"Why you calling that old darky, Ma'am?" J. N.'s fellow escort asked loud enough for Betty to hear.
"Cause she's old enough to be my grandma and I've been raised right, you damn barbarian," J. N. said under his voice to the smelly South Carolina backwoods private sitting beside him. He then thought he'd as soon whip the smart-ass swamp rat as have his cake.
"Well, it ain't fittin' in to treat niggers like people," the offended remarked.
"Yeah, you heathen, and that's why we're fighting this damn war, ain't it," J. N. unloaded on his unsavory comrade-in-arms. The soldier with badly stained teeth just grunted.
Betty smiled and shook her head as she left the room saying under her breath,"Amen boy, amen."
===
Next morning the farrier sections fell in behind the main cavalry column as they rolled east - southeast. The morning sun was in their faces when they skirted Decatur. The sixty-mile trek's destination was Guntersville, Alabama the major had told Sergeant Maddox as he moved up and down the train getting the movement underway. J. N. was riding at his back and to the right. General Wheeler, staff and escorts, which included Alex, were ahead two miles behind the scouts. Chill welcomed the ragged group. The sun shone on the tones of tan, brown, gray, a bright red check here and there, and hats of every description: kepi, slouch, broad wool farmers, even a few straw ones. The weapons included sabers, muskets, rifles, carbines, shot guns, pistols of a dozen makes, and a few side knives. Among their spoils of war were varied instruments of war from many battlefields and many Union and Confederate soldiers. A saving grace was that the dampness kept the dust fairly limited. In the sun of mid-morning the migration appeared a colorful cavalcade, all different, yet one as a whole. Maybe it was as a crusade of maybe a circus.
The major doubled back about noon with Alex and a few of the general's escort unit. J. N. was the only non-com, all the others privates. The party came up to the traveling forge with Lou riding behind Ben. Sergeant Maddox was beside her on a big chestnut. Bess trailed Lou on a lead line.
"How's the finest farrier section in the whole of this grand Confederate Army this beautiful Fall Alabama day?" Major Stevenson greeted the attentive recruit, Lou, and the nodding Sergeant Maddox. J. N. pulled Sister's reins back as the major slowed pace. Alex, on Tess, was by his side. The others of the escort turned and fell in behind J. N. and Alex.
"Young farrier, you got a weapon?" the major said to Lou.