Mrs. Chesnut said, “Come along. We’ll have to explain all of this to my husband. I’m sure he’ll be able to help.”
They found Colonel Chesnut, who was one of Jefferson Davis’s advisers, with an office full of people. His wife simply brushed them aside, shooed them out of the office, and said, “Now, husband, you sit down and listen to this young lady.”
The colonel was a distinguished-looking man, rather slight. He was accustomed to his wife’s abrupt ways. “Very well, my dear,” he said. “I suppose it must be important.”
“It certainly is! Just listen!”
Twenty minutes later Colonel Chesnut had the whole story. He had not said a word. But as soon as Leah was finished, he said, “I hadn’t heard about this. You two wait right here while I go and do some checking.”
As soon as he was out of the room, Mary Chesnut went over and put her arm around Leah. “Don’t you worry now. My husband may be a little slow at times, but when he gets that look in his eye, I know there’s going to be action. It’s rather strange, that look. He looks like he’s just decided to lower his head and ram it through a brick wall! A stubborn man, but very sweet.”
Colonel Chesnut was gone for almost thirty minutes. When he came back he was bustling. “Come along,” he said. He belted on a saber, jammed a soft felt Confederate hat on his head, and said, “I think we’ll attend your sister’s trial, Miss Leah.”
He led them across the yard toward a large, red brick building, where a soldier saluted him sharply. Then he conducted them to a pair of large double doors guarded by two privates. “Is the trial going on?”
“Yes, sir,” one of the men said. “It just started. Do you want to go in, Colonel?”
“Yes, and these are my guests.”
“Yes, sir.” He opened the doors wide, and Colonel Chesnut marched in. His wife clutched one arm and Leah the other.
Leah was scared when she saw six officers seated at a table. Across from them was her sister, and she wanted to cry out, but Mrs. Chesnut squeezed her arm.
“It’ll be all right, dear. Let my husband handle it.”
“Why, Colonel Chesnut,” another colonel said, looking up with surprise. “I didn’t expect you here, sir.”
Colonel Chesnut turned to his wife. “You sit here, dear. Leah, you sit down with us.” Then he looked across the room to where Captain Wesley Lyons sat with a startled look in his eye.
“You have an interest in this case, Colonel?”
“Yes, I do. Proceed, and I will let my feelings be known at the proper time.”
“Why—why, of course, Colonel Chesnut.”
The officer in charge seemed flustered, but he quickly pulled himself together. “Now then, we will hear the evidence against the accused.”
A small, rotund man sitting at a table to one side rose and cast one look at Colonel Chesnut. He cleared his throat. “The accused has been brought to this place on charges of treason.”
He rambled on for quite a while, and finally the presiding officer said with some irritation, “We have many cases to hear, Captain. What is the evidence against Miss Carter?”
“Letters, sir. I have them right here.” He opened one and began to read. It was a simple enough letter. Leah remembered when Sarah had written it. It simply gave a brief account of what they were doing with their time and reported on Uncle Silas’s condition. It did mention that there was a great deal of activity and that McClellan’s army was expected to move at any time. It was the kind of talk that people made every day.
When the prosecuting attorney had read the letter, the colonel in charge said, “Where is the proof of treason?”
“You must see it, Colonel! She’s telling this man—her father, who is an agent for the North—about our troops, about what’s happening here in Richmond.”
A young man seated beside Sarah said, “I object, sir.” He stood to his feet. “There’s nothing in that letter that isn’t known to everybody in the North. We all know that McClellan is on his way. There’s no military secret there.”
“Objection sustained! We’d better hear the rest of those letters, sir,” the colonel said, and his face grew stern. “And we’d better hear something more incriminating than that, or we will find someone in contempt for wasting the time of the court.”
“Why—why, yes, sir!” The prosecutor wiped his forehead. He read through several letters.
Finally the presiding officer said, “Is this the sum of your evidence?”
“Sir, her father is an agent for the North!”
The colonel looked across at Sarah. “Is this true, Miss Carter?”
“My father is not an agent for the North. He is a sutler,” Sarah said calmly. “He sells supplies to the troops just as your sutlers do. In addition to that, he passes out Bibles and tracts. You can confirm this very easily.”
The colonel’s face grew red as he stared at the prosecuting attorney. “This is the extent of your evidence?” he repeated.
“Well … yes, sir.”
“Who had this woman arrested?”
“Why, I believe Captain Lyons brought the matter to our attention.” The prosecuting attorney gave the captain an angry look. Leah saw he was upset at being put in such an embarrassing position. “Perhaps he may have more evidence than he’s given me.”
Colonel Ames, the head of the court, said, “Captain, you may speak. Why have you brought these charges on this flimsy evidence?”
Captain Lyons was accustomed to being in charge of things, but the eyes of all six men were fixed on him. He glanced at Colonel Chesnut. “Why, I thought it my duty to bring the matter to the court’s attention.” That must have sounded feeble even to his own ears.
Colonel Ames stared at him, then looked across the room at Sarah. “We will keep this on an informal basis, I think. Miss Carter, can you think of any reason why Captain Lyons would accuse you of spying for the Union?”
Sarah said without hesitation, “He has been trying to court me. When I expressed a preference for a sergeant in General Stonewall’s brigade, he became very angry. I can only assume that this is the cause of his accusations.”
A silence fell over the room. Colonel Ames looked at Colonel Chesnut. Some message seemed to pass between the two men. Colonel Ames said loudly, “I declare this case dismissed. Miss Carter, we must ask your forgiveness for the unjust accusations.” Then his head turned. “Captain Lyons, you will remain. The court has a few words to say to you.”
The defense attorney said, “Thank you, Colonel Ames.” He reached down and shook Sarah’s hand.
She rose and stood before the court. “Thank you, Colonel Ames and all you gentlemen,” she said. Then she turned, and Leah met her, throwing her arms around her.
“Come along—we’ll go now,” Mrs. Chesnut said.
The four of them left, and when they were outside, Sarah turned to Mary Chesnut and to her husband. “I can’t thank you both enough for—”
“Oh—” Colonel Chesnut waved his hand in a gesture of disdain “—it would have come to nothing anyway. That fool of a captain should have known better. I hope they put him in the stockade for being an idiot.”
“Will you come back to the house with us?” Mrs. Chesnut asked.
“I really need to get home,” Sarah said, “but we’ll call later to thank you properly.”
That should have been the end of it. Sarah went home with Leah, and the two had a little celebration with Uncle Silas. They were singing the praises of the Chesnuts.
However, on the next day a letter came from the colonel:
My dear Miss Carter,
There have been repercussions concerning your case. I, myself, am totally convinced of your innocence and so are the six men on the board. However, it seems that the father of Wesley Lyons is a man of considerable influence. I will not attempt to justify this, but he has brought great pressure to bear. As a result, I am forced to ask that you leave Richmond and return to your home in Kentucky.
Your younger siste
r, I trust, will be able to care for your uncle. Once again, rest assured I will pursue this, but it will take some time as these things do.
Regretfully yours,
Colonel Chesnut
Sarah looked up blankly when she had read the letter, and Leah cried, “Why, they can’t make you go home!”
“I’m afraid they can, Leah. This is their country, and Colonel Chesnut wouldn’t have written this if there hadn’t been tremendous pressure. I’ll have to go.”
She would not have to go to the train station alone, however, for Colonel Chesnut had pursued his investigation. He had Tom freed at once, and that young man came flying to Silas Carter’s house. Sarah opened the door herself and found herself wrapped in his arms—or in one of them anyhow. The other was still bandaged.
“Are you all right, Sarah?” he asked. “I was so worried about you.”
“Oh, yes, I’m fine.” She laughed nervously. “But I’ve got to go back to Kentucky, Tom.”
“Colonel Chesnut told me. But it won’t be for long. He’s working on it, and he’ll get you back here soon.”
“I hope so. I hate to leave Leah here all alone, but there’s no other way it seems.”
The next day Sarah said her good-byes to Leah and Uncle Silas, and Tom took her to the station. They stood on the platform as the train huffed and puffed, sending great clouds of steam into the air.
“I hate like fury for you to go!” Tom groaned. “Just doesn’t seem right! Seems like we spend our lives saying good-bye.”
Sarah had slept little, and her eyes looked forlorn, but she managed to smile. “It won’t be forever. I need to go home anyway and help take care of that baby sister of yours. You watch out for Leah.”
“I will.” Tom hesitated, then put his good arm around her and kissed her. “Good-bye, but it won’t be long.”
“Take care of yourself,” Sarah whispered. “Oh, be careful! Don’t let anything happen to you.” Then she whirled and boarded the train.
Tom watched it roll out of the station and pick up speed. It grew smaller in the distance and finally disappeared around a curve. He turned and walked slowly away as despondent as he’d ever been in his whole life.
16
A Gift from Heaven
Stonewall Jackson’s campaign in the Valley made him a famous man. His soldiers became known as Jackson’s “Foot Cavalry.” The armies that he had defeated never got to Richmond to help McClellan. Instead they all retreated to Washington—to the shame of their generals.
Then on June 12, 1862, General Jeb Stuart performed a magnificent feat. He led his cavalry in a ride completely around the Union army. When he returned to Richmond, he had the position of all the Federal troops for General Lee. Richmond was buzzing with excitement.
The Stonewall Brigade had been drawn back from the Valley to join the fight to save Richmond. Tom was still recuperating from his hand injury but was able to at least help with his squad. Jeff expected to be called any minute, for it was certain that the battle for Richmond would take place at any time.
On June 15, Jeff came by the Carter house wearing his best uniform. His hair had been freshly cut by one of his fellow soldiers and was slicked back.
When he entered, Leah cried out, “My! Don’t you look nice!”
Jeff shrugged. “I guess, if you say so.” He saw she had brushed her own hair carefully and wore it a different way. She was wearing a new dress too. It was light blue with dark blue lace at the sleeves and around the bodice. He noted that she was growing up. “You’re not a little girl anymore,” he said with a grin. “You look real pretty, Leah.”
She flushed. “Where have you been for the last two days?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Oh, I went over with Tom to see how everybody was doing. We lost several men in the Valley.” He frowned. “The one man I thought we’d lose for sure was Phineas Rawlings—he got shot in the stomach. I was afraid he’d die, but he didn’t. We went to the hospital, and he’s doing fine.”
Then he noticed there was a mysterious air about Leah.
She said, “You know what day today is?”
Jeff grinned. “I guess so. A fellow doesn’t have many birthdays in a year. Pretty nice that you and I have the same birthday, isn’t it?” He gave her an odd look. “Are you fishing for a birthday present?”
“No!”
“Well, I got you one anyhow.” He reached into his pocket and produced a small package wrapped in white paper with a blue ribbon around it. “Here. Hope you like it.”
Leah flushed again and took the gift. Her fingers trembled a little as she carefully took off the ribbon and laid it to one side. Then she unfolded the wrapper slowly. Inside was a small box. She took the lid off and stood staring down at its contents. When she looked up her green eyes were enormous. “Oh, Jeff, it’s beautiful!” she said, drawing out the last word. “Where did you get it?”
“One of the sergeants in the company posted next to ours sold it to me. He’d bought it for his girlfriend, but they broke up, so he let me have it. I think he was glad to get rid of it, because it reminded him of her.”
Leah held the box carefully and pulled out a gold locket with a fine gold chain. She laid it reverently in her palm and admired it. “It’s the prettiest locket I’ve ever seen!”
Jeff coughed, embarrassed. When she looked up at him, he said, “Well, open it up!”
“It opens?” Leah carefully inserted her thumbnail in the tiny groove around the oval locket. It opened smoothly. She cried out with delight. “Why, Jeff, it’s you!”
Jeff felt his face redden. “Aw, some of us had our picture made by one of them picture-making fellows. I just cut mine out and put it in there. You can throw it away if you want to.”
“I won’t ever do that! Here, help me put it on!” She handed him the locket, turned around, and held up her long, blonde hair.
Jeff reached around her to get the end of the locket. Then for a few moments he struggled to fasten the clasp. “This thing’s so tiny my fingers feel like thumbs,” he complained. “All right, there it is,” he said, stepping back.
“Come on, I want to look in the mirror.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the parlor where a gold frame held a small looking glass. She admired herself, turning this way and that. “Oh, it’s so pretty!” She turned around and impulsively took his hand. “Thank you, Jeff. It’s the nicest present I ever got in my whole life!”
His face grew warm, and he mumbled, “Oh, well, I’m glad you like it.”
Leah stood looking at him for a moment and said, “I’ve got you a present too—but you’ll have to do what I say.”
“Why do I have to do what you say? Just give me the present.”
“No, come in here.” She led him into the parlor. “Now, you sit down right there.” She pushed him toward a leather-covered chair, and he plopped down in it. “Now, shut your eyes.”
“Oh, shoot, Leah—this is for babies!” he protested.
“Here, you hold your hands over your eyes, and don’t you peek.” She took his hands and put them over his face. He mumbled another protest, but she said, “If you don’t mind me, I won’t give you a pre-sent—and no cake either.”
“Well, all right,” Jeff said. “Let me have it then.”
“You wait right there, and I’ll be right back. And don’t you dare peek!”
“I won’t,” Jeff muttered. He heard her footsteps leaving the room. He thought he heard voices, and then he heard her come back. He held out his hand. “All right, let’s have it. I hope it’s something good to eat.”
“It’s something better than that!” Leah said, and there was something strange in her voice.
Suddenly Jeff felt a hand on his head, and he straightened up abruptly, startled by the touch.
“You can look now,” Leah said.
Jeff lowered his hands, looked up, and shock ran through him.
“Hello, Son. Happy birthday.”
“Pa!” Jeff leaped out of his c
hair, threw his arms around his father, and hugged him tight.
Lieutenant Majors said, “Now, don’t break every bone I’ve got, boy.”
Jeff could not think clearly. He took a step back and said, “Pa, I can’t believe it! How did you get here? How long have you been here? Where—”
Nelson Majors held up a hand. He was pale, but his eyes were clear, and he had gained some weight. “I just got in yesterday. I wanted to find you right away, but Leah said wait till today and it would be a birthday present you’d never forget.”
“Boy, that’s right!” He was suddenly close to tears for some reason he could not explain. A lump rose in his throat, and he could not have said another word if his life had depended on it.
Suddenly Leah came over and kissed him on the cheek. “There! There’s your happy birthday present. Isn’t it wonderful? Just what we prayed for!”
His father grabbed the two of them and squeezed their shoulders. He was getting his strength back, Jeff saw.
“General Jackson arranged for the exchange,” he said. “I got a note from him. He said he’d been praying about it and he knew that others were praying too. So he expected God to make the exchange possible—which He did.”
For the next few hours the three could not talk fast enough. Finally Lieutenant Majors said, “Well, God be thanked, I’m back. I wish your mother was here to see this—and I wish Esther was here so that I could see her. But I’m not complaining.
“Happy birthday to both of you. Leah—fourteen years old now, a young woman. I remember you when you were nothing but a rug rat crawling along the carpet, chasing around after Jeff. And you, Jeff—fifteen, almost a man.” He looked at them fondly. “That’s a strange age, fourteen, fifteen. No longer a child, not yet a man or a woman, but with some of both of it in you. I’m mighty proud of you two, both of you.”
He turned abruptly and left the room, saying, “I’ve got to go visit some more with Uncle Silas. We’ll have your birthday cake later, I take it?”
Yankee Belles in Dixie Page 12
