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Billy Boy
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Billy Boy
When 20-year-old Billy Laird of Berwick excitedly enlists in the Union Army with his hometown pals, he has no idea of what lies ahead for him. Mentally challenged, he is ill prepared for the training and fighting, but he gets by with the help of his friends. Soon, however, he is sent to a different unit without them. Lonely and unsure of what to do on his own, Billy runs off and meets up with a runaway slave, Elijah. Together, and with the help of the Underground Railroad, the two make their way north to their fates.
This young adult novel—inspired by a real person, Billy Laird, and an actual event—is a tale of friendship, loyalty and compassion and will enthrall readers of all ages. It was painstakingly researched by Flahive and provides a wealth of information about Mainers’ role in the Civil War.
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About the Author Jean Mary Flahive, who has had a lifelong interest in the Civil War, is a member of the University of Maine System Board of Trustees. She has taught college courses and has worked as a grant writer, fundraiser and project developer. She has won numerous awards for her work and community service. Billy Boy is her first novel. She lives in Falmouth, Maine, with her husband. |
Excerpt from Billy Boy. . .
Billy studied the ink drawing at the top of the paper, a bald eagle with its talons gripping a long white banner. Creases furrowed his brow as he ran his finger along the eagle’s outstretched wings. Suddenly shouts erupted outside, and he spun around to see Harry, Leighton Tasker, and Josh Ricker pointing wildly at the slate in the storefront window. Seconds later, Harry and Josh rushed through the door, feverishly glancing around the store.
“It’s over there—tacked on the beam!” Josh shouted. He and Harry raced across the store, and behind them biscuit crates toppled as the ungainly Leighton lumbered over the uneven floor, his immense size filling the narrow aisles.
“Hey, Billy.” Harry grinned and, taking a deep breath, turned an anxious glance to the poster as he ran his fingers through his damp black hair. His gray eyes flashed in excitement. “Says here we get a hundred and sixty acres of land after the war! Free!”
“And seventy-five dollars!” shouted Josh as he ducked his small, wiry body under Harry’s arm and scooted in front of him. “Don’t that beat all.”
Billy tugged at Harry’s shirtsleeve. “What’s it mean?”
“It’s a recruiting poster, Billy. That’s the news we’ve been waiting for. Army’s forming the Seventeenth Maine Regiment, and they’re looking for able-bodied men right here in Berwick. You know, for the war.”
“War? We’re fightin’ a war here—in Berwick?”
“Billy, this here’s President Lincoln’s war. Fighting’s going on down south mostly. The whole country’s been at war for over a year now—since last April. Us Northern folks against them Southerners—you know, them boys I call Johnnies.”
“Why are we fightin’ them Johnnies?” Billy asked.
Reaching up to place both hands on Billy’s tall, thin shoulders, Harry said, “President Lincoln says we got to keep this country together and free the slaves, and well, down south, some folks don’t think the coloreds got a right to be free.”
Billy nodded. He remembered Reverend Snow talked about the slaves not being free and all.
“So, Billy Boy, Leighton and Josh and I are thinking about going in the army.”
“All of you?”
“Look at this! We’re gonna get us a bounty of two hundred and sixty dollars just for signing up,” said Josh. “Says a recruiting officer’s gonna be in town come Monday.”
“I’m goin’ with you.”
Harry shook his head slowly. “Aw, Billy, me and Leighton and Josh are gonna do the fighting. You need to stay here—take care of things for us.”
“Ain’t fair!”
“I ain’t much for fightin’,” Leighton said, placing his hands on his hips. “Thing is, my folks need this money. Believe you me, I’d rather pitch manure all day than go off to this here war.”
“Leastways you won’t smell as bad,” said Josh as he turned and punched Leighton playfully in his soft, round belly.
“You puny little bugger!” Grabbing Josh by his rope belt, Leighton swooped him off the floor and threatened to toss him onto the crates of salt codfish. Laughter exploded as Josh hollered for mercy, his arms and legs shadowboxing the air, each swing missing his big friend.
“Like as not, I’m goin’ too,” said Billy, crossing his arms and ignoring the tussle and merriment.
“Well, I ain’t real sure the army will let you muster, being how you—well, I mean, the learning and all,” Harry said gently. “Remember all the trouble you had at the schoolhouse, with Miss Dame . . .”