Bid For Freedom

Chapter 53

Dani answered the knock on the door with a smile. Baby Charlotte had toddled and cooed as she chased a ball through the room.

"Mrs. Kirkland." The man tipped his hat. "I have a missive for you from the war department." He held out a letter with shaking hands.

She pursed her lips, accepting the letter.

The man nodded, fear and hope shining in his eyes as he retreated.

Dani took a deep breath as she closed the door and moved back into the kitchen.

Rosa looked up from where she was kneading bread. "That baby'll be walkin' afore we know it."

Dani forced a smile and nodded before sinking into a chair. The back door opened and David rushed inside.

"Is that word of Caleb and Jeremy?"

Dani shook her head. "I don't know."

He jumped from foot to foot and almost begged, "Please, Miss Dani. It's been too long."

She glanced at Rosa before opening the letter. With a trembling voice, she read the carefully scripted words.

Dear Mrs. Kirkland:

Thank you for your letter and for your husband's service during this time of great need. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any news that would aid you in your search. I have had my aides search all available records. Your husband, Caleb Kirkland, was accounted for in every major and several minor skirmishes until Chattanooga. Due to the sheer number of casualties involved, we have been unable to get an accurate accounting of those that perished. We have been unable to find record of him following this moment in the war.

It is, therefore, impossible for me to say whether he lives or if he has indeed perished. I can tell you that most of the prisoners of war have been transferred to the prison at Andersonville. Due to our extremely tenuous status, communications with the prison is quite impossible and I am unaware of any existing record of those imprisoned there.

I do not wish to alarm you, but Andersonville has quite the reputation as a prison. Its horrible conditions and lack of adequate nutrition have provided quite the hellish environment for its residents. It is quite unlikely that a healthy man would survive, let alone one who may have been wounded.

At this point, the only thing I can suggest is prayer, a great deal of prayer.

I wish you well and best of luck in your search.

Sincerely,

General VanDar

Dani dropped the letter onto the table, a shuddering sob escaping her lips.

"That settles it. I'm going to Andersonville. I'm going to get my son."

Dani spun in her seat. "He didn't say he was there."

"I refuse to think that he's dead. I'll not lose another son."

David lunged forward, grasping at Heber's sleeve. "Take me with you."

Heber shook off the boy's hand. "No. War is too horrible even for a man. Boy's shouldn't see what we must, at times, deal with."

"But the letter said he was in prison."

"No. The letter said most the prisoners of war were sent to this one location. If he is to be found, that'd be the place to look," Heber said.

"Miss Dani. Please help him understand why I need to go. They saved me. Please let me save them."

Dani's heart broke as she watched the young man crumple in front of her.

Charlotte's eyes widened before bursting into tears.

Dani gathered the wailing toddler into her arms and retreated to her room, unsure what to do next.

She scanned the room, looking for something - anything to take her mind off of Caleb. Her fingers traced the Pinkerton ad in the paper. The detectives specialized in finding people. She hoped this would be the case, even in war.

With the baby asleep, she returned to the kitchen.

"Rosa. Charlotte is asleep. I'm going into town to send a wire."

Rosa's eyes widened. "Do you want someone to go with you?"

"Rasmus will. Or George. I should be back before dark."

"Yes, ma'am."