We went about half a mile to a house, got our dinner and some milk, and come to find out we was in plain sight of the Rebel pickets. I went beyond our line after some milk and other eatables. I came pretty near to getting taken prisoner again while I was on picket the other day. I hope they will be as good as their word, for I would a great deal rather be the attacked party than the party to attack.

They say if we don't soon pitch in, they will. They have advanced their picket line within three-quarters of a mile of ours. The Rebs have crossed the Rapidan (River) 85,000 strong. Be sure and write as soon as you receive this. Every little thing that you may think is of no account is just the very thing that does the soldier's soul good to hear, and you know it. Herbert, there is no letter that I get that does me as much good to read as yours. So the old fellow rode on and said no more, but I guess he thought we was a pretty hard set. ''I know it,'' says Thurstin, ''but, General, I can't lie. You had ought to say 'country' instead of 'greenbacks.' '' Old Cutler looked round and, says he, ''Boys, that's pretty rough. They had just got opposite our regiment when Thurstin, one of Company E boys, hollered out, ''Oh, my greenbacks, how I do suffer for thee.'' I was on picket day before yesterday, and it was raining very hard, when General (Lysander) Cutler and several other high officials came to see how the pickets was making it. The boys are all in good spirits, and the raws are waiting very impatiently to be initiated in the science of battling for their country, as they call it, but as the vets term it, fighting for greenbacks. I think by the sound it is cavalry and artillery skirmishing. I can hear some heavy firing this morning beyond the picket line. We shoot about 20 rounds, while the recruits are shooting from five to ten. We are practicing twice a week, shooting at a mark. I expect we will see some hard fighting this summer. We have sent off all our extra clothing, and we will soon commence active service again. There is some of them that take hold and try to learn, but the most of them are as awkward as mules. We have to drill almost all the time to teach these awkward recruits. Herbert, I hope the time will be when we will be together again. He is a-going to make us get right up and climb in a few days. He came up to the headquarters of the Potomac Army the same day I did that was day before yesterday. He is a pretty tough-looking man for Lieutenant General, but I guess he is all right on the fight questions. I would recommend this book to children my age and anyone interested in leaarning more about The Civil War.Near Culpeper, Va.MaMy dear friend, I saw General Grant in Alexandria. All the talk about gangs, family and belonging to something have meaning even in today's world.

It's funny that Granny becomes more of a family than his real family. I like the fact that Charley got a chance to start his life over again. Charley learns to true meaning of being a hero when he kills a panther attacking Granny's farm and saves the old woman's life as well. Gradually Charley and Granny Bent gain some respect for each other. The lonely old woman forces Charley to stay on her farm as if he were a prisoner.

He gets attacked by a goose whose job it is to protect the farm of old Granny Bent. Hungry, Charley is hoping to find some eggs. As he walks through the mountains, he comes upon an old farm. Trying to escape into the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charley meets an old man driving a wagon who gives him a ride.Charley talks for hours without realizing the old man hasn't understood a single thing Charley has said because of Charley's Ney York accent. Charley is captured by Confederate soldiers and questioned by an officer.The officer decides to let Charley go because of his age,not knowing that Charley has killed a Confederate soldier. When his friend, Jem, is killed Charley picks up a rifle and kills an enemy soldier.Filled with panic,he runs away and becomes a deserter. Charley discovers that surviving and being a hero are difficult in a war. Feeling rejected by his family, Charley joins the army in order to seek revenge for his brother's death and to became a hero like Johnny.

Charley skedaddle questions