Harper's Round Table, July 9, 1895

A sweltering July in a small town brings together a ragtag band of twelve‑year‑olds who turn their backyard into a makeshift barracks. Fresh from a year at a military academy, Tom Porter’s enthusiasm for drill spreads to his friends, and under the watchful eye of a bemused sergeant they form the “Raleigh Reds,” complete with fife, drum, and a handful of homemade uniforms. Their daily rehearsals blend earnest discipline with the inevitable chaos of childhood, as they scramble to keep in step while the neighborhood watches with a mix of amusement and irritation.

As Independence Day approaches, the boys’ imagination runs wild, swapping marching orders for schemes of daring raids on a local farmer’s cattle and reciting verses about heroic charges against bewildered bulls. Their leader’s sister’s poem becomes a rallying cry, and the squad’s plans grow ever more elaborate, promising a Fourth of July that could turn their playful drills into a memorable, if mischievous, adventure.