All right here is the first part if my first chapter! I revised the divisions I had originally made and added the parts I had already posted to this! So please read it and tell me what you think!
Chapter 1: Trenches,
“You can’t do this!” I exclaimed. “ I hired you to take me to Waverly,
We’re near Richmond!” “No Ma’am, you hired us to take you as close
To Waverly as we could. And this is as far as we go. Ya have a nice day.”
The burley man drawled. His son finally released my wrists from behind
my back and ran to catch up with the wagon. I argued with myself whether
or not to fun up and threaten to go to the authorities, but decided that
would not be wise as there were two of them and they were both stronger
than me. “Well Margaret this is a fine situation you’ve gotten yourself into.”
I mumbled to myself, blowing at the strand of light brown hair that refused
To stay in it’s bun. I paced for a few more minutes before sitting down on
My trunks, how did this happen? I thought I hired these men to take me and
My trunks as close to Waverly as they could & they had promised me they
Would! What scared them off? They had every intent of keeping their promise
Until they hear the shots…they must be deserters. “I’ll walk to Richmond”
I finally decided now which way to Richmond, I think It’s through this corn
Field. As I made my way through the broken corn field I wondered what
Would do that kind of damage. Something whizzed by and I suddenly got
The impression that this was NOT the way to Richmond, but if I turned
Around I would soon be lost. So I kept on, trying not to think what the
Worst thing was that could be before me. Suddenly the ground in front of me
Disappeared and I plunged forward unexpectedly…
~*~
My shoulder took most of the force as I fell so I rolled and kept rolling
until I hit something hard. For a minute I couldn’t move or catch my breath. Someone grabbed me and I realized that the hard something was a
soldier-a Confederate solder! He pulled me into a sitting position and I
suddenly saw I was in a battlefield. The pit I’d fallen into was a trench
filled with mud and dead or wounded boys lying here and there. Other
soldiers were firering over the wall and bullets were whizzing everywhere.
In horror I turned back to the soldier who still hadn’t released my arm,
he must have seen the terror on my face, because his face reflected mine.
“What in the Blue Blazes are you doing here?” he shouted over the
cannon’s roar.
“I-I-I f-fell into here by mistake, I-I was l-looking for R-Richmond.”
I finally managed to stutter a reply. It was horrible, all around us
men were shouting and screaming. As a bullet hit a man not two feet
from us the boy seemed to remember we were in the middle of a battle
and by no rights, should I be here.
“Stay low and keep near me.” He commanded. I had no trouble
obeying, “wait what color is your dress?” he asked as we both
looked down, Thank goodness it was green.
As the battle kept on I curled into a ball and tried to tune out all
the horrible noises. The soldier looked down to make sure I was
okay every time there was a break in the Yankees’ charge. I prayed
that God would spare every man he could and that all the rest would
die peacefully, I thanked God for the man standing behind me, firing
over the wall,
protecting me. I was sure he wouldn’t let a yank or reb touch me.
And I was thankful that I had worn my green dress and not my
blue or gray one.
I must have tuned everything out ‘cause the solder was standing
over me and shaking my shoulder. “It’s over.” His voice sounded
weary and sad. I looked around and found that one unfortunate
boy had died with his head on my shoulder, looking at my face
. I shuddered and carefully moved him so I could stand. The
soldier helped me to my feet, for a moment we just stood there,
looking at the poor boy.
“Did you know him?” I asked softly.
“Not personally, his name was Benjamin, he was 15.” The soldier
replied, still sad. I shuddered again, the name was too
close to… but I couldn’t think about them, not now.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, I turned to look at him, my glance
questioning. “I’m sorry ya had to see that.” He continued
“”he thought you were an angel, he said ‘it’s not a wonder,
even an angel would cry when she saw this.’ “
I felt my face and found I had been crying.
“You were trying so hard to be somewhere else that ya didn’t
notice when he landed against you.” He whispered. “It helped
him to see ya before he died.”
“I prayed that everyone would die peacefully if they had to
die,” I whispered back. Suddenly I felt the urge to get away
from the boy that had my brother’s name.
The solder seemed to sense that. “come on.” He lead me
past soldiers loading the wounded onto hospital wagons,
and into a dug-out that was empty of people, it looked
like a barrack. The blankets on the dirt floor served as
beds and the turned over crates were chairs. He pulled
out a crate for me and I sat down, he took one across from me.
“what’s your name?” he asked and pulled out a piece of
crumpled paper that looked like a letter, and a pencil.
“here if you’re going to write a report don’t use your letter.”
I said, pulling a piece of clean folded paper from my pocket.
He looked up
gratefully, taking the paper I handed him.
“Thank you.” He said and I knew he meant it.
“my name is Margaret Campbell. I’m 16.” I answered
his question and the next one coming.
“You’re a Yankee aren’t ya.” He didn’t mean “Yankee” as a
swear word, but it still sounded vile.
“Yes, I’m from West Virginia.”
“your accent gives you away.”
“I know” I sighed, everyone was telling me that lately.
“why where you in that corn field?”
“I was looking for Richmond, ‘cause…”my voice faded as
the anger returned.
“because,” he prompted
“because I hired two men to take me and my trunks to
Waverly , but they dumped me and my belongings on
the side of the road when they heard the shots, I think they were
deserters.” I finished lamely, not adding the fact that I would have
bruises later from struggling. He looked up then , angry.
“I bet they were Yank deserters.”
“no they sounded like Rebs.” He pondered that for a
while before letting it pass.“where do ya live?”
“I don’t…don’t have a home.” My voice breaking as I answered.
Before the boy could question me further another soldier walked in.
“James! I was looking all over for you…” his voice trailed off
as he saw me, tear-streaked face, mud in my hair and on my dress.
“What the Sam Hill is she doing here?” he roared, staring
accusingly at James.
“I stumbled into the field, this lad protected me during the battle.”
I stated before the he could assume the worst. The man stared at me dumbfounded, probably wondering what a yank was doing in the
confederate lines in the middle of a battle. After a minute he seemed to collect his thoughts.
“Miss I’m sorry ya saw that massacre.” The man seemed to be
ashamed of jumping to conclusions.
“were any of our friends wounded?” James asked, suddenly urgent.
“no, but Benjamin died.” The man sounded tired.
“I know, he thought she was an angel.” James replied. The man’s
eyes grew wide with surprise and he turned to me as if I might run screaming out of the room. “you saw Benjamin!?!” He exclaimed
as if I should be traumatized by the event.
“yes” I replied quietly.”
“are ya okay miss? You aren’t going to faint or get sick are you?”
he looked at me like I was going to do just that any minute.
“I’m fine, no I am not going to faint, and I don’t think I’m going
to be sick right now.” I might be sick later though I added in
my head. Both of them eyed me like they still weren’t sure
about that. After a minute my exasperated look must have
convinced them. James continued his questioning as the older
man sat down and studied my face, no doubt waiting for the
gore to catch up with me.
“what do ya mean ya don’t have a home?” James questioned.
“I mean what I said before.” Was all I was able to manage,
trying to keep the waves of sorrow and fear at bay. James
only studied my face for a moment, seeming to understand
what I couldn’t voice.
“alright that’s all the questions I have.” He replied, scribbling
some notes on the report before handing it to the other soldier,
who looked it over carefully.
“how many men were wounded do you think, Mr…?” I asked
suddenly curious. The boy turned to me as if startled. “oh
my name is James Anderson ma’am.” He drawled pleasantly
And I was surprised at how different he sounded from the
horrid man on the road. His face was suddenly more serious
and sad than I had ever seen it. “I’ve no idea how many men
were wounded out there today Miss, Maybe 300 probably more.”
“an that’s just us rebs!” the other man added “the yanks lose
lots more than we do.”
“the Union loses more! Why?” I asked thinking of my cousin.
“common knowledge, Miss Campbell. Them Yankee Generals
don’t give a darn what happens to those lads, so long as they win.”
James Replied as if I should have known that.
Will was the only thought running through my head. They don’t
care whether he lives or dies! ‘They don’t give a darn what
happens to those lads so long as they win’ the words echoed in
my head and repeated themselves on my lips.
“Miss Campbell? Miss Campbell are you alright? Margaret!”
James shook me and I snapped out of it immediately.
“what’s wrong, what did I say?” he still hadn’t released his
grip on my shoulders.
“my cousin…is one…of those…lads.” I gasped, his face went ashen.
“he’s a yank.” I clarified. I twisted in his grasp and looked at the
older man. “did you see a tall blonde yank when you were looking
through the dead?”
he thought carefully before shaking his head. “you’re sure?”
I asked looking for the tiniest sliver of hope.
“no ma’am I didn’t see a tall blonde yank when I was looking for
my friends.”
His carefully worded response was strangely comforting.
“he’s alright then.” Relief washed through me.
“yes he’s fine.” James assured me.
“thank you sir.” I said to the soldier
“you’re welcome Miss Campbell. Be happy to help you anytime.”
He stood as if to leave “I’ve got to go help out. I’ll see ya later
James, ma’am. He tipped his cap and took his leave.
After a minute I realized that I needed to sit down before
I collapsed. as I shakily sat down I saw that James still hadn’t
let go of my arm, as if as soon as he did I would fly to pieces.
“are you alright?” I asked. His head snapped up and he eyed me
warily.
“I mean were you wounded?”
“No. just a burn, I’ll take care of it later.” He still was cautious.
“could I see it please?”
“it’s nothing really.” He insisted as I studied the black mark
on his palm.
“does this hurt?” I pressed slightly on the side of the burn, he
winced a bit.
“a little bit” he admitted. Where did I put my bag? I lost it
when I fell!
“wait here, I’ll be right back.” I rose to leave but James
stood with me.
“where are you going?” he studied my face, worried.
“I’m going to grab my bag, I think I left it back there.”
I replied calmly. As I walked out he followed me.
Sure enough when I went back to the spot in the trench my
bag was lying there on the ground. As I turned around to go
back he was nowhere to be seen. Hmm he’s probably back at
the barracks.
As I made my way back I felt eyes watching me. I spun
around but couldn’t find the person who was staring at me.
When I got back to the barrack he was there waiting for me
at the door. As we sat down I opened my bag and pulled out a
bandage and a tin of homemade salve. James eyed the tin
suspiciously “ what’s that?” he asked as I carefully applied
it to his burn, wincing slightly.
“It’s crushed aloe era leaves and a little water. Egg whites
work well though too.” As I wrapped the bandage around
he hand I noticed he had several scars, as if he’d cut and
burned his hand multiple times.
“who was that man who was in here before?” I asked trying
to distract him.
“his name is Noah Marshal.”
“is he your neighbor?”
“yes he lived near me, back home.”
“Where ‘s home?”
“Arkansas,_____________ Arkansas.”
“you have family there?”
“yes, my father & mother, my 2 sisters & 2 brothers.”
“you’re the only one in the war?”
“no my older brother is in the war too. My father wanted
to come but his wound kept him at home. And my oldest
brother stayed home to run the farm.” As I finished
bandaging his hand, I realized he was studying me intently
. He wanted to ask me about the bag and how I knew how to
do this, I could tell. I looked up waiting. “go ahead” I prompted.
“how do you know how to do this?” he gestured to his hand,
then my bag, his blue eyes filled with curiosity.
“I learned about treating burns at home, but I’m also trained
as a nurse.”
He pondered that for a while, allowing a comfortable silence
to hang over us.
“you’re a nurse?”
“yes I took a course in medicine.”
“so why aren’t you helping in a Yankee hospital?”
“my family died while I was finishing school. So I was coming
down here to visit a cousin of mine while the relatives figure
out what to do with me.”
He looked as if he’d expected something like this.
“you’re relatives don’t want ya?”
“No. I think I’ll probably end up living with strangers or on
my own.”
“it’ll work out all right, if this ends soon I’ll try to help ya
find a place.”
I smiled up at him. “thanks”
His answering smile was stunning. I realized he looked
young then.
“how old are you?”
“seventeen” I must have looked shocked ‘cause he quickly
said “well I’ll turn eighteen in November.”
“ooh very funny. You look older than 17.”
That surprised him and he grinned. “oh really, how old? 34?”
He was having fun now, I laughed. “no something like 35!”
Now it was his turn to laugh. It felt good to laugh with someone,
I hadn’t done that for a long time.
“seriously, how old?”
“40 , if you grew a beard you’d look 45.”
“really. I bet I would look 45 if I did grow a beard!”
his face grew serious, the last traces of laughter fading
from his eyes.
“ya don’t look 16 either.” He looked away as he said it.
“I bet I don’t, probably more like 12!” I said teasing, knowing
he was right.
“no you look 16 you just act 30.” I sighed.
“yeah Mama always did say that I was 4 going on 40.” His eyes
grew sad as he guessed why I acted 30.
“don’t worry everything will turn out fine, we’ll find your cousin,
he can take care of himself.”
“yep. Will’s good at getting in and out of scrapes.”
“what’s his name?”
“William Edwards, he’s your age.””
“ya described him as a tall blonde yank…?”
“yes he has blonde hair and brown eyes. Saying he’s tall in an understatement, he’s 6’4”! he’s always getting into trouble, but
he always got out of trouble too.”
“he sounds nice. You helped him get out of trouble.” he seemed
able to guess so many things about me.
“yes I’d clean his cuts when he got into fights. One time he got in
a huge fight with a boy that dipped my braids in ink. He won
but had a black eye and some nasty cuts on his face and arms.
So he hid in out favorite spot and I brought him food. His mother
and mine know I was bringing him supplies so they just let him
hide. After 5 days I convinced him to come home. He never got
punished for that.” He watched me as I told the story as if he saw
it all happen. Never interrupting, nodding at the ending as if he
expected it.
“He’ll take care of himself . don’t fret, I’ll take care of you as long
as you’re here. I promise.” I was speechless. I could take care of
myself, but somehow James knew Will was my protector and that
he had acted more like my brother than my cousin. And now James
was offering to take Will’s spot until I could be sure he was alright
. All of a sudden I felt like crying and I knew he would understand if I did.
I ducked my head forcing the tears back. He tried to look me in the
face. Reaching out and hesitating then taking my hand instead.
I looked up then, his face was kind. “thank you. I…” my voice broke
and he brushed the wisp of hair back with his free hand. Every thing
would be alright now and I would find Will.
~*~
alright that is part of my 1st chapter! Please comment or use my Cbox and tell me what you think! I am open to any suggestions, revisal, and/or ideas that would better my story! Thank you! Oh and I almost forgot the reason there is a blank in James’ reply about where he live is because I haven’t figured that out yet, so please bear with me, I will figure it out soon!
-M. Stew | 