by Ginny Dye
“I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make you feel much better,” Robert replied.
Thomas shook his head. “That’s not what I want. I’m not looking for good-hearted fantasy. I simply want to hear things from your perspective.”
Robert nodded. “Where do you want me to start?”
“With Johnston’s withdrawal from Manassas. Was it really as chaotic as I have heard?”
Robert grimaced. “I’m afraid so,” he said soberly. “Oh, Johnston tried, but he had a lot of things working against him. He discovered early, after Davis’ orders to bring the army closer to Richmond, that security had been breached. There was no telling who in the Union might know of what he had been told to do - or what they would do to stop it. Davis wanted him to bring all the artillery with him, but the spring rain made the roads impassable for heavy weapons. To top it all off, the railroad was unable to remove the massive number of supplies and goods they had stockpiled around Manassas in the last eight months.”
Thomas smiled wryly. “I understand the commissary department had rather outdone itself.”
Robert nodded. “That would be one way to put it. There were over three million pounds of subsistence stores to be moved. Not to mention all the soldiers’ baggage.”
“Did every soldier really have a trunk to move?”
“Including Johnston himself,” Robert affirmed. “When the call was given to withdraw, there were still tons of supplies that had not been moved. Johnston got word of unusual activity among the Union troops on the Potomac. He was afraid his worst fears had been realized - someone had tipped off the Union to his evacuation. Whatever couldn’t be carried away was destroyed.”
Thomas closed his eyes and groaned. “A very serious loss.”
“Yes, a very serious loss.” Then Robert allowed himself a small smile. “It was the best smelling withdrawal of any army in the world, though, I bet.”
“What in the world do you mean?”
“Surely you are aware of the meat-curing plant that was fifteen miles behind the lines.”
Thomas nodded. “Of course. It was the largest in the South. It had over two million pounds of bacon and salted meat.”
Robert smiled. “The cavalry rear guard torched the depots and the meat-curing plant when the last columns passed. The smell of frying bacon followed us for twenty miles.” He would never forget the blue and yellow flames curling up from the huge piles of meat set aflame, but he was also aware of the tremendous loss to the army.
Thomas chuckled briefly, but his mind was intent on other things. “Johnston sent you ahead?”
“Yes. I was sent on to Richmond to once again help with the fortifications of the city here. Lee was still not certain what the buildup of troops at Fort Monroe meant. He wasn’t sure which direction McClellan was headed.”
“It’s certainly obvious now!” Thomas exclaimed.
Robert nodded. For a few minutes, both men were silent with their thoughts. McClellan had made his intentions clear when his 100,000 man army had marched away from Fort Monroe and advanced on Yorktown. Richmond was his target. The cry of On to Richmond! was once more being acted upon.
Finally Thomas shook his head. “What I can’t figure out - even though I thank God for it daily - is why McClellan is still stalling at Yorktown. Magruder has a mere 20,000 men to combat his 100,000. What in the world is he waiting for?”
This time Robert’s chuckle was genuine. “I think our man Magruder is playing a game with McClellan. I think he should consider the theater when this war is over.”
Thomas stared at him blankly. “Would you like to explain that?”
“Magruder is well known for his ability to make things seem much more than they are. Some reports of his actions have come back to us here. Some of his units have been split into two parts. He has kept them traveling twenty-four hours a day, instructing them to show themselves in different places all along the line. I’m sure the poor men are exhausted, but it has worked. I’m convinced McClellan believes he is facing a much bigger army than he actually is. He is known to be extremely cautious. Magruder is counting on that.”
“Until we can get reinforcements to him.”
Robert nodded, suddenly grim again. “Not that I’m sure how much good it will do. We simply don’t have enough troops to stop McClellan when he determines to move forward. Johnston’s additional troops may enable us to slow him down, but I don’t think we can stop him. He is simply too powerful - even though he doesn’t seem to know it yet.”
“The longer we can keep him from knowing it the better,” Thomas replied. “The government is doing all it can to get you the manpower you need.”
“The Conscription Act?” Robert asked.
Thomas nodded. “Congress passed the legislation just last week. It conscripts every man between the ages of eighteen to thirty-five. There are exceptions, of course, but we should see the numbers rise immediately.”
Robert was glad there was more manpower on the way, but he had to ask the question on his mind. “How does that sit with the rights of each state to determine their own destiny and defense?” He was aware of President Davis’s efforts to honor that principle.
Thomas shrugged. When he spoke, his face was as grim as his words. “Idealism does not always have its way. Without an adequate force to defend it, there will be no Confederate States to worry about their rights. You know as well as I do that the picture for us right now is bleak.”
Robert did indeed know. With the fall of Shiloh ten days before, the Confederacy had for all intents and purposes lost the middle Mississippi. The coast of North Carolina was sealed from the sea, and all the major South Carolina ports were either occupied or blockaded. Now there was a force of 100,000 Yankee soldiers moving toward Richmond.
Robert’s next question was one that had been bothering him for weeks. “Have you called Carrie to the city, Thomas?” He had had countless nightmares of Carrie being alone on the plantation when Union troops came through. He was not telling Thomas how sure he was that Johnston could not stop McClellan. Hope was sometimes all that kept people going.
Thomas scowled. “You know my daughter,” he said helplessly. “Of course, I wrote her right away when McClellan started building up his troops at Fort Monroe. She wrote back telling me she was too busy planting crops to come to Richmond, and besides, she had confidence in Johnston to control things.”
Robert frowned. “I see.” He wasn’t sure what to say. He did indeed know Thomas’ strong-willed daughter. He also knew if it were up to him, he probably would have ridden out, thrown her across his saddle, and returned her to Richmond. He almost laughed at his own thoughts. They sounded noble, but he also knew how impossible Carrie was to move once she set her mind on something.
Thomas read his face. “I don’t know what to do. I can tell you think I should ride out and force her to return. Don’t think I haven’t considered it!”
Robert smiled reluctantly. “Yes, I did think that. I also reached the same conclusion you did.” He paused, thinking. “Have you sent her more letters?”
“One a day,” Thomas said wearily. “I haven’t heard any more from her. Not even her regular letters. Of course, everything in the city is disrupted with the current crisis. I have no way of knowing if she has actually received my correspondence.”
Robert frowned again. “I wonder if she realizes her crops may end up feeding the Union army as they pass through on the way to Richmond,” he muttered.
Thomas shrugged. “She is convinced she has a job to do. She promised me she would leave the plantation if it became too dangerous for her to remain, but she is so isolated she may not realize the danger until it is too late.” He shook his head. “I will go get her myself if the need arises.”
Robert shook his head. “I will make sure Carrie gets off the plantation, Thomas.” He paused for a moment, and then leaned forward to ask quietly, “Does she know the secret?”
Thomas shook his head morosely. “I should h
ave told her. I had planned to, even. But for some reason I never did. I was convinced she would come to Richmond if I asked her to. I learned the secret when my father wanted me to. Not until he died did I find the letter he wrote me shortly before. He had kept the secret since just after his father died. He wanted the secret kept until I was gone, as well. Carrie knows there is a letter in the safe. I put it there after Abigail died. She also knows she is not to open it till I’m gone. I’m confident she will heed my wishes.”
Robert nodded grimly, once more realizing how desperately troubled Thomas must have been that day to reveal the secret to him. Not that his knowledge was doing anyone any good. Least of all Carrie. He was too far away.
A sudden roar from the city grabbed their attention. They jumped up and strode to the porch. From Thomas’ house they had a commanding view of the city. They could see Broad Street, which resembled nothing more than a dark, moving mass. The cheers and yells of citizens created the roar floating up to them.
Robert watched for a moment. “Eight thousand of Johnston’s men were scheduled to pass through the city today. They are marching as fast as they can to join up with the rest of his troops.”
Thomas nodded. “Here’s hoping they can do some good.”
Robert continued watching for a moment and then turned to his host. “Will a great many people leave the city?”
Thomas shrugged. “People with money will. There are already a great many who have left to visit relatives in the country and in North Carolina. Richmond seems to be losing its popularity,” he said wryly.
“Will you leave?”
“Never!” Thomas proclaimed resolutely. “I have cast my lot with Virginia and Richmond. The capital must not fall!”
Robert stared into his eyes and then turned to look at the troops moving down Broad Street. He knew how tired these men were. He knew how discouraged and disheartened they were. Would they be able to stand against McClellan’s far superior force? He knew he had said little to offer Thomas hope.
Both men stared down at the city as blackness swirled through the streets, seeking to invade every crevice and every heart. The country had carelessly allowed the dark clouds to descend. But darkness is never content with where it is. It always seeks to expand - to control everything, and everyone within its ever-growing reach.
Robert was deep in thought as he rode carefully down Broad Street. Johnson’s troops had passed, but the street was still full of the throngs of people who had come to watch and cheer on their troops. He had replayed every word of his conversation with Thomas in his mind more than once.
“Robert Borden!”
Slowly, Robert became aware someone was calling his name. He thought of ignoring the female voice. He was not in the mood for small talk.
“Robert Borden!”
This time the voice was much closer. Robert sighed and turned around. His lips tightened as he spotted Louisa Blackwell moving through the crowd toward him. This girl meant nothing but trouble. He well remembered her catty remarks about Carrie when he had run into her at the dance the year before.
Somehow he managed to force a pleasant smile to his lips. “Hello, Miss Blackwell.” He made no move to dismount.
Louisa smiled up at him brightly. “Why, Lieutenant Borden. It’s so wonderful to see you. I thought surely you must be on the front somewhere guarding our honor! What a wonderful surprise to find you right here in the city!”
Robert nodded pleasantly. “Duty deems I be here in the city for a while.” He offered no more explanation.
Louisa continued to beam up at him. “I find myself in somewhat the same situation. My poor daddy couldn’t bear to think of harm coming to me on the plantation, so he insisted I come to live in Richmond with one of my aunts. I have been here for two months now. It looks as though I will be here in the capital until all this is finally over and we can all return to our homes. I don’t think I have ever been so busy. My days are spent rolling bandages and knitting things to keep our soldiers warm in cold weather. It is wonderful to be able to help.”
Robert looked at her carefully. She sounded sincere. Maybe the war was helping her grow up. She would never be his type, but he couldn’t help feeling the guy who married her would be happier if some of her selfishness was dispersed. Her next words dispelled his hopes.
“I do hope those boys who marched through today will do their job. I really don’t understand why they are taking so long to end this dreadful conflict. It really is quite inconvenient to do without so many things. And the prices have simply become ridiculous,” she said petulantly. “Honestly, it’s time for our soldiers to quit playing around and take this war seriously.”
Robert frowned as he thought of the suffering his men endured during the Romeny campaign and of the pain he had seen so many men suffer. Somehow he managed to keep his voice even. “I can assure you, Miss Blackwell, the men are eager to end your inconveniences. They are also eager to regain their lives,” he added in a hard tone. “I can promise you each one of them is taking this war very seriously.”
Louisa seemed to realize she had gone too far. She reached out a gloved hand and laid it lightly on his horse’s saddle. “I’m sure you’re right, Lieutenant,” she said appeasingly. Then she smiled brilliantly. “Will I see you at the starvation dance for the officers at the Fielder’s mansion tonight?” Her voice became coy. “I hear they are going to allow the officers to nominate a queen tonight. Maybe you would like the opportunity to follow your heart instead of your convictions...” She looked up at him and then allowed her lashes to droop becomingly over her eyes.
Robert struggled to control his laughter. He also fought to stuff down his anger that Louisa would so subtly snub Carrie, who was placing herself in grave danger because of her commitment to what she believed in. She might be acting foolishly, but she was acting out of the greatness of her heart. He stared down at Louisa for a long moment and then decided to indeed follow his heart, instead of his convictions about the proper way to treat a lady. He wasn’t sure Louisa fit in the category of a lady, anyway.
He smiled pleasantly as he said in a cheerful tone, “I’m usually one to follow my heart, Miss Blackwell. I’m afraid my vote tonight would do no one any good. Carrie Cromwell is too far away to be aware of it.” He stared down into Louisa’s furious eyes and then pressed his mount forward. He felt her eyes boring into him. The knowledge filled him with a deep satisfaction.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Thomas was white-faced as he strode up the sidewalk and onto his porch, where he stopped for just a moment and turned to face east. As he stared out over the city, he tried to penetrate the surrounding woods with his anxious eyes. He felt as if there were hostile enemies viewing the city already. Frustration rose up in him as he tried, in his mind, to see Cromwell Plantation. To know if Carrie was safe.
He raised a clenched fist and slammed it against the porch column, completely ignoring the pain that shot through him. Not knowing was about to drive him crazy. “You haven’t heard from her yet?”
Startled, Thomas spun around to look at Robert who had just strode out onto the porch.
“I got here a little while ago,” Robert said. “I’ve been waiting inside.”
Thomas shook his head heavily. “No. I haven’t heard from her yet.”
“You are aware of the news from the front?” Robert asked grimly.
“That we have not only lost Yorktown, but now Williamsburg has fallen as well?” Thomas asked bitterly. “Yes, I know.” His face twisted in agony. “Why does Carrie not come? Why not at least send a letter? Does she not know I am losing my mind with worry?” He groaned. “Is it not bad enough that I could be watching the death of all I have ever held dear? Must I lose her as well?” Once again he raised his fist but then let it fall to his side. The agony welling up was too familiar. He had lost Abigail. He couldn’t lose Carrie, too.
Robert moved forward and laid his hand on Thomas’ shoulder. “We don’t know yet why Carrie hasn’t ret
urned your letters. You said yourself she might never have received them.”
“Why doesn’t she write me, then?” Thomas cried. Then he answered his own question. “I know. I know. The mail may not be coming through here, either. I’ve thought of that. Then the question comes to mind - why hasn’t she come? It is impossible not to think she hasn’t come because something has already happened to her.” Once again he could feel his emotions building to a bursting point. “And here I sit in Richmond!” he cried. “While my daughter could be hurt or captured by those damn Yankees trying to destroy my home.” Thomas knew he was becoming unreasonable, but he couldn’t seem to control it. The last weeks of strain and crisis had driven him almost to the breaking point. The worry over Carrie was about to send him catapulting over the edge.
Robert grimaced and turned away to look over the city.
Thomas knew he was torturing the young man with his thoughts. He also knew he wasn’t saying anything Robert hadn’t already thought of. When Robert finally turned back to him, the agonized look on his face told him he was right.
“I would like to tell you Carrie is going to be fine,” Robert said in a troubled voice. “The facts say something very different. McClellan’s army will soon begin to move from Williamsburg. I believe their route will take them east of your plantation, but already soldiers are scouting far to each side of the line in search of food for the army. They are raiding and marauding every farm, animal, and crop they find along the way.”
Thomas groaned. “I’m going to the Capitol to tell Governor Letcher I am leaving for the plantation. I cannot go one more day without doing something to know Carrie is all right.”
Robert shook his head. “You can’t do that. Richmond needs you too much right now. I have talked to General Lee about going myself, but he insists I must stay here in the city even though he has much sympathy for my situation.” He paused for a moment. “I have a plan, though.”
