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

"You deserve better," she said

        

Winter was coming. Already, most of the leaves had dropped from the trees and frosty weather greeted them in the morning. Ah, hot coffee with a warm breakfast was the best thing for that. Thankfully, his parents had sent him some warm clothes. And Jenny had sent him a warm hat. Wasn't like his military issue, but he wore it a lot—any time he didn't have to participate in the drills. The hat was so warm by comparison, he actually cherished it. And, of course, he remembered Jenny, the thoughtful girl who had sent it.

So, he thought, what is the huge army doing just sitting here in one place? Ostensibly they were there to protect the enemy route to Richmond. But what army would set out in winter? Daniel thought more and more that instead he should be home.

The next day, he and his friends began building a small log structure. One that was going to be their "winter quarters." Something to hopefully keep out the cold night air. A place that would actually have a fireplace. Now, amid all the talk and commotion of close quarter camp life, the sound of axes biting wood was steady.

"OK," said Eli, who had been bending over with an axe, hacking away to notch a log. "Here's another one ready."

Hank left from helping Daniel to position the previous log, and he and Eli carried the next one to the shelter which was rapidly taking shape. As they continued the next day with building, Daniel took some time to slip over to the Lieutenant's log house to put in his request for leave. On returning, he encouraged his friends to do the same. Later that same night, he wrote letters to Samantha, Jenny, and his parents

.

* * *

"OK, let's go," said Daniel as he and Hank grabbed their haversacks and bedrolls with their clothes inside. It was surprising how light they felt without having to also carry their rifles and cartridge boxes. Saying goodbye to their messmates, Eli, John, and Keith, they began walking out of the camp. It was still early in the morning. Already, they were passing soldiers in other battalions they didn't know.

"On furlough," said Hank to one soldier who looked inquisitively at him.

Daniel actually enjoyed the stares, though he felt sorry that more were not allowed leave time to return home. He suspected that his recent promotion to corporal had something to do with his luck in obtaining a pass. That pass was important. He held it safe in his underneath shirt pocket close to his heart. He wore an extra shirt now that cold weather had come to northern Virginia. On the pass were written the terms of his leave status: dates, a description of him, the Lieutenant's signature, and an official stamp.

The two men walked comfortably together through the camp, and when they reached the farthest point they got their passes out to show to the picket on duty. He looked at the passes, looked up at them, and said. "Wish I could go home too."

"Try," said Daniel. "They can only say no and they might say yes."

"I'll do that," he said, and waved them off.

From talking to others, Daniel and Hank had a fairly good idea of how to find their way to Manassas Junction, where they hoped to get on the train. Neither had much in the way of currency, but they knew that a law had been passed allowing confederate soldiers free rides on southern railroads.

After a long walk, they made it to Manassas Junction. No train awaited them, so they sat down on benches near the track, lifted off their backpacks and waited. Nearby were buggies and wagons of every sort, waiting either to pick up or drop off passengers and freight. Finally, they heard the horn sound, and soon the great train arrived, chugging into the station, followed by a huge plume of black smoke arising from its smokestack.