General Samuel Darnold's Western Campaign

A resurgent general's letters from the front.

My dearest Lavinia,

As snow blankets our camp, I write to you in this stolen moment before we venture west to do battle in the Washington Territory. Our foe fights under the banner of a fearsome water fowl, but having bested the bear-men handily as the world watched, we are confident that our courage will not be found wanting. Our infantry divisions, Akers and Jones, relentlessly run toward the fray, while the artillery of Addison and Jefferson has helped us to drive deep into enemy territory.

Despite the pomposity of those who fight only at their desks, my troops’ hopes and expectations are buoyant for we have prevailed in 12 of our 14 contests. And we believe that, by and by, we shall have a sharp retribution for those who have a base in Detroit.

Thank you for your tender gift of the muskrat pelt, with such a proven remedy for lung complaints I will prepared for all manner of le grippe. My stalwart trench man, O’Neill is suffering in his leg, but the surgeon does not think he will need to amputate. We have given him a brace and much aspen bark tea with just a touch of opium.

It gives me joy to share that O’Connell, my advisor and a former general himself, is finally being recognized by the powers that be for his invaluable leadership. I credit his voice in my ear for so much of my success in this season’s campaigns.

Know, that whatever happens, I will defend our territory in the north from all manner of attack. I pray that even before Christmas I may write to you of our victory in Washington.

Yours ever,

Sam