The Other Side of Lincoln. Welby Thomas Cox, Jr.
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been to Bardstown.” Elaine said while giving her kid brother a big hug.
“Happy Birthday Leck.” They all chimed in and began to pound on the baby of the family in celebration of his seventeenth birthday.
“After today I feel about as old as Pap.” Lenahan said as he began to unfold the story of the early morning murders he had discovered.
They bedded and fed Jess, blew out the lanterns and headed toward the house as Leck continued the litany of what had occurred since he had left home early that morning.
As he came into the Kitchen, Ma and Pap were both up setting at the table.
“What’s all this commotion birthday boy?” Pap said as Ma hugged and kissed Leck.
“Ain’t that Gabe Russell’s dog?” Pap said.
“He is my dog now Pap...if you’ll don’t mind it’s been a long day and I’m looking forward to the sleep that will bring me to the day of my eighteenth year...we have a lot to discuss in the morning.” He said.
Leck hugged and kissed each of the family...lingering at Ma...he patted her on the fanny.
“You still got the best figure in the west.” He said to his beloved mother.
“Yeah except the butt has gone south after fourteen of you youngins.” she said.
Leck went up to the attic room to his bed. He removed his greatcoat, boots, shirt and pants. He left his long underwear and climbed into bed. Rags had taken a spot near the bed. Leck rubbed the dog as he looked out the window at the moon. The emotions of the day ran through him as he remembered the face of his friend Gabe...he wept as he fell asleep.
The next morning, Leck was awakened, by the rattling of pots and pans and movement in the kitchen. He slipped into his clothes, petted the big dog and they headed downstairs. Ma was at the big iron stove...putting in the kindling to start the fire for the morning family breakfast.
Leck gave his mother a big hug and kiss and went to the door to let Rags out.
He went along to the outhouse, some 50 yards from the house. It was a small toilet with four holes. Leck didn’t bother to go into the outhouse but relieved himself at the edge of the house to keep an eye on Rags and his two other dogs...Wolf and Snake.
He wanted no confrontation between the dogs that he had loved since they were born. In fact Leck had been responsible for naming both the dogs. He did so because he was very much into nature when they came along.
“Snake...Wolf...come here guys.” He petted the two old friends as they vied for his touch and big hug for each. He held them as Rags approached...smelling their hind ends. The two began to yield territory. Leck was pleased because Rags could have eaten these guys for breakfast. He rubbed them all again and started to the house as they romped off toward the barn while doing the new dog dance.
In the kitchen, Leck washed his face and hands. He stood beside the large hearth. Pap came over and placed his hand on the boys shoulder. He looked up at Leck and his eyes spoke the sorrow he was feeling.
“I am so very sorry about Gabe and Ima. What a terrible thing. Must have been a great shock to you.” Pap said.
“You know Pap, I have seen a lot of death...been close to it myself over the past two years. But poor Gabe...he has been through so much and just when it seemed he had gotten over the anger of the loss of his leg...that he was truly happy with his life with Ima...boom, he is cut down.” He said.
“Sometimes life is that way.” Pap said “It sometimes doesn’t seem fair that some live out their lives with little or no pain while others can’t get out of their own way without some major difficulty...but its all in the plan of the good Lord. We have to accept that Leck.” He said.
By now Elaine had come down to help in the kitchen. Tom and Christian came in from milking the cows and feeding the stock. They washed up at the sink using the hand pump to crank water from the well just outside the back porch.
Elaine poured coffee for all...she stopped at Leck’s chair and gave him a big hug and kiss.
“What are we going to do about your two new children?” She laughed. “I’m too young to take a wife.” He laughed
Ma and Elaine began to serve up the hearty breakfast of fresh eggs, Job bacon, grits, biscuits, milk gravy and oatmeal, routine fair, all grown at the farm...except for the coffee.
“Well Leck, you have some legal issues.” Pap said. “You will need to get over to Bardstown today and see your big brother Matthew. Lawyerin is his thing... The good thing about fourteen children is that we can cover all the bases.” He said laughing at the comment.
“Pap, if it’s possible for you to spare Tom or Christian tomorrow, they could drive the buckboard if Elaine could go along to pick up the Russell girls.” He asked.
“No problem.” Ma said “You should think of shaving that growth before you go Leck...it’s enough to scare those poor girls out of their shoes.”
“Come on Ma, I didn’t plan to do that until June.” Leck said.
“Tom, you and Elaine better get a few things together, three or four days I would expect. I’ll fix you some eats...we’ll have a big family session when you get back with the girls, you know get the word out to the other children and their families.” Ma said.
Tom, Christian and Pap headed out to the barn to get the team together for the wagon and the trip to Bardstown.
“Leck.” Ma called to him as he headed for his room. “You know I’ve raised fourteen wonderful children, but today I am especially proud of
you...you have become such a good man...just like your Pap. Now don’t you fret one little bit about them young ladies...they will fit right in here...and before you know it, they will be just like those three dogs out there...glad to be a part of something this grand and loving.” She said giving him a kiss on the cheek.
Leck was exhausted but his active mind prevented him from sleep. It reminded him of the battlefield fatigue which all soldiers felt and dreaded. But sLeep did come as soon as the rooster bringing with him the morning.
Leck was out of bed and down the stairs to put on his boots before anyone else had risen. There was a heavy freeze and morning lay everywhere like an old quilt, working it’s magic. Leck left his footprints on the art. He entered the barn to the delight of all but Jess who farted at his sight.
“There now old fella, is that anyway to treat the only one in this life who loves and cares for you?” Leck rubbed the big grays ears and gave him a large carrot as he began the process of saddling and getting his gear together.
There were still no lights in the house as the two of them trotted out toward St. Mary’s and then on to Bardstown.
Historical Review
Lincoln removed General Irvin McDowell after the disaster at The Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) and replaced him with his friend, General George S. McClellan, a thirty-five year old West Point graduate. While McClellan strutted before review parades, to the delight of his new bride, General Grant continued to punch the clock in his blue-collar work-ethic.
Grant working with Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote took a small fort (not much more than a few mounds and boulders) on the Tennessee River called Fort Henry. Nearby, Fort Donaldson proved more troublesome, until Grant assumed command and the diminutive Grant with his ever-present stub cigar and disheveled appearance sent the rebels reeling.
The fort was under the command of John B. Floyd, President Buchanan’s discredited Secretary of War, who had left Buchanan’s Cabinet under suspicion that he had diverted supplies and medicine intended for the Indian Territory to the cause of the south.
Serving under Floyd was General Gideon Pillow, a man Grant knew and disdained as a coward from the Mexican War and