Johnny Cook

Johnny Cook Johnny Cook hated seeing his buddies in Battery “B” struggle while he wasn't allowed to help. He was only the bugle boy and his assignment was to be constantly at the captain's side in the event of an emergency. As the six guns lumbered up the mountainside he occasionally found an opportunity to edge up next to the wheel pair, the last two horses of six, to give them an extra nudge.
What Captain Campbell hated was letting the frail 15 year old bugle boy out of his sight. Cook was a tiny thing with an angelic face and a head far too big for his body. Campbell had tried to send him home more than once, but the boy had been with him for almost a year now and the whole damned regiment looked out for him.
“Cook!”
“Sir.”
“Get your rear end back over here.”
“I was only trying to help, sir.”
“Well, the next time you try to help I’m going to turn you over my knee. Here Private! Now!”

The preceding passage is an excerpt from To Make Men Free, and may not be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.