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

Her letter/a hard job

The danger was past, and Jenny, her father, and David were inside. Marcus must have already gone to his cabin. Her father sat on a chair, his hand still under his chin. Jenny took a good look at his jaw. There was blood on the side of his mouth, and she toweled it off and quickly went to get some cream to put on it. Otherwise, she thought he was going to be OK. On taking a closer look, she noticed he did have a loose tooth. She hoped it would firm up in time.

"I wish our boys were here to defend us," he said, after Jenny was done attending to him. "They won a big battle far to the east of us, but here in western Virginia, seems like they're leaving us to fend for ourselves."

"Pa, that's the way it is," said David. "Winning battles there will hopefully soon get us to Washington, and end this crazy war."

"I can't wait for it to be over and for Jeb to come home. I still can hardly believe he up and left us to join the Yankees," said Jenny's father.

Jenny was also hoping that the war would soon be over. In the next several days she went about her chores, but always with the knowledge that thousands of Union soldiers were camped somewhere down the road. She saw a few of them when she went to town with her father and Marcus, who rode with them in the back of the wagon to help with the load of supplies they needed. She noted there was a marked change about town. People spoke softly to each other both in the general store and on the street. The normal, easy going atmosphere of the town was gone. No one seemed to like it that the northerners had invaded and set up camp in the vicinity.

In town, her father got a newspaper as usual, and checked for mail. There was none. Jenny had hoped that by now there would be a letter from Daniel. Knowing that so many from both sides had died in the battle, she was worried for him. She made up her mind to write to him that very night.

Late that evening, after the sun had gone down, she retired to her bedroom, lit the wall sconce, got out her pen and paper and began to write.

Dear Friend,

We here have all heard about your wonderful victory. We were so happy. Pa said you should have gone on marching to Washington and end this war with a Southern victory. But that's just what he and some others are saying. Your generals probably know a lot more about it.

Daniel, I can't hide my fear any longer. We hear that so many were killed on both sides. I am so afraid for you. That we have not received any letter from you is just plain scary. I comfort myself thinking that there is a lot more to being a soldier than fighting and that you are busy and haven't had time to write. I pray that it is so.

Despite the wonderful news of your successful battle, the news here has not been good. We wish our soldiers were here to protect us from the enemy. Not sure if you know, but in the western part of Virginia, the Yankees have won some victories. In fact, right now there are a lot of them camped not far from us. People in town are mostly scared. They talk a lot in whispers, cause we can't do anything about them.

Yes, Daniel, we had a bad incident here just a few days ago. I was in the house when a whole troop of Yankees marched by on the road outside our front gate. There must have been two thousand or more. Then, some of them opened the gate and came into our yard. They didn't even stop at the house to ask, but just began helping themselves to the pump, filling their canteens.

That's when Pa, David and Marcus came back up from the lower forty. As you might imagine, there was some words spoken, and then Pa swung at one of them, knocking him down. I know, a real foolish thing for him to do, especially when there must have been twenty Yankees there. Well, the guy got up right away and swung at Pa, knocking him down. That's when I rushed out. Fortunately, the soldier in charge, a captain, sent the troublemaker away. He even apologized to my father for what happened.

So that's what we're living with around here. Sarah told me that Angela was going to have a party to celebrate your great victory, but I doubt if that's going to happen now, with the soldiers staying on.

Don't know what else to write, Daniel. I just hope you are well. Would love to send you something through the mail, if you could tell me what you could use. Not sure if any food would keep during the summer, but maybe later, if you are still fighting for us when it gets colder. I sure hope you are home by then, safe and sound.

Your true and lasting friend, Jenny

Finished, she folded the letter and put it in an envelope. She thought about the last line she had written. How instead of "true and lasting friend" she wanted to write, Your true love, Jenny. Knowing, regretfully, that Samantha was the one he thought of in that way, she wrote what she did.

Chapter Nine

As Daniel and Eli made their way back in the failing light to the standard of their regiment, the true devastation of the battle hit home to them. So many men had fallen and were lying in contorted positions of death, and others were wounded, crying for help. No wonder the Confederate generals chose not to pursue the enemy.

Another concern suddenly arose. Where were Hank, Keith, and John? Daniel hadn't seen them since they advanced against the enemy. He hoped they were not among the fallen.

They heard the bugles sounding, calling them back. From the hill to the west, from down by the river, from everywhere, the Confederate soldiers began streaming back to their units. Those dead, or casualties unable to walk were left where they lay, many crying for water or for help.

Daniel looked around as the army formed ranks. He saw men he had come with and fought with, and realized that some of the faces he had come to know were missing. The colonel's voice rang out steady and clear as raindrops began to fall.

"Men, we have defeated the enemy, but at great cost. Those of you who were among the last to enter the battle have been assigned to carry out the work of removing the wounded. That means  all of those unable to walk of their own accord. Behind me are stretchers you are to use to bring the wounded here. Once they are here, we will put them in wagons and take them to the Pringle House, about three miles away, which we are using for a hospital."

While standing in line, Daniel looked at Eli next to him, and then at the other men down the line. After walking past so many dead and wounded, the immensity of the task struck him. The Colonel continued, in loud voice.

"Remember, men. Our only concern is with the wounded. The hospital will not be a place to inter the dead. If a man seems sleeping, but you cannot quickly waken him, leave him. Tomorrow, in the light of day, we can better check on any that may still have a pulse. What we must do tonight is get those who can be helped to the hospital where they can be cared for. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir!" came the reply of the men up and down the long double line, including Daniel and Eli.

This part is hard, because more Americans were killed and wounded in the Civil War than in all the other battles including World War II and Vietnam. Fortunately, better times are coming for Daniel, and for Jenny as well.