The Return of a Private” begins on

The Return of a Private” begins on a train from New Orleans carrying Northern veterans back to the Midwest. They are among the last to leave the South; sickness and wounds delayed their departure until August. Only four or five are left to get off the train at LaCrosse. One of them, Private Edward Smith, still suffers from fever and ague. It is two o’clock in the morning, and rather than spend their money for a hotel room, Smith and two compatriots decide to bed down in the train station. The two other veterans arrange their blankets so that their sickly friend might be more comfortable, but Private Smith has trouble sleeping. The war has left him worn out and infirm and in no shape to care for his heavily mortgaged farm or to provide for his young wife and their three children.

The Return of a Private "begins on a train from New Orleans carrying Northern veterans back to the Midwest. They are among the last to leave the South; sickness and wounds delayed their departure until August. Only four or five are left to get off the train at LaCrosse. One of them, Private Edward Smith, still suffers from fever and ague. It is two o'clock in the morning, and rather than spend their money for a hotel room, Smith and two compatriots decide to bed down in the train station. The two other veterans arrange their blankets so that their sickly friend might be more comfortable, but Private Smith has trouble sleeping. The war has left him worn out and infirm and in no shape to care for his heavily mortgaged farm or to provide for his young wife and their three children.

The Return of a Private. "Begins on a train from New Orleans carrying Northern veterans back to the Midwest. They are among. The last to leave the South; sickness and wounds delayed their departure until August. Only four or five are left to get. Off the train at LaCrosse. One, of them Private Edward Smith still suffers, from fever and ague. It is two o clock in the. ' Morning.And rather than spend their money for a hotel room Smith and, two compatriots decide to bed down in the train, station. The two other veterans arrange their blankets so that their sickly friend might be, more comfortable but Private Smith has. Trouble sleeping.The war has left him worn out and infirm and in no shape to care for his heavily mortgaged farm or to provide for his. Young wife and their three children.
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