Ezekiel Stevens carried his little brother Simon on his back as he and his sister marched down the hill, like they had seen the soldiers do. The green summer grass felt good on their feet while the warm sun shone through Ezekiel’s blonde hair. “I’m gonna miss you Ezekiel. War took dad and I don’t want it to take you to.” said Ezekiel’s sister, Ada. John Stevens was killed 8 months ago fighting for the Union and now it was Ezekiel’s turn to fight. Ezekiel was going to join the Union after the summer. Ada and her mother Marianne had agreed that they would stay with the Jones for the winter while Ezekiel was gone. But the thought that Ezekiel might not come back like her father made her shutter. “Don’t worry Ada. I’ll be back in no time.”
That night Ezekiel …show more content…
He stared at the wooden ceiling, his bright blue eyes wide. Ezekiel was thinking. He tried to imagine his father’s voice telling him to be brave. The memory of his father pierced him. It was Ezekiel’s job to take care of his mother, Ada who was 13 , and his little brother who was only 5, but he did not know his father would go so soon. Ezekiel’s father wanted him to go to war before it ended but plans had changed. He was now the one responsible for his family. Ezekiel was suddenly startled by a deep knock at the door. He pulled a light coat over his shoulders and silently pulled the door open. Three men holding lanterns stood outside in grey uniforms. The tallest man spoke first. “Are you Mr. Stevens?” he said. “Yes, sir,” answered Ezekiel. “You are to come with us. All male citizens of Richmond Virginia over 16 are commanded to fight for the confederate army.” Ezekiel stood confused. “Sir don’t I have the right not to fight? My father’s gone and I have a family to look after.” exclaimed Ezekiel. “You’d be a fool of a boy if you didn’t. You don’t have much of a
That night Ezekiel …show more content…
He stared at the wooden ceiling, his bright blue eyes wide. Ezekiel was thinking. He tried to imagine his father’s voice telling him to be brave. The memory of his father pierced him. It was Ezekiel’s job to take care of his mother, Ada who was 13 , and his little brother who was only 5, but he did not know his father would go so soon. Ezekiel’s father wanted him to go to war before it ended but plans had changed. He was now the one responsible for his family. Ezekiel was suddenly startled by a deep knock at the door. He pulled a light coat over his shoulders and silently pulled the door open. Three men holding lanterns stood outside in grey uniforms. The tallest man spoke first. “Are you Mr. Stevens?” he said. “Yes, sir,” answered Ezekiel. “You are to come with us. All male citizens of Richmond Virginia over 16 are commanded to fight for the confederate army.” Ezekiel stood confused. “Sir don’t I have the right not to fight? My father’s gone and I have a family to look after.” exclaimed Ezekiel. “You’d be a fool of a boy if you didn’t. You don’t have much of a