Comes a Hero (Book 17 of Brides of the West Series)

by Rita Hestand

  "Are they insane?" Quirt mumbled through his misery.

  "Quite possibly. These arrangements were made by the outgoing President, in a time that war wasn't expected.

  "How long will it take the Confederates to get here?" Quirt didn't like the sound of this. He had a hard-enough time keeping the men alive, how would he tend to women?

  "I have no idea the Confederate plans, but we are to surrender the forts to them no later than April. So only true southern patriots will remain with you and then of course they will sign up for the Confederacy. Unfortunately for you, I have to leave early as my assignment begins with building recruits."

  Quirt stood up and paced. "Do you realize how asinine this sounds, some men going north, others to the south? In a time when Indians will be annihilating the citizens."

  "I realize. But there is nothing I can do. I'm to report to South Carolina headquarters as soon as I have some enlistment troops. And they expect me to have a recruit roster by April 1st."

  "And what am I to do after you leave? What does this mean to me?"

  "That, I do not know, either. I realize what a bind I put you in, but it can't be helped under the circumstances. Right now, everything is up in arms. And it's not just here, it's everywhere."

  "Yeah, I know, including the Indians. I only hope they don't know all of this."

  "They don't, yet but it won't take them long to learn of it. All forts in Texas will be turned over to the convention."

  Quirt studied the floor now; he wasn't sure how he should react to this news. Resigning his commission might be the best solution, and yet, he'd hate to leave the women in the hands of recruits that wouldn't be staying, with Comanche's warring the women wouldn't have a chance alone.

  "How long will they be here, sir? The women?"

  The Colonel bowed his head and pushed his hat back. "I can't say. Originally, they were to leave within the week, but now, I don't know. I have no idea. It was a sympathetic way of dealing with women who'd lost their husbands out here in the wilds of Texas. This was all some plot to appease the Unionist. The Government thought it a great idea. They were going to make a big deal out of it, putting it in all the papers. But with the war breaking out, I can't agree. I can tell you this, the fort might be occupied by Texas troops later, Confederate, at some point and they might come up with a solution for the women. Right now, everything is a complete mess. You see, we knew there would be a war, we just didn't know when. And there are some that still don't know. But the north wants to be prepared and getting northern soldiers out of the south will be hard enough. Texas has seceded. Getting an army together is our priority. I'm sorry son, I really am. I don't want to leave you like this, but I have my own orders."

  "Officially?"

  "Yes, that's why I'm to regroup and recruit in San Antonio before the war breaks out. There are many who favor the Union in Texas, and many who don't. The ones that favor the union need to get out of here fast, as they will be considered northern sympathizers. And the talk is hanging if caught."

  "I guess you're right. It is hard to believe. So, what do I do with them, sir? The women?" Quirt asked throwing his hands in the air to demonstrate he was at a loss. "I'm a scout, not a gentleman in the army. I don't know how to handle that many women."

  The Colonel's eyes crinkled at the edges, but he withheld the smile. "For now, make them comfortable and safe." He shot Quirt a skeptical glance, then tried to smile. "You could quit. No one would blame you. You've given us good service for some time now."

  "Tell me, will I have a choice of signing up or a work contract as a scout?"

  "Quirt, I don't know. But tension will run high and if you aren't signed up, they might not trust you."

  The Colonel stared at him, looking him straight in the eye. "Well, they'll expect you to sign up. But, since you are a scout and valuable to any army, they might let it slide if you work with them, not against. However, I'll also tell you they might not trust you either. It could go hard on you in more ways than one."

  "Yeah, I realize that too, sir. But I don't believe in this war that's coming. I'm a Texan, that's all I am. Do the men know I will oversee this band of misfits?"

  "They will, I'm giving you rank of Major. I'll explain it to the troops, but they all know that you have served longer and well for us and deserve the title. And there will be no misunderstandings about that. If you want the job, that is…You see, you are the only one with military experience left. The recruits I'm leaving you are new and except for today haven't been in battle. They'll need some training and all of them are from Texas. The only problem I foresee is that if I make you a Major in this army, they might fully expect you to enlist in their army. If you like I can keep that part between you, me and our men."

  "Is that possible?"

  "At this point, yes. But things will change."

  "Yes, that might work for a while. Want it, no, but…. I see the need of it, sir. I'd never leave thirty women alone out here, in Indian territory and now that the threat of war is imminent it will be chaos, they will be twice as bad with their raids. Once they know you are all gone, it could mean the end of us sir."

  "Yes, I'm sure you are right about that. I thank you personally for staying on. I'm sure if their husbands were alive, they would too." He smiled. He paused and looked straight at him again, "Sooner or later, you'll have to choose what side you are on, son. We all will."

  "I guess you are right. I could go back to being just a scout for them. If they will allow it. I do, however, need a bit of instruction. So how long do they expect this war between the states to last, sir? Any predictions?"

  "The south is sure they'll lick us quickly. I'm not of the same opinion myself. I feel this is going to be a long and drawn out war. It's gonna be one of the bloodiest wars in history. We'll be fighting fathers, brothers, friends. Walk outside and you will see the difference in the men, even now. Men they fought side by side with yesterday, will have to turn against each other. It doesn't sit well, but it's the truth. I think it is the one thing no one expected to face. They'll be killing family and friends before this is over."

  "Will you return to Texas sir?" Quirt asked.

  "I don't know. It is possible we may end up fighting each other."

  Now their eyes met, both with frowns.

  "You don't mean it?" Quirt nearly gasped.

  "I'm afraid I do." The Colonel nodded.

  "You mean," Quirt studied the situation, "I'm to defend this fort from Indians and Yankees?"

  "That's about the size of it. Yes, Quirt, that's exactly what I mean. Although, I don't look for any Yankee invasions soon, not here, at least. It will take a while to move the war west. So, for a while, you'll be safe with just Indians. It will start in Virginia and that state will probably be the worst place hit. The northern troops will go south, the southern troops north and when they meet it will be a blood bath. Texas being so far south won't see it up close for a while. Maybe an occasional skirmish, they'll hit the ports for control first, and move north, trying to take the crops with them. It will be a battle getting what Texas has to the other parts of the country. It just isn't feasible to fight here, but they will, eventually."

  "Well, pardon the expression sir, but we'll give 'em hell for that, sir."

  "Yes," he stared at him with a strange smile. "I'm sure you will."

  "But all of the women, are they southerners?"

  "No, not all of them. But if the Confederates move in, then they'll be fighting the Yankees. And the women will be in the middle. That's why my last command to you is to take care of the women. Don't advertise the fact that some are from the north, it could put them in immediate danger from this very fort. They are innocent in this. It's best you inform them that they should not take a side until they reach the safety of their home. It could get very bad. You'll be here to buffer the problems. I've always known you to be levelheaded, and a gentleman. I know I can count on you for that."

  The Colonel noticed him bleeding. "Better get
that tended to."

  "Yeah, I guess so. Right now, I can't even feel it."

  Quirt exhaled and pushed his hat back too now, eyeing the Colonel with interest. When the Colonel relaxed Quirt sat down in a chair and glanced at him with precision. "You are from South Carolina, your home will be hit first, I would imagine."

  "I'm originally from South Carolina. Today, my state is in turmoil. That's where I was born. I was educated in Boston and lived there until I came out west." He sighed heavily. "Haven't been back there in a long time. I'm afraid I won't get there either before it becomes a complete mess. Although I'm technically a southerner, I will fight for the north, as I believe in this as one nation under God."

  "I'm sorry sir. I'm a Texan and I believe in Texas first. I'm telling you this now. I will fight for Texas even though I didn't want to see them secede."

  The Colonel laughed softly, "Yes, I can believe that."

  Quirt smirked, "I was born here in Texas. My folks were here before the big war with Mexico. But Texas is a little different than most states. It's been on its own a lot, always a fighter though. I'll fight here, for Texas."

  "A true Texan, then."

  "Yeah," Quirt smiled. "Even had an Uncle at the Alamo."

  "Well son, before this is over, you are going to feel like you've been there yourself. Especially if the Apache and Comanche join forces out here. The Comanche control all east of the Pecos, but they want more. Apaches are more peace minded but can be easily influenced." The Colonel took out a cigar from a special case, offered Quirt one, and then struck a kitchen match to his boot heel to light it. Quirt declined the cigar.

  "Those will kill you sir." Quirt muttered thickly.

  For only a moment the Colonel looked put out, but he curbed his ill temper to a lecture.

  "Yeah, if someone or somebody don't get me first, son." The Colonel laughed sadly. "So then, I'll make a list of the raw recruits staying here. And I'd advise you making plans to accommodate the ladies when they get here. It might be best to have the women all bunk in the soldier's quarters, put the soldiers in the mess hall or vice versa."

  "Yes sir." Quirt nodded. "Were any of the lady's husbands killed here?"

  "Yes, seven of them were here."

  Quirt nodded. "And the others?"

  "Different forts in Texas. They've all been buried, and their personal effects will be stored in the last cabinet over there, so you can hand them out to the ones that came from here. You can direct them to the cemetery where they rest here on the fort. Might even be nice to have a ceremony for them."

  "Yes sir." Quirt nodded. "But where will they all go, I mean, after…"

  "Nowhere, for a while. It's simply too dangerous to move them around the state as had been planned. This war we're about to get into will cause so much turmoil it would totally be unsafe for them to travel right now, or even in the near future. When it's safe you might be able to put them on a stage and send them home. Or let them stay here, but this fort won't be occupied like before. You'll have your small crew, and if the Confederates take over, it could be up to them where they will go. I don't know how they will feel about Washington sending these women out here, they may resent them, that's why I'm leaving you in full charge of them. Since a good many of them are Texans, they might know what to do with them, but I want you to make sure they are safe."

  "Will they let them return to their homes?"

  "I don't know, I can't predict that. I can't speak for the Confederate army. I feel they might let the ones from the south go home, if they can, but the northern women could be in danger. There hasn't been a confederate army until now. Look, Quirt, I won't lie to you, this is going to be one hell of a war. People have already been trying to decide what side they are on. It could get bad. My advice to you is send them home when you can, if it is safe. If not, try to defend them as best you can."

  "And the settlers, what about them?"

  "I leave those decisions to you, as you are better qualified to know how the Indians are doing."

  "Are most of the women, Texans?"

  "A good handful of them are, yes. So, they should be taken care of even by the Confederates, but war can be very unpredictable son." He puffed on his cigar, then laid it in a dish on his desk. "Any chance of declaring a peace with the Indians?"

  Quirt frowned, "They find out what's going on here, they'll be twice as onry, Colonel. They will take advantage of you leaving, you know."

  "Yeah, and I'm sorry about that. And, if it gets too rough you might send some men out to round up the homesteaders, so they'll have some protection too. It could get bad, very bad. For a while at least, you'll need every man you can get." He shot him a quizzical glance. He shrugged out of his tie and propped his feet on the desk. "I can't say I'm happy about what is going on. But I certainly don't know how to stop or delay it either. Since I already have my orders, I must act upon them."

  Quirt stood up and paced the office.

  "How many?" The Colonel looked at him.

  "I had seven left after the skirmish, some of them are in bad shape. All new recruits. I'll need a burial detail."

  The Colonel was already shaking his head. "Can't do that. We're packing up to leave, and I don't advise you going back out there to bury them."

  "Could I at least go and bring them back here to be buried."

  "If you do, do it quickly, in fact, maybe tonight while we are still here."

  "Yes sir."

  "Do you happen to know how many of the enlisted are Texans?" The Colonel asked, noting the restlessness in Quirt.

  Quirt added them in his head, then shot him a sideways glance, "About ten."

  "Good, give the company clerk the names, they'll be staying on. Plus, some of the new recruits. I might add that those recruits need training, and it wouldn't hurt to find out how many of the women can use a gun."

  Quirt nodded. "Alright, how soon are you leaving?"

  "Tomorrow noon."

  Quirt let out a guffaw sound, "Wish there was a way you could sneak out of here without the Indians knowing it. All I need is to advertise your leaving."

  The Colonel studied that information. "Well, I guess, we could postpone leaving until about midnight."

  "Without the drums or trumpet, sir." Quirt smiled.

  "Alright, we'll leave as silently as possible. Maybe that will give you some time to prepare."

  "It would be appreciated." Quirt stuck out his hand. He shook his hand firmly, staring into the Colonel's face. "Good luck to you sir."

  "Same to you son. And I hope we don't meet again until this bloody war is over."

  "I hope you are right, sir." Quirt nodded. "I sure hope you're right."

  "Begging your pardon sir, but these are not the best conditions for women to live in, especially in the cold of winter, snow comes right into the barracks."

  "I'm aware of our short-comings Quirt. You'll have to make the best of it though. The train is to arrive at the end of the week in Ft. Worth. You'll have to meet it, and have several wagons made with seats for them to ride in."

  Quirt let out a loud sigh.

  "I'm sorry Quirt. I realize this is a mess."

  "So am I, sir." Quirt nodded. "So am I."

  Chapter Two

  Jennifer Weston adjusted her hat and looked around at all the other women on the train. The furnace was working full blast, the windows of the train were full of white ice that covered the edges. Everyone was eager to get to the fort and start the procedure of procuring the remains of their loved ones. She was excited too, but in the back of her mind a lot of things were running rampart. There had been talk of civil war for months and the tension that it brought stirred everyone. She realized too, that she was a northerner and going south was not safe at this time, but to get her brother's body back, she agreed with her family to come. Did these women understand the turmoil of these trying times, she wondered? If the war broke out, where would that leave them?

  An avid reader, Jennifer kept up with all the news and ar
gued frequently with her father who was sure the north would win the war in record breaking time.

  She had listened to her father speak of the war, and some things she agreed with, and others she didn't. But one could not remain on a fence post in a war. In her heart she would eventually have to choose too if war broke out. In her mind she argued that being educated meant knowing both sides of the story and making it twice as hard to pick a side.

  She knew that the Union wanted to end slavery, and she agreed with that. But from talking with some of her southern cousins, she knew that the huge plantations of the south could not exist without the slaves. Her cousins treated their slaves well, but she had to admit, they were still slaves and it wasn't the Christian thing to do, to own people.

  The turmoil inside her made her stronger, still it also made her question everything about the war.

  There was no use worrying about it. They came on this mission knowing it might not all be good. But the thought of getting their loved one's home was all they thought of, her included. She remembered the night her brother left home. He was so proud, and anxious to see the world.

  How could men make such huge decisions as this and call it noble?

  The horn blew, letting them know they'd soon be at a station.

  They'd be getting off in Ft. Worth and a wagon would take them to the fort, which would be the last leg of their journey. At least for her, her brother died at Ft. Davis. Still in the back of her mind she argued with her father that his body belonged home. Her father claimed she was headstrong and had no right butting into things she knew nothing about. But she did know, she read all the papers, hungry for the news.

  Her brother had gone to Texas. Without his father's blessings. He came out west to fight and defend, which he did, admirably. It seemed wrong to dig up his body and move it to a family plot. Why couldn't he be buried where he fought? She didn't like the idea of moving his body, it seemed sacrilegious to move the dead.