Si Klegg, Book 5 The Deacon's Adventures at Chattanooga in Caring for the Boys

Amid the smoke‑filled hills of Chattanooga, a ragtag group of Union soldiers finds unexpected relief in the kitchen of a wiry, quick‑witted preacher known only as the Deacon. When Corporal Si Klegg and his lanky companion Shorty are laid low by battle, the Deacon’s hearty chicken broth does more than fill their bellies—it lifts their spirits and fuels the fierce resolve that keeps them fighting. The opening scenes blend the grim reality of war with the simple, almost comic, comfort of a shared meal, setting a tone that is both gritty and warm.

The narrative follows the pair as they navigate the cramped hospitals, the cramped camps, and the ever‑present danger of guerrilla raids, all while the Deacon concocts schemes—sometimes bordering on highway robbery—to keep provisions coming. McElroy captures the soldiers’ banter, their superstitions, and the bond that turns strangers into brothers, letting listeners feel the pulse of a cavalry regiment on the move. Listeners will discover a story where bravery is measured both in gunfire and in the everyday acts of kindness that sustain a war‑torn army.