Just back from the War

[Stiles/Akin]

 

[John Hartwell]

What a life! Thanks for the story.

 

[JOHN42768]

Seems strange that he never wrote home even if he couldn't get there. At very least to let his parents know he survived the War.

 

[Sgt.DedHed]

little boy lost...reminds me of the prodigal son.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

Seems strange that he never wrote home even if he couldn't get there. At very least to let his parents know he survived the War.

This - I find it almost inconceivable that he wouldn't have done this. He must have known they would be grieved and always wondering what happened.

 

[captaindrew]

He had quite an adventure

 

[Sgt.DedHed]

...he may have needed to wander a bit to shake the war off.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

...he may have needed to wander a bit to shake the war off.

20 years is more than a bit though. Even a letter to his parents would have provided such heart ease for them.

 

[Sgt.DedHed]

20 years is more than a bit though. Even a letter to his parents would have provided such heart ease for them.

I totally agree. I spoke to a lady whose son was back from Iraq. He was having problems adjusting. I said it may take him some time. She said it had been six years. It takes some longer than others. I wanted to tell her at least he was alive, because he wasn't sure he wanted to be.
There was a study done in WW2 that a man can take, on average, less than 50 days in combat before he begins to crack up.
The subject of the thread had two years under his belt and in his head. In Benning's Georgia Brigade, under Longstreet...the Peninsula, 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, prison camp... some just drift away for a while.