My Brother Sam Is Dead

Chapter 12 opens with the sad news of Father’s death on a British prison ship. Betsy Read gives Tim the news that Jerry Sanford has also died on a British prison ship. Mother repeats her earlier sentiment, that “this war has turned men into animals” (166). Even Betsy agrees and thinks that Sam should have come home when he had the chance. Mother repeats a statement she has heard from her husband many times: “In war the dead pay the debts for the living” (167).

Tim’s growth continues as he engages in the running of the family businesses. He is beginning to look forward to a time when he can study mathematics and surveying. He even plans on selling some cows he acquires to the British commissary, despite what doing so cost his Father. Amid this, Sam returns. He advises Tim to kill the cows, butcher them, and hide the meat. Sam is a changed man. No longer believing in the myth of glory in war, he says that the only thing that matters are your friends. At the same time, he says that starving men, whether British or Patriot, will steal another person’s meat. Mother repeats for the third time, “[w]ar turns men into animals” (174).