A Boy Sent by Express, C. o. D
In the winter of 1862, the narrator travels by guarded train to Sedalia, Mo., amid attacks by bushwhackers, and witnesses a terrified mother trying to protect her young daughter from the gunfire. At a crowded military hospital in Sedalia, she finds Willie, a beautiful, cheerful orphan boy recovering from illness. Having no home or family, Willie had followed marching soldiers because he wanted to go to the war; the men sheltered him, gave him space in a wagon, and made him toys, though they would not allow him to fight. A visiting gentleman from Ohio becomes attached to Willie because the child resembles his only son, recently dead. He wishes to adopt Willie if his grieving wife agrees. The narrator insists on careful references, which prove the gentleman to be a wealthy Christian man worthy of the charge; Dr. Irwin concurs. A telegram soon orders, “send Willie by express, C. O. D.” The hospital patients are distressed to lose their favorite, but rejoice that he will have a good home. When Willie is well enough to travel, his identifying information is sewn onto his clothing and blankets. An expressman formally receives him and carries him away as surgeons, nurses, cooks, and patients offer emotional farewells. Willie answers them all with a loud “Good-by, everybody,” and an Irishman gives him a blessing. The narrator and surgeons see him safely onto the train. Willie arrives safely, is adopted by the gentleman, and brings comfort to his new mother.
By Annie Wittenmyer · First published 1895 · Genre: Civil War Narrative, Historical Nonfiction, Memoir · 1,695 words
First lines
In the winter of 1862, just before General Grant moved upon Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, I went out to Sedalia, Mo., with a heavy lot of supplies.
Sedalia is 188 miles south-west of St. Louis, and was an important military station at that time.
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Genres
- Civil War Narrative — The account is set during the American Civil War in 1862, amid military rail travel, guerrilla attacks, Union hospitals, and major campaigns including Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Shiloh.
- Historical Nonfiction — It presents a factual, firsthand-style account of wartime conditions, military locations, hospital life, and civilian experiences during the conflict.
- Memoir — The narrator recounts personal experiences using first-person narration, describing her own journey to Sedalia, hospital visit, and role in arranging Willie's adoption.
- War Literature — Its central setting and tensions arise from war: danger on the railroad, wounded soldiers, military institutions, campaigns, and the effects of conflict on vulnerable people.
Tags
American Civil War · 1862 · Missouri · Sedalia · Union military hospitals · Civil War nursing · war relief work · bushwhacker attacks · railroad travel · orphaned children · child welfare · military camp followers
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A Boy Sent by Express, C. o. D is listed on Textopian as a historical account by Annie Wittenmyer, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Historical account
- Author: Annie Wittenmyer
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Civil War Narrative, Historical Nonfiction, Memoir, War Literature, Humanitarian Literature
- Length: 1,695 words
- Structure: 1 section, 30 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Boy Sent by Express, C. o. D by Annie Wittenmyer
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