Chapter 4
The next day, I went to where our army was camping. I went over to Colonel Burwell's tent. I walked in and he didn't look too happy.
"Spot Conlon, I am in no need for a lecture."
"Yes, I know."
"I heard the sad news about your father."
"Mark my words Colonel, when I find Colonel Tavington, I'm going to kill him."
"Yes, I would too."
"Spot, we're a breath away from loosing this war!" "In the south, Cornwallis has broken our backs." "He captured over 5,000 of our troops when he took Charleston.
"So there's really nothing we can do to keep Cornwallis from moving north and finishing Washington."
"Unless we can keep Cornwallis in the south."
"You really think you could keep old Cornwallis here by using just militia?"
"Well not me, you!"
Spot laughed, "Sir they aren't soldiers, they're farmers." "They'd be better off letting the British just march through!"
"They would, but the cause wouldn't!"
"Very well, Sir."
For the next 2 days, Spot and other men went from town to town enlisting men for the militia. Spot's assignment was to go through Harrisburg, Pembrooke, and Wakefeild. This gave him joy because Kristine lived in Pembrooke. When he got there, all of the village people were in church. Riding by a tree that had three bodies hanging from the limb, he entered.
"Reverend, with your permission, I'd like to make an announcement."
"Young man, this is a house of God."
"I understand that Reverend, I apologize." "The South Carolina Militia is being called up." "I'm here to enlist every man willing."
"And bring more suffering to this town?!"
"Dan Scott, barley a week ago I heard you railed for two hours about independence!" Kristine interrupted.
"Mr. Hardwick, how many times have I heard you speak about freedom at my father's table?" "Half the men in this church, including you father, and you Reverend, are as ardent patriots as I!" "Will you now, when you are needed most stop at only words?" "Is that the kind of men you are!?" "I ask only that you act upon the beliefs of which you have so strongly spoken, and in which you so strongly believe."
Spot gave Kristine a smile.
"Who's with us?"
Pretty soon, the church filled with men standing, now willing to risk their life for a free country. As they got ready to leave, Spot approached Mr. Howard and Kristine.
"Uh sir, may I have permission to write to Kristine?"
"Oh.... very well."
Spot put his hat on and set out for camp with the men.
The next day, I went to where our army was camping. I went over to Colonel Burwell's tent. I walked in and he didn't look too happy.
"Spot Conlon, I am in no need for a lecture."
"Yes, I know."
"I heard the sad news about your father."
"Mark my words Colonel, when I find Colonel Tavington, I'm going to kill him."
"Yes, I would too."
"Spot, we're a breath away from loosing this war!" "In the south, Cornwallis has broken our backs." "He captured over 5,000 of our troops when he took Charleston.
"So there's really nothing we can do to keep Cornwallis from moving north and finishing Washington."
"Unless we can keep Cornwallis in the south."
"You really think you could keep old Cornwallis here by using just militia?"
"Well not me, you!"
Spot laughed, "Sir they aren't soldiers, they're farmers." "They'd be better off letting the British just march through!"
"They would, but the cause wouldn't!"
"Very well, Sir."
For the next 2 days, Spot and other men went from town to town enlisting men for the militia. Spot's assignment was to go through Harrisburg, Pembrooke, and Wakefeild. This gave him joy because Kristine lived in Pembrooke. When he got there, all of the village people were in church. Riding by a tree that had three bodies hanging from the limb, he entered.
"Reverend, with your permission, I'd like to make an announcement."
"Young man, this is a house of God."
"I understand that Reverend, I apologize." "The South Carolina Militia is being called up." "I'm here to enlist every man willing."
"And bring more suffering to this town?!"
"Dan Scott, barley a week ago I heard you railed for two hours about independence!" Kristine interrupted.
"Mr. Hardwick, how many times have I heard you speak about freedom at my father's table?" "Half the men in this church, including you father, and you Reverend, are as ardent patriots as I!" "Will you now, when you are needed most stop at only words?" "Is that the kind of men you are!?" "I ask only that you act upon the beliefs of which you have so strongly spoken, and in which you so strongly believe."
Spot gave Kristine a smile.
"Who's with us?"
Pretty soon, the church filled with men standing, now willing to risk their life for a free country. As they got ready to leave, Spot approached Mr. Howard and Kristine.
"Uh sir, may I have permission to write to Kristine?"
"Oh.... very well."
Spot put his hat on and set out for camp with the men.