Letters Home By George Newman Summary

George Newman finished reading the telegram that had been sent to him by the War Department, in early 1861. He was to report to the War Department to serve in the Supply Department. He sighed softly as he had hoped for a field commission. He was at the top of his class in West Point, and had served at Camp Cooper, Texas, in a cavalry outfit that had fought the Comanche. George was quite a marksman, and also an expert horseman and crack shot with both a pistol and rifle.

His military career had been cut short, however, by his sudden return to Pennsylvania. His family owned an iron works, and his father had taken ill. George, being the only son in the family, now had the responsibility of running the iron mill. He was quite the master of organization, as well, and in the years leading up to the coming conflict, had the mill running efficiently, and turned
Mr. Lincoln is calling in all West Point graduates, since the firing on Fort Sumter." He sipped on his coffee and continued to talk to his foreman, "Mike, you'll be in charge of running the mill in my absence. I have full faith and confidence in you. No doubt you'll have to gear up for the production of war materials, especially cannon."

Flannigan, himself an Irishman who had worked with George's father prior to his death, knew his craft well. "You can count on me Mr. Newman." he spoke confidently. After breakfast, George and the foreman adjourned to the study, where George signed over control of the plant operations to his loyal foreman.

From the house, Flannigan accompanied George, his bags packed, but himself still in civilian clothes for the trip to Washington, to the train station. He saw his boss onto a Baltimore and Ohio train bound for Washington. George had purchased a newspaper to read on the way, and took in all the accounts of the firing on of Fort Sumter by the Confederate