chaapter 3 sentence summarize the chapters main points

This is difficult in so few sentences.

Throughout the summer, Bill who remains quiet goes to the rallies in town, taking Jethro along. The two younger boys, Tom and EB, promise to go to war as soon as they are able, and Shad and John plan to leave by mid-winter. Shad will finish his contract to teach at school, and John will help with the harvest and provide food for the family before going. After Tom and Eb have gone to war in late summer, there is news of another Northern defeat at Wilson's Creek in Missouri.