Later in the evening, at twilight, a group gathered around a campfire and sang songs of home, the South, and God. Manfred leaned against a tree and listened to the soft strains of a mouth harp blended with the deep voices of the men.
Edwin sank to the ground beside Manfred. “Sounds good, doesn’t it?” The words to “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” echoed around them.
Manfred shifted his position and pulled his knees to his chest. “Yes, but I still think of those we left behind in prison and on the battlefields. Some were friends and neighbors, others strangers, but we were all brothers for our cause.”
“I think of them too. Why did it have to end this way?” Edwin leaned his head against the tree and closed his eyes.
“It had to end sometime. I wish it could have been different, but now it’s time to join together and restore our country to its former unity.” But if men continued to talk like his brother and refused to accept the defeat, no telling how long the restoration would take.
Edwin shook his head. “I know, but it’s hard for me to digest. I want to keep our cause alive.”
Manfred peered at him in the waning light of day. “And just what is our cause?”
Edwin chewed his lip a moment. “I guess it’s just to be sure we maintain our freedoms of choice in making laws for our state.”
“I think that will be the case when the dust settles and we get back to the basics of democracy.” Manfred stretched. For the first time in a while, his belly was full, and he could relax without fear. What a day this had been. The music wafting through the cool April air filled him with the eagerness to return home. There a young woman lived, and if all went according to his dreams, Sallie would be his bride before the summer drew to a close.
The words of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” floated to his ears. Yes, God was their fortress, and He had not failed them. The war may have been lost, but God still reigned and would unite the country again under His sovereign power. Manfred believed this with all his heart.
He gazed toward the heavens, and the silver orb of the moon rose in the darkened sky. Tiny pinpoints of light peeked among the clouds floating across the dark skies. Not many more moons would rise before he’d see his beloved Sallie. He prayed for her to feel his love tonight and know he was coming home to her.
How he longed for the simple life before the war when he’d helped his father load the big boats at the docks beside the family shipping company. He could only hope the docks would still be there and that goods and merchandise would be available for shipping. One thing would change, though. Instead of working the docks, he’d be practicing medicine with Dr. Andrews and curing whatever ailed the people of St. Francisville.
A question from Edwin broke his reverie.
“What was that you said?”
Edwin echoed Manfred’s thoughts. “I wonder what life is going to be like when we get home. Do you think the shipping company’s still there?”
“I was just wondering the same thing. I don’t know, but Father and Mr. Felton would do whatever it took to save it.”
After a few moments of listening to the music, Manfred stood and brushed leaves and grass from his pants. “I figure if we walk at a good pace tomorrow, we can make it to Grayson farm by the next day. Gotta let Luke’s folks know he’s alive and coming home.”
Edwin rested his chin on his drawn-up knees. “Do you really think we can be home by June?”
Manfred shook his head. “I don’t know. I guess it all depends on whether or not we can find means to ride part of the way. We might need to find an odd job or two to make money, and that would delay us a bit too.”
He’d spent some time after their meal figuring how far they could go in a day. With good weather and food to eat, they could set a pace of three miles or so an hour. That’d be less than thirty miles a day, but it would get them there.
“Wonder what the Graysons will be like? Hope they will take us in.”
Manfred laughed and poked him on the arm. “Now little brother, you know they’ll treat us with great kindness. Virginia is a part of the South, you know.”
“Yeah, I know. Sure would be good to have a taste of a good old Virginia smoked ham. I remember the ones we had at Christmas a few times when Pa had them shipped in.” Edwin raised his hands behind his head and leaned against the tree and stretched out his legs.
Manfred leaned back and rested the sole of his shoe against the tree. Again his thoughts filled with home and his parents. He prayed his three other brothers made it home safe and sound.
The rolling strains of “Dixie” filled the air. Edwin jumped to his feet and pulled Manfred to follow him to the campfire. “Come on, they’re singing our song.”
Manfred laughed and joined heartily in singing “I wish I was in the land o’ cotton.” The laughter and camaraderie of the men contrasted sharply with the previous months of silence and suffering. No matter what lay ahead, just being free to sing and enjoy fellowship tonight brought joy and peace to his soul.
Tonight he’d sleep in the great outdoors, surrounded by trees and fresh air. No odors of sweat or dying men. Dreams of home drew close to fulfillment. Their long journey home had begun.
CHAPTER 5
* * *
St. Francisville, Louisiana, Thursday, April 13, 1865
THURSDAY MORNING LETTIE joined Sallie and Hannah in the bedroom. She laughed at Sallie’s awkward attempts to tie a yellow bow in Hannah’s hair and took over the task.
“Miss Hannah, I do believe you’ve grown taller this year. Look at you, almost as tall as Miss Sallie.” Lettie fluffed the younger girl’s golden red curls.
Hannah grinned with pleasure. “Thank you, Lettie. I think I’m taller too.” Then she stuck out the foot wearing the special shoe. “If only I didn’t have to wear this. I’m going to need a new one soon.”
Sallie wrapped her arms around Hannah. “I know, but you’ve probably stopped growing like I did and Papa can request several pairs of nice shoes for different occasions.”
“You really think so? The only ones I’ve seen are these ugly laced-up kind.”
“Yes, I do think so, and we’ll probably be the same height from now on since you are about even with me now.” Being tall ran more to the boys in the family. She and Hannah resembled Mama.
“So I am, but then you’re not so tall yourself.” With a grin at Sallie, Hannah clumped from the room, her special shoe thumping on the floor.
“That child is a growing into a pretty girl and a lively one.” Lettie smiled, shaking her head before attending to the linens and quilt on the bed.
“I’m glad she’s not aware of what the war has meant to all of us. I’m not sure she even understands what really happened that last day in our home.” Mama had protected her youngest daughter from the horrors of the war on that day, but Sallie had seen it all.
“I think she knows more than we believe she does.” Lettie gave the covers one last swipe. “Breakfast is waiting.”
Mama and Papa and the rest of the family had already gathered at the table. Sallie stopped beside her mother’s chair. “I’m sorry to be late, Mama.”
“Just by a minute or so. Your brothers arrived only seconds before you did.”
Sallie headed for her chair but caught the wink Will sent in her direction. He’d tease her later about arriving before she did. She’d scolded him often enough for his tardiness.
After the blessing she ate and listened to her father tell of his plans for the day and the rest of the week.
“Mr. Whiteman sent up word that some of the supplies have arrived from upriver. I’ll go down to the pier at Bayou Sara this morning and load them onto the wagon. Then the boys and I will head up to Mississippi later this morning. We’ll be back on Saturday evening. We can get in a good day and a half of work, maybe two if we get there early this afternoon. With all the debris cleaned from the house, we can have it ready for when the remainder of the building supplies arrive.”
“Mother and I
will prepare food for you to take with you to last until Saturday noon.” Mama reached out and grasped Papa’s hand. “I will pray for your safety every moment you’re gone.”
“Thank you, my dear. I’m sure we’ll be plenty safe with your prayers going up.” He then peered at Will and Tom. “I’ll expect you to have everything ready to go by the time I return with the supplies. We’ll load up the rest from here and get on our way.” He paused then added, “I also expect your school books to be part of the supplies you ready.”
That elicited groans from her brothers and a giggle from Hannah. No matter what else went on, Papa would make sure his boys studied and prepared for the future, especially since the war made the future so uncertain.
Later, after clearing the table, Sallie, Hannah, and Lettie helped Flora, Mama, and Grandma with preparing sacks of food and supplies for the men to take with them. Her mother went into the pantry and removed jars of canned peaches and peas, and Sallie stood beside her scooping out cornmeal. Sallie peered at her mother and noticed the gray salting her chestnut locks. Mama’s hands, though still smooth as silk, bore the signs of the hardships of the past year. Sallie wished she could be as brave and full of faith as her mother always was. No matter what had happened in the past, Mama believed only good would come in the future. Sallie shrugged and dug her scoop into the bin of meal before her. Mama’s optimism did not change anything.
In no time Sallie and her mother finished filling saddle packs with provisions for the next two days. Will led one of their horses to the kitchen door and came in to tote a few bags outside to be loaded onto their packhorse. Mama stood by to oversee the job.
“Now you be careful with those utensils. You’ll have to use them the whole time you’re there. No sense in toting them back and forth every week.”
“Yes, ma’am, I know.” Will nodded and continued tightening ropes and straps.
Sallie secured a bag to the horse’s pack. “I’m going to miss you and Tom.” Even a few days without her brothers would be lonely. They provided distraction that she sorely needed these days.
Will didn’t respond, but he offered a smile before he took the reins and led the horse to the side yard where Moses and George waited with the two horses Will and Tom would ride. The men doubled-checked everything while Mama checked her list.
The creak of wagon wheels came up the drive. Papa had returned with supplies. He stepped down from the wagon and inspected the packhorse. “Good job, Will. You’re learning well.” He tied the reins to the back of the wagon then turned to Mama.
Sallie blinked back tears when Papa wrapped his arms around Mama and kissed her. Papa made no bones about his love for his wife and didn’t always save kisses for the privacy of their quarters. Sallie admired that in him and loved him even more. That’s the kind of love she hoped to have one day.
Sallie hugged her father then stepped back to stand with her arm about her mother’s waist to watch the three men head off down the road. Just before they rounded the curve that would take them out of sight, the three of them turned back and waved one more time. A minute or so later all that remained was a settling dust cloud.
Mama clapped her hands together. “Now let’s not dillydally. We have our own work to do.” She turned to the two colored men. “Thank you for your help. George, I know you would have liked to go with them, but I’m grateful you stayed behind. I feel safer with you and Moses around.”
Sallie followed her mother to the house and headed for the parlor. She picked up her book of literature and sank onto the sofa. She’d no sooner opened the book than Hannah came in.
She held up a tablet and pen. “I have a writing assignment Mama gave me to do. I have to write about my favorite stories and why I like them.”
“That sounds like a nice project. If you need any help, just let me know.” Writing had always been a favorite activity of Sallie’s when she had lessons. Even now, writing in her journal brought her a satisfaction that sewing and even playing the piano didn’t.
Without the noise of her brothers around, the afternoon stretched quiet and peaceful. She picked up her journal and pen to write about the day. She almost wrote her once favorite verse of Scripture at the top but stopped before the first letter appeared. The Lord was supposed to be her shepherd and protect her from the evil things of life, but He had failed her. And she had failed Him by breaking one of His commandments. Thou shalt not kill.
Virginia
Manfred stood in line with the others who had been exchanged. After a hot breakfast of biscuits and gravy at sunup, urgency to be on his way filled him. Since he didn’t know the exact way he should go to reach the Grayson farm, he headed for the captain’s tent quarters.
A soldier stopped him and handed Manfred a blanket and canteen of water along with a pouch filled with biscuits and hard tack. “This is enough for a day or two. After that you’ll be on your own. Wish it could be more, but our own supplies are limited.”
No one said how they came to have decent rations and supplies for the men, but the why and how didn’t matter to Manfred, only the fact it was there. It must have been part of the treaty, but supplies had been scarce in his unit, so where had these come from?
He accepted the offering, thankful for whatever they could give him for provision while they traveled. They’d have to depend a lot on the goodness and mercy of others. In Philippians Paul had reminded the people that God would supply their needs. He’d hold on to that promise in the days ahead.
Instead of going to the officer’s tent right away, Manfred went to an empty spot by a tree and knelt down. “My Father, we are depending on Your promises to sustain us and see us through the next days and weeks until we’re home. You promised to provide for us, and I promise that I will return the provision where people need me. I pray Edwin will agree to my vow to You.” The trip may be long and hard, but with God’s help, they’d make it.
Manfred made his way to Captain Parker’s tent. The officer spotted Manfred and beckoned him to enter. “At ease. What can I do for you, son?”
“If you have a map I might consult before we head out, I’d appreciate it. I’m looking for a Grayson farm and St. Stephens Church.” Without more explicit directions Manfred had no idea where they were going except south.
Captain Parker consulted some papers before him then picked one out. “I believe this is what you need.” He handed the map to Manfred then a pen and a sheet of blank paper. “Here, copy the information you need from this. It shows the areas you’re headed for. If you’ll head southwest from here to the Rappahannock River, you can cross over the river to Tappahannock. The ferry should be running to take you across. St. Stephens Church is about fifteen maybe twenty miles or so farther. Miller’s Tavern is a small town on the way. I say it should take you a half a day or so on foot after you cross the river to reach the town, and then the rest of the day to go on to St. Stephens.”
Manfred studied the map carefully and laid the smaller map Luke had given him beside the larger map and wrote further directions and landmarks to make the smaller one match the larger. When he finished, he tucked it into his journal.
The captain leaned forward. “Is that a diary you have there?”
Manfred laid the pen back on the table and pushed the book into his pack. “Yes, sir. It’s a journal of all we’ve been through.”
“Keep it close to you. Records like that will be important someday.” He lifted his hand to his cap in salute. “I wish you Godspeed. May the rain and winds always be at your back.”
Manfred snapped to attention and saluted. “Thank you, sir.” He turned on his heel and marched from the tent. A few yards outside and he broke into a full run, waving his arms to signal Edwin.
“I got us a map, and we’re leaving now.” Manfred hefted his belongings to his shoulder then turned to several others standing nearby. “This is it, brothers. We’re heading home, but we’re making a stop by St. Stephens first.”
One of the soldiers scratched his chin. �
�We’ll be leaving soon too, but I hear we should steer clear of Richmond and keep south down to Petersburg before going west.”
“Don’t know about that, but we’re bringing word to a fellow soldier’s family. They’ll be able to give us more information.” At least that was Manfred’s hope. They’d have to cross the mountains either in Virginia or the Carolinas, but he had no idea about direction except to go south and west. The sun and stars and kind folks would be their guide.
He and Edwin marched away from the group. Edwin stretched his legs forward in a long, quick pace.
“Whoa, little brother, don’t want to use up all your energy at the beginning. You’ll need it at the end of the day.”
Edwin grinned but slowed his steps. Manfred slapped his brother’s shoulder. Edwin’s healing took a huge leap when they met freedom and good fresh air. Manfred had gained renewed strength himself. He gazed up into the sky, dotted with lazy clouds. God was still in His heaven, and all was right with the world once again. Their journey had begun.
CHAPTER 6
* * *
Virginia, Friday, April 14, 1865
EARLY MORNING SUN dappled the ground beneath the oak tree when Manfred awakened and stretched his arms above his head. He sat up and reached to retrieve his journal from his knapsack. How good it was to be free and in the open air. Might as well write a few words before Edwin wakened.
He wet the stub of pencil with his tongue and began writing.
We traveled to Haynesville before stopping
for lunch then made our way here to the
Rappahannock River to camp for the night. The
sun during the day is warm, almost too warm
for our wool jackets, but the nights are still cool.
Then the jackets provide warmth against the chill.
Edwin seems to be gaining strength much faster
Love Stays True Page 5
