[October 21, 2023] “Old Red” was the best coonhound (a Redbone Hound) on this side of the Mississippi River, and I was happy to know Billy, his owner, and I often went hunting with him and his dog. All three of us were each eight years old, regularly went dove hunting together, successfully, I might add, and we were like glue, always stuck together: Billy, Old Red, and Douglas. All dogs we possess during our lifetimes have a special place in our hearts, as did Old Red, a dog that was the envy of the county and didn’t even belong to me. And it was the right thing to do, rightfully caring for this hunting dog because this coonhound spent so much time with us; he had something special in him. If you can love a dog, this was love. Billy’s father got into bird hunting a few years earlier and had purchased “Red” as a pup from an old man who lived along the Bon
We hunt with a shotgun. Hit the bird in the air, my dad would say – never on the ground, not good sportsmanship – and only on command would Old Red fetch the bird, not ever before the command is given. No one wants to shoot their own dog accidentally. We were family. I never owned a coonhound myself. Bird hunting with coonhounds was to warm up our excitement for the big hunt, hunting for what coonhounds are bred to do: track and tree raccoons. I desired to get myself a raccoon, gut and clean the coon, and make a coonskin hat like Daniel Boone wore at least the myth says he wore it. Nope, I never succeeded in making one. I was only on a single coon hunt, and it was really exciting, and it is hard to explain how much of an adventure these hunts can be. Billy’s dad organized the coon hunt; we all had our flashlights; you see, a coon hunt is at night. This time, Billy and I had our hunt cut short. When climbing over a wood fence to follow Old Red, Billy promptly blew one of his big toes clean off before we could tree a single coon. He let out the most blood-curdling scream I ever heard. I ran like a wild animal to find Billy’s dad, who picked up Billy and carried him to the car and then to the ER. Yep, Billy had violated one of the rules of handling guns when hunting – never cross a fence with a loaded gun in your hands and with the safety off. Hmmm, actually, that’s two safety violations. The following day, we tried but couldn’t locate his toe. A local old man said raccoons had likely run off with the missing toe. Oh, the irony here did not escape us. Our dads were not happy at all about the whole affair. Rats! I missed out on the complete hunt.
One problem with Old Red, and a common problem with coonhounds, was his habit of running off. He would be hanging out at Billy’s side, sniffing the ground. If he got on a scent, poof, off he went at a full gallop. He would follow that scent over Hill and Dale, ignoring Billy and others calling his name. One time, Old Red ran into a road where a car nearly hit him. That scared us. One Saturday morning, a few months later, we walked along abandoned railroad tracks near a trestle bridge. I’d been there before with my friend Wilson and knew not to jump off the bridge. Drowning in the water below was a risk. We took along Billy’s older sister, who was a bit of a tomboy by nature, and she led us to one of her favorite hiding spots near a dilapidated shed once used to store railroad items. Upon arrival at the shed, Old Red ran off again, this time sniffing along a weed-covered ditch. He refused to come out and began to howl. We all laughed because that meant he had spotted a raccoon. As we worked our way down to Old Red, Billy’s sister let out a squeal. “Gimpy” Billy, as we now kidded him, pointed to the dense brush. In the ditch was a mama raccoon in a trap, along with her litter of six or seven babies. I took off my shirt, wrapping the mama coon while Billy’s sister freed her foot, and then, just like that, they waddled off to their home. Old Red had finally found his raccoon, and we got our raccoon hunt.
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Please read my books:
Indeed, these letters put a huge smile on my face too.
Another super-duper letter. Ha Ha, they always make me smile.
Once again, I will say that these letters are super and I’m really enjoying them. I started to read them to my kids at night and they laugh with me. Appreciate you sharing.
Yep, great series.
And I’m enjoying them, everyone. If you haven’t read them yet, go to the tab that re-lists them. I hope Gen. Satterfield continues these and improves upon the linking to all of them in some way that makes sense.
As I noted on another of these articles, Gen. Satterfield sure knows how to tell a great story and make that story resonate with everyone, at least in the civilized world.
…… and this is why exactly the reason I love this website so much and also reading his letters to his oldest granddaughter. He sees the oldest, like him, to have more responsibilities ….. the question is what are those responsibilities and why are those imposed upon the oldest kid (grandkid in this case)? That is why I’m interested in his ‘connecting the dots’ so to speak. Let’s see how this bears out. I know that Gen. Satterfield reads these comments… maybe he will comment too.
Good point mainer. Let’s wait and see.
Same here. Thanks mainer. ✔
This series resonates with everyone. But, if you have ever served in the military you will get a better feel for what he is writing. Also, knowing about the basics of human psych will help you more.
Gen. Satterfield is da man. Love this series as I have pointed out before. You got me hooked, sir.
Nailed it Valkerie. I’m too sucked into these stories.
Yep
“We hunt with a shotgun. Hit the bird in the air, my dad would say – never on the ground, not good sportsmanship – and only on command would Old Red fetch the bird, not ever before the command is given. No one wants to shoot their own dog accidentally. We were family. I never owned a coonhound myself. Bird hunting with coonhounds was to warm up our excitement for the big hunt, hunting for what coonhounds are bred to do: track and tree raccoons. I desired to get myself a raccoon, gut and clean the coon, and make a coonskin hat like Daniel Boone wore at least the myth says he wore it. Nope, I never succeeded in making one. ” Gen. Satterfield sure knows how to push us all back in time. Same for me. I think gen. Satterfield was born a couple of decades earlier than me, but I can still enjoy it.
Eddie, I think we all can enjoy it. That is why these blog posts get more comments and views.
God bless, General Satterfield. And also bless his friends.
Well done with this letter. I laughed and cried both. And I nearly snorted my morning cup of coffee when I read that Billy blew his toe off. 😜
I laughed when you wrote that your friend Billy blew off his big toe. Now, I don’t like to laugh at this as a tragic event but for the reason it was unexpected and also teaches us that even long ago (cough cough) that there were safety procedures for owning and carrying a gun (shot gun in this case). Always be careful how you handle guns. Oh, the right way to cross a fence is to put it on safe (always on safe while moving) and prop the gun on the fence where it cannot fall, then cross over. And only after everyone has crossed, then pickup the gun. If you are doing a military operation, that does not apply.
BTW, great artlcle yesterday, too. Thanks for these off-topic manly blogs. I also want to say that this series of letters is also my favorite. Others have asked that you continue them. I vote you continue too.
Thinking the same thing, Golly Woman from EHT. Thamnks.
Wow, great letter. I hope your granddaughter appreciates them.
“Old Red” was the best coonhound (a Redbone Hound) on this side of the Mississippi River, and I was happy to know Billy, his owner, and I often went hunting with him and his dog. — Gen. Doug Satterfield
What a great story.
You got that right, Eduardo s.
We all are just loving this love story for his granddaughter.
Gen. Satterfield, please continue this series, the best you ever wrote.
Thank you!!!!
Yep, Emma, Spot on.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 LOL
Thanks for the emjois. I’m learning them slowly. 🤣
Another great Letter to my granddaughter.
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I want more.
Thank you sir.
Gen. Satterfield is going out of his way to bring us back in time to see the major points in his life (those that he rememebers well) that are major influences on his life and times. There is no doubt that these letters are written in a setting of the 1960s (mostly) and he is also drawing a link between them and his success as an Army General. I for one would love for him to ‘connect the dots’ a little stronger. Maybe he will do this in his upcoming book. will you Gen. Satterfield.?
Yes, he will. I’m sure of it. That is why he has this website. Gen. Satterfield rocks!!!!!!!
Pray for this site to continue and for the best for Gen. S. and his family.
🙏
Right, Pastor John. Gen. S. is showing us the way. Even if someone does not like it, too bad on them. They are throwing away great lessons of life from a young boy.
Love this site, Pastor John, I think we all do and find his current series very entertaining and educational too.
Thinking the same thing, Army Captian.
This is rapidly becoming the best feature of this blog, ever! Gen. Satterfield, these letters are a great insight into what developed you and your friends. Please continue publishing them often. ❤
Janice, yep, thinking the same thing. What else is there to say other than I hope we can read more.
If you really want to get a lot of value from this new series of letters, then you have got to read his latest book “55 Rules for a Good Life.” This is how you can link the lessons Gen. Satterfield is learning what he does to put together rules for a “good” life. Note good life, not any life. But is it tough and having these childhood experiences is a start to link this boyhood experiences and living a goo life too.