The Kid

When mildly retarded Chapman Clinchwood is sold into the Union army for the $400 enlistment bounty by his widowed mother, he is reluctant to serve, knowing the rid- icule and embarrassment he will have to endure.To his surprise, he is accepted into the ranks of the 57th Massachusetts VeteranVolunteers and soon placed in the Awk-ward Squad, or Dumb Dozen. Pining for his family, the 17-year-old undergoesdrilling and discipline and is shipped to thefront without seeing his mother and sib-lings again.Relieved of his rifle during a training mis- hap, Chapman becomes F Company's er- rand boy and gofer, slowly bonding with the doomed members of his mess while battling homesickness and the abuse of the company commander, Captain Quimby.Just how a "mental midget who's not evenallowed to carry a rifle" wins the respect ofhis comrades, is the central focus of thisfunny, quirky tale that culminates in thewar's most vicious encounter - the brutalBattle of the Crater. "Solid story . . . endearing characters" - Dana Davis, A&E Ed. St. Paul Pioneer Press "Funny, unflinching . . . the horror and waste of war, seen through the eyes of a 19th century Forest Gump" - Dr. John Belohlavek, USF