Words Heard in Silence (35 page)

Charlie groaned. Jocko had been slipping around quietly. He was not quite sure who was really running the house, Rebecca or Jocko. He was very sure the two of them had created some kind of agreement, since his clothing was always there and ready, his office was impeccable and what he needed was normally at hand. But Jocko himself had managed to stay scarce lately, except for the ritual morning shave. Charlie made a mental note to check on the activities of his batman. Carefully balancing the bundle of energy in his left arm, Charlie climbed into the little trap, gathered up the reins in his right hand and clucked Shannon into a sedate walk towards home.

U
pon returning to the farm, Charlie dropped his passengers at the house and excused himself to go brief his officers. He could only smile and promise his littlest friend he would be back soon. Emily was not a happy child. She was very vocal about it, shouting, "Papa. No. Go!" as the Colonel drove away.

The crying child brought Beulah and Lizbet to the door right away. "Good Lord, Miss Rebecca, who do we have here" Beulah asked as Emily’s sobs for Charlie, lessened to hiccups and sniffs against Rebecca’s shoulder.

"This is Mrs. Adams and Miss Emily. They are going to be staying with us for a while. Let us get them settled." She smiled to Lizbet. "Please take Mrs. Adams’ bag to the room on the second floor next to Dr. Walker’s and have Reg start a fire in there."

"Yes, Miss Rebecca." The young woman did as she was bid.

Rebecca then turned to Beulah. "If you would find Corporal Nailer for me. We need to figure out what Emily here can use as a crib."

"Yes, Ma’am. And Sarah has a fresh stew and hot tea in the kitchen."

"Thank you." Rebecca turned to Constance. "Come, let us get you some solid food while your room is put together."

"Miss Rebecca, I really do not want Em and I to be a burden to you. If you will just tell me where my room is I will be happy to just go there and be out of your way."

"Nonsense. You have to eat and it is wonderful to have the company. I am starting to feel like maybe everything will be all right again. I know it is going to be a long road, but the fact that we are coming together again is evidence we are ready for the healing to begin." She took the woman’s hand. "Come on now, you will love Sarah’s stew, it is the best in the county."

R
ebecca watched indulgently as Constance finished a second bowl of stew. It was apparent she had not been eating properly. The blonde was sure she had been giving what food she could get to young Emily. The baby sat quite happily in Rebecca’s lap, chewing on a hardtack biscuit and trying to sip from a cup of cooled tea.

"Constance, I think in light of your condition you should stay in a private room with its own fireplace and close to Dr. Walker."

"Oh that is too much. I cannot accept more than what you can comfortably offer."

"Then do not argue with me, because I can comfortably offer this to you." She looked down at her little friend. "Besides, Colonel Redmond resides in the house as well and I think Emily will enjoy being near him."

"She certainly did take to him right away, did she not? I have never seen her act that way with a man before."

"The Colonel is a very special gentleman and Emily just knows that."

The back door opened and Charlie and Elizabeth stepped inside. Emily was quick to squeal her delight. "Papa!" She squirmed, until Rebecca put her down and she made her way over to Charlie to tug on his pants leg. "Papa. Up Papa."

The look on Elizabeth’s face was priceless. She tried not to smile as she sized up Charlie and his new little friend. "Something you forget to tell me, Charlie?"

"No," he grumbled, even while hugging Emily. "The little one just seems to have picked me as a surrogate father."

Elizabeth smiled and gave an amused nod. "I can see that."

"Papa. ‘‘Orsey Papa."

"Well see the horsy later, little one. Right now, Charlie needs a cup of coffee."

Rebecca was quick to get up and pour Charlie a cup of coffee. "Elizabeth?" She offered, holding up another cup.

"Maybe later, Rebecca, thank you. Right now I thought I would have a look at our newest patient." The doctor smiled at Constance. "Charlie, do you think you can keep Little Emily occupied while I take care of her Mama?"

Charlie looked down at the child who was quite happy chewing on the button of his tunic. "I think we can manage."

Emily did perk up a bit when her mother stood up, but relaxed back against Charlie when she was assured Mama would be right back. She picked up her biscuit from the table and offered it to Charlie. "Bite. Papa."

Charlie just sighed, completely unsure what to do next. "No, thank you. You eat that. I will have my dinner later."

"Speaking of which," Rebecca handed the baby a slice of apple. "A couple of your men brought Sarah two nice rabbits, so we are having roast rabbit for supper. Would you like to invite Colonel Polk?"

"Would Elizabeth like me to invite Colonel Polk?" Charlie had to ask past the piece of apple Emily was trying to put in his mouth.

"I think the doctor would be delighted."

"I will see to it then." Charlie looked down at the little girl, who looked back with adoring eyes. She smiled and reached up, pulled herself up and grabbed Charlie's cheeks.

"Papa good!" She squealed then kissed Charlie on the cheek.

The colonel had the grace to blush, but not enough time to react to the fact his batman had just come through the kitchen door in time to see the little brunette continuing her sloppy kiss to Charlie's cheek.

The Irishman burst out laughing. "Little young for ya', I would say, Colonel C."

S
upper was –– different. The addition of a toddler to the household caused disruptions in a number of ways. The addition of a toddler who refused to let go of the Colonel added to the excitement. Charlie found himself lightly coated with mashed squash and some undefined cooked cereal. For the meticulous Colonel, this was something of a rude awakening. Charlie had never dealt with the messy aspects of day-to-day childcare. It was a revelation. He handled it with surprising good cheer.

After supper, Charlie and Rebecca watched as Constance put the little imp to bed. They adjourned to Rebecca’s back parlor, where, after a polite cup of after dinner coffee, Charlie excused himself to go write some needed dispatches.

Once in the quiet of his office, Charlie built a small fire to disperse the chill of the evening. For long minutes, he sat in the soft light of the fire, staring at the flickering flames. He forced himself to focus on the requirements of his position. That habit ran deep, duty before all other things. Consciously, he pushed his confusion and, to be honest, his rising frustration about his relationship with Rebecca to the back of his mind. Confronted with the hostility of the citizens, their abject poverty and the wave of refugees from the war, Charlie was overwhelmed. He knew he had to do more than just find food and clothing for these people to last the winter. He had to find a way to help them start rebuilding their lives, if only on a basic level.

He lit one lamp on his desk, drawing paper before him to write his dispatch to Sheridan.

November 30, 1864

Outside of Culpeper, Virginia

Lieut. General Philip H. Sheridan

Department of the Shenandoah

Dear General Sheridan,

Appropriate steps are being taken to settle the 13th Pennsylvania into their winter quarters. As discussed, we have set up our infirmary with a surgery for Dr. Walker. She is well pleased with our arrangements.

The heavy nor’easter that moved through the region several days ago has done little lasting damage. Colonel Polk’s supply and inventory reports are attached.

Montgomery has undergone surgery. We wait anxiously to discover if the surgery was successful. His situation highlights one of the greatest challenges I face this winter, creating a coherent regiment out of the scarred remnants of two very different forces. I find that my personal history and heritage, as well as my accent, are linked to problems with this integration of forces. Some of the Pennsylvanians cannot seem to overcome the impact that my southern accent has on their faith in my leadership. It will be an interesting process.

Yet a greater challenge faces us in the coming weeks and months, one that I am sure every officer who is wintering in conquered territory is facing. The citizens of this community are beaten down, bereft of resources and lacking in the basic elements of human survival. All they had has been taken from them, either by forces moving across their lands or through lack of human resources to tend to their properties. To this is added an influx of refugees, primarily women and children escaping from the front line regions around Richmond and Petersburg.

I recognize that the influx of additional personnel brings with it the threat of an influx of agents of espionage. I have discussed security and silence with my officers as we consider ways to deal with this latest challenge.

General, we have to provide at least a modicum of support to the people here. They have no food stores; no proper winter clothing, no money or resources to repair their homes against winter cold. Some do not even have the tools or strength to gather wood for the fireplaces to warm them this winter. Nor do they have the means to till the ground or plant for the coming months. General Grant, in his stay earlier this year, said he thought Culpeper was the most devastated part of Virginia. I believe he was correct, given the abject poverty I see all around me. A thriving town of over fifteen hundred people has been reduced to perhaps a hundred or a hundred and fifty tenacious survivors. I cannot help but think we owe these people some modicum of hope.

I have started creating community service details. This is beneficial in several ways. It allows me to build teams that include both Ohioans and Pennsylvanians, encouraging the integration of my command. It also allows us to create personal links to the people of the community. It is very hard to hate the Yankees who come and repair your roof, stock your wood shed, repair your fences, and till the ground for the spring, asking for nothing in return but a drink of cool water to ease the sweat of honest labor.

Yet I lack the resources to address the most pressing and immediate needs. Something as simple as a supply of flour, beans, rice, and salt pork to share with the citizens would go a long way to improving things here. Woolen goods would also help, as these people lack clothing for the winter.

I believe we could make a huge step forward in our relationships with the civilians if we could add one more resource to our support for the community. If we had seed stocks that we could make available, we would be able to help them reestablish their basic economy. More than anything else, this would serve to give them hope and a vision for a future that is not as bleak as they currently expect.

Your direction and assistance in these matters would be greatly appreciated.

Cordially

Chas. Redmond

Regimental Colonel

13th Pennsylvania Light Cavalry

Having addressed what he could for the evening, Charlie’s thoughts turned to the situation with Rebecca. The woman was driving him crazy. Every night, she lay in his arms, sweet, warm, and trusting. Her hands caressed him gently, never overtly sexually, but often very sensually. Sometimes Charlie thought she wanted more than his gentleness, and sometimes it was clear she was terrified of greater intimacy. But whatever she wanted of him, Charlie had given his word they would progress at her speed.

The peculiarities of people baffled Charlie. Everyone thought they were lovers in all senses of the word. Charlie had made his intentions clear. He would marry her if she would have him, would offer her all of the protections of his honor, name, estateand love. They slept together every night. She cuddled into his arms and reached out for him in her sleep if he left the bed. They talked nightly, sharing their history, their fears, their hopes and dreams. But physical intimacy beyond mostly chaste kisses and tender embraces was not part of their relationship.

The evil little voice in his head just laughed at him.

Charlie shook himself. Perhaps a brisk walk in the chill night air would help cool his need, at least for the time being.

He banked the fire and extinguished the lamp. Shrugging on his lighter overcoat, he stuck a couple of cigars in his pocket and went out into the night to pace until he was more tired than he was desirous.

His brisk strides took him down to the lovely little terrace overlooking the pond. There, sitting huddled in the cold under the willow, he found Mr. Whitman, quietly smoking an old pipe and just watching the shadows dancing over the little wavelets generated by the light evening breeze.

Whitman looked up as the Colonel approached. "Good evening, Colonel. What brings you out at this time of night?"

"A host of night demons, Whitman, a host of them. What about you?"

"Ah, well, my friend Samuelson finds himself held to the bedside of Major Montgomery. We have been trading shifts to keep watch on him. I was not yet ready to sleep, and so came here to perhaps do a little thinking."

Charlie laughed. "In your case, Whitman, you are either composing poetry or thinking of things I am not sure I want to know. On the other hand, you could be doing both."