Chapter 12

He understood I meant the War Between the States that had pulled so many soldiers away from the territory. “Not in the foreseeable future. We thought it would be a short-lived thing, yet no one can see the end of it. The rebels got the upper hand early, but I believe things have turned around now.

“The Union’s leadership hasn’t matched the ability of the Confederate generals, but late last year, one of ours, a fellow named Ulysses S. Grant, whipped the southerners at Chattanooga. That split the confederacy and gave the North control of the Mississippi river. It also got Grant promoted to commanding general of all the Union armies.”

James paused before confessing he wasn’t certain Grant was equal to Lee’s capabilities. “But with the superior manpower and industrial capacity of the North behind him, I think he’ll get the job done. The Union will survive, but the fighting’s not yet over.”