The fading sunlight enters the darkened tavern as the door slowly opens. The long patch of yellow-orange on the dirty floor frames the shadow of a man; a man whose form, washed out in the the brighter background light seems both exhausted and determined. A hush falls inside as the figure steps inside, keeping his back to the patrons as he softly closes the door.
"Damned Yankees!", escapes the newcomer's lips in a stage whisper, "My favorite horse! Hell, my ONLY horse! And one of ya Blue-bellied, city-folk recruits just haaaaaaaaaad ta shoot it!"
General Braddock turns to face the bar, a big grin splitting his unshaven face as he brushes the dust off his shoulders. "Whiskey!", he bellows. Laughing now, he heads towards the glass being filled on the counter. "For your edification, deer 'r the brown things with big sticks on their heads and a fluffy white tail, and ya generally find 'em without saddle and reins. And ya'll call us country boys stupid."
Well, long time no see folks! First the computer dies, then my stash of 'fun' money has to go to sending my boy to private kindergarten because the school district says "no exceptions" for being born two weeks past the entry deadline. Does it matter he tests higher than kids leaving this year's class? Hell, no! [:(!] So, three thousand plus dollars in tuition later, I finally got my replacement after not eating for many a month.
Shiloh, Ozark, Corinth, Gettysburg and Franklin will be loaded back on as the offers ta boot me back to Dixie start rolling in.
So, any takers? I mean, I've probably forgotten how to play by now... [:)]
Lt Gen Bill Braddock, 1/2/III ANV
Edit: Almost forgot. I have precious few of your email addresses, obviously.
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