The Book of Common

Fort Morgan

I am a tellin you, I am at Fort Morgan now I'll stay
on track here. Been stuck here three days darn it
all! Food has been bad. The likes of soup and bread. Hey That's not a meal folks.  Common rather have meat potatoes. Soup and stew is for the camp. If am at a post I want a darn meal. Not
soup or darn stew. Well you a askin why I am stuck
here? Been feeling poorly, that blame summer cold. Figured few days at a fort rest a spell.

Rather be at a town eating good, doc is free here
figured get checked over. Yep just a cold like I thought. What good is a doctor, if I knows what's
wrong with me. Now I can't leaves for three more
days. Fort Morgan middle of no darn where.
peninsula folks like a finger pointing out to the
Ocean Blue. Fort sits near the tip of Mobile Bay
entrance, across the entrance is Dauphin Island
Fort Gaines is on it, least they say theys an Island
I can't see it. Supposed to be another Island almost off the point called Sand Island can't see it either.

Just a take they word for it. Ain't gettin on a boat
ta find out folks, unlessin I have ta. Ocean Blue is to darn big for me. Well like I said food is bad sand
every blame place ya step. Heat dear me, always feel wet from the sweat and even the air feels damp. Best way ta splain it. Why is it a fort is always stuck middle of no where. I can see this
one protecting the Bay. Most are folks not blame thing around ta do. Can't live on a bread and soup diet. Lan sakes I need some meat potatoes.

I'll get to the point of this story soon. Sorry ya know I have tendencies to forget the story go
off on another. Like I said stuck three days,
I was till I peeved off the Doc. Told him I needed
better food or I'd end up sicker than I was. Well
that got him mad as a pissed hornet. Seems he
works out the meals for the Ranger Post here.

Lan sakes got him all fired up and nasty. Told me
my un-needed break was over. That I was ta quit
being a slacker. Big mistake I was told by that fool
Doctor I had ta stay least six days. I wasn't a blame slacker! Well folks I am Common doesn't always
mean I haves common sense. Guess what? Come
on now just guess! Well I can't hears ya, so I'll go
on.

I told that prissy ass no good! Worthless son of a buck Doctor to piss off! I'd had nough of his mouth
and food plannin! That a man needed more than
Broth and what ever to survive! Don't think any one ever told him off. Looked at me funny kind a
perplexed by it all. This is where the story gets
interesting ta say the least folks.

He says you stay put, don't leave I'll be right back.
Well he comes back in what seems like an hour.
Wasn't that long I'd a left. He says well Cap agrees
its our turn to send out someone ta light the lamp
and such on the Lighthouse. Here is your orders.
Go down to the docks building B they will take care of ya. Get out to the Island. I says Hey Now
I ain't goin to no Blame Island! You will! You will and like it or go on charges!

Well I just put myself in a hard place.
I says I don't even know a thing about
a Lighthouse. The Ma will show ya what ya needs
ta know. Best be goin he says, time is a wastin.

Well building B is a supply house rations and stuff.
Tell him I was told ta report here handed him my
orders. He just laughed easy job, they think its
punishment. What ya do? Told off the Doc I says
his food program. Wasn't fit for man. He laughed
some more, Ma show ya what ta do. She is a sweet
Lady. Hell She could run the house with out us.
Law says has to be two man and a woman. I asks
who is Ma? He says nice lady that stays at the house. We rotate with the army to send out a man
ta help her. Believe me its not a bad week at all.

He tosses four bags of food places three bottles of wine and three of ale, one bottle Corn Licker.
This should hold ya over. Ma is a real good lady
she'll take care of ya he winks at me. I nods well
where do I go to gets to this Island.