help out his maw and buy more stock, maybe a gelding, more cattle and pretty things for Maw and Mary Jane. Now all that pretend stuff seemed babyish, and he felt older leading the way while the rest of the family tagged behind.
As they trekked into the woods, the going got more difficult. Leroy had ahold of Molly’s reins, Mary Jane was tugging at Smiley’s rope and Samuel was helping Maw to navigate around trees and large stones. Even though walking became increasingly troublesome, still Maw kept smiling thinking the kids had gone to a lot of trouble to surprise her with a picnic. However after a while, she started to wonder a bit, and she asked, “How come we’re bringin’ Smiley on this outin’?”
Samuel cleared his throat and looked down for a minute trying to think of a good reason. “Well, we thought you might like to have some fresh milk when we finally git to our picnic spot.”
“Oh, so is that picnic spot somewheres close? I’m gittin’ mighty tired.”
“Almost there. Leroy knows a special place where he wants to take us.”
Just then multiple shots rang out, and the sound stopped them in their tracks.
Their maw swung around and blurted, “What’s goin’ on back there?”
Samuel hesitated but then decided to tell her the truth. “Maw, we didn’t want to trouble you none, but the Yanks are comin’, and we thought it best to head fur the hills.”
“Are they the ones doin’ that shootin’?
Leroy stood on a prominent rock where he could see clearly. “Yep that’s right; they’re shootin’ our cattle and probably the hogs too. I guess they’ll have a big feast tonight and leave us with nothin’. Samuel, I got Paw’s rifle. Y’all stay put. I’m goin’ back there and pick off a few of ‘em. The very idee they thank they can kill and steal our property!”
“No, you ain’t neither!” Samuel spoke emphatically. “You will stay with us.”
Maw spoke with disdain, “So this whole picnic idee was jest a lie?”
Mary Jane spoke up, “Well, not exactly, Maw. We’re goin’ to find a place to hide out, and we brung food. It will be like a picnic or more like a campout maybe.”
Samuel pointed at Leroy and gave an order, “Now, Leroy, git movin’ and git us to that cave.”
Shots continued to ring out as Leroy reluctantly turned and they followed. The cave was just a few hundred yards ahead, and they tied up Molly and Smiley and went inside. It was cool and inviting and tall enough that they could stand without stooping. Mary Jane spread a quilt and they all plopped down.
Maw put her head in her hands and began to sob uncontrollably. Mary Jane tried to comfort her. “Maw, this is like Mary and Joseph in a cave on the blessed night when the baby Jesus was born.” But nothing she said seemed to help.
While Samuel did some exploring, Leroy took the bucket and went to fetch water from a nearby spring. Samuel discovered the cave ran back 50 feet and tapered off near the end. There was evidence that some large animal had been there, maybe a mountain lion or a bear. He decided not to mention that, but he was glad Leroy had brought the rifle. Then he turned and noticed Leroy was gone. The thought raced through his mind, Where’s that kid?
Samuel nonchalantly walked out of the cave to look for him. Then he saw Leroy lugging the bucket half-filled with water. “Leroy, next time you leave the cave, you check with me. I need to know where you are at all times.”
Leroy smarted off, “What? You thank I’m gonna run down the hill and start shootin’ them Yanks?”
“I wouldn’t put it past you. And if you did, you’d git yourself killed and endanger the whole family. I spect you to use common sense even if you are only nine.”
“I’m goin’ on 10, and I ain’t scared of no Yankees!”
“Well, I am, so don’t do nothin’ stupid!”
They returned to the cave, and Samuel looked at his maw with compassion. Then he spoke with reassurance, “Come on now. Let’s all calm down and eat a bite. Mary Jane, what did you pack us?”
They sat in silence and ate the venison and some of the biscuits and passed the canteen around.
The day wore on, and the gunshots finally stopped. Mary Jane found some wild plums growing nearby, so she picked several and brought them back for everyone. They were a bit sour, but they ate them anyway.
Smiley began to low loudly, so Samuel found a large rock to sit on while he milked her, and she quieted down.
As darkness fell, they arranged the bedding and tried to get comfortable. Leroy asked, “Cain’t we build a fire?”
Samuel said, “Nope, we cain’t take the chance of bein’ spotted.” When he was certain the women were asleep, he turned to Leroy who was still awake, and whispered, “I saw evidence of some large animal that’s been holed up in this cave, so I’m gonna load the rifle and sleep with it nearby.”
“What do you thank it was?”
“I don’t know – maybe a mountain lion or a bear. It’s probly nothin’ to worry ‘bout, but we need to be prepared jest in case.”
“Good idee.”
Eventually, they both fell asleep, but Leroy woke several times during the night, sat up to make sure all was well and then tried to get back to sleep.
The next morning Samuel was up early and milking Smiley again, so they had warm milk to drink and more of the day-old biscuits along with a few hard-boiled eggs.
Later in the morning, Leroy and Samuel crept down to the prominent rock where they could look below and see the Yankees. They were spread out around their pasture with tents set up and fires blazing. “I imagine that’s General Sherman. Thank God they didn’t burn down the house. Maybe they’ll move along in a day or two,” Samuel hoped out loud.
The camping out was especially trying for their maw. She cried continually and after a while refused to eat. It was all they could do to get her to drink some milk. Mary Jane urged her, “Maw, please eat somethin’. We’re worried about you.” But she just shook her head.
She finally looked up and spoke in a strained voice, “It’s the end of the world as we know it. Our lives will never be the same.”
Maw was right. Their lives were never the same. Even though the Yankees only camped on their property for two days, the devastation was immense. As Leroy had seen, all their cattle and hogs had been slaughtered. The Yankees ate well, and the officers slept in their beds and ransacked their house. Anything of value was taken, including Maw’s heirloom brooch that had belonged to her mother. She was heartsick over the state of the house and all the destruction. Over time she became more listless and gradually lost her zest for life.
A year later the news filtered down that General Lee had surrendered at Appomattox, and the Stockard family, especially Leroy, took the news very hard.
2
Stockards
Leroy awoke in the early Tennessee dawn and
