The Drummer's Call

By Patricia Leppo

When Josh is forced to visit his great-aunt’s historic inn in Dover, TN, he assumes it will be the worst vacation of his life.  That is, until he meets a young boy on the property who looks eerily similar to a boy in one of the antiquated family photos that line the walls of the inn.  As his friendship with the boy deepens, Josh suddenly finds himself thrust back to the year 1862 and into the heart of the Civil War.  Trapped in the past, Josh has no choice but to become involved.  Filled with intrigue, hope, despair and the everlasting bonds of love and friendship, The Drummer’s Call captures the bravery of a young boy as he fights to survive the Civil War and return to his family. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patricia Leppo
• Release date: Jan 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9780999879818

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

WHEN JOSH BLINKED, he saw people, but only for an instant. Then it was again just blurred light and shadow, as sheets of icy rain overwhelmed his vision. The sensation of drowning might have panicked him had it not been for the deeper panic unfolding everywhere around him.

A lieutenant colonel astride a chestnut battle steed nearby cried, Forward! and the regiment sputtered ahead, some men slipping in the mud and clambering back to their feet, quickly and awkwardly, before the rain-blinded troops coming up from behind could stumble over them. Josh gripped his slippery drumsticks and beat the command to march, the large drum at his waist digging into his right hip. His heart leapt to his throat at the scene unfolding before him. Hundreds of soldiers in gray uniforms, their faces contorted by contempt and fear, rushed toward Josh's line of Union blues. Josh's legs felt heavy in his rain-sodden uniform trousers, and he found it difficult to walk, but the weight of the massive regiment behind him propelled his body forward. It took all the courage he could muster not to throw his drum aside and sprint down the hill, away from the battlefield.

The battle sounds were deafening. Some Union soldiers shouted insulting taunts at the Confederates; others desperately begged God to spare their lives; most just roared with the anger, agony and adrenaline of men plunging ahead toward certain death. Once the Union army drew within the range of the Confederate lines, the lieutenant colonel shouted, Fire! Seventy yards ahead, a Confederate officer did the same.

Bullets from both sides whistled through the air, and the booming of cannon-fire echoed in all directions. The air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke and gunpowder. Soldiers from both armies began to fall to the ground as bullets tore into their bodies, and those sprawled near Josh screamed in agony while blood gushed from gaping wounds. Out of the corner of his eye, Josh saw a drummer several feet away slump to the ground like a rag doll.

Toby! Josh cried out in alarm. Forgetting his duties, he tore off his drum, threw it to the ground and darted through the morass to where Toby lay. 

His terror had vanished, now replaced by desperation to help Toby. They'd walked several miles to enlist together and he wasn't about to abandon his friend now. 

Just hang on! Josh hollered across the battlefield in the fallen drummer's direction, unsure whether Toby could hear him, or if he was even still alive. 

Blood soaked soldiers grabbed at Josh as he passed, begging for help, and he struggled to break free of their desperate grips. As the battle raged on, bodies continued to fall, blocking his path.

Josh had just managed to wrench himself free of one soldier's desperate hold on his ankle and another's vice-like grip on his wrist, when two more hands grabbed onto his pant legs and clutched them tightly. To Josh's terror, he found he could barely move.

Get off of me! Let go! he cried out in frustration, trying to extricate himself from the clinging hands that held him captive.

Hands also began to grasp at his waist and arms, and his knees buckled from the weight. Unable to free himself, Josh realized with horror that he was about to fall forward onto a pile of dead soldiers whose sightless eyes seemed to stare at him.

Toby! Josh screamed as he fell.

Josh jerked awake to find that he was lying on his bed in the dark on sweat-soaked sheets and gasping for breath. It was just another nightmare, he realized with relief. He sat upright in bed, suddenly wide awake, and glanced at a clock on the nightstand.  It was almost two a.m.  He heard the door to his parents' bedroom open nearby, and his mom's footsteps patter down the hallway toward his room. She opened his bedroom door and peeked in.

Did you have another nightmare, Josh? she whispered in concern, her pale face barely visible in the darkness.

Yeah, he mumbled.

She walked over to stand beside the bed and lay a cool hand on his forehead.

Thank goodness you're not having them as often as you used to. The doctors say it will take some time for you to recover after the accident, she reminded him.

Josh had heard these reassurances countless times.

I'll be okay, he muttered, turning away from her to face the wall.

He could sense his mom staring down at him in concern for a few moments before she gave his back an affectionate pat.

Good night, Josh, she whispered, and turned to leave the room, closing the door behind her.

He knew his mom worried about the nightmares, but he had grown tired of being babied and coddled by his family since the accident. It had been almost a year since they visited the inn, yet the images of the dead and dying soldiers continued to haunt his dreams. Breathing normally now, he thought back on the extraordinary visit to Tennessee the winter before and the fate of his drummer friend, Toby.

IMAGE FROM THE LILJENQUIST Family Collection of Civil War Photographs donated by the Liljenquist Family to the Library of Congress.  [Unidentified young drummer boy in Union uniform]. [Between 1861 and 1865] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .

CHAPTER 2

ONE YEAR EARLIER ~

Nick had forgotten the guitar chords three times now. Exasperated but determined, the band embarked on its fourth attempt. Just as it appeared Nick was finally going to make it through the song without flubbing, Josh's older sister Evie threw open the door and burst into the garage. She stood frowning at the band of ninth graders, whose song abruptly fell apart as if she'd pulled a power cord out of the wall. Josh slapped his drumsticks against his thighs.

Evie, I'm going to tell mom you're bothering us! You're not supposed to be in here while we're practicing! he shouted, his brown eyes flashing with anger.

Evie’s eyes narrowed her eyes at him. Mom's the reason I'm in here. She needs to talk to us about something before she goes to work, and she said you guys have to stop.

With that said, his sister turned and walked back into the house, her wavy blond hair swinging behind her. The three band members stared at one another in dismay.

Ugh! Nick grunted and began packing up his guitar. Dude, we're never going to get anywhere if we have to do this every day. What's wrong—did you forget to empty the trash or something?

It's just one time, deal with it, Josh retorted, brushing aside the shaggy light-brown hair that had fallen into his eyes.

Nick turned and glared at Josh, opening his mouth to reply just as Josh's best friend, Ty, intervened.  Come on, guys! Try to get along once in a while, or we won't have a band, and it won't matter if we practice or not!

Ty stomped out of the garage with Nick close on his heels, carrying his guitar case.

Josh stomped into the kitchen to find Sandy, his mom, sitting at the kitchen table, wearing her nurse's uniform. Evie was seated next to her.

Have a seat, Josh, Sandy said.

Why do we have to stop? he asked, still irritated.

I'm getting ready to leave for work, and this is the only chance we have to talk! Sandy replied, peeved at her son's display of irritation. She worked the night shift at the community hospital.

Josh scowled and yanked a chair out from under the table. He sat down heavily and crossed his arms in front of his chest. Was this about the large pile of dirty laundry on the floor of his room? Again?

Kids, I realize things have been very difficult, so I’ve decided we need a change of scenery during winter break. Aunt Abigail and Uncle Joe are in their seventies now, and they're worn out from running the inn in Dover by themselves. They could use our help over the holidays this year.

Josh and his sister sat in stunned silence for a moment as their mother's words sunk in.

Josh groaned. Mom! I've already made plans to go to that drum clinic with my friends!

Well, unmake them, Sandy replied, her eyes narrowing.

We have to stay at that old creepy place in Tennessee? Evie whined, staring at her mom in disbelief. It smells funny.

For your information, young lady, the inn is a historical landmark! People travel from all over the country to stay there!

Evie frowned at the floor.

We're leaving the week of Thanksgiving, and we won't back until Winter Break is over. Your school has already agreed to allow you to take the extra time off, and you'll be given some homework to take with you.

The siblings groaned in unison.

I guess I was wrong to believe you kids would be interested in helping people who can really use it. And Abi and Joe are so excited about seeing you.  I'm trying to do my best considering what we've all been through, Sandy said, punctuating her words with a heavy sigh.

It's okay, mom. I'm sure we'll have a good time, Evie reassured her.

Sandy flashed her daughter a smile of gratitude.

Josh snorted in protest, and Evie squinted her eyes at him threateningly. Ignoring him, Sandy stood, grabbed her purse and headed toward the door. I need to get back to work. Make sure you’re in bed by ten, she instructed, leaving the kitchen.

They heard the front door close, and Evie turned on her brother with an angry glare. Why do you always have to be such a jerk? she demanded. Mom's been through enough as it is without you arguing about everything!

You were arguing too! Josh shouted back.

Just at first! Why don't you start thinking about someone besides yourself for a change? Evie lectured. You're not the only one who's upset about dad!

She jumped to her feet and fled the room.

Josh spent the evening in his room staring gloomily at the wall. Through fits and starts, he tried to finish his homework, but he was unable to stop thinking about his dad. It had been a little over three months since the car accident. Josh dreaded the thought of spending their first Christmas without his dad and friends, far from home in some old, creepy inn with only Evie, his mom and some ancient relatives he didn't even know.

My life is getting worse by the day, Josh muttered. I wish I could just take a break from this family!

He would, in a way he could never have imagined.

E. & H.T. ANTHONY. ANTHONY's stereoscopic views. No. 1471, Three drummer boys now at Ft. Hamilton who have been in 9 battles of the rebellion. [New York: published by E. & H.T. Anthony & Co., Emporium of American and Foreign Stereoscopic Views, Chromos, and Albums, 591 Broadway, opposite Metropolitan Hotel, between 1869 and 1880] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .

CHAPTER 3

ONE WEEK LATER Josh was on an airplane bound for Nashville. By the third hour of the four-hour flight, he had become bored with the tunes on his mp3 player, the games on his phone and the movie reruns playing on the screen in the back of the seat before him. He squirmed restlessly in his seat and gazed out the window at the night sky.

Evie had chosen to pass the time with her nose in a book for most of the flight, and was now engrossed in her second teen vampire romance. Sandy had napped and thumbed through the catalog that had been tucked in the seat-back pocket. Josh glanced over at his mom and noticed for the first time that she'd lost a lot of weight the last few months. The dark circles now visible under her eyes looked like bruises against her pale skin.

It was close to eleven when the plane finally landed at the Nashville airport. Their suitcases took twenty minutes to drop onto the luggage carousel, but at least their rental car was waiting for them, and within an hour, Sandy was navigating the car onto the freeway toward Dover. Weary from the ordeal, Josh dozed in the back seat. His mother's voice awakened him sometime later when she announced, Here it is! A lamppost alongside the road cast yellow light upon a faded sign at the driveway entrance. Osprey Inn, it read.

Sandy turned the car off the road and onto a long, winding paved driveway. Except for the headlight-illuminated road before them, it was pitch black outside. Giant trees lining the driveway appeared to reach for the car as it rolled past. Josh shivered uneasily, averted his eyes from the side window and forced himself to stare straight ahead. After a few seconds, a structure came into view. Squares of yellow light indicated occupancy.

Peering through the windshield, Josh took in the sight of a large, two-story Victorian-style inn with a wrap-around porch looming before them. Closer inspection revealed that the windows were decorated with a small, crooked strand of multicolored Christmas lights that were barely visible against the huge home.

As the car pulled into a circular driveway in front of the inn, an elderly couple walked out onto the porch. Josh recognized them as his mom's aunt and uncle from photos he had seen. The couple shuffled down the stairs that led from the porch just as the weary travelers climbed out of the car. As they did so, a blast of icy cold air struck the bare skin on Josh's face and arms, and he realized with dismay that his jacket was packed away in his suitcase.

Oh Sandy, you finally made it! the elderly woman exclaimed, beaming despite the lateness of the hour. Josh noticed that her face was surprisingly free of wrinkles, and she appeared much younger than he would have expected of a woman past seventy. She wore a knee-length cotton dress covered by a long apron, and her white hair was in a neat bun at the back of her head.

It's so good to see you again, Aunt Abi! Sandy replied, smiling brightly for the first time in weeks. She reached down and embraced her aunt's petite frame. 

Sure has been a long time! Aunt Abi's husband drawled, holding his arms out to his niece. His sturdy frame and leathery skin betrayed the years he'd spent maintaining the grounds of the old inn.

Uncle Joe, you don't look like you've aged a bit in the past ten years! Sandy said, throwing her arms around his stubbly neck.

Uncle Joe let out a hearty laugh and enveloped her in a bear hug.

The siblings obligingly gave hugs as well, and then, assisted by their hosts, carried their bags up the stairs and into the inn's foyer. Aunt Abi, frail and several inches shorter than Josh's five-foot seven-inch frame, had no trouble with Evie's smallish suitcase, and Uncle Joe, despite his arthritic stoop, managed two bags and a small backpack.

A dimly lit but cozy living room greeted them. Josh was glad to see a warm fire blazing in the fireplace. Bright floral wallpaper covered the walls, and the solid oak furniture in the room appeared to be as old as the inn.

Just make yourself at home, dears! Aunt Abi said hospitably. I thought you kids might be hungry, so I baked you a late-night snack. She headed down a short hall toward what appeared to be the kitchen.

Here, let me give you a hand, Sandy offered, and the women disappeared from sight.

Uncle Joe gestured toward a cranberry-colored couch. Have a seat, kids.

Josh and Evie sat tentatively side-by-side on the couch, and Joe took a seat in a chair nearby. The trio sat in silence for a few minutes as they watched the glowing fire crackle and pop, and Josh felt his body begin to thaw from the warmth. Uncle Joe was clearly a man of few words. No doubt Aunt Abi talked enough for both of them.

You have a good trip? Uncle Joe asked, breaking the long silence.

Josh and Evie politely nodded their heads.

It was a little long and tiring, Evie replied.

Traveling for five hours would be a bit tiring, Uncle Joe agreed.

The trio sat in silence once more, and the siblings fidgeted while they waited for their mom and great-aunt to return. After a few more awkward moments passed, Aunt Abi reappeared with a plate of freshly baked chocolate-chip cookies. Their mom followed carrying a tray that held five mugs of steaming cocoa.  Josh's mouth watered at the sudden sweet aroma of chocolate that filled the air.

Your aunt Abi's the best cook in this county! Uncle Joe said with authority, poised to take the first bite.

Suddenly, these elderly strangers seemed like family. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad; Josh decided. Sandy told her aunt and uncle about the events of their long, exhausting day and then about their activities at school and work. To Josh's relief, the topic of his dad's death was avoided.  Despite his unhappiness about visiting the inn, Josh was glad to take a break from the way his teachers' voices now softened when they called on him in class and the looks of sympathy he received from neighbors and classmates. He had brushed aside his friends' awkward attempts to console him after the funeral, and it didn't take them long to realize that he wanted to continue as though nothing had changed. They were only too happy to oblige.

After Josh had devoured his third cookie and drained every last drop of cocoa from his mug, he leaned back onto the couch in contentment and gazed at the fire. His mom and Aunt Abi continued to chat like two animated teenagers while Evie and Uncle Joe occasionally chimed in. Josh's eyelids began to grow heavy, and he fought to keep them open as he watched the flames dance about.

It looks as though someone's ready for bed! he heard Aunt Abi say in amusement.

Josh opened his eyes and saw that everyone in the room was staring at him.

I'm sure we're all ready for bed by now, Sandy announced as she stood.

The trio collected their belongings, and Uncle Joe led them to a nearby staircase. The steps creaked under their feet as they followed him up to a musty-smelling second-floor hallway. The dark wood-paneled walls were covered in old framed photographs. In the near-darkness, the group's shadows cast odd shapes upon the walls. Uncle Joe led the trio down the hall and stopped before a row of five bedrooms.

Take your pick! he offered, pointing at the rooms. Sandy chose the room in the middle, and the siblings