The Battle Cry of Freedom

CH 4

When the grand company left, headed up to my room.

I felt Mother’s eyes burn into the back of my dress as I escalated the stairs.

I closed the door to my chamber and gathered some belongings and a handful of money.

I glanced at the gold and diamond-infested ring on my finger. I yanked it off and tossed it on the dresser.

If I leave home at 6 I should get into town around 6 and a half. By then it will still be light. Then, I will head to the store and buy some male clothing and boots.

By that time of day, it will be dark.

 If the Union arrives by then, I will enlist. If my plan succeeds, the darkness will hide my weak features.  

I will be a soldier.  

I packed a small satchel with my necessities and took one last look at my room. One last look at myself in the mirror, myself as Suzannah.

What if I don’t return? What if I don’t make it back?

 “Stop makin’ a big deal.” I whispered to myself.

As I opened my window, thunder rolled. But I won’t let it stop me.

I landed with a thud. After crawling under the fence, I paused.

This is the first time I will leave home and not return.

I refused to look back at the house; I felt its eyes on my back as I ran to the woods.

By the time I got into town, the rain had seeped its was through my dress and soaked my hair. My heavy locks crawled their way out of my bun.

I walked down the empty streets. The glow from the rooms of houses above lit the way. The heavy raindrops threatened to tear through my clothes.

I ducked into the store and collected a button shirt, a pair of the smallest trousers I could grab, and a couple of socks, and used brogans.

When I went to pay the man looked at me funny. His moustache curved over his curious frown.

I slapped the money in his hand then headed to the nearest alleyway.

The stench made my brown eyes water.

I pulled off my clothes leaving just my corset and an undershirt and drawers I retrieved from father’s laundry.  

I pulled the corset tighter around the areas of my girlish figure.

I grabbed the bottom of my petticoats and tore a long strip of linen. I wrapped it around my bust tightly in attempt to disguise the cleavage.

Over the undergarments, I added my newly bought clothes.

I had just enough room to crouch down and pull my boots on.

Lastly, I placed a hat I had found earlier in the week on the streets on top of my blond hair.

I tucked in as much of my locks as I could. This wasn’t going to work as I hoped.

I retrieved a pair of fine silver shears stolen from Gracie’s sewing basket. Grabbing a handful of hair, I chopped away at my strands, golden threads falling to the floor. With each snip that echoed in my ear, my stomach churned with both regret and excitement.

When my barber’s job was complete, I stared into the puddle of mucky water that sat on the ground. I was dazed by how successful I was with my attempt.

I opened the door and threw my dresses into the nearby trash heap.

As I walked, thoughts raced around my mind.

Just as I started down the street, my shoulder struck another, a much heavier one.

“I’m terribly sorry, son.” A man’s voice said.

I looked up. I saw a blue coat with a gold stripe and a lone star. Union.

“What are you doing out here in this weather, son?” he asked.

My mouth hung open. I managed to stutter out a few words, “Um, I—I was—“  

The soldier watched me under his heavy brows. “You’re looking to be in the army, son?”

“Yes. Sir.”

He looked at me as if I were a lunatic, and then cleared his throat. “Well you are in luck, son. There is a line of boys like you enlisting in the shop right there on the corner.” He arched his brow and continued. “We suffered a great loss at Bull Run and we haven’t been able to restock since. We are in need of some young men.” His stern blue eyes stared into me.

I looked at him as if I knew what had happened at Bull Run. 

I nodded, “Yes, thank you, sir.” This try I sounded more like a boy who knows what he was doing.  

I could see a smile beneath his dirt-covered unshaven face. “Right this way. Now what is your name?”

“Suz— Sam. And my age is… nineteen.” Which was a lie, I was seventeen.

“Pleased to me you. I’m Colonel Coulter.”

I nodded, hoping that’s what I was supposed to do.

“Now follow me.” He smiled.