The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army — Oliver Optic

"Fort Sumter has surrendered, mother " shouted Thomas Somers, as he rushed into the room where his mother was quietly reading her Bible. It was Sunday, and the exciting news had been circulated about the usually quiet village of Pinchbrook Harbor. Men's lips were compressed, and their teeth shut tight together. They were indignant, for traitors had fired upon the flag of the United States. Men, women, and children were roused by the indignity offered to the national emblem. The cannon balls that struck the walls of Sumter seemed at the same time to strike the souls of the whole population of the North, and never was there such a great awakening since the Pilgrim Fathers first planted their feet upon the rock of Plymouth. "Fort Sumter has surrendered " shouted the indignant young patriot again, as his mother looked up from the blessed volume. "You don't say so " exclaimed Mrs. Somers, as she closed the Bible, and removed her spectacles.