Sherman's March
My name is Elizabeth, but everyone in town calls me Beth. I’m fourteen years old and I live in Atlanta, Georgia. I’m the only child in my family which has its advantages, but not when I have to look after my nine year old cousin John.
John was sent to us after his old folk’s farm set up into flames a year ago. It was the hottest summer in Baldwin County and there were raging wildfires everywhere. They’re rebuilding it now, but his parents didn’t have enough money left to care for John. John hates them for not giving him the choice of getting a job to be able to stay and help and rebuild.
Uncle Michael is fighting under General Robert E. Lee’s command at this very moment so it’s even harder on John. My Papa is also under the command of the South. He is one of Mr. Lee’s officers that report what paths or waterways the North is taking so Lee can find where he wants to attack.
When the telegrams and letters are delivered to us from my Papa, my Mamma almost faints because of all the bloody stories my father writes to us. I think it’s adventurous, but John always looks a sick-green color; I think it’s because it reminds him that his papa could die. My Papa was always a great storyteller; my Mamma on the other hand, didn’t have much of an imagination at all.
One of Papa’s letters said there is a new general named Mr. Sherman and he was hired by the North’s Supreme Commander Mr. Grant. Papa says Mr. Sherman reminds him of an old mean dog that could bite you if you got in his way. He also said the South was highly outnumbered by the North’s troops of around 60,000. Where did they get all those soldiers? I’m guessing Mr. Grant and Mr. Lincoln are paying them, or have soldiers protecting their families.
Papa told me that Mr. Sherman has burned down towns in Tennessee near Chattanooga. He said the North burned everything the owners had, but took the supplies they needed for their troops. He said they burned the plantations and fields of crops that were the money of the South.
Papa said that the main southern army is marching to Virginia. He said that the North is moving south by the way he’s following them and that he needs to hurry and make a telegraph to General Lee. He also said that we need to pack our things just in case they come to attack Georgia.
John was sent to us after his old folk’s farm set up into flames a year ago. It was the hottest summer in Baldwin County and there were raging wildfires everywhere. They’re rebuilding it now, but his parents didn’t have enough money left to care for John. John hates them for not giving him the choice of getting a job to be able to stay and help and rebuild.
Uncle Michael is fighting under General Robert E. Lee’s command at this very moment so it’s even harder on John. My Papa is also under the command of the South. He is one of Mr. Lee’s officers that report what paths or waterways the North is taking so Lee can find where he wants to attack.
When the telegrams and letters are delivered to us from my Papa, my Mamma almost faints because of all the bloody stories my father writes to us. I think it’s adventurous, but John always looks a sick-green color; I think it’s because it reminds him that his papa could die. My Papa was always a great storyteller; my Mamma on the other hand, didn’t have much of an imagination at all.
One of Papa’s letters said there is a new general named Mr. Sherman and he was hired by the North’s Supreme Commander Mr. Grant. Papa says Mr. Sherman reminds him of an old mean dog that could bite you if you got in his way. He also said the South was highly outnumbered by the North’s troops of around 60,000. Where did they get all those soldiers? I’m guessing Mr. Grant and Mr. Lincoln are paying them, or have soldiers protecting their families.
Papa told me that Mr. Sherman has burned down towns in Tennessee near Chattanooga. He said the North burned everything the owners had, but took the supplies they needed for their troops. He said they burned the plantations and fields of crops that were the money of the South.
Papa said that the main southern army is marching to Virginia. He said that the North is moving south by the way he’s following them and that he needs to hurry and make a telegraph to General Lee. He also said that we need to pack our things just in case they come to attack Georgia.