An American Soldier: Dreams of a Child

by Warren Reiten

During a time our nation was divided in a Civil War, slaves were escaping to the north for freedom. Meanwhile, a young slave boy had a dream. “I wonts to be a Union soldier, Ma. I wonts to fight to free you!” After his parents were murdered by Confederate soldiers, Henry held on to that dream. This is a story of his right of passage and courageous development through life. Growing up as an orphan, Henry Washington became the first Black Army Officer. His battles went beyond fighting the Sioux Indians; he fought prejudices, personal tragedies, and injustices. This is Henry’s journey in becoming an officer and a gentleman…

410 pages, Paperback

First published October 10, 2005

Reviews

[TuckerT · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is about a 5 year old boy named Henry. He and his parents live in the south on a plantation during the civil war. One day Confederate Soldiers came and raided the plantation and killed every slave on the plantation, including his parents right in front of his eyes. A day later a man named Bishop Jackson came from the African Episcopal Church. The Bishop found Henry and took him to an orphanage . When Henry turned 16 he told Bishop Jackson that he wanted to go to West Point Military Academy. He was the first black to graduate from West Point. Henry's roommate from the acedemy ended up in the same regiment as Henry, his name was Fred. Fred was killed in battle. Henry had to overcome his friends death and keep going. There was racism in the Calvary and a white soldier set Henry up to look like he stole money from the army, Henry was tried at court and discharged out of the army. Henry moved to Mexico and became a land reformer who met a beautiful lady named Juanita. Later they got married and had a daughter named Carmen. Henry and Juanita kept working together in the reform department and worked as a couple for 15 years. The family traveled together for work and was on a train when it was ambushed by revolutionaries. They were searching for Henry to kill him but instead raped and killed Juanita and Carmen. Henry was shot 3 times in the chest but lived. Henry recovered quickly and 3 years later he met a man who also wanted to get revenge on the killers who killed his family. They succeeded in carrying out a mission to assassinate the killer of his family. After hat he felt closure and safe once again. He moved back to the United States and lived the rest of his life working for the U. S. Government and died at the age of 95, talking to children from an orphanage .