April 26, 1876
Journal, I have a few minutes to spare before heading to Mr. Runningbear and Miss Bertrands store. On Friday evening past, Lillian and I met for supper in order to cement the appearence of social decorum that will be necessary for the Badger game to succeed.
I must say Journal, Lillian did look absolutely lovely. She complained that it was ugly, but It showed off her assets quite well without being scandalous. The green color of the dress also complimented her fiery red hair. We went to the new cafe run by a Negress who calls herself Auntie Bluebird. She served us a course of pork chops and butter beans. It was without a doubt the best repast I have enjoyed in many a day. The service was good, though the waitress, a Celestial was the most skittish person I have ever met.
The conversation began well. However, when I asked Auntie if there were a minister in the camp, Lillian took that exact moment to choke on a bean. I thought to help her, but Auntie Bluebird rushed to the rescue and with a few smart slaps to the back was able to expel the bean from Lillian. Unfortunately the bean landed on my new shirt, leaving a stain which I doubt will come out. Our conversation after that was civil but hardly congenial as we took to sniping at each other using words of love that was tinged with sarcasm.
I shall have to apologize to her for this. Though the woman can be infuriating, she is invaluable to the scheme. Also, I find her company quite pleasant, except when we take to sniping at each other. We are much alike in out temperaments and we must be careful that we do not take to killing each other, at least not in a public forum. We must do better at convincing the population of the Camp that we are an innocent couple who are looking to be married......
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Jack's Journal
Sitting down at the table, Jack dipped the tip of his pen into the ink jar. Taking a moment to compose his thoughts, he begins to write:
April 18, 1876 Deadwood Camp
Journal,
It has been several months since I have put pen to paper. When last I wrote, I was still in Kansas working as a Deputy Marshall. There were rumors that the cattle drives would no longer be coming our and the Town Fathers in their dubious wisdom, saw fit to release me from my duties. I had determined to leave for the gold rush in the Black Hills, so I was not overly angered.
I arrived in Deadwood Camp several weeks ago. The camp is wide open and lawless, which suits me quite well. Already the whores, whiskey peddlers and cardsharks have arrived, along with some more or less honest store keepers. Where ever there is gold or silver it is these who come first to fleece the miners of their riches. With some careful thought and planning I too will help in the fleecing.
To that end, I decided that I must be viewed as an upright citizen. One who is viewed as helping the weak and less fortunate. A few days after my arrival in Deadwood, I happened into a store owned by Mahalia Bertrand and Meriweather Runningbear. Mr. Runningbear is a tall, stawart fellow who appears quite capable of taking care of himself. Miss Bertrand on the other hand is not quite so capable. She is an attractive woman, but labors under the false conclusion that her fellow members of humanity share her sense of honsesty, fairness and integrity. Fortunately for her Mr. Runningbear does not suffer from this malady. After a very pleasant discussion between the three of us, Mr. Runningbear hired me. Ostensibly to help Miss Bertrand around the store, but in actuality to make sure she has some measure of protection while he is away mining. I, of course, leaped at the chance. It was easy to tell that these two would become pillars of the new community and it would behoove me to have friends in high places.
Now Journal, I wish to write briefly about Lillian. Lil is a striking red head, easily able to turn the head of any man. She is, of course, a soiled dove. I had engaged her services and the woman tried to brain me. Fortunately for me I have a bit of a hard head. Though the force of the blow drove me to my knees, I was able to wrest away the jug that she had used on me. My first thought was to kill the whore then and there, but, after a moments consideration I decided to broach the subject of her going into partnership with me. I needed an attractive woman who could play a convincing part for a confidence game that I wished to employ.
I explained to her about how the badger game is worked. Basically, we find a mark who has money and values his reputation. Lil would play a seductive innocent, who would lure the mark to her bed. Just as they are getting into a comprising situation, I would burst in as the outraged husband. After some suitable theatrics, we would then let the mark know how much gold it would take to keep our mouths shut.
I have asked her to refrain from doing any further whoring and to obtain some respectable clothing. We need to establish our cover as a respectable couple.
I must put pen aside for now Journal. Miss Bertrand requires my help in moving some crates.
April 18, 1876 Deadwood Camp
Journal,
It has been several months since I have put pen to paper. When last I wrote, I was still in Kansas working as a Deputy Marshall. There were rumors that the cattle drives would no longer be coming our and the Town Fathers in their dubious wisdom, saw fit to release me from my duties. I had determined to leave for the gold rush in the Black Hills, so I was not overly angered.
I arrived in Deadwood Camp several weeks ago. The camp is wide open and lawless, which suits me quite well. Already the whores, whiskey peddlers and cardsharks have arrived, along with some more or less honest store keepers. Where ever there is gold or silver it is these who come first to fleece the miners of their riches. With some careful thought and planning I too will help in the fleecing.
To that end, I decided that I must be viewed as an upright citizen. One who is viewed as helping the weak and less fortunate. A few days after my arrival in Deadwood, I happened into a store owned by Mahalia Bertrand and Meriweather Runningbear. Mr. Runningbear is a tall, stawart fellow who appears quite capable of taking care of himself. Miss Bertrand on the other hand is not quite so capable. She is an attractive woman, but labors under the false conclusion that her fellow members of humanity share her sense of honsesty, fairness and integrity. Fortunately for her Mr. Runningbear does not suffer from this malady. After a very pleasant discussion between the three of us, Mr. Runningbear hired me. Ostensibly to help Miss Bertrand around the store, but in actuality to make sure she has some measure of protection while he is away mining. I, of course, leaped at the chance. It was easy to tell that these two would become pillars of the new community and it would behoove me to have friends in high places.
Now Journal, I wish to write briefly about Lillian. Lil is a striking red head, easily able to turn the head of any man. She is, of course, a soiled dove. I had engaged her services and the woman tried to brain me. Fortunately for me I have a bit of a hard head. Though the force of the blow drove me to my knees, I was able to wrest away the jug that she had used on me. My first thought was to kill the whore then and there, but, after a moments consideration I decided to broach the subject of her going into partnership with me. I needed an attractive woman who could play a convincing part for a confidence game that I wished to employ.
I explained to her about how the badger game is worked. Basically, we find a mark who has money and values his reputation. Lil would play a seductive innocent, who would lure the mark to her bed. Just as they are getting into a comprising situation, I would burst in as the outraged husband. After some suitable theatrics, we would then let the mark know how much gold it would take to keep our mouths shut.
I have asked her to refrain from doing any further whoring and to obtain some respectable clothing. We need to establish our cover as a respectable couple.
I must put pen aside for now Journal. Miss Bertrand requires my help in moving some crates.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Dark City and Wolfbane
As I have mentioned in an earlier post, my alt Wolfbane, plays in Dark City. Wolfbane is now a full member of the Perigord pack. He was promoted to full membership on Wednesday evening. Lycans normally run in packs and have various ranks. The ranks of the Perigord are as follows:
Initiate: The lowest rank. At this stage, the lycan is not yet a full member of the pack. He is watched to see how he comports himself. If a pack member is attacked, does he or she leap to battle with fangs bared? or do they hold back or even run off? It is during this period that the prospect will be judged as to their worthiness. Not all who apply are chosen.
Omega: The Omega is a full member of the pack. He or she has proven themselves in battle and shown their loyalty to the pack.
Bolverk: The Bolverk and the Omega are similar in rank. The difference is, the Bolverk is specifically charged with protecting the packs den and the leaders of the pack. They may also be used to mete out discipline that the leaders do not wish to perform personally.
Irraka: The Irraka's are charged with watching over the Initiates. It is the Irraka's task to watch over their Initiates, to protect them and correct them when necessary. The Irraka can act as the pack leader when no one of higher rank is available.
Cahalaith: The Cahalaith is a shaman. Normally they also keep the histories of the Pack and are responsible for making sure the Pack learns and keeps the ways of Luna. Almost without exception the Cahalaith has at least some magical ability, which they attribute to Luna.
Freki: The Freki is second in command of the Pack. They are charged with overseeing the pack in the absence of the Ulfric.
Ulfric and Lupa: The Ulfric is the leader of the Pack. His word is law. The Lupa is the Ulfrics mate. She can act as a leader of the Pack in the absence of the Ulfric or the Freki.
There was an incident in Dark City which has effected the lycans more than the others. An ArchAngel named Malach, supposedly was sent by God to kill the citizens of Dark City and destroy the City. All the citizens came together to battle the ArchAngel. Demon, Neko, Vampire and Lycan fought side by side to stop him. We stopped him in battle, but Malach was not done with us. He flew into space and using all of his power, shattered the moon and sent a piece of it toward the City. This has had the various races come together again to try to find a way to stop the chunk of moon. The shattering of the moon also had some strange results on the lycans. Each being affected in different ways. Some cannot transform to their Garou form at all, some can manage a partial change, a couple of the females are in constant heat, some are filled with rage and must be kept an eye on so they do not precipitate a war when everyone must work together.
Wolfbane was changed as well. He is now heavily muscled, with the full physical strength of the Garou form, his ears are large and pointed almost wolfish and he is bald. One other thing that happened was he now has access to some force that he attributes to Luna. He can use this force as a healing force or as a weapon, sending out a blast of energy. Wolfbane has yet to learn to fully control it.
Initiate: The lowest rank. At this stage, the lycan is not yet a full member of the pack. He is watched to see how he comports himself. If a pack member is attacked, does he or she leap to battle with fangs bared? or do they hold back or even run off? It is during this period that the prospect will be judged as to their worthiness. Not all who apply are chosen.
Omega: The Omega is a full member of the pack. He or she has proven themselves in battle and shown their loyalty to the pack.
Bolverk: The Bolverk and the Omega are similar in rank. The difference is, the Bolverk is specifically charged with protecting the packs den and the leaders of the pack. They may also be used to mete out discipline that the leaders do not wish to perform personally.
Irraka: The Irraka's are charged with watching over the Initiates. It is the Irraka's task to watch over their Initiates, to protect them and correct them when necessary. The Irraka can act as the pack leader when no one of higher rank is available.
Cahalaith: The Cahalaith is a shaman. Normally they also keep the histories of the Pack and are responsible for making sure the Pack learns and keeps the ways of Luna. Almost without exception the Cahalaith has at least some magical ability, which they attribute to Luna.
Freki: The Freki is second in command of the Pack. They are charged with overseeing the pack in the absence of the Ulfric.
Ulfric and Lupa: The Ulfric is the leader of the Pack. His word is law. The Lupa is the Ulfrics mate. She can act as a leader of the Pack in the absence of the Ulfric or the Freki.
There was an incident in Dark City which has effected the lycans more than the others. An ArchAngel named Malach, supposedly was sent by God to kill the citizens of Dark City and destroy the City. All the citizens came together to battle the ArchAngel. Demon, Neko, Vampire and Lycan fought side by side to stop him. We stopped him in battle, but Malach was not done with us. He flew into space and using all of his power, shattered the moon and sent a piece of it toward the City. This has had the various races come together again to try to find a way to stop the chunk of moon. The shattering of the moon also had some strange results on the lycans. Each being affected in different ways. Some cannot transform to their Garou form at all, some can manage a partial change, a couple of the females are in constant heat, some are filled with rage and must be kept an eye on so they do not precipitate a war when everyone must work together.
Wolfbane was changed as well. He is now heavily muscled, with the full physical strength of the Garou form, his ears are large and pointed almost wolfish and he is bald. One other thing that happened was he now has access to some force that he attributes to Luna. He can use this force as a healing force or as a weapon, sending out a blast of energy. Wolfbane has yet to learn to fully control it.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
BlackJack in Deadwood 2.0
My friend and fellow blogger Marrant Vita were talking the other day about how our characters change once they get into the roleplay. I have found this to be true with BlackJack. His personality is changing from what I had originally envisioned. My thought was BlackJack or Jack as he calls himself now, would be a villianous sort with an icy stare and the look of a hardened killer. However, he is not turning out quite that way. BlackJack will still be a bad guy. But I am finding in him a bit of tenderness that was missing from the BlackJack of DW 1.0. As you may remember that fellow had no compassion or tenderness in him, except for his immediate family. There were a few people he respected and even liked, Dio, Clay, Daisy...but, if he had a logical reason to kill them, he would have. This BlackJack, is not quite so cold and calculating. Jack Landar is an Army deserter, cattle rustler, bank robber, con man and sometime law man. That being said, he is a fairly likable guy, someone you would share a beer with or play a game of cards with.
I brought Black in a bit earlier than planned. It was a spur of the moment decision and I am glad I did it. He is already laying the foundation to allow him to pursue less than honorable pursuits later. How is he doing this you ask? He is building relationships. He happened to wander into the store that Meriwether Runningbear and Mahalia Bertrand are running, looking for some tinned peaches and bottle of whiskey. (Jack likes to eat the peaches then pour some whiskey into the syrup for a drink.) While talking Meri had looked Jack over and decided Jack would be a good one to help protect Miss Bertrand, though Miss Bertrand believes he is there just to help around the store. Jack took the job and is finding that he truly likes this couple. They are both good, decent people, just the sort that a man with a nefarious turn to him needs. Because when suspicion comes upon you, a man really wants respectable friends to vouch for him.
So will Jack become a villian? Yes, no mistake on that, though he will have his own sense of honor and loyalty to those he considers his friends.
I brought Black in a bit earlier than planned. It was a spur of the moment decision and I am glad I did it. He is already laying the foundation to allow him to pursue less than honorable pursuits later. How is he doing this you ask? He is building relationships. He happened to wander into the store that Meriwether Runningbear and Mahalia Bertrand are running, looking for some tinned peaches and bottle of whiskey. (Jack likes to eat the peaches then pour some whiskey into the syrup for a drink.) While talking Meri had looked Jack over and decided Jack would be a good one to help protect Miss Bertrand, though Miss Bertrand believes he is there just to help around the store. Jack took the job and is finding that he truly likes this couple. They are both good, decent people, just the sort that a man with a nefarious turn to him needs. Because when suspicion comes upon you, a man really wants respectable friends to vouch for him.
So will Jack become a villian? Yes, no mistake on that, though he will have his own sense of honor and loyalty to those he considers his friends.
Monday, March 29, 2010
To be a Lycan in Dark City
Hello Everyone,
Some of you know that I have an alt that I use in Dark City. This fellows name is Wolfbane Footpad and he is a lycan. For those who are not into horror/sci if, a lycan in most cases is a werewolf. Yep, like in the the Anita Blake novels and Twilight New Moon. Wolfbane has three forms, human, quadruped wolf and garou which is the typical wolfman type that would find in UnderWorld: Rise of the Lycans. I really like Wolf as he is somewhat like the original BlackJack, without being a mass killer. Well, except during the full moon, then you come near him at your peril. Wolf is currently an initiate in the Perigord, which is the name of the Lycan Pack in Dark City. As an initiate Wolf is considered part of the pack, but on a trial basis. He is watched to see how he acts and reacts, does he defend the Pack or is he, as Dio would say, a feckless idiot. Fortunately he is not feckless.
Coming into a new sim is never easy. People, being people, are not always very outgoing and actually can be quite clannish. You really find that in sims like Dark City where you have different races (lycans, vampires, demons, nekos, etc). These various races are all set against the other, except to make alliances of convenience. So breaking into the rp can be a bit of a problem. When I first sent Wolfbane, he was pretty much ignored by most in the sim. Then I got smart and applied to join the lycan group. They took Wolf in and he got the opportunity to join in the monthly full moon hunt. But still most others in the sim would still ignore Wolf. So what to do? Get a major confrontation going.
There was another new lycan in the Pack, a female named LadySnow Fang. In her rp storyline she is mated to a demon. The Pack is not at all friendly with the demons, so her mating with one was frowned upon. Wolf decided to pursue LadySnow and persuade her to leave her demon lover and become his mate. As you can imagine her lover was not happy and her father even less so. The situation becomes even more complex when Wolf is accused of raping LadySnow. This resulted in a fight of three demons against Wolfbane, which was played out in RP rather than meter. Wolfbane of course lost that fight as one lycan could not hope to defeat three demons. Though all three were wounded, a lycan is not to be trifled with :) . Now I mentioned that Wolf was charged with rape. That was not true, and when confronted by the pack Ulfric LadySnow admitted that no rape occurred. The conflict is not over yet. The residents of the City have been taking sides in this, either congratulating him for being an honorable warrior or threatening Wolf for hurting friend and family.
The result of this RP storyline, which is still ongoing as Wolf was ambushed last night, was exactly what the typist wanted. Namely opening the doors to the sim and having some fun. Which after all is the whole point of Second Life for me.
You will hear more about Wolfbane Footpad in the future. I am planning on writing a short story based on the rp there soon....
Oh by the way, we are in the full moon right now and the lycans will have transformed into their beast forms. So if you are looking for something to do over the next couple nights come over to Dark City and put on your DCS2 meter. The citizens of the city will need all the help they can get to stop the rampaging wolves!!
Some of you know that I have an alt that I use in Dark City. This fellows name is Wolfbane Footpad and he is a lycan. For those who are not into horror/sci if, a lycan in most cases is a werewolf. Yep, like in the the Anita Blake novels and Twilight New Moon. Wolfbane has three forms, human, quadruped wolf and garou which is the typical wolfman type that would find in UnderWorld: Rise of the Lycans. I really like Wolf as he is somewhat like the original BlackJack, without being a mass killer. Well, except during the full moon, then you come near him at your peril. Wolf is currently an initiate in the Perigord, which is the name of the Lycan Pack in Dark City. As an initiate Wolf is considered part of the pack, but on a trial basis. He is watched to see how he acts and reacts, does he defend the Pack or is he, as Dio would say, a feckless idiot. Fortunately he is not feckless.
Coming into a new sim is never easy. People, being people, are not always very outgoing and actually can be quite clannish. You really find that in sims like Dark City where you have different races (lycans, vampires, demons, nekos, etc). These various races are all set against the other, except to make alliances of convenience. So breaking into the rp can be a bit of a problem. When I first sent Wolfbane, he was pretty much ignored by most in the sim. Then I got smart and applied to join the lycan group. They took Wolf in and he got the opportunity to join in the monthly full moon hunt. But still most others in the sim would still ignore Wolf. So what to do? Get a major confrontation going.
There was another new lycan in the Pack, a female named LadySnow Fang. In her rp storyline she is mated to a demon. The Pack is not at all friendly with the demons, so her mating with one was frowned upon. Wolf decided to pursue LadySnow and persuade her to leave her demon lover and become his mate. As you can imagine her lover was not happy and her father even less so. The situation becomes even more complex when Wolf is accused of raping LadySnow. This resulted in a fight of three demons against Wolfbane, which was played out in RP rather than meter. Wolfbane of course lost that fight as one lycan could not hope to defeat three demons. Though all three were wounded, a lycan is not to be trifled with :) . Now I mentioned that Wolf was charged with rape. That was not true, and when confronted by the pack Ulfric LadySnow admitted that no rape occurred. The conflict is not over yet. The residents of the City have been taking sides in this, either congratulating him for being an honorable warrior or threatening Wolf for hurting friend and family.
The result of this RP storyline, which is still ongoing as Wolf was ambushed last night, was exactly what the typist wanted. Namely opening the doors to the sim and having some fun. Which after all is the whole point of Second Life for me.
You will hear more about Wolfbane Footpad in the future. I am planning on writing a short story based on the rp there soon....
Oh by the way, we are in the full moon right now and the lycans will have transformed into their beast forms. So if you are looking for something to do over the next couple nights come over to Dark City and put on your DCS2 meter. The citizens of the city will need all the help they can get to stop the rampaging wolves!!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
What to do while waiting for the Deadwood Reset
Hello Everyone,
As many of you know the Deadwood reset is fast approaching. The date of the big fire that will mark the last chance to rp in the old Deadwood has not been set yet, but will be announced soon. For details on the reset, please see posts from my friends and fellow bloggers, Dio Kuhrs Ephemeral Frontiers and Marrant Vita's, Marrant Vita's Victorian Needs and Astolat Dufaux's The Victorian Closet.
Many of our regulars in Deadwood are very busy with getting ready for the reset. Some are doing building, making items for the sim and/or their businesses. Some are researching and preparing their new characters.
I have found myself in a bit of a quandry as to what to do with my time. My characters for the new Deadwood are ready to go. I have been working with the building thing and while I have not given up on it. I am fast coming to the conclusion that my first impression of my building skills were correct, in other words I am hopless when it comes to building. And thats ok. I very much doubt I am alone in this and there need to be folks like me out there to buy the great stuff that others build.
But back to my original question of what to do with my time? Actually, I have been doing a couple things. I have been bouncing around visiting other Sim's. Some of them have some really great ideas for role play. Unfortunately, a lot of them are more geared toward combat, then any meaningful role play. But again that's OK, I do love combat and have had some great times swinging sword and claw at the enemy. Yeah, you saw right, claw. I do have a one other alt, who I use as a lycan in some of these Sim's.
The other thing I am doing is writing. I have finally made the plunge and started my very first novel. Whats it about? Wellllll.....let me just say its a western. Do I plan to get it published? Of course I plan to. Will it? I dunno.....I have heard that getting published is really hard. I would surmise that to be true. But I am an optimistic sort, so I am happily researching and writing away. What will I do if it doesn't get published? Write another book.....If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Maybe that will be about a lycan...hmmmm.
As many of you know the Deadwood reset is fast approaching. The date of the big fire that will mark the last chance to rp in the old Deadwood has not been set yet, but will be announced soon. For details on the reset, please see posts from my friends and fellow bloggers, Dio Kuhrs Ephemeral Frontiers and Marrant Vita's, Marrant Vita's Victorian Needs and Astolat Dufaux's The Victorian Closet.
Many of our regulars in Deadwood are very busy with getting ready for the reset. Some are doing building, making items for the sim and/or their businesses. Some are researching and preparing their new characters.
I have found myself in a bit of a quandry as to what to do with my time. My characters for the new Deadwood are ready to go. I have been working with the building thing and while I have not given up on it. I am fast coming to the conclusion that my first impression of my building skills were correct, in other words I am hopless when it comes to building. And thats ok. I very much doubt I am alone in this and there need to be folks like me out there to buy the great stuff that others build.
But back to my original question of what to do with my time? Actually, I have been doing a couple things. I have been bouncing around visiting other Sim's. Some of them have some really great ideas for role play. Unfortunately, a lot of them are more geared toward combat, then any meaningful role play. But again that's OK, I do love combat and have had some great times swinging sword and claw at the enemy. Yeah, you saw right, claw. I do have a one other alt, who I use as a lycan in some of these Sim's.
The other thing I am doing is writing. I have finally made the plunge and started my very first novel. Whats it about? Wellllll.....let me just say its a western. Do I plan to get it published? Of course I plan to. Will it? I dunno.....I have heard that getting published is really hard. I would surmise that to be true. But I am an optimistic sort, so I am happily researching and writing away. What will I do if it doesn't get published? Write another book.....If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Maybe that will be about a lycan...hmmmm.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The life and times of Jack Landar
A bit of background for this story. This is the introduction for BlackJack Landar for the Deadwood reset.
May 5, 1844, Chillecothe, Ohio
Reverend Joseph Landar heard the sharp cry of a baby and a smile spread over his face. He knelt beside his chair and gave a short prayer of thanks. Moving to the door of the bedroom, he knocked before opening the door. The midwife looked, wiping a sweat from her brow with her sleeve, "Pastor Landar, come in and greet your son." Joseph smiled and looking down at his newborn son resting in his mothers arms, said, "We will call him Jack."
May 5, 1844, Chillecothe, Ohio
Reverend Joseph Landar heard the sharp cry of a baby and a smile spread over his face. He knelt beside his chair and gave a short prayer of thanks. Moving to the door of the bedroom, he knocked before opening the door. The midwife looked, wiping a sweat from her brow with her sleeve, "Pastor Landar, come in and greet your son." Joseph smiled and looking down at his newborn son resting in his mothers arms, said, "We will call him Jack."
September 15, 1861, Columbus, Ohio
Jack took his place in line to enlist in the 2nd Ohio Infantry Volunteer Regiment. He had left the farm just outside of the little village of Grove City, where he had grown up and with his cousin Bill Gant made the short trip to Camp Dennison in Columbus in order to enlist in the Union Army. At 18 Jack was 5 feet 8 inches, 160 lbs. with dark hair. He was of sturdy build like many other young men who grew up working on a farm.
After signing his name, Jack looked around and spied his cousin who had accompanied him. Bill Gant was easy to spot, standing 6 feet and weighing 200 pounds, he was one of the bigger men around. No sooner had they started toward them than several sergeants began to yell, curse, and push the newly enlisted men into a semblance of a line and moved them off.
November 25, 1863 Missionary Ridge
After signing his name, Jack looked around and spied his cousin who had accompanied him. Bill Gant was easy to spot, standing 6 feet and weighing 200 pounds, he was one of the bigger men around. No sooner had they started toward them than several sergeants began to yell, curse, and push the newly enlisted men into a semblance of a line and moved them off.
November 25, 1863 Missionary Ridge
Bill Gant nudged his cousin as they waited for the order to form ranks and begin the move up the mountain. "Jack, just in case I don't make it, give this to my parents." Jack took the proffered package with a nod of his head. Jack did not try to tell Bill he would live to see the end of the war, let alone this battle. They had both seen too many men die around them, they having escaped harm only by chance or Providence.
Jack stood near the center of the line as his commanding officer gave the order to advance. As they moved up the toward the crest of the ridge, he could hear the howls of the Rebel yell. As often as he had heard it, it still sent shivers down his spine. Then came the puffs of smoke and the bang of the muskets from the Rebel positions. Men began to scream, holes appeared in the line. Jack heard the officers encouraging the men to keep moving.
Jack stood near the center of the line as his commanding officer gave the order to advance. As they moved up the toward the crest of the ridge, he could hear the howls of the Rebel yell. As often as he had heard it, it still sent shivers down his spine. Then came the puffs of smoke and the bang of the muskets from the Rebel positions. Men began to scream, holes appeared in the line. Jack heard the officers encouraging the men to keep moving.
Bill caught Jacks eye. Jack smiled and started to say something when he heard a wet smacking sound. Bill Gant stopped in his tracks, a confused look on his face. Then he crumpled to the ground a pool of blood began form on the ground. "NOOO", Jack screamed. He dropped down by his cousin to try to help him. The captain came running up, "Landar, you stupid son of a bitch, get up and back in line." Jack stumbled back into the line, firing his weapon and reloading, moving ever closer to the top of the ridge.
The battle was was won. The Confederate forces had been routed. While the others celebrated the victory or more to the point having survived the battle, Jack sat in his tent. His mood somber, Jack made up his mind that this was the last fight of the war for him. At morning roll call, Jack Landar's name went unanswered.
August 1870, Texas Panhandle
The battle was was won. The Confederate forces had been routed. While the others celebrated the victory or more to the point having survived the battle, Jack sat in his tent. His mood somber, Jack made up his mind that this was the last fight of the war for him. At morning roll call, Jack Landar's name went unanswered.
August 1870, Texas Panhandle
Four men sat astride their horses, watching the herd of cattle with several men riding slowly around them keeping the herd from straying. "Jack, you figger them other fellers are ready yet?" Jack Landar raised his head to meet the gaze of the man who had spoken. "I tell you what Jake, if they are not ready, they will regret it for the rest of their short miserable lives" With a last look around Jack spoke again, "Everyone remember what they are supposed to do?" No one answered him and smiled slightly, "Alright, lets go get those cows. When we sell them we will all be rich men." Jack pulled his bandanna up to cover his face, then pulling his scatter gun and a flick of the reigns he headed toward the herd.
December 1875, Great Bend, Kansas
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