The Liberator Series Box Set: Christian Historical Civil War Novels

by Stephenia H. McGee

  The major returned to his paperwork, obviously not being in any hurry to address George, who made a point not to shuffle his feet, and waited with his hands clasped behind his back. He wouldn’t give the man any reason to be irritated with him.

  George looked across the major’s balding head to the door behind him, wondering if that’s where the guards slept. Did they have mattresses? He would never take one for granted again, should he ever find the luxury of sleeping on one in the future.

  Other than the desk at which the major sat, there was little else in the room to take George’s attention off of his wildly galloping thoughts, so he watched the major shift through his papers until he finally banged the stack on the desk, straightened them, and set them aside.

  He leveled thoughtful brown eyes on George. “George Daniels?”

  George shifted his weight. “Yes, sir?”

  “Do you know why you have been brought here?”

  “No, sir.”

  The major tapped his finger on his desk. “Elmira was supposed to hold five thousand. Do you know how many are here instead?”

  What kind of game was this man playing? He’d best keep his wits about him, much as he could. George shoved his hands into his coat pockets. “Much more than that, I would guess, sir.”

  Major Patterson grunted. “Twice as many. We don’t have room for those and still they send me more!”

  George didn’t know how to respond to this, so he said nothing.

  The major regarded him for a while, long enough for George to break a sweat. Finally, as if making up his mind about something, he spoke again. “I have been granted permission to allow a few men an opportunity that all would covet.”

  George swallowed, but his mouth felt too dry. Not knowing what else to do, he dipped his chin in acknowledgement and waited for the major to continue.

  The man leaned back in his chair. “It has come to my attention, Daniels, that you never cause trouble and work harder than most.”

  George let out a whoosh of air. So, he wasn’t here for some sort of punishment. Did they give prisoners rewards for good behavior? Before he let his mind travel to food, he forced himself to focus on the rest of the major’s words.

  “Now, that alone won’t do a man much good, but coupled with a few certain other factors, well, it just might help you out.”

  George’s brows pulled together. The man was being decidedly vague. “I’m sorry, sir. I’m not sure what you are saying.”

  The major picked up one of the papers on his desk and scanned it. “I am told you are a major land holder in Mississippi. Is that correct?” he asked without looking up.

  This was an odd conversation, indeed. George answered carefully. “Since my father and brothers’ deaths, I am head of Westerly Plantation, yes.”

  The major looked up, then checked his papers again. “A rather large holding, correct?”

  What did it matter how much land he had? “I suppose, by some standards. Westerly holds more than seven thousand acres. Or did, before the war. I cannot say what would be left of it were I ever to see it again.”

  The major pinched the bridge of his nose and George’s chest tightened. Finally, the major looked at him sternly. “I’m offering you an opportunity to leave this prison as a free man.”

  Surely his nutrition starved mind had fabricated the words. “Sir?”

  The major smirked, obviously finding George’s stupor amusing. “The war is nearly over, of course. We will take Richmond within the week and then the rebel forces won’t hold out much longer.”

  George swallowed. All he wanted now was to live in peace. If the war was nigh on ending, then perhaps his time in this purgatory was coming to an end as well.

  “So,” the major continued, “since that is the case and the Union will need to be restored, men with assets will be rewarded for their willingness to help with such endeavors. Tell me, what would you do if the war was finished today and you were free to go?”

  George leveled his gaze on the man and answered honestly. “I would try to rebuild my life. Take a wife, make a living for a family, and finish my days in peace. I’ve seen enough blood for one lifetime.”

  The major nodded. “Wise answer. I believe it, too. I’m good at telling when a man is lying.” He lifted a stack of papers. “These are loyalty papers. If you will denounce your treason and swear your loyalty to the Union, promise to abide by United States Government laws, and do not seek to use your position or wealth to stir up further Rebel treason….” He looked at George expectantly.

  George swallowed hard and nodded. He wouldn’t be stirring up anything more than his morning coffee, if he could help it.

  The major appeared to be satisfied. “Then the Union Army is prepared to offer you your freedom,” he said, “in exchange for your reestablishing working crops and partnering with the government as it seeks to mend the nation.”

  George hesitated. What exactly did that mean? The government would control what he did with his lands and who he traded his cotton and tobacco to?

  The major tapped the papers again. “Choose wisely. I’d say your very life depends on it.”

  George tightened his jaw. Better to provide cotton to the Yanks than to die in prison. He dipped his chin. “Where do I sign?”

  The major grinned and pointed to the bottom of the page. In swift order, George scrawled his name and told himself that this would be his family’s best option. The major had just finished replacing the cork on the ink well when the door banged open behind George.

  “Major? Got a lady out here that wants to see you,” said one of the guards, poking his head inside.

  “Lady?” The major scoffed. “Since when were women allowed in?” The major pushed away from his desk. “That will be all, Daniels. I’ll see that this is processed and someone will send for you once it’s approved.”

  George’s heart sank. He was hoping he would get to leave before the ink dried. He dipped his chin. “Thank you, sir,” he said as he followed the major out the door.

  The gloomy light felt like a punch to the gut as he stepped outside. Where had the sun gone? Half a day and already they were back to gathering clouds? His hope for dry firewood snuffed out. He dropped his eyes from the heavens with disgust.

  At the bottom of the steps stood a lovely young woman with golden hair and flashing eyes. She held herself with a regal air, despite the fact that two Union officers held tight to each of her elbows. George frowned. What would a woman be doing in here? And why the restraint?

  He paused on the bottom step and studied her face. She must have felt his gaze, because her eyes swung from the portly major and landed on him. She gasped, her features growing pale.

  George frowned. Had she not see men that looked worse than him? Surely she’d had to step over one or two Hopeless before making it to the guard’s barrack. Suddenly her image was replaced by a sour face with bushy red eyebrows. George gulped. Corporal Carnage’s nose was only inches from his own. “Get out of here, Rebel scum. Back to work!”

  George ducked his head, hurrying away before the corporal could find another reason to jab at him or the major could renege his offer. After a few steps without a jab in the back, he dared to glance over his shoulder. The lady had straightened herself and was boldly addressing the major. The corporal caught his eye and took a step forward. George turned his head and quickened his pace.

  As George stepped over the Hopeless and made his way back to the wood yard, he couldn’t help but wonder – who was that woman, and why did she act as though she had recognized him.

  “What could he have learned from her?”

  John Surratt

  She could feel the men staring at her. Their eyes nipped at her, looking for signs of weakness and taking measure of her every curve. Annabelle dismissed the retreating man and settled her focus on the red-faced major in front of her. She longed to snatch her elbows away from the soldiers holding her, but dared not. She certainly did not want to end up in detainment
again and give poor Matthew two people to have to rescue.

  “This lady insisted on seeing you, Major Patterson,” the soldier on her left said, jiggling her arm for effect.

  Annabelle straightened her spine and offered the balding man her best smile. He narrowed his eyes at her, but spoke only to his soldiers. “And I am sure you told her visitors were not allowed within?”

  The one to her right shifted his weight, and she dared a look at his profile. The set of his brows suggested he was strongly displeased with his situation. “That we did, sir. But, sir, she wouldn’t leave….”

  “Well, you see I….” Annabelle started, but the major held up his hand to silence her.

  “One moment, miss, while I try to understand why my men have disobeyed my orders.”

  Annabelle inclined her head and tried to look as nonthreatening as possible. Not that she suspected she would ever look intimidating, even if she tried. But if she could come across as confused and likeable, perhaps he would wait to throw her out just long enough for her to do what she’d come for.

  New determination stirred in her chest and she glanced toward where the man who had come out with the officer had gone, but he was nowhere to be seen. Could it have been George? He was tall, though not as tall as Matthew, and also had light hair and eyes. She hadn’t been able to catch their color, but the shape of his face….

  She realized the soldier was speaking again and forced herself to concentrate on the matter at hand. She would have to mull over later whether that might have actually been George, or simply her desperation to find him manifesting itself on a stranger.

  “I’m sorry, sir. But she wouldn’t go, and her presence was….” he glanced at Annabelle and she shot him a sugared smile. He cleared his throat. “She was distracting the guards and causing prisoners to gather at the gate.”

  The major lifted his brows. “Miss, we do not allow visitors. If you wish to donate, you do so with Mrs. Green. She is head of the women who take pity on the dogs here.” He started to turn away.

  “Wait, sir,” Annabelle said, stepping forward. The guards tightened their grip on her arms. She sighed, hanging her head. “I only wanted to see if my fool brother was here. I’ve come so far and we’ve been so worried.” She added a hitch in her throat, which came rather easily, and looked up to bat her lashes at him. Major Patterson regarded her with lowered lids, pressing his lips in a line. “Please, sir,” she pleaded. “I only wish to know if he still lives. I promise I won’t cause you further trouble.”

  The major grumbled something she didn’t understand and nodded to the soldiers, who promptly released her elbows. She heaved a sigh of relief and straightened her mantle against the probing wind.

  “Very well, miss,” the major said, drawing her attention away from her wrinkled fabric and back to his scowl. “You say your brother joined the Rebels?”

  Annabelle nodded. “It has been so hard on us all. I learned from the Commissary General’s office in Washington that he may be here.”

  The major tugged at his long mustache and she tried to let all her pent up fears and worries the last weeks had caused shine through her eyes. It must have worked, because, looking resigned, he huffed. “Oh, very well. I will check the records for you, miss. But then you are not to return. Understood?”

  “Oh, yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”

  “What is your brother’s name?”

  “George Daniels.”

  The major’s face instantly became hard. He stared at her a moment, and her heart galloped like a frightened colt. She thought her chest would erupt with fear before he finally spoke again. “I think you should come inside, miss. I have some questions for you.”

  Annabelle glanced at the confused faces of the soldiers at her side and tried to keep her panic in check. The last time an officer had questions for her, she’d found herself tossed into a tent with her feet bound. She clasped her hands in front of her to try to keep them from shaking. “Oh, that’s all right. We can talk out here. I don’t want to take up too much of your time.”

  “Oh, but I insist.” He gestured to the soldiers. “Return to your posts, men.”

  The soldiers saluted and then hurried off, leaving Annabelle with the heavy frown of the major. He opened the door to the stout stone building behind him and motioned for Annabelle to enter. She swallowed the gathering lump in her throat and stepped past him into the dim room.

  Finding there was nowhere other than the chair at the lone desk in the room to sit, Annabelle decided to stand as near as the exit as she could. The heavy door closed with a thud that made her jump. Thankfully, the major didn’t seem to notice as he made his way around the desk and sat down behind it. He regarded her thoughtfully for a moment, then leaned back in his chair.

  “So, Miss Daniels, I take it.”

  Annabelle hesitated, then nodded.

  “Tell me about your brother.”

  Annabelle fidgeted with the blue fabric of her only good dress and gave him the same story she’d given to the young Union soldier in Washington. “My brother decided to join the Confederates. He split up the family and caused my mother a great deal of worry. Ever since we heard he was taken captive we have been trying to locate him.”

  “Hmm. And you believe he is here?”

  She realized she’d gathered her skirts so much that her hemline had risen two inches off the floor. She quickly dropped the fabric and clasped her hands at her waist. “Yes, sir. That is what I was told.”

  He picked up some papers on his desk and looked them over. “Do you know what unit he was in or where he was taken prisoner?”

  Feeling hopeful, Annabelle bobbed her head, bouncing the curls hanging down by her ear. “He was in one of Forrest’s regiments in Mississippi. We believe he was captured near a town called Lorman.”

  The major stroked his mustache again. “I might have someone who came from there. Don’t recall his name, but I don’t think it could be the same man.”

  “Oh?”

  He watched her closely. “No. This man claims to be a plantation holder from Mississippi, not a man with his family in the North.”

  Her pulse quickened. That could be George!

  “And where did you say your family was from?”

  Annabelle thought quickly. “My family hails from New York, just a day’s ride north of here, in Watkins Glen.” Not exactly a lie. However, she suspected that by this point, one more lie wouldn’t truly make much difference.

  “Hmm. Interesting. You don’t suppose your brother would have claimed to be a land holder from the South, do you?”

  Oh, heavens. What if that were George she had seen? Did they know who he really was? Oh, this tangle of falsehood might well trap her this time. She hadn’t dreamed they would know so much about him! She chewed her lip. “Honestly, I wouldn’t know, sir.”

  He thought a moment. “Well, I’ll tell you what. Let me look into the matter, and see if I can figure this out.”

  Annabelle nodded slowly, apprehension settling in her chest like a weight. “I…appreciate that, sir.”

  “Where might I send a message to?”

  Dare she tell him she was staying at the inn? She studied his face. She’d seen enough people regard her with suspicion these last weeks to recognize it now. She smiled sweetly. “Oh, no need to worry with sending someone with a message. I can return to the gate in the morning and one of your men can pass along your findings.”

  He regarded her flatly, then sighed. “Very well.”

  She dipped her chin and turned to hurry out.

  “One moment, miss.”

  Annabelle paused, her heart thudding frantically. His heavy footsteps sounded behind her and he reached past her to open the door. “A lady cannot go through the prison unescorted, of course.”

  She let out her breath in a whoosh. “Oh, yes, of course.” She waved a hand. “How silly of me.”

  The major took her elbow and she tried not to cringe. They made their way down the long dirt road she ha
d traversed on the way in. This time, as they neared the gate, she noticed the line of men huddled along the wall. Several of them coughed, and none of them looked well. Her stomach churned, and she lifted a hand to her face to mask some of the smell. They had to get George out of here. As they neared the gate, Annabelle came to a stop. “Major?”

  He dropped his hand from her arm. “Yes?”

  Might as well take the chance. “I heard that some men were going to be released from here, if they sign papers of allegiance. Is that true?”

  The man tugged on the hem of his blue jacket, his gaze traveling over the men on the wall instead of looking at her. She saw only frustration in his eyes and not the slightest sign of compassion. She almost thought he wasn’t going to answer when his cold gaze fell on her again. “And where did you hear that?”

  Annabelle gestured across the way. “A lady at the observation tower told me.”

  The major wrinkled his face in disgust. “Those fools and their tower. What do they think we are? The local theatre?”

  Annabelle gave a small shrug, unsure what would be the best response. At least he seemed to be repulsed by the platform. Perhaps he did have some humanity, after all.

  “Well, I suppose there is no harm in telling you the information is correct. A few prisoners meeting certain requirements are going to be released. The war is nearly finished, you know,” he said, gesturing for her to pass through the gate.

  So everyone always said. “Yes, sir,” she replied, remaining where she stood. “I certainly hope it is. Do you think perhaps my brother might be one of those considered?”

  His features tightened again, and she regretted asking. “As I have said, I will have to look into this matter. It would seem that some things are not….” He paused, then grasped her elbow again, practically pulling her through the gate and past the sentries on duty. “Here we are,” he barked, dropping her arm. “I do not expect for you to cross through this gate or cause my men trouble again.”