices of Bucky’s squad were soon joined by those from other campfires until the whole regiment resonated with God’s praises.

Two days later Major Ross Hartshorne returned from his wedding and immediately assembled his men into marching formation. For five miles they tramped south along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad through new-fallen snow. Crossing Broad Run, they entered Bristoe Station just as a supply train loaded with rations steamed to a stop.

“Well, lookee there. We’s ’bout ta git a be-lated Christmas gift,” said Boone as a quartermaster and his men broke open several crates of hardtack and salt pork to distribute to the soldiers gathered at the depot.

“Be faithful to the Lord,” cried Jimmy, “and He will provide!”

After the Bucktails received their rations, they trudged to the top of a hill that overlooked the entire countryside. The riflemen found empty barracks prepared for them, and they charged inside to stow their gear.

“By jiminy, we got ourselves a stove an’ everything!” shouted Boone.

“An’ proper bunks!” yelled Bucky.

“We’ll be nice and snug this winter,” added Jewett. “That’s another blessing to be thankful for.”

“What I’m mostly thankful fer,” sighed Zeke, “is that I kin go on leave fer a whole month. That $200 signing bonus will pro-vide fer my family a long time an’ git ’em some dandy presents, ta boot. I can’t wait ta hug my little gals an’ kiss that wife o’ mine.”

Powers took the northbound train the next day, while the rest of Bucky’s squad settled down to rounds of tedious guard duty and camp chores. They chopped wood, shoveled snow from the parade ground, and cleaned their barracks for regular inspections. Curtis also bought contraband whiskey until Major Hartshorne declared sutlers’ wagons off limits to his regiment. Recruiting agents, though, were still allowed in camp and daily pestered the Bucktails to rejoin the Union Army by offering signing bonuses that skyrocketed to 300 greenbacks.

Once settled in winter camp for good, the mail again caught up to the Bucktails. Bucky immediately began receiving a flood of unsettling letters from Sarah that made the dreary, frigid nights guarding the railroad bridge over Broad Run even longer. At the first of the New Year she complained, “I’m big as a house. I nap all day and am awake all night from our baby’s blasted kicking. I’m useless to mother. I hate the way I look. I hate the way I feel. I need you home, Bucky. I can’t stand being alone. Anymore.”

Sarah’s disturbing words frightened Culp, and he resolved to ask Major Hartshorne for a furlough. He paced back and forth in the snow for a good hour before working up the nerve to visit headquarters.

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