“Yes. So this was a murder?”
Abbey nodded. “I suspect so. We’ll find the unit’s commander. We need to inform him.”
* * *
“Not many in line for camp disease this morning,” Abbey said a few days later.
“Shall we head out to the camp followers?” Margaret said.
Abbey checked the heavens. “Clear sky. Perfect day to see patients. A nurse would help.”
“May I suggest a female nurse? When we treat our patients…down there so to speak, I think they’d appreciate that.”
Abbey nodded. “There’s one in the Connecticut regiment to the east. I’ll head over.”
A brief buckboard ride in the cool spring air and Abbey approached a young woman with wide hips, narrow shoulders and a warm smile.
The doctor detailed her request. The woman brushed her unkempt hair out of her face and said, “Your reputation precedes you, Dr. Kaplan. Been wanting to meet you. I’ll check with my Captain and explain your mission.”
“If you believe it will help, tell him a woman from the Sanitary Commission has provided supplies and encouraged us.”
The nurse returned shortly with a broad grin.
“A soon as he heard the words Sanitary Commission, he approved.” She tied her hair into a bun as they walked.
“Did you know the commission was primarily run and organized by woman?” Abbey said.
“Had no idea.”
“They found out how poor our soldier’s diet was and were motivated to organize food drives in thousands of towns and cities. The food, especially the fresh meat and vegetables seem to keep the men healthier and they recover more quickly when sick or wounded.”
“They say the Sanitary Commission brings train loads of produce. Ate a Michigan peach for the first time, last summer. Sweet as honey.”
Abbey urged their horse into a trot then asked, “How are you treated?”
“Well enough.” They rode in silence for a bit then the woman added, “My fellow nurses, men of course, resent me but the casualties don’t mind. Even a woman of my odd looks is appreciated by them.”
“Odd looks? You show the world a warm smile.”
“Thank you, Doctor Kaplan. I know my looks don’t recommend me but I find infinite satisfaction in my work. I’m not clever enough to be a doctor or surgeon like you so I do my best with the skills I have and try to emphasize my strengths.”
“Such as?”
“Patience. Sometimes soldiers wish to tell me a story about their life or loved ones. When I’m off work, I can sit and listen as long as they wish. Also I’m gentle.”
Abbey raised her eyebrows in Laura’s direction.
“I know. They’re rough, tough soldiers but when they’re wounded, I’m certain a gentle touch is appreciated when treating their wounds. No reason they should suffer unnecessary pain.”
“Dr. Herzog,” Abbey called out as they arrived at the Massachusetts regiment’s medical tents. She brought their horse to a stop. “Please meet Nurse Laura Grafton.”
Margaret nodded and offered her hand. “Welcome.” “Dr. Herzog just passed her medical board exam.”
“A fine accomplishment, Dr. Herzog,” the nurse said.
“Thank you.” Margaret turned to Abbey. “Lt. Scharf and Cpl. Silver packed our supplies in a freight wagon and will accompany us.”
“Lt. Scharf,” Abbey said, “we’ll need some privacy…”
“Cpl. Silver and I have loaded a small tent. It’s tall enough to stand up along the center line and there is room along each side for a cot. We’ll have it up shortly after we arrive.”
A brief ride and a camp filled with a rag-tag assembly of woman and children, came into view.
Abbey glanced around as the wagon came to a halt then she and Lt. Scharf decided where to pitch the tent. Four women noticed the men about to erect the tent, determined its purpose then assisted them.
A few women gathered around Margaret and Laura while others walked around spreading the word, doctors were available. A small parade formed and lined up at the tent.
A long day under a sunny, warm sky ensued. They treated everything from diseased genitalia and lacerations to children’s rashes and fevers. A mother entered with a one-year-old. The boy had a hare lip.
“I can repair this,” Abbey said as she examined him. “Come by the 222nd regiment’s medical tent tomorrow around,” she mentally reviewed her schedule, “…eleven.”
The mother smiled and said, “I never. Thought he’d been branded for life.”
Margaret smiled and said, “We’ve repaired a number of adults, a teen, and a two-day-old with the same condition.”
“Medical tent at eleven. We’ll be there. Doctor, I got this bad sore on my side.”
She turned to Abbey who examined it and said, “Dr. Herzog, please clean and bandage this.”
One of the women inquired, “Do you work with Lt. Smith?”
“He’s our hospital attendant,” Abbey said.
“Tell him we miss him,” she said then whispered, “Pays in gold coin that one. We all likes that.”
Abbey and Margaret exchanged shocked expressions.
“Surprising he has gold coins but I’ll let him know,” Abbey said.
The woman nodded at Lt. Scharf then whispered to Abbey. “He’s a real looker, your lieutenant. Me thinks he’s got a special eye for you.”
“We work together. That’s all.”
“You take care of him or some other girl will.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“When a man’s willie tells him it’s time, he’ll find somebody to put it in.”
“Thank you for telling me but we need to get back to camp,” Abbey said, trying to end the conversation.
“Even the best of them goes wandering occasionally. I know.”
“Yes. Thank you. Appreciate you telling me,” Abbey hurried away.
They were nearly packed when they heard a scream.
A woman ran up to them. “Need a doc right quick. We’ve got a birth happening and it ain’t goin’ well.”
The team hurried to the stricken woman’s side. Abbey examined her, swore under her breath then said, “Lt. Scharf, I’ll need my surgical kit and chloroform. I have to perform a caesarian. Laura, please clean her belly.”
Margret comforted the mother but noticed Abbey seemed uncharacteristically on edge throughout the procedure.
Abbey placed a healthy but screaming infant on her mother’s belly, then had Laura tie and cut the cord.
They re-packed the wagon and headed back to their regiment.
“Abbey,” Margaret said, “The breadth of your surgical background is amazing. When did you first perform a caesarian?”
“Roughly an hour ago.”
“That was your first?” suddenly wide-eyed Laura asked.
“I saw one many years ago performed by our community doctor in the Northwest.” Abbey smiled while remembering a pleasant memory. “And helped my mother deliver my sister Ciara when I was quite young…between those and my school work, I remembered enough detail to get through it.”
The nurse said, “I’d heard you had top notch surgical skill but you must have a superb and detailed memory as well.”
Abbey shook her head, her expression deeply saddened. “Which is not always a good thing. I graphically recall horrors which torment me.”
Margaret turned to Abbey. “Which horrors?”
“Later. Cpl. Silver, please accompany Nurse Grafton back to her regiment.”
“The minute we unload, Doctor,” he said with a pleasant smile and nod to Laura.
Abbey and Margret walked to their tent.
Margaret checked their surroundings and, not seeing anyone nearby said, “Do you ever feel the desire to have a man?”
“Last week, I glanced at a group of men cutting down trees near a river. One of them had superb muscle definition.”
“Abbey, you’re blushing.”
“If I could manage it in
complete secrecy, I’d certainly have encouraged him to put out the fire he started.”
“But, medically speaking, why the fire?” Maggie asked.
“All women feel desire, I suppose.”
“Yes but why?”
Abbey engaged in a long sigh. “I’ve been trying to understand our sexual desire since my teen years. I’m not a philosopher but I’d say nature demands it.”
“So women don’t have control but follow nature’s demands?”
“We have control in some ways.”
“What about men? Does nature control men as well?”
“I suppose but in a different way.”
“How so?” Maggie asked.
“Women tend to follow nature because…I suppose we’re closer to it.” Abbey thought for a while then continued. “Nature reminds a woman of her closeness on a monthly basis. But…women tend to go with nature but men try to…bend nature.”
“I think you’re over-analyzing. Men and woman want to have relations in order to have children. It’s as simple as that.”
“Yes. Simple…but no…if women are closer to nature then I must consider their closeness as a component of a woman’s well-being. As well as considering men wish to bend…”
Maggie raised her voice. “Abbey, like I said, you’re over- analyzing.”
Abbey turned to her friend and smiled. “Sorry. Yes. I’m sure you’re right.” She didn’t speak for a while then thought, “What other behaviors demonstrate women are closer to nature?”
* * *
Abbey carried a large box into the administrative center of the recovery hospital where a number of regiment’s medical records and specimens were organized and sent to the Army Medical Museum. She dropped off a stack of reports and placed the box holding specimen jars on a table. The doctor felt a pair of eyes burning holes in her back.
“Dr. Kaplan. More reports and specimens?”
She turned toward the voice and discovered a set of eyes glaring at her. “Dr. Dillon. I didn’t know you worked here.”
He was seated at a desk off to the side of the room. “They won’t let me work with patients and I know it’s your fault. I was shown the letter you wrote. They assigned me three assistants and now I’m busy organizing reports and shipping specimens instead of caring for the wounded.”
“Not everyone has hands for surgery.”
“I’m good enough.”
“No you’re not.”
He banged his fist on the desk. “A woman doesn’t have any business deciding a man’s future.”
“The letter was co-signed by Dr. Fellows.”
“But you made the decision as to my skill.”
“I did. I’m the one who witnessed your unsatisfactory attempts with pig skin.”
He seethed and spoke through clenched teeth. “And, damn you, the name you called me stuck.”
“Name?”
He balled his hands into fists. “Little Man. I hate the name. I know it’s used behind my back all the time.”
Abbey saw his helpers snickering…and leering at her chest. She briefly glared at them until they turned away.
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out according to your desire but we all take what life gives us and have to manage.”
“This ain’t over.”
“Yes it is and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
* * *
A week later, Margaret looked around as she and Abbey walked to dinner.
“No one can hear us if we speak in low tones but…the longer I’m here…”
“Again? Conversation about having a man?”
“As I said, the longer…”
“The more you want one.”
“Abbey, how do you handle it?”
“I was on leave some weeks before you arrived. I let someone take care of me.”
“Someone from here?”
Abbey warmed at the memory. “A kind, gentle man with a sense of discretion. We’ve done it a few times since our leave.”
“Do I know him?”
“You’ve met.”
“And you weren’t worried about becoming pregnant?”
“I have knowledge of birth prevention which…if you like…I’ll share with you.”
Margret’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped. Abbey whispered, “I know. It’s not legal.”
“Bullshit,” Margaret said. “So only a man can decide when I become pregnant? I’m not allowed to decide how to use my own body?”
Abbey grinned. “Margaret Herzog, you’ve thought this through and reached the same conclusion as I have.”
“But, dammit, the laws are written by men.”
“And written to their advantage, of course. Men are the only ones who can vote…” Abbey’s smile turned mischievous. “More bullshit. One day we’ll need to do something about that.”
They both chuckled.
“Abbey, you’ll show me the birth prevention method?”
Abbey nodded. “Of course. Someone specific you’re thinking of?”
“One of our helpers has been especially kind to me. His smile makes me…you know.”
Maggie Disappears
As first light appeared over the encampment during late June of 1863, Abbey rolled out of bed and was surprised Margaret wasn’t in the tent. She washed, dressed, then reached into her trunk and unfolded a clean apron. Two newspaper clippings fell to the ground. Abbey picked them up. They each detailed the terrible conditions endured by the populace as the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, progressed.
Abbey gasped. “Margaret’s family.”
The date on the news clippings indicated they had been published recently.
After a few hours without hearing from Margaret, she thought, “She couldn’t have gone to Vicksburg. Margaret is a great doctor but delicate physically. I cannot envision her traveling cross-country and, my God, crossing battle lines.”
While completing camp medical duty, Abbey’s shoulders slumped thinking of the danger her friend might be in.
During the day, a number of people asked where Dr. Herzog was. Abbey simply replied she didn’t know.
* * *
Two days later and just before sunset, a Captain appeared at her tent entrance.
“Dr. Kaplan, I’m Captain Wallace of the Military Investigative Service. May I speak to you?”
Abbey sat at the table in her tent. She invited him in.
He removed his hat as he entered. “Sorry to bother you Doctor, but we believe someone from this regiment is keeping track of the numbers of our wounded and killed. This, and other information, is being forwarded to the Confederacy. We intercepted a satchel with coded information but couldn’t determine who was carrying it or its source.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“A few people reported Dr. Herzog occasionally spoke with a southern accent. Know anything about that?”
“She said she lived in the south at some time in her life but as to her being a spy…”
“Dr. Kaplan, I understand she’s been absent for two days. We’d appreciate you telling us if you had any idea where she might be?”
“I woke two days ago and she wasn’t here.”
“Would you mind if we searched through her things.”
“Is that necessary?”
“It is.”
“Go ahead.”
The Captain called two men into the tent and the trio rifled through Margaret’s belongings. “Ma’am…” the captain said.
“Go ahead,” Abbey said as she stood, “examine my things as well.” She watched them rummage through the reports on her desk then searched her trunk; all the while, the news clippings seemingly burning a hole in the pocket of her britches.
She tried to compensate for her anxious state by talking. “Dr. Herzog is a hard worker and a compassionate doctor. Two weeks ago, she passed the medical board exam. We attended a stage play last week to celebrate. Her kind demeanor managed to get us into the actor’s dressing room so we could m
eet the performers. She’s a sweet woman and an excellent doctor. I can’t imagine her as a spy.”
“It’s been reported someone matching her description was seen boarding a train bound for the Mississippi River. Why would she do that?”
“No clue…if, in fact, it was Margaret taking the train.”
“Thank you for your time and cooperation, Dr. Kaplan,” the captain said. Then, with an icy expression, added, “Please keep in mind, spies and their associates are shot.” He stormed out of her tent.
Abbey slumped into a chair. Her hands were shaking and her heart pounded. She waited ten minutes then burned the news clippings in her tent’s stove.
“Please Lord,” she prayed while she watched the newsprint turn to ash, “bless and take care of my good friend.”
A Major Battle
“We’re getting information a major battle is about to take place,” Colonel Wilson said to Abbey as their regiment completed a two-week march.
“How major?” Abbey asked.
“We have roughly seventy-thousand combat-ready soldiers here and on the way.”
“Confederate compliment?”
“Hard to say with any accuracy but at least fifty-thousand.”
“Our regiment?”
“Will be in the thick of it.”
“Any estimate of when?”
“Most likely two or three days from now. That’d be July1st. All leaves have been cancelled.”
“I’ll let my staff know to begin prepping supplies. Thanks for keeping me informed, Colonel Wilson.”
He shook his head. “It will be difficult to get your team setup. The medical supply trains are being held back until the Army can bring their artillery and troops up. You’ll be setting up in the open in yonder orchard.”
Abbey found Lieutenants Smith and Scharf.
“Without the medical supply trains, how will we handle wounded?” Lt. Smith asked.
The Surgeon: A Civil War Story Page 16
