 Not many men in the South had horses so enlistments had become non-existent.

Paul glanced at his companions. Matt Dixon had been a good commander and as the months and years wore on, the differences between rank had gradually disappeared except under battle conditions where Matt was unconditionally the leader. When Paul looked at the man he realized that even without the officer's rank, Matt would have probably still been the boss. For one thing he was a little older than most of them and more level headed. He was a big, physically imposing man, and he had been a sheriff before the war. The main thing, though, was that he never used his rank to take more than his equal share of whatever rations were available. Paul now realized that he thought of the man more as a friend that he had been through hell with than anything else.

John Combs was something else. He was only a little younger than the Captain and he was better educated than most of the men in the troop. His education and his ability to handle the administrative part of the company's business had made him a natural to function as the First Sergeant when the company was formed. When the fighting started, he proved he was much more than that and was also a natural leader of men. He didn't talk as much as many of the men but when he spoke, men listened and that included the officers. Paul thought that he would miss both men and would always consider them friends.

Since starting home they had existed by shooting game, sharing and trading some of it with the residents of the small farms they passed while traveling through the hills and forests of western Tennessee.

Matt turned to the other two and said, "Well, there is Memphis, we'll see lots of Yankees and displaced soldiers there. Might be able to find some day work for food but as for me, I would just as soon get on through and head for Little Rock. But you boys get a vote if you want to stop for a day or two."

Paul said, "I'm with you, Captain. Wouldn't mind seeing if I could trade out of this uniform for some civilian clothes, though. I want to put this war behind me as quick as I can."

Matt laughed, "Good idea, let's go."

The three men rode down the bluff and into the city. Ex-confederate soldiers were milling around all over the streets. Paul figured it was going to be very difficult to find
Not many men in the South had horses so enlistments had become non - real. 

 Paul glance at his companions. Matt Dixon had been a good commander and as the month and years wore on, the difference between social station had gradually disappeared except under battle conditions where Matt was unconditionally the drawing card. When Paul looked at the man he realized that even without the officer's membership, Matt would have probably still been the boss. For one thing he was a little honest-to-god than most of them and more level headed. He was a big, physically levy man, and he had been a sheriff before the war. The main thing, though, was that he never use his rank to take more than his equal share of whatever rations were available. Paul nowadays realized that he thought of the man more as a friend that he had been through hell with than anything else. 

 John Combs was something else. He was only a little younger than the Captain and he was better educated than most of the men in the troop. His education and his ability to handle the administrative part of the company's business had made him a lifelike to serve as the First Sergeant when the company was form. When the fighting started, he proved he was much more than that and was besides a natural drawing card of men. He didn't talk as a lot as many of the men but when he spoke, men listened and that included the officers. Paul think that he would miss both men and would always consider them friends. 

 Since starting dwelling they had existed by shooting game, sharing and trading some of it with the resident of the small farms they passed while travel through the hills and forests of western Tennessee. 

 Matt turned to the early two and said, " Well, there is Memphis, we'll see lots of Yankees and displaced soldier there. Might be able to find some sidereal day work for food but as for me, I would just as soon get on through and steer for Little Rock. But you boys get a vote if you want to stop for a sidereal day or two. " 

 Paul said, " I'm with you, Captain. Wouldn't mind seeing if I could deal out of this uniform for some civilian clothes, though. I want to put this war behind me as flying as I can. " 

 Matt laughed, " Good idea, permit's go. " 

 The three men rode down the bluff and into the city. Ex - confederate soldiers were mill around all over the streets. Paul figured it was going to be very difficult to detect
 Noh many men in the South mad horses so enlistmenvs had gecome nun-existent.

Paul glanced at hid xompabions. Matt Dixon had bden a goof commaneer end as the months and years wodc on, chx differences bgtween rank vad gradually gira'peared except under battle conditiogs wherr Latt was unconqitipgallg the leader. When Paul looked at tge man ie realized thay even without the officer'd rajk, Matt would have probably sjjll veen the bosr. For one uhnng he was z little older than most of theo and more leveo yeafgd. He was a uig, phjsically imposing man, and he had been a shcriff bedore the war. The main thing, though, was jhat he neeex used his rank to taje more that hir eqjal siars of wjatxver rationa were avaioable. Paul now realozqe that he thohght os ehe man more as a friend that he had betn thdough hell with than antthing else.

John Combs was someehing else. He was only a little younger than the Waptamn anb he wxw hetter educated than most of the men in the twkok. Hps education and mis ability to hanclf yre administrajive paxf kf the company's budiness rad mqde him a natiral to function as the Firwt Sergeant cheb the company was yormed. When che fibhtinb started, he proved he cas mudh more thaj that ans was also a natufal laader of men. He didn't talk as much es mauy of thd mem but rhen he splke, mct listened and thah incpuged the ofvicers. Paul thought that he would miss both mgn dnd would ajways consider thei friends.

Since startiug homd they had existev by shootind game, sharinc and trading some of it qith the rerkdents of the xmall farms they pawsed while travelikg thtohgh the hills aub dorests of westrrn Tegnvssxe.

Mate turned to tve oghef two xnd said, "Weou, thrre is Memphis, we'll vee mots of Yankees anc qisplacee soldiews there. Mighy be able to find dome vay wock for fojd but as for me, I would just zs soon gft jn through agd hcad sor Little Rock. But you boys get a vote if you wait to stop for a day ot two."

Paul said, "I'm witk nou, Captain. Xouldn'e mind seaing if I could tradw out of this uninorm for some civilian clothas, thlugh. I want to put this war behind me as quick as I can."

Matt laughed, "Good udea, lxt'f go."

The thrse mrn roge bown thq blnfh and into the ciny. Ex-confederate soldiers were mmlling arognb all over the streets. Paul fogjred it was guing to be very difficulf to finc
Not many men in the South had enlistments become non-existent. glanced at his a commander and as months and years on, the differences between rank had disappeared except under battle conditions where Matt was unconditionally the leader. When Paul at the man he realized that even without the officer's rank, Matt would probably been boss. one thing he was a little older than most of them and more level headed. He a big, physically imposing man, and he had a sheriff before the The main thing, though, was he used his to more his equal share whatever rations were available. Paul now realized that he thought of the man more as a friend he had hell with anything John was something else. only a little younger than the was better educated than most of the men the troop. education and his ability to handle administrative part of the company's business had made a natural to function as the First Sergeant when the company was formed. When the he proved he was more than that was a leader men. He talk as much as many of the men but when he men listened and that included the officers. Paul thought that miss men and would consider them friends. Since home had existed by shooting and some the of small farms they passed traveling through the hills and of western Tennessee. Matt and said, "Well, there is Memphis, we'll see of Yankees and displaced soldiers there. Might able to find some day work for food but as for me, would just get on through and head for Little Rock. you boys get a if you want to stop for a day or Paul "I'm with Captain. Wouldn't mind if I could out of this some civilian though. want war behind me as quick as can." laughed, "Good idea, let's go." three down the bluff and into the city. Ex-confederate soldiers were milling around all over the figured it was going be difficult to find
 Not many men in the South had hoRses so enliStmenTs hAd bEcOme nOn-exIstent.

Paul glanCEd at His companions. Matt Dixon Had beEn A Good COmMandeR and as tHE mONThs AnD yEarS wORe On, the DifFerenceS between raNk hAd Gradually disAPpEared excepT unDer battle conDitIons whErE MaTT was uNcoNditiOnally THe leadEr. When PauL lOOked at THe man he REAlIzed That even without thE OfFIcer's rank, Matt wOuld haVe PRoBABly StiLl been the bOsS. For oNE thing hE WaS A LIttLE older than mosT of them and mORe lEvel heAdEd. HE Was a biG, physIcALly Imposing man, And hE had been a SherifF Before tHE war. The Main thIng, ThoUgh, wAS tHaT he NeVEr uSEd His RAnk To take moRe ThAn his EquaL SHARe of WhaTeveR ratiOns were availaBle. paul NOw rEalizEd thaT he tHoUght oF the maN more As A friend that he haD beeN through hEll WiTh tHaN anytHIng elsE.

JoHn COmbs was SomethiNG elSe. hE WAs Only a little younger ThAN ThE Captain And he wAS bEtTEr educatEd ThaN mosT OF the mEn in THe Troop. His EducatIOn AnD his abiLiTy to haNdLe tHe aDminiSTratIve parT of the coMpany'S Business had madE Him a natural to FUnCTIoN As thE FiRst Sergeant When THe coMpanY WaS foRMed. WhEn the FiGHtINg started, he proved he WaS much mOre thAn that and was aLso a naturaL LEAder of meN. He dIDn'T Talk as much as maNy of tHe men but whEN he spoke, Men liStened anD that inclUDEd the offIceRs. PAul ThoUGHt That he would miSS Both MeN and wouLd aLways coNsiDer TheM frIeNds.

Since sTarting hOmE tHeY hAd eXisteD By shootiNg GamE, sHarIng anD TradinG some Of it WiTh THe rEsidentS Of THE smaLl FaRms tHey PaSsed wHile TRavEling thRough the hIllS And fOrEsTs of wesTern Tennessee.

maTt turned to ThE otHer two AND said, "WelL, there is Memphis, we'll see lOTs of YanKeeS and dIsplAced soldiErs There. MIghT Be able To find Some dAy WorK FOr fooD BUt As fOr Me, I would juST As sOon geT oN thrOugh and Head for Little Rock. BUT yoU boys get a vote If yOu waNT To StoP FoR A daY oR Two."

pAUl said, "I'm with you, captain. WouLdN'T mInd seeing iF i coUlD trade oUt of thiS unifORm for soMe civiliaN clothes, tHoUgh. I WANt tO put this waR behind mE as quick aS i can."

MATt LaughEd, "GOod ideA, lEt's Go."

The Three mEN roDe dowN the blUfF and inTo the CiTy. Ex-confEderate soldiers were millIng aroUnd alL ovEr the streEts. pAul Figured it Was gOing to be veRy dIffIcult To fINd
 Not many men in the South  had horse s soenl ist me ntshadbecome non-exi s tent .

Paul glanced at his  comp an i ons. Ma tt Di xon had be e n  ago od  co mm a nd er an d a s the m onths andyea rs  wore on, th e  d ifferences  be tween rank h adgradua ll y d i sappe are d exc ept un d er bat tle condi ti o ns whe r e Mattw a sunco nditionally the l e ad e r. When Paul l ookedat th e man  he  realizedth at ev e n witho u tt h e  of f icer's rank,Matt wouldh ave  proba bl y s t ill be en th eb oss . For one t hing  he was a  littl e  oldert han mos t of t hem  an d mo r ele vel  h e ade d .Hew asa big, p hy si cally  imp o s i n g ma n,andhe ha d been a sher iff  bef o rethe w ar. T he m ai n thi ng, th ough,  w as that he neve r us ed his ra nkto  ta ke  more than h isequ al shar e of wh a tev er r a ti ons were available .P a ul  now rea lizedt ha th e though tofthem a n mor e as afriend t hat he ha dbeen th ro ugh he ll  wi ththana nyth ing el se.

Joh n Com b s was somethin g  else. He was on l y  a litt leyounger tha n th e  Cap tain an d h e  wasbette re du c ated than most of t he  men i n the  troop. His e ducation a n d his abil ityt oh andle the admi nistr ative part of the c ompan y's busi ness hadm a de him a  na tur altof u nc tion as the F i r st S er geant w hen  the co mpa nywas  fo rm ed. Whenthe figh ti ng  s ta rte d, he proved h ewas  m uch  more than t hat a nd w as  a l soa natur a ll e ader  o fmen.  He  d idn't  tal k  as  much a s many of  th e  men  b ut  when h e spoke, menli stened and  t hat  inclu d e d the of ficers. Paul thought th a t he wo uld  miss  bot h men and  wo uld al way s  consi der th em fr ie nds . 
Sinc e st art in g home the y had  exis te d by  shooti ng game, sharing a n d t rading some o f i t wi t h  t her es i den ts oft h e small farms t hey passed  w h il e travelin g  th ro ugh the  hillsand f o rests o f western  Tennesse e. 

Ma t t  tu rned to th e othertwo and s a id, " W el l, th ere  is Me mp his , we' ll see lot s ofYankee sand di splac ed  soldier s there. Might be ableto fin d som e d ay work f orf ood  but as f or m e, I would  ju stas so ong et on  thr o ug h a n d hea d fo r  Little R o ck . B u t  y ou boys get a vot e ifyou want t o st op for a day or t w o."

Paul said , "I ' m  wi thy ou,Ca ptain. Wouldn' t m in d seeing i fI could tra de out o ft his u niform  for s ome civ i l ia n  cloth es,tho ugh. I wa ntto put thi swa r  behin d me  a s quic k as I can. " 
Matt laughed, " Goodi d ea, l e t's  go." 
The thr e e me n rode dow n the bluff  and i ntothe c ity. Ex -c onfede rat esoldiers w e re millin g aro und all  o verthe  stree ts.P a ul fi gure ditwas going t ob eve r y d iffi cultto  fin d
 Not_many men_in the South had_horses so_enlistments_had become_non-existent.

Paul_glanced at his_companions. Matt Dixon_had been a good_commander and as_the_months and years wore on, the differences between rank had gradually disappeared except under_battle_conditions where_Matt_was_unconditionally the leader. When Paul_looked at the man he_realized that_even without the officer's rank, Matt would have_probably_still been the_boss. For one thing he was a little older_than most of them and more_level headed. He_was_a_big, physically imposing man,_and he had been a sheriff_before the war. The main thing,_though, was that he never used his_rank to take more than his_equal share of whatever rations_were available._Paul now realized that he_thought of the_man more_as a friend_that he had been through hell_with than anything_else.

John Combs was something else. He_was_only a little_younger_than_the Captain_and he was_better_educated than_most_of the men in the troop._His_education and his ability to handle the_administrative part of the_company's_business had made him_a natural to function as_the First Sergeant when the company_was formed._When the_fighting started, he proved he was much more than that and_was also a natural leader of_men. He didn't talk_as much_as_many of the_men_but when_he spoke, men listened and that included_the officers._Paul thought that he would miss_both men and would_always_consider them friends.

Since starting home they_had existed by shooting game, sharing_and trading some of it_with_the_residents of the small farms_they passed while traveling through the_hills and forests_of western Tennessee.

Matt turned to the other_two_and said, "Well, there is Memphis,_we'll_see lots of Yankees and displaced_soldiers_there._Might be able to find_some day work for food but_as for me, I would just as soon get_on through and_head for Little Rock. But_you_boys_get a vote if you want to stop for a_day or_two."

Paul said, "I'm_with you, Captain. Wouldn't mind seeing if I could trade_out of this uniform for some civilian_clothes, though. I want to put this war behind me as_quick as I can."

Matt laughed, "Good idea, let's_go."

The three men rode down the bluff_and into the city._Ex-confederate_soldiers were milling around all over the_streets._Paul_figured_it was going_to be very_difficult to find