The Fighting Ground

“12:30.” Two soldiers sit at the campfire with Jonathan, reassuring him that war is deadly and harsh, and he shouldn’t blame himself for his capture. One of them, a Frenchman wounded at the Rocktown battle, speaks in French to the little boy, who tells his story amid sobs. The Frenchman says there was an argument between the French couple and the Corporal, and things got worse from there. Jonathan learns that, during the Rocktown battle, one American was killed; it was the man who fell against Jonathan, the man who knew his father. The Frenchman says the Corporal is very dedicated to the war effort and is brave in battle, “But when the fighting stops, well, no, perhaps that is something that is different. Then, perhaps, you hope that he… that he is not there” (128). The Frenchman will take care of the little boy and will try to find the lad’s older brother.

“4:30.” The Corporal awakens Jonathan and offers him more johnnycake. The Corporal tells him he’s done very well, but he’s needed once more at the farmhouse. Jonathan doesn’t want to go, but the Corporal gently reminds him that he’s a soldier now and must do as ordered.