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

Jenny's fear, army life, and her letter

Altogether, she felt she had said too much about the girl. One thing she did not mention to Daniel was her thought that Samantha's bodice, beautiful as it was, with the lace trim and puffed sleeves, was cut a little low, especially for a church affair. Jenny had noticed more than one man eyeing her.

There was something else on her mind, troubling her. A thing she also didn't mention to Daniel. Her brother had joined the northern side. She didn't know how he was doing, as, so far, he had not written to her father or anyone. She hoped he was all right. What troubled her is that he could be in the army fighting the "rebels" as the paper called the secessionists. Her own brother could be killing people like Daniel.

A chilling thought came to her. Daniel would be on the other side killing "Yankees." He could even kill her own brother. Suddenly, the terrible complication of this war came to her, overwhelming her. Tears began flowing freely from her eyes and down her cheeks. She pulled out her handkerchief, wiping away the tears, barely able to keep herself from sobbing. She suddenly was able to stop, remembering what her father had told her, "Big girls don't cry."

Chapter Seven

Daniel knew something was up. Everyone knew it. But the generals all the way down to the lieutenants weren't saying anything to the men. The training was getting intensive. Five times a day now. Not only was it not easy, it was monotonous. After the last one, he sat on the ground by their tents eating with his friends, Hank and Eli. Eli was smaller than him, wiry, and seemed something of a thinker. He was the second fastest man in the company, a fact proven when the men held an impromptu race.

Next time, he would put his money on Eli. Hank was something of the opposite, a big, husky farm boy, strong as an ox, but a bit clumsy. Daniel was glad he had gotten to know them both. They were from the same part of western Virginia, and they even knew some of the same people he knew.

"I'm thinking we'll be marching soon," said Eli. "To battle," he added.

"Now what's making you say that, Eli? Just as I'm starting to enjoy all this drilling," said Hank.

Daniel saw Hank's smile. He knew he hated their five times a day routine.

"Just the way I notice them checking out the wagons and paying attention to the horses."

'Well, if we're ever going into battle, you'd think they would give us more practice with shooting. Not like everyone here is a crack shot," said Daniel.

"Yeah," agreed Hank. "Think I can count on two hands the times I've actually pulled the trigger and shot at something."

"They want to conserve ammunition," said Eli.

Just then, they heard the loud voice of Sergeant Evans. "Mail call!"

Those were about the only words he ever uttered that were always well received. The three of them jumped up immediately as the sergeant sounded out the names.

"Tom Clancy, Tyler Simmons, Billy Sacko, Emmet Stone . . ."

The list went on and both Daniel and Hank were happy to get mail. Eli turned away downcast after all the names were announced. Daniel knew he missed not getting a letter. Especially as they were lucky to get anything from home more often than once a week. He looked at the return address and was a bit surprised. A letter from Jenny, but still nothing from Samantha. Was the girl going to forget him the entire time while he served his country? When the war was over, hopefully in a month or two, he was going to have a talk with her.

The men went back to finishing their meal. Daniel tucked the letter into his pocket. He was going to wait until he could read his letter in private. He noted that Hank did the same. Suddenly, commands rang out throughout the company and regiment. "Fall in." "Hurry up soldier."