David stepped forward and winced.
“You’ve been wounded?” Doc asked in fearful tone.
“They shot my horse out from underneath me and I fell on my damn sword… cut my leg. Then, some guy nicked me with his bayonet,” he responded, pointing his ribs.
“Can you make it?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?” David said, resolutely.
Doc nodded simply, then turned and hurried through the fight. Dodging men and weapons, the two worked their way toward the breastworks. Moments later, with the log wall in full sight, they broke through the edge of fighting.
“I don’t see him anywhere,” Doc responded anxiously.
“Me either. I wonder…” David started, then stopped himself short of finishing.
“He’s alive, David. I’m sure of it,” Doc responded, cutting off David before he could finish.
David nodded reluctantly, then scanned the area once more. His face turned puzzled and he cocked his head to one side.
“What is it, Lad?” Doc asked.
“You hear that?”
“Hear what?” Doc asked, puzzled.
“Shots being fire,” David replied, simply.
“I hate to break this to you Lad, but we are in the middle of a battle right now,” Doc replied, sarcastically.
David continued to listen.
“Right there. Hear that?” David said, pointing along the wall of logs.
“Rifle fire,” Doc said, nodding. Suddenly, his eyes grew in intensity. “Henry rifle fire!” he blurted loudly.
“Exactly,” David nodded.
The two turned toward the sound and searched the area. Forty feet away, they saw a bend in the wall that formed a “V”. At the point in the “V”, one side extended past, creating a short wall inside the skirmish line. Crouching low, David hurried toward it, limping as he went. Following close behind, Doc watched for the enemy.
As the two came within feet of the shortened wall, they once again heard the sound of rifle shots being fired in quick succession. Geoff looked to Doc and smiled.
The two peered around the corner of the wall and watched Geoff kneeling and firing through a large opening in the logs. Within seconds of their sighting, Geoff dropped his rifle and grabbed a pistol. He fell over on his back and pointed the weapon.
Shock spread across David and Doc’s face as Geoff began to squeeze the trigger. Lying on his back, aiming his pistol, a slow smile began to develop.
“Jeez guys, you can’t just sneak up on a guy like that. I almost shot you,” he said, now rolling to his knees.
“Geoffrey, where the hell have you been? I was starting to think the worst,” Doc said, relieved.
“Sorry Doc, one minute you were there, the next you were gone. I searched for you during the fight, but you just vanished. As I got to this side of the fight, I saw you heading west toward the Columbia Pike. I tried to catch up to you but got pinned down here and I’ve been firing from this position ever since.”
“Lad, I’ve been inside that fight the whole time,” he responded in exasperated tone.
“Holy crap! You mean there’s another guy running around here who looks like Santa?” Geoff teased.
Doc glared at the teen.
“Sorry… bad joke. I’m really glad to see you’re ok.”
“Thanks to David,” Doc said, pointing. “I was in desperate straits there for a moment. Thought I was a goner until David showed up.”
“Wow Doc, I had no idea. I’m really sorry about that,” he said, sincerely.
“Ok, you guys can hug and kiss later,” David interrupted. “Doc, I’d like you to stay behind this wall and help Geoff fire at the enemy. It’s well protected and I won’t have to worry about you two while I’m organizing a counterattack, ok?” he said to Doc.
“Pulling rank on me, are you Lad?” Doc responded.
“Absolutely! I’ll be able to concentrate better knowing you two are safe.”
Doc smiled and nodded in understanding.
“Ok Santa. I’ve got a huge box of cartridges. You work the Colt and I’ll work the Henry,” Geoff said, handing the pistol to Doc.
David smiled approvingly at the two and turned away.
“No heroics Lad,” Doc shouted.
David raised his hand in acknowledgement and continued on.
-----*-----*-----*-----
Working his way around the outside edge of the fight, David noticed the area of brawling men had grown smaller as the Rebel force began to be driven back through the skirmish line. As he reached the opposite side, he commanded his troops to concentrate their firing at the opening. With a renewed sense of vigor, his men poured an overwhelming barrage of lead on the enemy. Shortly before dark, the Confederate line began to thin, and their commanders ordered a full scale retreat. Those caught inside the breastworks were overpowered and quickly dispatched, while those retreating back across the field suffered devastating casualties as the Union men continued to fire on their withdrawal.
Over the next three hours, several more charges were ordered by Gen. Hood. Each time, their advance was repelled. With casualties running heavy, he recalled his men, electing to continue the battle in the morning’s first light.
As Gen. Hood’s men camped along the far edge of the battlefield, the warm glow of their fires sent a quiet signal to Gen. Schofield that a time of opportunity arrived. Meeting in the commandeered farmhouse, he discussed his plans for evacuation.
“Gentlemen, I just received notice the bridges are operational once more. Get our wagons across right away,” he ordered to his generals.
“But Sir, what about Gen. Hood? We’ve repelled all of his attacks so far. With his casualties so extensive, I believe we can beat him now,” Gen. Cox responded.
“That may be so, but we have our orders. Gen. Thomas has ordered us back to Nashville. His defenses are stronger there and I’m sure he calculates far less casualties if we engage Hood there instead of here,” Gen. Schofield responded.
“What about the bridges? Do we destroy them or leave them intact,” Gen. Cox asked.
“Leave them. We want Hood to follow us. If we destroy the bridges, it’s possible he could call off his pursuit and disrupt operations elsewhere. We need to eliminate him as a threat once and for all.”
Gen. Cox laughed and said, “I’d love to be a fly on the wall when he wakes and finds that we’ve slipped through his fingers once again.”
Gen. Schofield stared back at Gen. Cox, his face serious and determined.
“Be thankful the man’s an incompetent boob. Any other general and we’d be prisoners of war right now.”
-----*-----*-----*-----
At eleven pm, the eight-hundred supply wagons began to cross the two bridges spanning the Harpeth River. Once the wagons had crossed, the men began to file across as well. By four am the next morning, Gen. Schofield was safely on the northern side of Franklin and headed to Nashville.
As Doc, David and Geoff trotted along behind the wagons, they sat quietly in their saddles and rested. Exhausted both mentally and physically, few words were spoken.
Doc turned and stared at the darkened landscape behind them. Far out in the distance, he could still see tiny fires still burning, signaling the location of the Confederate forces. He exhaled deeply and turned to his front once more.
“You Ok, Doc?” David asked.
“I am now,” he responded simply. He rode a few more steps, then added, “It just dawned on me how close we came to becoming prisoners.”
“Or dead,” Geoff added bluntly.
“Hmm, quite right Geoffrey, quite right,” he said with a nervous chuckle.
After a few minutes of silence, David said, “It’ll be nice to be back in Nashville.”
“Amen David. Far away from here is too close for me,” he joked.
David looked toward Geoff. Even in the darkness, he could still see his face was long and sullen and his posture was hunched over in the saddle.
“What’s with the
long face Geoff? I figured you’d be happy to be heading back to Nashville.”
“I would be, eccept for one thing.”
“And that is?” David asked.
“I’ll be seeing Arles real soon.”
-----*-----*-----*-----
Chapter 16
December 1, 1864
Five miles west of Nashville, Gen. Schofield’s men began to see the first signs of the barricades far in the distance. Surrounding the city in a semi-circular arrangement, the walls made of stone, dirt and logs, were now visible as they meandered across the open lands and distant hills.
Five miles west of Nashville, the pace of the men began to increase. Rushing alongside the marching men, sergeants began to shout orders for double-time speed. As they sat atop their horses, Doc, David and Geoff wondered aloud about the purpose of the sudden change in pace.
“I’m betting ole Schofield can’t wait to get back to town and take a bath,” Geoff joked.
“I certainly wouldn’t mind one myself,” David commented. “It’s been a while.”
“I can assure you Lads, personal hygiene isn’t top on his list of priorities,” Doc responded in serious tone. “I suspect something far more compelling.”
“Like what? Clearing the dingle berries off his ass?” Geoff continued the humor.
“What’s a dingle berry, Geoffrey?” Doc asked, puzzled by the modern term.
“You don’t want to know,” David cut in.
Doc glared at Geoff for a moment, then continued. “If my guess is accurate, I suspect the enemy isn’t too far behind us.”
Geoff turned nervously around in his saddle, searching for signs of the Confederate army. David joined in with the search. As the soldiers to their front began to march faster, the gap between horse and man began to increase. Doc kicked his heels slightly and increased the speed of his trot, catching up to the column of soldiers. As David and Geoff scanned the rolling hills around them, their horses instinctively took the cue from Doc’s and galloped to catch up.
“Whoa,” Geoff shouted to his horse, lightly tugging the reins to slow the speed.
“It’s like they have a mind of their own,” David teased, as he adjusted himself in the saddle.
Hurrying alongside the column of men, a sergeant shouted his orders:
“Double time march, boys. Tighten up those ranks,” he repeated, as he monitored the men’s progress.
Nearing the end of the line, the sergeant took notice of the three on horseback, nodded and turned to head back up the line.
“Pardon me Sergeant?” Doc shouted. “A word with you, if you please.”
“Yes Sir Captain,” the sergeant responded, stopping short and rushing back to address his superior.
“Sergeant, I’m just curious. What is the meaning of our quickened pace?”
“Reb’s Sir,” the sergeant reported instantly. Pointing to the west, he continued, “Our scouts reported seeing ‘em on Compton’s hill, about five miles out yonder.”
“Compton’s Hill?” Geoff blurted loudly.
“Yes Sir Lieutenant,” the sergeant answered.
David shot Geoff a suspicious stare, then scanned the landscape for the hill.
Doc raised his hand to his eyes and squinted, sharpening his focus.
“Hmm, I don’t see the telltale dust cloud of an advancing army,” Doc said.
“No Sir. Me neither, but Gen. Schofield gave us orders for double-time march just the same.”
“Very well sergeant,” Doc responded, nodding in respect.
The sergeant raised his hand in formal salute, then turned and rushed back up the line, shouting commands to his men.
“Did you hear that? Compton’s Hill,” Geoff blurted once again.
“I heard it. Is that the hill… the one Arles died on?” David asked, his tone apprehensive.
“Uh huh. Sure is,” Geoff responded, excited yet nervous.
“And now it’s covered with Reb’s. There goes any chance of planning,” David said, now growing worried. “I hate to say this Geoff, but without being able to check it out before the battle, I’m afraid your chances of saving Bobby are now almost nil. Maybe you should reconsider.”
“Are you out of your freakin’ mind?” Geoff shot back. “I’ve come all this way… been through horrific battles, sawed off people’s legs and now when we’re so close, you think I’m going to just give up? No way man… no way,” he finished, shaking his head in disgust.
“Geoffrey, I believe in letting a man make his own choices, but this time I really do have to protest. This is madness. David’s correct. Without being able to at least see the hillside, there’s simply no way to plan. Anything you do from this point will simply be left up to chance,” Doc said, trying to reason with him.
He pointed to the distant city out in front of them, and continued:
“Consider this Geoffrey: about five mile up ahead is Nashville. Somehow, you will have to cross our lines and march five miles south back to Compton’s Hill. With the enemy occupying that hill, you probably won’t get very close until the day of the battle. On that day, you’ll have to somehow move past our troops without them calling you back into duty, and sneak up the hill to position yourself somewhere where you’ll have close access to Arles. Of course, this is while the Confederate army is trying to shoot you and furthermore, this is without even knowing what any of this looks like beforehand. I’m sorry Geoffrey, but I just don’t see any chance for success here.”
Geoff stared at Doc, then to David. He shook his head and looked out toward Compton’s Hill. His mind raced, as he struggled for a solution. Looking back toward the north, he stared at the distant city through the dust cloud that hung high above the soldier’s heads. Suddenly, he smiled.
“Doc, I think you’re right about the dust cloud. There’s one over us, but not on that hill. Maybe the enemy hasn’t arrived just yet. Maybe they’re still on their way and the scouts were just planning ahead. I’m betting we could walk right up that hill, right now.” Looking to David, he continued, “The hill’s only five miles away. If we ride fast, we can get there, check it out and be back here in time to enter the city with the rest of the column. What do you say?”
“I say you’re not thinking clearly!” David shot back. “Just because you don’t see a dust cloud, doesn’t mean the enemy isn’t up there. There might be battalion positioned up there or maybe just a couple of sharpshooters waiting to pick people off. In any case, if our scouts say the enemy’s up there, I’m believing them.”
“You have a pair of binoculars, right? Well, how about we just get close? We don’t even have to stand on the hillside. We can find a spot that’s far enough away to be out of range, but close enough to see with the binoculars.”
“I don’t know Geoff,” David responded, exhaling worriedly.
“Guys, I know you’re worried about me and I really appreciate that, but I think you keep missing the point. I’ve suffered through war and surgeries for one reason: to save my brother. If at any time, I had changed my mind, don’t you think I would’ve rushed back to the time portal and gotten the heck out of here? I didn’t do that, so you have to realize that I’m determined and you’re not going to change my mind now or ever...” he paused a moment, then added, “I think I’d have a better chance at success if you guys helped me instead of trying to stop me.”
David looked to Doc for an answer. Staring back at him, Doc’s eyes showed the same conflict he was feeling. Reluctantly, David asked, “You think you can cover for us for a couple of hours?”
Doc pursed his lips in discontent.
“You two lads are going to send me to an early grave,” he said, with a reluctant nod.
-----*-----*-----*-----
The two rode quickly, sometimes trotting, sometimes galloping, but always keeping their eyes on the distant hill. Using a nearby forest for protection and cover, they stopped periodically and listened. Aside from the wind and birds, there were no signs of the enemy. Riding to the t
op of a bluff less than a half mile away, the two stopped once more and listened.
“Nothing… not a peep,” Geoff announced assuredly. “Can I see your binoculars?”
David pulled them from his saddle bag scanned the top of Compton’s Hill, then handed them over. Geoff smirked at the delay, then scanned the hill himself.
“Yup, just as I had suspected, the place is deserted,” he said confidently. Handing the field glass back, he added, “Shall we?”
Prisoner in Time (Time travel) Page 43
