Judith Henry wakened with the first light, She had the short sleep of age, and the long patience. She waited for breakfast in vague, half-drowsy wonderment At various things. Yesterday some men had gone by And stopped for a drink of water. She’d heard they were soldiers. She couldn’t be sure. It had seemed to worry the folks But it took more than soldiers and such to worry her now. Young people always worried a lot too much. No soldiers that had any sense would fight around here. She’d had a good night. Today would be a good day.

A mile and a half away, before the Stone Bridge, A Union gun opened fire.