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

"You be careful, real careful"

Jenny stayed close to the farm the next few days. She was afraid her younger brother would leave for the war, just as her older brother had done. Secretly, she hoped he wouldn't be accepted because of his foot. Meanwhile, reports kept coming in the news and even from passing travelers that Union troops were meeting little resistance and were taking over much of western Virginia. So far, she had not seen them.

Sarah had not visited her since that night when they heard the cannons booming. Finished now with the dishes, Jenny put on her bonnet and headed to her house. She wanted to find out more about Sarah and Rex.

"Hi Mrs. Chandler," she said on entering their house after a quick knock on the door.

"Jenny," she said, rising from her knitting to come to her, giving her a silent hug.

Jenny was not used to such warmth on the part of Mrs. Chandler. She looked at her closely, sensing something was amiss. "Are you OK, Mrs. Chandler?"

"No I am not, Jenny. I am definitely not all right. It's our son, John. He's thinking he is going to join in the fighting. I am so afraid for him."

"David, too. David thinks he should enlist. I keep talking to him, telling him. . ."

"Him too!" she interrupted. "Will we have no young men left, Jenny?"

Jenny could see that Mrs. Chandler was upset. She tried to calm her, reiterating to her that she didn't want her brother to join and would try to talk to him.

"Jenny, you're a sensible girl. You talk to him good. I know young men get things in their heads, but surely he will listen to reason."

Jenny realized that Mrs. Chandler didn't know that her older brother had already joined, on the Union side. She hoped she wouldn't find out. "Where's Sarah?" she quietly asked.

"Out back," she answered, an odd look on her face.

Jenny exited the back door, and saw Sarah in the near field. She waved to her, and Sarah waved for her to come and join her. When she approached, she saw what she was doing. Picking strawberries.

Sarah set down her bucket, stepping up to hug her. "Did mom tell you? I mean about my brother?"

"Yeah. My brother too."

"Really? David?"

"I don't understand it, Sarah. I mean David has always been the gentle one, compared to my Pa and older brother. He's the one I can confide in. And now, he wants to go to war. War is terrible, Sarah. I once read a novel that described the violence and all the killed and wounded soldiers." Jenny began to break up, just talking about the subject. She stopped talking, hung her head, her hands hung uselessly at her sides.

Sarah put an arm around her. "Don't think about it, Jenny. Maybe things will somehow work out. Don't think about the worst that could happen. You will only get yourself depressed."

Jenny lifted her head and looked at her friend. She managed a smile. Finally, she said, "Let me help you with those strawberries."

They worked together, and later, when she left, Jenny went home with a small bucket of them. She looked forward to sharing them with her family in the morning. When she stepped in the front door it was late, and her father and brother had gone to bed.

She awoke the next day to find her menfolk gone, not surprising as they were early risers. She was glad they had seen the berries and had helped themselves to some of them. She made herself some oatmeal for breakfast, putting slices of fresh strawberries on top. After cleaning the dishes, her next job was to feed the chickens and gather eggs. She heard a carriage outside on the road, and was surprised when it stopped at their gate. Looking out, she realized it was Daniel. Quickly pulling off her apron and finding a brush to fluff up her hair, she rushed out.

Daniel had left his buggy. His hand was already opening the gate, and Jenny noted that his walk seemed different, less relaxed. She hoped that nothing was wrong. "Hi!" she said, as she came close to him.

"Jenny," he said, looking mighty serious. "Wanted to tell you I'm going off to fight."

"What?" she uttered.

"Can't take it anymore, Jenny. Those Federals invading our country and taking over everything. Do you know they are already in the next town over?"

"But Daniel," she said, trying to think quickly. "Don't you think this whole thing is going to blow over?"

Now she was standing next to him. She looked into his eyes and said, "Daniel, I'm scared for you. Please don't do it."

Daniel put an arm on her waist, saying, "Jenny, a man's gotta do what's right. I don't care nothin' about the slaves one way or another, but when Yankees invade your land, you have to stand up to them."

Jenny could see that Daniel was determined. She knew further words from her would not sway him. She feared the worst, and with tears in her eyes, she asked, "Is that what you came to tell me, Daniel Jenkins?"

"No need to get formal with me, Jenny. I'll do what I need to do for the South, and then when it's over I'll come back to see you. One thing I would like to ask of you.

She wiped away a tear. "What, Daniel?"

"Sure would love it if the second prettiest girl in the county would be willing to write to me. I'm sure to get lonely away from my folks, you, and Samantha."

There, he said it again. For her, he was number one, but for him, she was number two. She cared little if she was pretty or not. She only wanted to be first with him. "Sure, Daniel," she answered, after taking a deep breath. "I'll write to you. I just want you to be careful. Real careful."

"Thank you, Jenny. He put his arms around her, for a moment holding her tight. She closed her eyes, reveling in his embrace. Too soon, he released her. She opened her eyes and boldly looked at him right on.

Jenny, don't look at me that way," he said. "I'll be coming back when the job is done." Already, he was walking away from her, looking back.

"You just make sure to take care of yourself, Mr. Daniel."

She stood watching him as he opened the gate, hopped into his buggy, and drove off. She knew exactly where he was going. To Samantha, in his mind "the prettiest girl in the county."

Walking back slowly to the house, she thought of what she needed to do that day. Mending socks and churning butter came first to her mind.

That night, as she prepared for bed, a horrifying thought came to her. Daniel was joining the Secessionists. Her brother, Jeb, had already joined the Northern cause, and her younger brother was strongly thinking about leaving too. Who would be left to do the work of the farm? And worse, might Jeb shoot and kill Daniel? Or would Daniel in the heat of battle be shooting at Jeb?

These thoughts were overwhelming to her. Tears came frequently as she tossed and turned in her bed. She tried reasoning with herself. She knew she was always one to fear the worst, particularly when worrying about those she loved. Maybe her worst fears wouldn't happen at all. She crossed herself, hoping and praying for the best. Finally, she fell into a restless sleep.

Not much a girl can do when her brother and the man she loves are both going off to war. This story is partly about the war but more importantly about the lives and loves of those caught up in it. And most particularly of Jenny and her guy.