Just about 6 miles down a country road from where I live now in Central Texas is my family’s homestead and house where my Dad, his 3 brothers and 2 sisters grew up. All have since passed. The house is built on 160 acres given to my grandpa for his service in the war. The house is still there and being lived in by somebody.
The garden where grandma used to follow behind the mule pulling a plow is still there. Family lore has it that at least once she would have a baby in the morning and be back on the plow in the afternoon.
Being deeply religious (Baptist) the family went to church on Sunday and then usually had a Sunday meal at someone else’s house until it was their turn to have the Sunday meal at their house. The church, which is still there, is about 2 miles from their home and doubled as the school and community center.
One Sunday grandpa, his brother and his brother’s son came to the Sunday meal on horseback with the horses loaded with gear for a long ride/stay. After the Sunday meal and best wishes from all there and, I’m sure, lots of crying and hugging, they rode off to war joining the Texas Sixth Infantry which fought at Chickamaugua and Missionary Ridge in September of 1861. General Lee came to rely on the Texas Sixth.
Shortly after the end of the war only my grandpa made it home alive. If he hadn’t, I wouldn’t be typing this email 157 years later. The loss of my Dad’s Uncle and son was NEVER recovered from my Dad used to say.
I agree with everything this author said and 157 years later this story is hard to type. I have 2 kids (grown) and 3 grandkids. None of them would be alive today if the Yankee’s had been better shots and killed my grandpa.
Sad, yet uplifting account of your family’s history.
I gotta ask how old was your father when you were born and how old was your grandpa when your father was born?
I know it possible but hard to fathom. My grandfather fought WWII.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/11/29/president-john-tyler-grandson-harrison/