Si Klegg, Book 6: Si and Shorty, with Their Boy Recruits, Enter on the Atlanta Campaign

In Short

Set during the spring of 1864, this sixth volume of John McElroy’s Civil War series follows Union Sergeant Si Klegg and his loyal partner Shorty as they assume responsibility for a fresh batch of young recruits joining the 200th Indiana. From thwarting unscrupulous recruiters and drilling clumsy teenagers to enduring grueling marches, foraging, and facing brutal combat at Buzzard Roost, the veterans guide their young charges through the opening stages of Gen. William T. Sherman's offensive. Balancing affectionate humor with stark battlefield realism, the narrative portrays the bonds forged between rough-hewn soldiers navigating the demands of military duty and court-martial trials.

The Story

The narrative opens with Si Klegg and Shorty rescuing their newly assigned Indiana recruits from the clutches of Old Jeff Billings, an opportunistic operator attempting to entice the boys into another regiment. After defending their squad and standing up to military authority, the pair leads the young soldiers back toward the 200th Indiana. Along the way, Shorty receives a prized letter from Maria Klegg, which he carefully preserves in a fine wallet and silk bandana, kindling romantic hopes while softening his rough exterior.

Upon rejoining their regiment, Si and Shorty face the daunting task of transforming green recruits—including Pete Skidmore, Harry Joslyn, Alf Russell, and Monty Scruggs—into functional infantrymen. Si patiently drills his "awkward squad," enduring endless chatter, foolish questions, and constant mockery from camp hangers-on. He leads the boys on practice marches, teaching them the harsh realities of lugging heavy kit, preserving rations, and surviving violent downpours. Early skirmishes and foraging misadventures, such as an encounter with a ferocious wild razorback hog, offer lighthearted lessons before the true test of war begins.

In May 1864, the grand spectacle of the Union army gathers near Chattanooga as Gen. Sherman launches the Atlanta Campaign. The 200th Indiana is swept into the opening offensives, thrusting the recruits directly into the horrors of combat around Buzzard Roost. The recruits quickly lose their youthful naivety. They endure terrifying artillery duels, dodge boulders hurled by Confederate troops atop steep rock walls, and participate in frantic bayonet charges against entrenched rebel positions. Amid the gunfire and smoke, the boys suffer their first casualties; comrades like Bob Willis and Jim Humphreys are killed, leaving the survivors to bury their friends and grapple with grief under the quiet Georgia sky.

In the aftermath of the fighting, tension erupts when Si and Shorty are placed under arrest following an altercation with a staff officer during a chaotic moment on the field. The two veterans are brought before a brigade court-martial. Supported by the strong testimony of officers who recognize their long record of bravery, and saved by a senior officer's sharp reminder of military reality, Si and Shorty are acquitted of all charges. Rejoined with their boy recruits, the seasoned partners prepare to march further into Georgia, their squad now bound together by shared sacrifice and mutual respect.

How It Unfolds

Securing the recruits Si and Shorty track down their lost squad of young Indiana recruits, rescuing them from an unscrupulous recruiter who attempts to trick the inexperienced boys into joining a different regiment.

Drilling the awkward squad Back with the 200th Indiana, Si patiently conducts basic military drills with his stubborn, chatterbox recruits while enduring constant teasing from company cooks and camp followers.

A missive from home Shorty receives an unexpected letter from Maria Klegg, prompting him to buy fancy stationery and a leather wallet to cherish the note as he contemplates a gentler future.

Lessons on the march Si and Shorty lead the boys on grueling practice marches and minor skirmishes, teaching them how to manage heavy equipment, protect their rations from rainstorms, and handle unexpected rural encounters.

Into the Atlanta Campaign The regiment joins Gen. Sherman’s massive Union army as it advances toward Atlanta, forcing the recruits to confront the cold, early-morning dread of impending battle.

Baptism of fire The squad engages in violent combat at Buzzard Roost, dodging falling boulders and charging enemy breastworks, an ordeal that leaves several young soldiers dead and buries their innocence.

Facing the court-martial Following a chaotic altercation with a staff officer, Si and Shorty stand trial before a brigade military court, ultimately winning acquittal through their stellar combat record and the pragmatic wisdom of the presiding judges.

The People

• Si Klegg: A patient, practical, and highly skilled Sergeant in the 200th Indiana. Si wants to keep his young squad alive and mold them into disciplined soldiers, managing their endless complaints with calm authority despite the frustrations of military life.
• Shorty: Si's fiery, red-headed partner and fellow veteran. Fiercely protective of his recruits and quick to fight anyone who mistreats them, Shorty seeks to maintain his tough exterior while secretly harboring romantic feelings after receiving a letter from Maria Klegg.
• The Boy Recruits (Pete, Harry, Alf, Monty, and others): Inexperienced teenagers from Indiana who enlist full of naive enthusiasm. They initially struggle with exhaustion, poor march discipline, and fear, but gradually transform into resilient veterans after surviving the bloody reality of battle.
• Maj. Truax: The stern, blue-eyed president of the brigade court-martial. A no-nonsense officer who values genuine bravery over superficial military protocol, he ensures justice prevails when Si and Shorty face disciplinary charges.

In Its Own Voice

"He hurled a chunk of coal at the squad, which hastily followed Si to the other side of the track."

A fiery locomotive worker drives the disoriented new recruits across the train tracks during their chaotic arrival.

"He wrapped the piece of Maria's dress around the letter, rose and started off."

Shorty carefully guards his newly received treasure, profoundly moved by a sudden romantic connection to life back home.

"They were getting very tired of the drill, and in the humor to nag and balk the drillmaster."

Si attempts to maintain his composure while teaching fundamental maneuvers to a squad of distracted teenagers.

What It's Really About

Beneath its comedic dialogue and military detail, the narrative explores the rapid loss of youth during wartime. It contrasts the naive, romantic notions of military glory held by young enlistees with the harsh, chaotic realities of camp life and actual combat. The book highlights how experienced soldiers assume parental roles, using tough love and practical wisdom to protect green recruits from both external dangers and their own ignorance. Through the bonds forged between veterans and newcomers, the text illustrates how shared hardship, humor, and mutual dependence create an enduring comradeship capable of surviving the terror of battle and the rigid indignities of military bureaucracy.

Why Read It Today

Modern readers interested in Civil War history will appreciate this narrative for its authentic, ground-level perspective on the daily existence of Union enlistees. Rather than focusing on grand strategies or high-ranking generals, the text centers on the lived experience of ordinary infantrymen—their colloquial banter, small victories, culinary struggles, and terrifying moments in the line of fire.

While readers should be prepared for 19th-century military dialect, phonetic spelling, and archaic humor, these elements provide genuine period color rather than severe obstacles. The book offers a balance of affectionate comedy and sober reflection on loss, capturing the spirit of the rank-and-file soldiers who marched into Georgia. It remains an engaging read for anyone seeking an unvarnished, human-scaled view of the Civil War.