Soldier Boy By Elio Celentino

Dear Dad,

Why did they draft me for the Cavalry? I hate it here. The food is terrible. My bread basket can barely hold down all that hardtack. My kepi-cap and jacket are so itchy. I have to drink out of a wood canteen. I already have about 20 splinters in my lip. I have to sleep on the ground. Every day is the same old thing. I wake up, eat, march, eat, march, eat, and sleep. 

I am a Confederate and I want the South to win, because I was born in the South and my dad believe’s in the South.                        

My General is a jerk. He hates me. Everyone gets paid $13 dollars a month but I get paid $10. I found out today that the letters go through the General so he knows that we are not helping the Union. When he reads it he’ll find out that I hate the camp life and will demote me.    

I just got back from the Battle of Bull Run. We thankfully won. I got to fire a rifled-musket. It hit no one, though.  It was a tough battle. It felt like the whole war in one. All the hornets hit many of our men. My possum is in the infantry. Sadly, he died. He got stabbed by an Arkansas toothpick. 

Back at camp, I found out I was signed up for another battle. I couldn’t take it. I skedaddled as fast as I could. I ran and ran. I finally stopped. I was so tired. After that run, I thought I was as fit as a fiddle. I fell asleep, snug as a bug. I was played out. 

When I woke up, I realized where I was… Bull Run. Next to me was a dead body. It was my possum. I knew it was wrong but he had some water and I was so thirsty. I drank some. Then found a near by shovel. I dug him a grave. I started foraging. When I was foraging I found something shiny. I picked it up. It was an old piece of artillery. I remember that my friend told me that one of these was scarce as hens teeth. I wondered if I should report this to my skunk. No! This could make my family rich. Wait they lived in Virginia. Only a couple miles away. I ran and ran. Then I saw the house. When I ran in my mom said, “ Is this still my 18 year old boy.” 

We hugged each other. It was the happiest moment of my life. Everything was hunkey dorey.

Sincerely, 

Elio Celentino