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Be A Man	By : cowgirl65 Category: 1 through F > The Big Valley Views: 3052 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I in no way own The Big Valley. I make no money from writing this, just the personal satisfaction of (hopefully!) entertaining those who love the show as much as I do.

Chapter List
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Jarrod read the newspaper clipping posted on the message board at the city courthouse again.

CAVALRY COMPANY FOR THE EAST.
The undersigned has been authorized by the Secretary of War to raise a company of Cavalry for service in the East to make part of the Massachusetts quota.
A Roll of the company is at Assembly Hall, corner of Post and Kearny Streets, where persons desirous of joining can enroll their names.
No one need apply who is not a good horseman and in good health. Men from the country preferred. The Roll will be kept open a reasonable time before selections are made.
All expenses will be paid as soon as accepted.
Further particulars apply to Office, corner Post and Kearny Street.
J. Sewall Reed

“You can’t seriously be thinking of signing up, Jarrod.”
Jarrod didn’t turn around. He easily recognized the urbane tone. “I might be, Nat.”
He heard a snort of derision and turned around to find Nat Springer accompanied by Brett Skyler and Phil Archer. The four of them had met over the years as they studied law with their respective mentors and had been recently admitted to the California bar to become licensed attorneys. He and Brett had even talked about setting up a law practice together.
“C’mon, Barkley,” Phil scoffed. “All you have to do is go back and make nice with your rich daddy and you’ll be set for life. Why would you want to put that life on the line for a war clear across the country?”
Jarrod didn’t bother to answer. He knew Phil from Stockton, but the two had never been friends and Jarrod didn’t feel a need to justify himself.
“Might be a good idea,” Brett mused, “assuming I was a good enough horseman to even have a chance. And assuming I didn’t like my warm, comfortable bed so much.”
Nat and Phil laughed and Jarrod smiled slightly. “Well, since I don’t have anything left on my schedule today, I’m going home. I’ll probably see you Thursday, that’s the next time I have a court appearance scheduled.”
“See you, Jarrod,” Brett and Nat told him. Phil only glowered.
But Jarrod’s feet didn’t take him to his lodgings. Instead, they took him to the Assembly Hall at the corner of Post and Kearny. Inside, he saw a man at a wooden table with a stack of papers in front of him. “Can I help you, son?”
Jarrod nodded. “I was wondering, sir, if this is where I can register my name for the cavalry company Mr. Reed is raising.”
The man scrutinized him carefully. “You seem to be in good health. Do you ride?”
“I was raised on a ranch, sir,” Jarrod answered politely.
“Hmm.” The man pushed a paper across the table to Jarrod along with a pen and inkwell. “Sign here, son. Name, age and place of residence. We have more names than we need, so we’ll be making selections based on horsemanship and skill with a firearm this Saturday at the field outside Hanson’s Livery, 6 AM sharp. Do you know where that is?”
Jarrod wrote out his name. “I’ll find it, sir. Thank you.”
It was a long walk back to the small back room he called home and it gave Jarrod time to think about the events that had torn apart his country over the past two years. South Carolina seceding from the union, followed by the other southern states. Confederate forces attacking Fort Sumter. The call to arms from the Union and the massacre at Bull Run. Grant’s victory at Fort Donelson. A second defeat to the Union at Bull Run. The recent removal of General McClellan in disgrace. Jarrod had followed the progress of the war in the papers and thought about joining up more than once. But volunteers from the West were usually only stationed in the West - fighting Indians, guarding wagon trains, or doing garrison duty to free up regular Army troops and Jarrod decided to concentrate on his studies instead.
However, with the formation of a proposed cavalry unit to fight with the Massachusetts regiment, Jarrod knew it was time to join the war effort. He believed in what President Lincoln was trying to do, to preserve the sanctity of the Union and bring about the abolishment of slavery. By volunteering, he could truly back up his convictions and fight for every man’s right to freedom, for the ability to chose one’s own course in life.
Jarrod gave a good accounting of himself that Saturday morning and wasn’t surprised to see his name on the list of those who were accepted. Captain Reed informed them that their ship was to leave in one week on the first of December and gave them a list of equipment they needed to supply.
That evening, Jarrod sat at the table in his room and started writing. He didn’t want to worry her, but he had to tell his mother what he was about to do. Men were dying on the battlefields of the east and Jarrod couldn’t leave for what was an uncertain future without telling her how much he loved her. He also included a letter for Nick, telling his brother how he hoped they would be able to ride together through their Valley someday soon.
The week went by in a flash. The company trained hard, causing Jarrod to almost collapse from exhaustion at the day’s end except for the one night Brett took him for a farewell dinner, where his friend reminded him that they couldn’t hang their shingles together if he got himself killed.

The morning of December 1 dawned bright and clear. A sharp wind was blowing in across the Bay as Jarrod arrived at the docks. A crowd of well-wishers was already gathered and Jarrod couldn’t help a pang of envy at those of his comrades whose families were there to see them off. He was about to make his solitary way up the gangplank when a voice calling out his name made him turn around.
“Mother?” he said in surprise. He almost couldn’t believe it was really her.
A smile came across Victoria Barkley’s face and it warmed Jarrod’s heart, even though he could see the strain and worry.
“I couldn’t let you go without seeing you off, sweetheart,” she said. Jarrod crossed the distance between them and gathered her into a fierce hug.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. “I wish I could tell you everything’s going to be okay, but all I can do is promise you that I’ll do my best to come back safely.”
Victoria pulled back and took his face in her hands. “Your best will always be good enough for me, son. Make sure and write when you get the chance.”
Jarrod had to ask, even though he already guessed the answer. “Did Father say anything?” He saw his mother bite back a tear as she shook her head.
“No, but he didn’t try to stop me from coming when I told him what I was doing.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a cloth-wrapped object. “Nick sent you this.”
Jarrod unwrapped it and found a knife in a plain leather sheath.
“He made the sheath himself,” Victoria said with pride.
Jarrod was hard pressed to contain his emotions. “Tell him thank you,” he whispered.
The ship’s whistle blew, signalling the men it was time to board.
“I have to go,” Jarrod told his mother and hugged her again.
“I know, Jarrod. I love you and I’m so proud of you.”
Jarrod kissed her gently and turned back to walk up the gangplank. He didn’t turn around. He didn’t want her to see the tears that were slowly making their way down his cheeks.

Information on the California Hundred can be found at http://2mass.omnica.com/ and http://www.militarymuseum.org/2ndMassCav.html
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