Chapter 25, Linn County, Kansas, 1865 Summary

In June 1865 the war is over and Jeff finds it a difficult adjustment to return to civilian status. He experiences so much over the 4-year period that it seems as if 15 years has passed instead. Jeff, John Chadwick, David Gardner, and Bill Earle travel the road home, first stopping at Bill's Aunt Phoebe's house for dinner and a sleepover. Jeff goes home a sergeant. General Blunt personally sees to the promotion after Leemon Jones arrives at Fort Gibson with the intelligence.

The homeward bound men witness the aftermath of the destruction of the war and raids on houses, farms, and fields as they ride their horses north. The process to rebuild all that was lost will take a long time.

Jeff finds it difficult to leave Bill Earle, a comrade that he ate with, bunked with, and...