Knowlt Hoheimer didn’t join the army because he stole hogs—that warrant came after he’d already left. Lydia Puckett, the speaker, reveals the real story: Knowlt caught her with Lucius Atherton, they fought, and she told him never to come near her again. So he stole the hogs and ran off to war. Lydia tells this in a flat, almost gossipy voice, as though she’s setting the record straight. She doesn’t sound guilty or sad; if anything, she’s coolly aware of the power she had over him. The poem ends with the bitter, knowing line, “Back of every soldier is a woman,” suggesting that love trouble and wounded pride can push a man toward war just as strongly as duty or danger. The mood feels wry, small-town, and quietly tragic.
Lydia Puckett — Summary
Knowlt Hoheimer ran away to the war The day before Curl Trenary Swore out a warrant through Justice Arnett For stealing hogs. But that’s not the reason he turned a soldier. He caught me running with Lucius Atherton. We quarreled and I told him never again To cross my path. Then he stole the hogs and went to the war— Back of every soldier is a woman.