The Soldier Wore Blue

By John G. Morgan

William Hunter was a simple Indiana farmer who would have been satisfied to live out his life on a small piece of land with his sweetheart by his side. The war between north and south would change all that. Suddenly he would be thrust into the horror and agony that threatened to split the United States asunder. Somehow he had to discover a means to recover that which was quickly drifting away. Somehow he had to find a way to retain his sanity in this age of brother against brother, father against son.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 20, 2009
• ISBN: 9781477168011

John G. Morgan

John Morgan served in the military of the United States for 32 years, first with the Strategic Air Command of the U. S. Air Force then with the U. S. Army and KY. Army National Guard. Afterwards he again retired from the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs - Facilities Division after 17 years. Due to health concerns he retired from the Keeneland Security Department after 8 years of service. This, his third book to be published, is drawn heavily on his time in the military.

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Copyright © 2009 by John G. Morgan.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-4415-5251-8

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Contents

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I

CHAPTER II

CHAPTER III

CHAPTER IV

CHAPTER V

CHAPTER VI

CHAPTER VII

CHAPTER VIII

CHAPTER IX

CHAPTER X

CHAPTER XI

CHAPTER XII

CHAPTER XIII

APPENDIX

ENDNOTES

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to the one person without whose assistance it would not have been possible – my wife of 48 wonderful years Ruth Ann (Todd) Morgan. Her support through all these long years has been there even though, many times, I am sure I have fallen short of her expectations. When I chose to follow my military and security profession and it necessitated moves throughout the country she never uttered one word of complaint, merely packed up and followed. When I got down on myself for my shortcomings and failures she was right there to lift me back up. When I have neglected tasks and sit hours at the computer she has never uttered a harsh word, though I know it bothered her. I can never repay or express enough the thanks and respect I have for her.

For these things and so much more, Ruth Ann, I say thank you and I love you.

INTRODUCTION

THE STORY YOU are about to read is a mixture of fact and fiction drawn from the past of my own family. Some of the characters are real, some are pure fiction. The majority of the locations are from actual history and readily available for further reading if one would desire. My only desire in writing this book is for your personal entertainment and to provide some insight into an ancestor who participated in the greatest conflict this nation has ever known. It is a story of sadness but at the same time a story of greatness that can be attained in a time of stress. I hope you enjoy the reading and God bless the United States.

John G. Morgan

SFC KYARNG (Ret)

CHAPTER I

THE RHYTHMIC SWISH of a scythe sounded under the hot Indiana sun. Muscles rippled in the shoulders of William Jefferson Hunter as he hypnotically moved through the cleared ten acre field in the afternoon heat. He paused from his labor to pull an old rag from the back pocket of his sweat stained pants and wipe his soaked brow. Leaning against the wooden handle, he gazed contentedly over the ripening summer hay. He had taken a contract from his older brother to harvest the crop on shares. Now about one half of the field was finished and in two or three days the rest would be bundled and ready for winter feed.

William, called Will by everyone, was a tall, sinewy lad burned to a ruddy complexion by long hours under the blazing sun. His eyes were blue and his hair had the reddish tint of his father’s Irish ancestry. He and his older brother both bore the stamp of the old sod on their bodies. He was not educated, being taught mainly by his Delaware born mother, but could write his name, do rudimentary arithmetic, and read fairly well, being taught mainly from the family bible.

A man moving across the hill drew Will’s attention. He squinted and, through the heat haze, made out the figure of his older brother, Robert Hunter, Jr., striding toward him. Named for their father his had been shortened to Rob by the family. His resemblance to his namesake was uncanny and, if it was not for the age difference, it would have been hard to tell them apart. Will watched as his brother walked across the field then stood before him. He put his hands on his hips and spoke with mock severity,

Taking the rest of the day off? he asked.

Will continued to slouch and calmly answered,

I’m just resting my bones a spell.

Rob sadly shook his head,

Kids nowadays not willing to do a day’s work for a day’s pay.

Will laughed at that,

Only one problem, you’re not paying me.

You’re getting a share aren’t you? Rob questioned.

Will cocked one eye at his brother,

I’m earning every blade of it. Besides, you know full well my share goes to Pa.

Rob produced a burlap wrapped jug and held it out,

Jeanie thought you might need this he said.

Will accept the offering. It was filled with cool, fresh spring water. Gratefully he drank his fill. Rob waited until his brother had finished then looked out over the field.

Looks like you are making good progress.

He waited until the jug was set down before continuing,

I’ll give you a hand with the gathering.

All through the hot afternoon the brothers worked side by side. In the early evening the sound of a ringing dinner bell drew their attention. Rob slowly straightened and looked in the direction of the sound. He spoke to his brother,

Let’s knock off for the day. Jeanie expects you to eat with us.

It took about fifteen minutes of steady walking before they strode into the yard. Robert Hunter was proud of the structure before him. He had cleared the land himself. With the help of his brother and father and a few neighbors the cabin and a small barn, both of logs, were built. Peeled logs lay drying on the edge of the clearing that would be used for the construction of an addition to the cabin. It would actually be two buildings tied together by a roof over an open area between, known as a dog trot. This could be used by the family during the warmer months as a location for meals by the addition of a table. Rob’s wife Jeanie was standing in the doorway wiping her hands on her apron. She gave her husband a peck on the cheek then smiled at her brother-in-law. With a wave she motioned toward the rear of the cabin.

There is a fresh pail of water ready in back she said.

Will stripped off his sweat stained shirt. With a hollowed out gourd he dipped water from the wooden bucket pouring it into a large tin washbasin. Picking up the bar of lye soap from the bench he first thoroughly washed and rinsed his hands and arms. This completed he drew another pan. He washed first his face then poured the remaining water over his hair, allowing it to run down his salt incrusted chest. Head still down he reached for the rough towel that was supposed to be handy but touched only empty space. Curious he raised his head to find Jeanie standing with the cloth in her hand and a smile on her face lightly she said,

I thought you might need this.

He took the towel from her and dried himself. Gingerly he picked up the still damp shirt, eyeing it distastefully. Jeanie laughed and held her hand out.

Let me have that, I’ll rinse it out. It can dry while we’re having our meal.

Will hesitated and said,

I’m not sure . . . 

Jeanie laughingly interrupted,

Oh phu, I’ve seen a man’s naked chest before and so has Molly. If it embarrasses you use one of Robert’s shirts until this one dries.

Jeanie steadfastly refused to use the shortened version of her husband’s name. She also would not call her brother-in-law anything other than his proper and formal name. It was peculiar because she readily referred to their daughter, Martha, by the name Molly. Some things women did he just could not understand. There was one thing he did know for certain, there was absolutely no since in arguing with Jeanie McTagert Hunter. Meekly he handed over the shirt.

Inside the cabin his six year old niece, Martha Elana Hunter, looked from near the fireplace where she had been playing. Seeing him she came running, her arms open wide. He swept her up in his arms where she tightly threw hers around his neck in a tight hug. Carrying her he seated himself on one of the chairs where she contentedly curled in his lap. Smiling, Jeanie selected a dry cotton shirt and tossed it to him.

Once more fully clothed Will took the time to look around the room. Practically everything he saw was made by the hands of family members. There was not much hard cash available and what they had went into land and supplies. Even their clothes were made by the women of the family from deerskins and spun from the wool of sheep kept not only for that purpose but meat as well.

Will’s thoughts were interrupted by Jeanie announcing the meal was ready. They gathered around the table on which sat a large wooden bowl filled with rabbit stew. The pieces of rabbit, fresh killed that morning by Robert, floated in a liquid along with fresh garden raised potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, onions and peas. This was spooned into smaller wooden bowls, these made by Will himself as a Christmas gift. The smaller spoons with which they ate also had been made by him. There was fresh made bread, sliced by a knife made by their father whose talents as a blacksmith helped support himself and his wife. The meal was of simple fare yet filling. It did not take long until the last of the juices were sopped from the bowls by a piece of bread. Will sat back with a sigh, his hunger satisfied.

Rob rose from the table and walked to the fireplace picking up his corncob pipe and a small deerskin pouch he had placed there earlier. He stooped and scraped a glowing ember from the fire into a small copper cup with a short wooden handle and hinged top. Retrieving a small sliver of cedar from the kenneling bucket he turned to his brother,

Let’s go sit on the porch awhile he said.

Together they moved outside and seated themselves. Creek bed rocks worn smooth by the flowing water had been laboriously quarried and laid across the front of the cabin and extended out to about twelve feet. Over this a roof had been erected, held by thick oak saplings. This was a luxury few cabins had but it made for an excellent location to relax after a hard day.

Rob opened the pouch and packed his pipe with the fine shreds of tobacco from within. He lit the sliver from the still hot ember, and then puffed until the tobacco was burning satisfactorily. He contentedly sat back, allowing smoke to escape from the corner of his mouth. Jeanie forbade him smoking in the cabin. She did not approve but tolerated it outside because it seemed to relax him. Rob raised a small patch each year. He removed the veins and shredded a portion of the cured crop and stored it in covered clay crocks for his own use. Some of the remainder he carefully rolled into cigars and used occasionally himself. The majority of his product went to the local general store where he bartered it for articles he could not make himself. Any excess brought in badly needed cash.

The brothers sat quietly watching the cooling evening darkness deepen. They were comfortable with each other’s company and had no need for ceaseless chatter. Rob finally broke the silence,

You heard yet Bob Richardson is pulling up stakes? he asked.

Will looked up quickly in surprise.

After all this time? he asked.

Both brothers had known Richardson since they were in their early childhood. He had helped their family many times and was well known throughout Knox County.

Rob continued to watch the darkness as he answered.

He says he can’t abide this growing regional dissension anymore.

Is he going west? Will asked.

The movement west was growing each day. While it had evened off after the gold rush days it had gained momentum again. It seemed that every day a new family left.

Nope Rob answered, Says he’s going back to South Carolina."

Will thought for a moment then asked,

Isn’t his father a U. S. Senator?

Rob nodded his head in confirmation Will asked, When is he leaving?

Told me soon as he could settle his affairs and sell his property.

Rob paused from speaking and remained silent for a period. He then looked at his brother and continued,

He told me he would be willing to sell that back piece of forty acres for a very attractive price. You know the one I’m talking about?

Will answered he did but had a question about it.

That section is mighty wild isn’t it?

Rob agreed and pressed on,

That is why he is willing to let it go so cheaply. Not something though you and I together couldn’t clear. Make a niece place for a young man to start married life on.

Will turned his head sideways and cocked an eye at his brother.

You mean me? he asked.

Rob grinned knowingly at him.

You think I’m blind boy? Everybody in the county knows you’ve been sparking that Rigsby gal.

Embarrassed, Will dropped his eyes. He and Sarah Rigsby had grown up together. They had played together as children. The last two years they had certainly became attracted to each other as more than just friends. Lately he had indeed begun looking at her with a new awareness of her femininity but he did not know it was so obvious. A small smile on his face, he again looked at Rob.

Got it all figured out don’t you?

Rob laughed,

I have to look out for my younger brother.

Will brought the conversation around to another area of concern,

One thing you haven’t thought of, whose gonna take care of Ma and Pa if I move out?

He should have known his brother had an answer. Rob gestured in the direction of the peeled and cured logs.

We work together we can have that addition ready by warm weather. Ma and Pa can move in there when they’re ready. Not only that, we could likely get enough ground cleared you could put in a corn crop and have an excellent start on a cabin of your own.

Will threw his hands up in surrender,

I give up, you win; just one thing I want to ask though.

Rob looked at him questioningly,

What’s that? he asked.

Don’t I have a say in this?

Rob laughed and replied,

Nope, then he turned serious, Will, you’re older now; marry that girl before someone else does.

Will said thoughtfully,

Maybe you’re right.

The brothers fell silent, each in thought over the ideas proposed. Will at last broke the quiet with an entirely different subject.

Rob, you suppose that Lincoln fella has a chance of being elected president?

Rob shook his head no,

Doubt it, not many around here think much of him, know I’m not in favor. From what I hear he won’t carry a single vote in the southern states.

You think the southern states will pull out if he does, like they threaten to do?" Will asked.

Rob thought for a minute and then answered,

I surely hope not. I do believe though they’ve been pushed into a corner. They may not have any other choice.

Will replied,

Pa agrees with you. Says the way they’ve been treated is shameful.

Rob answered seriously,

Pa’s right; he still remembers what it was like during his youth in Ireland. How the high tariffs and outrageous demands kept the British yoke around their necks.

Think the north will try to force them to stay in the union?

Rob sadly shook his head yes.

See no other way to solve it should that happen. At least any way they would be satisfied with.

Think you would fight if it came to that?

Rob quickly shook his head no.

"Like Pa, I feel they have been given a raw deal. Still, I will not lift a finger to help them either. Guess I’ll just stay out of it and remain neutral.

Will asked, You for slavery?"

Rob looked at him hard,

You know better than that. None of us ever owned anyone. He paused to gather his thoughts then said, Besides, it hasn’t got a thing to do with slavery. It is all about tariffs and the profit margin in the north.*

Rob stood up from his chair and turned to go inside,

Let’s go in and tell Jeanie the good news.

Will stood up to join him,

Bet she’ll be surprised he said.

Rob chuckled softly,

Who do you think thought up these ideas? he asked.

Will faltered in his steps.

You mean . . .  he started,

Will cut him short,

Will, my boy, you’ll learn very quickly; women are consummate match makers.

On the walk home Will reflected over what had taken place in the last few hours. The more he thought the more interested and excited he became. By the time he arrived he had made up his mind to accept his brother’s offer. In addition he had decided to speak with Sarah about his intentions when next they were together. It was time he settled down and made something of his life. His parents had already retired for the night leaving the rented house in darkness. Quietly he climbed the stairs to his room then lit a candle standing by his bed of ropes and corn husk mattress. He undressed and crawled into bed under a quilt made by his mother before blowing out the candle, plunging the room into darkness.

During the following two days Will worked from sunup to sundown gathering the hay crop. By dusk of the second day the field was completed. The bundles were stacked in the log barn loft. He would transport his share the following week to a neighbor who had agreed to swap him two fine shoats and a calf for it. The shoats would be fattened into meat hogs that, when slaughtered, would provide a ready supply of various cuts for the family.

The following day he had ceased from his tasks early so as to be able to visit with Sarah. Her father had received him cordially and had said nothing when he asked her to go for a walk with him unescorted. The elder gentleman had only smiled and nodded his acceptance when his daughter looked to him for permission. Hand in hand they strode through the fragrant fields. A flowing stream ambled its way between the hills and valleys. It curled and twisted into a grove of trees where, in one of the bends, a pool was formed. Here it was quiet with only the bubbling water and the birds to hear. It was a location young lovers came to be alone. It had become one of their favorite places and it was here they paused to rest.

Sarah seated herself on a convenient rock. Will continued to stand and began telling her of the plans he and his brother were making. With each word he became more and more excited and talked lauder and faster in enthusiasm. Sarah sat quietly looking up at him and listening. Will was working himself up to having the courage to ask her to marry him. He described the land and the work it would take, and then launched into the plans for a cabin addition for his parents. When he at last exhausted himself and paused to catch his breath she lowly asked,

When will our cabin be ready?

Will became rigid with shock. His breath caught in his throat. He could only manage to utter a single word,

What?

Sarah calmly repeated her question.

Will stood speechless. He had rehearsed and memorized just what he would say. Now she had taken the lead and he simply did not know how to continue. The smile on Sarah’s face slowly changed to a mischievous grin. The sparkle in her eyes was replaced by a twinkle of merriment. Slowly he began to understand just what was happening.

Jeanie has already talked to you hasn’t she? he said accusingly.

Sarah laughed and nodded confirmation.

Upset Will sputtered his objection.

Sarah unclasped her hands and replied,

William Hunter, if women waited for you men to propose a good number of us would die old maids. We wouldn’t want that now would we?

Will could only stand and stare. The remaining light cast a glow behind her. A halo formed framing her auburn colored hair. He had never seen her so beautiful. Suddenly he laughed at the turn of events. He swept her into his arms. Passionately they clung to each other, their lips locked in a kiss. Sarah finally broke the clutch, pushing herself away. With a rasp in her voice she said,

We had best quit before we do something we will regret. Let’s go tell my parents the happy news.

Hand in hand they hurried from the glen.

CHAPTER II

OVER THE LONG winter months the brothers labored nearly every waking moment completing all the work necessary. The forty acres had been purchased for a reasonable price, Mr. Richardson being anxious to leave. Before anything could be done to the land they constructed the addition to the cabin. With the help of willing neighbors the second structure was built and attached to the first, forming the dog walk, in three days. This completed, Will and Rob took the time to dig into the hillside behind the cabin to form a twelve by ten foot room. This they lined with rocks cemented together with a mixture of clay and limestone rocks pounded to a powder. The front was extended out five feet on each side and a roof added. By mounting a stout wooden door this became the storage for hanging meat as well as vegetables and fruits. Milk could also be kept cool in covered crocks.

The land preparation began by clearing the brush and trees from two fields of five acres each. Clearing was also done on a site just uphill from a fresh water spring. This would be the location upon which the cabin would sit. With the help of Rob’s team of oxen and a wooden sled the rocks were hauled from the field and placed in piles, these would later become fences. The larger rocks were hauled to the building site and piled. With these a foundation for the future cabin could be laid as well as a sturdy chimney. An unusually long warm spell kept the ground from freezing and allowed Will to turn the soil with the oxen and a borrowed plow. This allowed snow and ice to gather in the open furrows and aid in the breaking up of the tight soil.

All the time could not be given to these tasks alone. Crops had to be harvested and winter meat hunted, as well as hogs slaughtered and the lard rendered. The tobacco leaves were stripped and hung on poles in the barn to cure in the open air. The corn was shucked and piled in a log crib. Will’s share for helping in this