When the Blue Meets the Gray

IV. Brother Against Brother

[This chapter contains actual events of the First Battle of Manassas/Bull Run]

Thomas's POV:

Date(s): July 16 - July 21, 1861

Brigadier General McDowell gathered us together and we began marchin' out of Washington on July 16. I only knew the date because Lizzie kept a diary where she documented her day and had a calendar so that she knew what day it was. Don't worry; I haven't read her diary. It's private and is meant for her eyes only.

We finally arrived in Virginia a few days later and the men were rowdy on the eve of battle. Brigadier General McDowell discussed the plans with us for the next day.

The next morning, we began gathering at Bull Run. We struck the Confederates in an attempt to shell them across Bull Run. It took awhile, but we gradually pushed them across the Warrington turnpike and up Henry House Hill.

The fighting continued and things were looking promising. The reporters who were there began celebrating a Union victory. Some of my fellow comrades were celebrating and to our dismay, more Confederate reinforcements began arriving.

The battle continued into the afternoon. Men were dropping left and right. For every Confederate that dropped, two Union soldiers fell to the ground dripping crimson on the blades of grass. There appeared to be an equal amount of men on the field. One of the Confederate generals ordered a counterattack and they screamed as they charged. Brigadier General McDowell ordered us to retreat and we did so in a rather unorderly fashion. We ran into picnicking Washington civilians who began making their own hasty retreat.

We made our way back to our camp in defeat. We'd lost some 3,000 men compared to less than 2,000 for them rebels.

As soon as she could, Lizzie began treating the wounded. Danny followed her around like a stray dog beggin' for food. Lizzie ignored him most of the time, but turned to stare him down occasionally trying to get him out of the way.

I saw Lizzie sitting down covered in blood and I sat down by her and embraced her as she cried softly. "This is horrible. Seein' those boys die. Seein' all those injured men."

"It is horrible. But think of all those men you helped. They're able to go home to their families and wives. They get to live to see another day."

"It's an image I ain't ever gettin' out of my head." She whispered as she leaned her head on my shoulder.

I stroked her hair gently until she fell asleep.

This is harder than I thought it'd be. Seein' fellow soldiers fall was the hardest thing I've been a part of. Or was it perhaps seein' the dying grass change to a dark crimson color before my eyes? Or maybe perhaps both. Lizzie was handlin' this better than I thought she might. Seeing war for the first time was hard. How I already longed for a field of unbloodied grass.

Daniel and Andrew appeared and Daniel looked concerned at the sight of Lizzie.

"Is she alright?" He asked with a twinge of worry.

I nodded. "She's asleep. It's been rough on her."

Andrew frowned. "It's been rough on all of us, Tommy. She don't get a break just cause she's nursing the injured back to health."

"Try what she does for a day. I was watchin' her and she was on her toes all evenin'. She put them before herself and helped them while we fought and killed men no older than ourselves."

"You mean those damn rebels? Don't tell me you sympathize with 'em, Tommy-boy."

I ran my hand through my sticky wet hair. "I don't sympathize with 'em. I'm fightin' with the Yankees cause I don't approve of the South and their need for slaves. Those black men is people too, y'know. My family never owned slaves. We've always done the work ourselves."

"Right. You wanna tell me why you're fighting for the Union Southern boy?"

Lizzie had since curled up on the opposite end of the couch and I jolted up. "I already told you, Andrew. I don't approve of slavery and the fact that eleven states chose to secede from the Union and become their own union of states."

Daniel stood between us to prevent us from fighting. I had a feeling that by the end of this, Andrew and I would either be good friends or bitter enemies. I was hoping for the first option.

Andrew smirked. "So you're a Southern Loyalist. Is that what they're callin' 'em?"

"Yes. I am a Southern Loyalist. I'm proud of that, Andrew. I have the option to fight for a cause I believe in; fightin' against slavery."

"Sure, Southern Boy. You're against slavery and secession. So is we." He answered as he gestured between him and Daniel.

"Good. Can we stop fightin' now? There are better things we can be doin' with our lives."

Andrew nodded. "Sure, we can stop fighting. Where specifically are you from? You and your pretty little sister?"

Daniel frowned. "Don't talk about her like that."

"You only just met her, Sergeant. Why the sudden protection of her honor?"

"Why? Because she's a lady and deserves respect." Daniel returned.

Daniel started off as a cocky son of a gun, but he's a good guy. The fact that he only barely met my sister and is already defending her honor says it all. I wouldn't be opposed if he chose to court her. Speaking of courting, I miss Mary tremendously. I hope she received my letter and a response is on the way.

Brother my brother

Will meet upon a quiet field

The morn of judgment day

Brother my brother

God has heard your battle call

Now he'll watch his precious children

Learn how to stand, learn how to fall.