Michael had mustered out that day as the scout for his company which put him in the forefront of the fighting most days. He was separated from the rest twice and nearly killed when a pullet shot his hat from his head and grazed the top of his head. When the hair grew back in the scar it was pure white, and because of that he appeared much older than his years. From then on he was know as "Ole Mike." It served him well as his enemy usually underestimated him and often got careless to their peril. 12 weeks into the fighting he got that first letter. It was more than a month old, and he hooted like a teenager when he read that he was going to be a father. The news made him more careful, but not afraid to do what must be done. He had two reasons to live and he was determined that he would see his wife and child.
One day his company was ambushed in the middle of the night, and the enemy inflicted a horrible toll on the men. Mike was wounded three times before they were finally driven off. With half the men dead and a third of the rest wounded. Mike was assigned to get the wounded home (though wounded himself) and the rest were assigned to another unit. They were three weeks march from home. Despite a wounded left arm, a broken ankle, and a bayonet wound to his thigh, Ole Mike hitched Valor to the remains of a wagon he found and repaired, and loaded the thirteen wounded men in back He headed out for home under cover of darkness, freezing in the snow.
Christmas eve at sunset the rickety wagon pulled on to his farm and Valor winied as he smelled home. despite being half starved he pulled the wagon to the front of the house with renewed vigor.