Rebel Heart: (Swept Away) Of Life and Love during the American Civil War

Things are getting serious

Very early in the morning, before first light, there was a light tap on her partially ajar door. In a quiet voice she asked, "Who is it?"

"Jeb."

"Jeb, it's not even light outside. What is it?"

He entered her room. "Jenny, I'm leaving. Want someone in the family to know."

Jenny sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes to make sure it wasn't a dream. "I don't understand, Jeb. Why would you be leaving now?"

"Cause I'm going to fight. Lincoln needs soldiers to put down the rebellion. I'm telling you cause I don't think Dad or David would understand."

Jenny moved over on her bed. "Sit a moment with me, Jeb. You're going to fight against our own state? Against Virginia?"

"Jenny it's important to keep the states united. Don't know about you, but people like Marcus deserve to be free. I mean he works right alongside us and Dad, but he gets nothing out of it. Don't think it's right, Jenny."

She patted his arm and looked into his eyes. "Jeb, if you really have to go, I want you to be careful. Don't get yourself hurt."

"Ah, Jenny," he said, putting an arm around her. "It will be over before you know it. We jest got to show the southern states we're not going to stand for them attacking Fort Sumter and seceding from the Union. President Lincoln has called for men to be ready to fight for only ninety days. I'm going to sign up and do my part."

Jenny always felt small next to her biggest brother. She looked up into his eyes and turning, spontaneously wrapped her arms around his body. She felt his arms go around her as well, and then he released her, his finger wiping a tear from her cheek.

"Gotta go. Before Dad wakes up and tries to stop me. I'll send you all a letter as soon as I know where I'll be. Tell Dad and my brother I love them." He rose from her bed, reached out a hand to tousle her hair, and then with a quick turn stepped out of the room.

She stood up, and went to the door. From his horse, he looked back at her and waved. She mouthed the words, "Goodbye" and waved, her hand moving only a little.

Even though it was still early, she knew she couldn't get back to sleep. She was too overwrought. Quietly, she went to the kitchen, started a fire in the stove, and heated up some oatmeal in a saucepan, adding a spoonful of sugar. She didn't look forward to being the one to tell her father that Jeb went to fight for the Union.

He entered the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. Seeing her he said, "Hi, honey. You're up early."

"Yeah. I could hardly sleep after what happened last night."

Her father looked at her, concerned. "What do you mean? Didn't you have a good time?"

Jenny looked at him, hardly knowing what to say. Finally, she blurted it out. "Dad, last night George was shot. He was killed."

"George. George." She could tell her father was recollecting. "You don't mean George Bairstall?"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Oh my God!" Taking a chair and moving it next to her he said, "Tell me what happened, Jenny."

She proceeded to tell him what she knew. He listened intently, and as she told the story, she knew that soon she would also have to tell him about Jeb leaving to join the Union. She didn't know which would shock him more.

As she finished telling about the shooting, her father just kept shaking his head, as if it was something he didn't want to believe. Then he stood up, leaving her to go toward the stove. "Things are going to get worse, Jenny. Mark my words; this is only the beginning."

David entered the kitchen. "Mornin,' Pa, Jenny. Don't often see you up this early," he added, looking at her.

"Mornin'."

"You OK?" he asked.

"Bad scene at the wedding," her father answered for her. Jenny was glad that her father began telling him about what happened last night. She regretted having to talk about it at all. Finishing her cereal, she wanted to leave the kitchen. Already, her father and brother were engaged in a lively conversation about what might happen next. Still needing to tell them about Jeb, she broke in.

"Daddy. David. Jeb left early this morning. He was heading north to join the Union."

They quickly turned around to face her. "What?"

Jenny suddenly had a lot of explaining to do. Both her father and brother asked her so many questions relating to what Jeb said to her. She could see they were vexed, both because he was going to join the Union, and because he could be killed in battle. Finally she told them, "Dad, David, I've told you all I know. I'm sorry he's gone too, but there's nothing anyone can do about it now."

A few days after the terrible wedding night, Jenny and her family got the news that Virginia had voted to secede from the Union. But what everyone noted, was that where they lived, in the western part of Virginia, their delegates had voted against secession. Already, there was talk of the west breaking off from Virginia and forming a second state.

While armies were being formed on both sides, Jenny prayed that somehow fighting could be averted and peace could be restored. She didn't understand the deeply entrenched views that would fuel the war.

She looked forward to seeing Daniel, and without fail tried to be on the lookout for him when he would come by on the way to Samantha's house. As she thought to herself, theirs was a funny relationship. She secretly loved him and he apparently really liked her. But, she was always second best in his thoughts.

She heard his rig coming, and stepping out into the yard, walked closer to the front gate. She lifted a hand in greeting and he pulled on the reins. As he stopped, she swung open the gate and went to him.

"Hi, Jenny," he said, tipping his hat. "Sorry about the other night. Had no idea something like that would happen."

She stood there, one hand on the buggy seat, looking up at him. "Yeah, that was something I will never forget. Not your fault, Daniel. I don't think there was anything you could have done."

"True. I must say, you sure looked sweet in the outfit you made for yourself. I wasn't the only guy who noticed."

Jenny, looked down and away from Daniel. He had a way of saying things that made her heart melt. She was afraid that if she looked directly at him, he would see how much she was enamored of him. Not good, when someone else was first in his mind. Changing the subject, she told him about her older brother.

"Really, he joined the Union forces?"

"Yeah, slipped out real early. I think he knew Pa would be mad."

"This part of Virginia, a man could go either way. I'm hoping the whole thing blows over. Lincoln only called for a three month enlistment of 75,000 troops. Seems even the president doesn't think it will last very long."

"I hope so, Daniel. I'm worried about my brother. Hope he doesn't have to fight."

Daniel reached for her hand, squeezed it, and bending toward her said, "I hope not, Jenny."

"I'm glad you're not one of those rushing to enlist. If no one joined there wouldn't be any fighting."

Daniel smiled at her. "Jenny, you say the darnest things. Not that it isn't true. I better be going on to Samantha's. Glad I was able to see you, Jenny." He tipped his hat in her direction, flipped the reins and was gone. Jenny watched him drive off till he rounded the bend and disappeared from sight. She sighed, then went back toward the house.