A Soldier's Dream 1864

During the Civil War, those that came of age found that hatred and anger completely uprooted their lives and overwhelmed their country. Many promising young men died in battle or from disease while serving their chosen army. After the war, some men headed west to homestead, find gold, or other opportunities in an attempt to leave their heartache back home. Women lost their betrothed and many young girls discovered they'd lost the dream to marry and have a family. Letters were never written, letters never read. Women with children lost husbands. The Civil War Generation redefined their future in a way they had never imagined. This biographical fiction is based on my great grandfather's life experience. Wareham 'Ten' volunteered in Lincoln's call for troops to put an end to the war. His time was short, but even as one of the '100 days' men,' he experienced the horror of war. The story opens as Ten travels home from his tour of duty. Recruited in the summer of 1864, his regiment lost 30 enlisted men to disease but none in battle. However, it was not without incident. Ten arrives home with an uninvited guest. This is his story.