My Brother Sam Is Dead

Tim and Mother continue to work in Father’s absence, their lives changed. The war has had a dramatic impact on their lives, removing half the family. Through hard work and wise planning, Tim and Mother manage to keep the store and tavern running, despite shortages and ever-rising prices. Mother tries to get Sam to return home by sending letters and speaking with Colonel Read, but Tim does not believe that Sam will change his mind about staying with the army.

Mr. Beach, the minister, continues to lead his congregation in prayer for the King and Parliament, although it is considered treasonous by the Patriots. They attack him several times, but he continues to do what he believes is right.

Although Tim notes that there are many changes in his life, he also knows that “the biggest one was happening inside myself. Ever since I got the wagon home by myself I hadn’t felt like a boy anymore” (132). Tim plans out what he must do each day and works with Mother to make decisions about how they must proceed. He is angry with Sam for chasing glory rather than helping them survive the realities of the war.

On April 26, 1777, British troops invade Redding. A group of officers go to Mr. Heron’s house, and with the information he gives them, they charge into the home of a Captain Betts. They capture and tie up the Captain, Jerry Sanford, and some other men. Mother says, “[w]ar turns men into beasts” (140). The British soldiers shoot a Patriot messenger, slaughter a group of enslaved people and behead one of them, Ned, then attack someone’s home and kill the inhabitants before setting the house on fire.

Tim learns from the injured messenger that General Benedict Arnold’s troops are supposed to come to the defense of Redding and remembers that Sam serves under Arnold. Captain Betts has been released and comes into the tavern, hoping to recruit Tim for the defense of the town. Mother stands up to him and says, “[n]ot my boy. You don’t involve any more Meekers in this terrible war. Send your own child out to play soldier if you want, Stephen Betts, but no more of my mine” (149). After falling to her knees in prayer, beseeching God to end the war, she stands up and begins slicing onions for stew.

The Continental army arrives at the tavern about eight hours after the British troops continue their march on to Danbury to find guns. Generals Wooster and Arnold ask for food. Tim goes to find Sam, believing that he is with the Continental troops setting up on the training ground.

Sam appears, looking “older and raggedy” (155). Sam reports that he knows that Father has been taken, and he and Tim go toward the tavern. Sam must hide in the barn, however, since he is not supposed to leave his company. Sam also tells Tim that he feels badly about Father and how they parted company. When Mother sees Sam, she and her two sons hug each other. It has been two years since they have been together.

Later, when Mother tries to persuade Sam that he needs to stay with her and Tim, he says that he has pledged with some of his friends to stay in the army until the war is over. Tim knows that no one will change Sam’s mind, but he also knows that Sam is wrong: “He was staying in the army because he wanted to stay in the army, not because of duty or anything else. He liked the excitement of it” (162). This knowledge makes Tim feel that he is no longer the little brother.