Chapter 1

It was a dark stormy evening when Sarah Hancock received a knock at the door of her shabby home. Cautiously she went to the door and opened it a crack.

“Yes.” Sarah stated.

“Mrs. Hancock, I’m lieutenant Humphrey Williams. I have some urgent news for you and a letter from your husband.” The young Union soldier replied.

“Please, come in.” Sarah said as she opened the door all the way and ushered him to enter.

Lieutenant Humphrey began telling her the news he was sent to give as they sat in the living room in front of a warm crackling fire.

“We lost a large number of our men at Antietam. Your husband and son were among them. They both died valiantly, Mrs. Hancock, you can be proud.”

“My little boy.” Sarah murmured with tears in her eyes as she picked up a photograph of her family together.

“I’m sorry Mrs. Hancock.” Humphrey told her as he laid his hand on her arm.

“Thank you.” Sarah said quietly.

“Here’s the letter from your husband. I must get back to my regiment now, but thank you for your hospitality.” He stated as he got up and went out the door.

Sarah attempted to dry her eyes and opened the letter:

Dear Sarah,

We have been doing well and you can rest assured that our son is not the youngest here. There are many young men his age and younger. Even at the age of 18 now he looks more like a young man here then he did to me back home. There are many worries here at the camp as we have yet to win a major victory. I pray that you and the children are doing well, and that Fidelin has been able to provide help to you. I must end here as we are preparing artillery for General McClellan has planned for us to march to Sharpsburg, Maryland. I pray that the war will be over soon and our family can be reunited again. Give Abigail and William my love.

Love,

Robert Hancock

The touching letter brought tears to Sarah’s eyes as she finished the letter. Faintly, rain began to fall and gently beat against the window of the house.

Chapter 2

            Fidelin stood under his shelter as he watched the rain fall. The gentle sound of the rain soothed Fidelin. Content, he closed his eyes for a few seconds and a soft gust of wind danced across his face. Peacefully Fidelin lay down, closed his eyes, and fell fast asleep.

The next morning Fidelin woke to the sound of the birds singing their beautiful songs. To his dismay, he found that the rain had filled the floor under him and turned the dirt below the hay to mud. “What a miserable way to wake up,” Fidelin muttered under his breath. Carefully and slowly he got up and walked to the thick grass of the pasture. His fur was matted with mud and it made his side itch intolerably. After rolling around endlessly on the grass he finally resolved to take his place in the pasture near the road.

Faithfully he had stood there waiting for his master to return. All of his family was dear to him, even though they were humans. Happiness and joy had nearly always filled the house and Fidelin received much caressing and treats. What more love and care could a horse ever want? Now the house had become gloomier as the Civil War began and young men and boys were enlisted to fight, and everyone was forced to choose a side. They lived in the honest town Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and had enjoyed life on a small, but peaceful farm. Fidelin was one of their few horses and loved working hard. There was many a day that he would be found out in the fields pulling a plough to prepare the soil for planting. “Those were happy times,” Fidelin thought as he looked around.

Lost in his thoughts Fidelin didn’t notice as Mrs. Hancock came into the pasture near his shelter and called to him.

“Fidelin! Come here boy!” Sarah shouted sweetly. Fidelin came to his senses and flicked an ear back.

“Fedeln!” William and Abigail, the Hancock’s small children, called. Joyously Fidelin turned and galloped over to them. To Fidelin’s pleasure Abigail and William were both holding a bucket of delicious oats. Together (with a lot of help from their mom) they put the oats in Fidelin’s trough. Immediately Fidelin dug into his oats and between mouthfuls he looked over a Sarah. She and the children didn’t leave immediately. “I wonder what’s going on.” Fidelin thought uncertain.

After he finished he looked at Mrs. Hancock and she opened her mouth to say something, but then stopped. In her hands she held a large bucket of water and a small towel. Carefully she tied Fidelin to a ring in his shelter and dipped the towel into the water. She began washing Fidelin and taking off the mud. Relaxed and happy Fidelin stood still as the warm water was comforting and the itchiness was going away. She made especially sure to clean his legs, face, and hooves. Next she took out a brush and began to comb his mane and forelock. It gleamed and shone when she was finished. For his tail she gave it a smooth brushing, but was careful so as not to spook him. Finally finished Sarah wiped sweat from her brow and stood back to examine her work. She was pleased and untied Fidelin.

As she walked away Fidelin was puzzled at why she had done this. It wasn’t unusual for him to be given a bath and brushing, but something about her expression told him that something was wrong and it was troubling her.

Chapter 3

            Later that afternoon Sarah came to Fidelin. He had gone back to the side near the road and was watching hopeful for his masters’ return. The sound of footsteps made him turn and found Mrs. Hancock coming towards him. Not forgetting why he was there he looked back at the road. Tears began to stream down Sarah’s eyes.

“They’re not coming back Fidelin. Ever.” Sarah told him while reaching up to stroke his firm neck. “What?” Fidelin thought with surprise. At this his heart was suddenly heavy and he drooped his ears and head. Sarah finally broke down at the thought of Fidelin’s loyalty even while his master was gone and also from the loss of her husband and son. Fidelin moved his head to press against cheek.

“Oh Fidelin!”

Sarah threw her arms around his neck and hugged him close.

Chapter 4

            Sarah sat on the old rickety couch in her small home with her young children playing on the floor. In her hands was a yellowed piece of paper. It was an advertisement for items that the Union army was offering to buy, which were needed to continue the fight. On the list was a word in bold: Horses. Sarah looked over at the side table beside the couch and looked at the few, but treasured photographs of her family. One was of Fidelin pulling a cart with the family on a Sunday morning. Lovingly she picked it up and began to think about the ad. Should she sell Fidelin? No, she couldn’t he was one of the family, but they didn’t have very much money and what would they do in the future. Sarah knew that she and the children could move in with her parents in New York, but she wasn’t sure what Fidelin would think. “We can’t make him stay in the middle of the city. That would be awful. What would Robert do?” Sarah thought contemplating.

            Sarah got up and went into the kitchen to prepare lunch. “I’ll have a clear mind after I’ve eaten,” Sarah told herself.

Chapter 5

            A warm late afternoon found Fidelin at his post trying to contemplate that his owner and young master were gone forever. He was still pacing when Sarah called him over. She was holding a rope that she tied to his halter and began leading him down the road with her children by her side. “What’s going on?” Fidelin thought with a questioning look. Who was he to complain though? Obediently he allowed Mrs. Hancock to lead him as they walked to their mysterious destination.

They walked to the train station and Sarah tied Fidelin to a hitching post near the office and walked inside. Amazed Fidelin turned to look at the hulking metal giant that stood nearby. Suddenly the giant let off a whistle, and Fidelin jumped. “What was this terrifying giant?” Fidelin thought with concern. He didn’t even notice as Sarah came our of the office building. She carefully untied him from the post and began to lead him. Fidelin came quietly and content, but as they rounded the corner he realized with fright that he was being led to the furious giant! Fidelin attempted to swallow his fear and slowly walked behind Sarah. She led him to one of the train cars and began to lead him up a ramp. Terrified, but obedient Fidelin followed and watched as she took the rope off of his halter and walked out down the ramp. Frantically he ran to the ramp, but the door to the car was slammed shut and secured. Fidelin neighed desperately.

“Wait! I’m not supposed to be here! Why are you doing this?!”

His cries were to no avail though as the train began to move.

“Why?” he quietly muttered. Tears began to fill his eyes and he hung his head low.

Night fell soon and Fidelin was miserable. He stayed up most of the night, but finally had to lay down and sleep.

“What am I going to