October 17, 1859

In a Forest off Arlington, Virginia, an 11 year old with glasses that are Rectangular shaped, hair that is as black as ebony, Emerald eyes, a lightning bolt scar on his forehead, Tall about 4 ft 7in (a little too tall for an average 11 year old, though the shocking thing is looked like a 14 years old.), wearing a three-piece suit with rounded collar, lapel peaks, and round frilled open collar. He was holding a musket with its barrel facing up at the sky; he looked at his target in front of him (Which is a small tree with a red circle.)

He pulled out a paper cartridge out of his left pocket, and tears the top of the cartridge with his teeth. He slowly pours the powder that was in the Paper Cartridge down the barrel. Then he pulled out the bullet or mostly called the "minie ball", which is also inside the Paper Cartridge, and placed it inside the barrel, the tip pointing up. He pulled out the ram rod and ram the bullet down a few times; placed it back in its holder and pulled the hammer back, then placed a Percussion Cap on the spot below the hammer.

He then held the Musket to his shoulder, aiming at the red circle on the tree. He carefully aimed at the red circle, breath slowly and holding the musket still. As he took another small breath, he pulled the trigger, where the hammer hit the percussion cap and ignited the gun powder, launching the bullet to the target. The boy didn't see if he hit his target, while he fixed his bayonet onto his musket. He gave a yell and charge to the tree with speed as fast as a bullet. His Bayonet impacted the red circle, right at the right of the red circle.

He pulled the bayonet out of the tree and saw the hits he got on the tree. The bullet hit right at the center of the circle. The boy marveled at his accuracy. As he heard the sound of clapping behind, he turned around and saw his farther clapping.

With a Black beard, Grey eyes, a Brown jacket, and a Brown leather hat.

"Good work, James." His father cheered, as he is son smiled. His father always called him James, he given a different named for his Brothers and Sisters.

"Thanks Dad." James replied. Happy to have him as his father.

"I noticed that you hit the circle to your right intentionally, may I ask why?" His father asked, curiously.

"Because even though I hit the tree in the middle with the Bullet, there is a possibility that if it was an enemy soldier that he survives the bullet and so he would have time to shoot meet with a pistol as I reload to shoot the next enemy soldier; but if I bayonet stab him in his left, I would be stabbing him in the heart and then he would die instantly.", James explained.

His father chuckled, "Yes, your right. Good work, Son. I can see you have a good future head with those tactics in the Army."

James smiled.

"Come on, James. Let's head back to the house, or else your Mother will hit me again with the broomstick. I maybe in the army for many victorious years, but your mother am someone you never want to get angrily."

As the faced the direction of the mansion, a man in an Army Uniform, riding a white horse heading towards them.

As he stopped in front of his father, he said, "Colonel Lee, your order by President Buchanan to head to Harpers Ferry, to stop a raid lead by John Brown, who has captured the Armory there."

"Very well, just let me bring my son home and put in my uniform, and I will be there as soon as I can.", James's father said.

"There isn't time, Colonel. The President wants you there now, you'll have to bring your son with you." the man on the horse explained.

"Very well. Harry?"

Harry looked up at his father.

"I'm not going to argue with you, so you'll come with me."

Harry smiled, as he knew he would get his first experience in war, though it really isn't a war, just a situation.

Then his father turned to the man in the horse, and said, "I want you to inform my wife about the situation and that James will be coming with me. I'll bring him back home, as soon as it is over."

"Yes, Colonel." The man said as he rode to the Mansion.

"Come on, James."

Harry nodded, as he followed his father to horse's that was tied to a Tree. Harry got on "Traveler", his favorite horse, whose is as brown as mud; while his father got on "Lucy", who is as white as snow. Harry had learned how to ride a horse since he was 5, so he knew how to ride. Harry was still smiling as they were riding to Harper's Ferry, knowing that he would experience seeing a battle for the first time.

October 18, 1859

The next morning, after non-stop horse riding and marching James, his father, and the division of Marines behind them, finally made it to Harpers Ferry. It was about 58 miles, but it was hard to go through the forest to take a short cut with Foot Soldiers, the road to Harpers Ferry goes to many towns and would take longer. Though Harry was tired, he couldn't wait to see the battle that was to come. Harry could see the town from high up in the Loudoun Heights. There was a bridge that connected to the town through the Shenandoah River in front of him; to his far right was a railroad bridge that connects the town over the Potomac River.

He could the ruins of what James guessed was a Cotton Factory, since he saw a Cotton Mill near it. At the Potomac River side of the town, he could see shots being fired at a small engine's house. The windows were all barred up; the town's citizens were surrounding the small engine house. So James had guessed that is where John Brown is hiding at. The town's people had guns, pitchforks, hammers, anything that can kill a human being.

"Come on, we still have to get the town." His father ordered to him and the Marines behind them.

They hurried to the bridge over the Shenandoah River, as they crossed it; they were greeted by Town for coming in this troublesome time. People were cheering them and welcoming them. Harry was a little happy, but he was anxious to see the coming battle.

Then they came up a couple of men, one had a brown leather hat, while the other had a long white beard.

"Good evening, Colonel Lee. I'm John Marks.", said the one with the hat, "The man with the white beard is my uncle William Marks. We're the commanders of the militia stationed here."

"Good evening, Commanders. You already know who I am, but let introduce my youngest son. His name is Harry James Lee. He about 15, he wants to join the army when he's older, so I thought about bringing him here." Colonel Lee introduced.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lee.", John said, shaking Harry's hand.

"What's the situation so far?" Harry's father asked.

"Sir, we managed to trap John Brown in that engine house, he has hostages in that engine house, and one of them is Colonel Washington. The mayor is dead along with a few other citizens of the town. we managed to kill some Brown's men, but Brown is still shooting and has plenty of ammo from capturing the Armory yesterday, which we forced him out.", William explained.

"Yes, we will have send out a truce; to see if Brown will surrender, if not then Lt. Israel Greene will lead the marines to storm the Engine House. But if you like that role? Then, I do not mind…"

"No, sir. You can. Most of the Militia is tired and can't go on for now." said John.

"Very well." His father said instructed to a marine, "send a flag of truce to Brown ask him to surrender and if he doesn't the Marines will storm the Engine House."

"Yes, Colonel Lee." replied the Marine.

"James.", his father called.

"Yes, Dad?" James asked.

"You are to help guard the Railroad Bridge at the Potomac River, take a Company of Marines with you." His father ordered.

"Yes, Sir." James replied.

"Colonel Lee, Are you sure that is a good idea to send your son with a Company marines to the railroad bridge, the Engine House is about a block away? He's about 15, a little too young for that kind of duty." asked William.

"Mr. Marks, I assure you that my son is up to the duty and that he will have no trouble handling It.", James's father explained.

"Yes, Dad. I can handle it.", James said, though he was a little said that he wouldn't see any action.

"Good, 5th Maryland Marines Company follow James to the bridge." His Father ordered.

"Yes, sir." said the Captain in charge of the Company.

"5th Maryland, Forward… March.", James ordered, as he rode on Traveler to the bridge.

The Company slowly marched following James to the Bridge.

An hour later

Harry was disappointed; he still didn't get any action as he was guarding the Bridge. About 20 minutes ago, a truce was sent to John Brown to surrender or be stormed by Marines. Brown determined of whatever his goal is, refused. So Brown got surrounded by Marines, right now the Marines are now trying to ram the door down to get in. The battle was over right away, and Harry only saw the only shoots fired were when he arrived.

He didn't want to argue about it, because his Father once told him that a soldier always does his duty, even if it isn't what they wanted. So he decided to let it go and hope the opportunity for another fight to come.

"Son?" He heard his father call for him.

He turned around saw his dad, and said, "Yes, Dad?"

"I know you're not happy of guarding the bridge, even though it was near the Engine House; but let me tell you why?", his father said, "There could have been a chance that Brown would have escaped to the railroad Bridge, and straight to you."

That made James feels a little better that there could have been a possibility that Brown would have tried to escape here, and would run into him. Though he realized it would have been better that he was captured at the Engine House, or else more lives would be lost. Then James thought about it, it was probably better that the fight didn't come his way.

"Yes, sir


Chapter will come soon, i'm still working on it. it will probably come sometime next week. so until then, give me some ideas or your opinion of the story so far.