by Ginny Dye
“So all those men suffered for nothing,” Carrie said softly.
“It would seem so.”
“And General Jackson?”
Thomas sighed. “His letter of resignation created quite the uproar. He has quite a strong support system. It took some powerful persuasion to change his mind, but a final plea that his resignation would harm the country finally swayed him. He withdrew it.”
Carrie nodded. “I can understand why you are upset.”
This time, Thomas’ laugh held no mirth. “Oh, that’s just the beginning of our troubles, my dear.”
“What else?” Carrie asked, startled.
“I’m afraid Forts Henry and Donelson have fallen. The Tennessee River is now open to Union gunboats as well as Nashville to the Union armies. Their loss is a crushing blow to the Confederacy.”
Carrie listened, trying to analyze her own feelings. That her father was terribly distraught was obvious. She opened her mouth to comment, but he wasn’t done.
“Roanoke Island has fallen to the Yankees as well. It was a humiliating defeat. Our men didn’t stand a chance against the superior forces arrayed against them.”
Carrie thought for a moment. “Wasn’t that where Virginia’s ex-Governor Wise was stationed.”
Thomas nodded. “He became quite ill before the attack, so he wasn’t on the island when the Union struck.” Then his face saddened. “I’m afraid his son was, though. He will not return to retake his position as editor of the Enquirer.”
Carrie gasped. “He’s dead?”
Thomas nodded gravely. “His funeral was several days ago at St. James Church. He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery.”
Carrie was now certain of her feelings. She was furious at a war that was destroying so many of the nation’s finest men. Slowly she shook her head. How should she respond to her father? Thomas, however, didn’t seem to need her to say anything. He continued to talk.
“Roanoke Island was a serious loss. The Federals now have control of North Carolina’s inland seas and the rivers that come into them. They have also been given a back-door approach to Norfolk.” His voice was grim.
“Why has all this happened? After Bull Run, I thought our troops were superior.”
Thomas shrugged wearily. “The Union has not sat idle since then. They have worked endlessly to build up their forces so that they would not face the same humiliation. I’m afraid the South became rather lazy after their easy victories. But it’s more than that,” he frowned. “It’s simply a lack of resources. The Confederacy is just too big for us to defend adequately.” He paused. “I think the South is getting the reality check that has been needed. Part of our problem is the expiration of so many short-term enlistments. We are being forced to reorganize under terribly difficult conditions.”
“Because the South was sure it would be a very short war,” Carrie stated.
Thomas nodded. “The only good that may come out of this - if it can happen in time - is what happened in the North. I believe the people of the South will draw new determination out of their humiliation and defeat. I believe they will discard their unthinking arrogance and prepare to see the war as it really is - not as it has been ignorantly imagined.”
Carrie tried to introduce a lighter note. “Is there any good news in the midst of all this bad?”
Thomas frowned deeply and thought for a moment. Then he shook his head. “You are sitting in my parlor. That is the only good news I can think of.” Then his face softened. “I’m sorry to dump so much on you just as you have arrived.”
“Nonsense,” Carrie said immediately. “I felt isolated on the plantation. I’ve been dying to know what was going on in the rest of the world. I know now, however bad it may be.” Then she smiled. “And I wanted to be with my father, whom I missed very much. I’m here,” she said firmly. “I have the two things I wanted.”
Thomas smiled affectionately then jumped when the hall clock chimed. “I’m afraid we’ve talked longer than I thought. I must leave immediately to go to the Capitol.” He glanced quickly out the window. “The rain seems to have stopped for a while. I think it will begin in earnest again tonight. I have secured another carriage, so you will be free to roam the city though I urge you to be very careful. If I thought it would do any good, I would order you to stay inside where you’re safe.” He smiled. “I trust Spencer, though. I will stop on my way to the Capitol to tell him you’re in town. Would you like for me to send him up for you this afternoon?”
Carrie thought for a moment. “Tomorrow morning will be fine. A long hot bath sounds wonderful after the cold ride here. Then I’m going to bury myself in your newspapers and catch up on the world.”
The sun filtered weakly through a hazy sky as Carrie stepped into the carriage. “Good morning, Spencer.”
“Good morning, Miss Cromwell. Where to today?”
Carrie had spent the day before just roaming the city. She had wanted to see for herself how the war was affecting Richmond. Her father had warned her that prices had risen, but she had not been prepared for what she had found. Many food items could simply not be found; those that could had skyrocketed. Fancy dresses were non-existent. Clothing of any kind was ridiculously expensive.
Today she was going to visit Opal. Earlier that morning, she had attended church with her father. After lunch he had gone back to the Capitol. She was on her own for the rest of the day. She gave Spencer the address and settled back against the seat.
She was deep in thought when she heard someone scream. “What was that?” she asked sharply as she sat up and looked around. A sudden movement to her right caught her attention. “Stop the carriage,” she ordered.
“I don’t reckon this is a good place to be right now,” Spencer protested. “Your daddy told me to keep you safe.”
“And I said to stop the carriage,” she ordered firmly. She leaned forward and tried to determine where the scream had come from.
As the carriage rolled to a halt, she heard a slurred, deep voice. “Now come on, little lady. Don’t you know how to keep a soldier happy in this city?”
Carrie looked sharply to her right. She was horrified at what she saw. A burly soldier with a whiskered face and bloodshot eyes, obviously drunk, was holding tight to the hand of struggling well-dressed woman.
“Let me go!” she screamed again.
“I just need me some loving!” the soldier protested. “Don’t you ladies around here know how to do that?” He raised his hand and reached for the top of her dress.
“No!” The lady writhed violently in her attempt to break away.
Carrie gasped and looked around desperately for some help. There was no one in sight but other women and children. “Spencer, we have to do something!” she cried.
“The police will probably be along soon, Miss Cromwell.”
Carrie was furious at the casual tone in his voice. She whirled on him. “How would you feel if it was your wife?” she demanded.
“If it was a white soldier going after her, I don’t reckon there would be a thing I could do but watch,” he said bitterly.
Carrie looked at him and then jumped from the carriage. “Well, I don’t intend to just watch.” She had no idea what she could do to stop the drunken soldier, but she began to run forward.
Suddenly a large hand stopped her. “What you think you doing?” Spencer demanded.
Carrie wrenched away. “Someone has to do something,” she snapped.
Spencer rolled his eyes, resignation on his face. “I’ll stop that soldier, Miss Cromwell. Leastways, I’ll try.”
Another deep voice sounded behind him. “I’ll help him, Miss Cromwell. You go back to your carriage.”
Carrie spun around at the sound of her name. “Eddie! You’re Eddie, aren’t you? Opal’s cousin?”
Eddie nodded and then dashed off to join Spencer. Carefully the two men approached the struggling pair.
The soldier didn’t seem aware he was the center of attention. He was too drunk to care, an
yway. Suddenly he did become aware of the two black men moving toward him. With no warning, he whipped a pistol out of his belt and began to wave it wildly in the air, all the while holding onto the still screaming woman.
Carrie groaned, thinking of Rose the year before. She would give anything to have her rifle now. She looked around desperately, afraid the two men trying to help were going to be seriously hurt, possibly killed. Yet, they couldn’t just walk away.
She jumped when a pistol shot exploded several feet behind her.
A policeman, even bigger than the inebriated soldier, rushed past her. “Take your hands off the lady, soldier boy!” he yelled. The soldier, stunned by the sound of a pistol other than his own, had already dropped the lady’s arm and was staring around stupidly. The policeman moved in quickly, secured his arms, and pocketed the pistol. “Seems to me you need some time in the city jail to cool off and dry out,” he said sternly.
Then he turned to the now weeping woman. “I’m sorry, ma’am. Did he hurt you?”
The lady shook her head, struggling for control.
Carrie rushed to her side. “Are you all right?” she asked anxiously. “What a horrible thing to happen! And here in the streets of Richmond in broad daylight!”
The policeman turned to look at her. “Everyone in this city needs to be real careful, ma’am. We’re trying our hardest to keep things under control, but things have gotten out of hand. Too much alcohol and too many guns around this place.” He turned his prisoner roughly and marched away.
Carrie watched him go and then turned back to the lady. “You must be terribly shaken. My carriage is here. Can I take you somewhere?”
The lady managed a shaky smile. “That is very kind. Where are you headed?”
“Wherever you are,” Carrie responded.
That brought a genuine smile. “My name is Janie Winthrop. And yes, I would very much appreciate a ride. I saw you send the two men to try to help me. Thank you,” she said, tears shining in her eyes again.
With those words, Carrie remembered Eddie. She looked around quickly and saw him standing next to Spencer by the carriage. She took Janie’s arm and led her over. “Thank you very much for trying to help.”
Spencer nodded gravely. “You’re welcome, Miss Cromwell,” he said and climbed back in the carriage.
Then Carrie turned to Eddie again. “It’s wonderful to see you again, Eddie. How is everything?”
“Things be just fine, Miss Cromwell. It’s good to see you again, too.”
“We were just headed to your house, Eddie. I was hoping to see Opal.”
“You won’t be finding Opal there just now, Miss Cromwell.”
“Oh?” Was that a flicker of alarm in his eyes? Surely it was just her imagination. There was nothing in what she had said to cause alarm.
Eddie shook his head firmly. “Her and Fannie has gone visiting. They won’t be home till later. I’ll tell her you asked about her, though. I’m sure she’d love to see you.”
“She is doing well?” Why was she feeling uneasy? She couldn’t shake the feeling that Eddie was hiding something, yet she didn’t want to pry.
“Oh, yes, ma’am. She be doing real well.”
Carrie nodded. “Tell her I’ll try again another time.” Then she turned to Janie. “Now. Where is it you were going?”
Janie smiled. “I was on my way to visit a friend, but I seem to have lost any desire for that. I would really just love to go home.”
“Of course, you would,” Carrie said quickly. “Where is home?”
“I have a room in a house on Church Hill. 22nd Street. Is it terribly out of your way?”
Carrie smiled. “You live just a few blocks from where I am visiting my father. My plans to visit a friend have ended, so I am going to head back home. It won’t be out of the way at all.”
Silence fell on the carriage as Spencer clucked to the horses. As they rolled forward, Carrie shuddered, wondering what would have happened to Janie if they had not happened along. True, it had been the policeman who had saved her, but she was sure Eddie and Spencer’s presence had distracted the man from his immediate agenda. She took time now to study the woman across from her. Janie could not have been more than twenty-two or twenty-three. Her slender, soft hands still shook in her lap, and her bright blue eyes were still slightly swollen. Brown hair, once carefully pulled back in a bun, was now mussed all over her head.
Janie reached up a hand and straightened her hat. Then she lifted her shoulders, and when she spoke, the tremor was gone from her voice. It was at once calm and slightly cheerful. “I am really most grateful for what you’ve done. There were other people around. You were the only one to step forward to try to help. At first I felt angry toward the people who merely watched. Now I find I feel nothing but pity. I hope I never reach the place where I am so hardened I could watch such a thing - even if it meant my own safety could be in jeopardy.”
Carrie nodded. “I couldn’t have lived with myself if I hadn’t done something to help.” Then she leaned forward. “Are you from Richmond, Miss Winthrop?”
“Please call me Janie. I shall call you Carrie. Surely your helping to save me should move us beyond formalities.” She waited for Carrie’s nod then continued, “No, I’m not from Richmond. The war has brought me here from Raleigh, North Carolina.”
“The war brought you here?”
Janie nodded. “I understood there was need of medical help here. I arrived just after the Battle of Bull Run. I have chosen to stay.” She paused. “I am helping prepare Chimborazo Hospital.” She paused slightly. “I trust my instincts that you are not another Southerner who believes a woman in a military hospital is a shameful thing. They think our feminine delicacy shouldn’t and couldn’t bear the atrocities that abound in such a setting!”
Carrie smiled. She had known instantly this was a woman she could be friends with. She had been right. “I think that’s wonderful. I understand Dr. McCaw has big plans for the place.” She and her father had discussed it just the night before.
“Yes, he does,” Janie said enthusiastically. “He is a wonderful man. It is exciting to work with him.” Again she paused and then laughed merrily. “Not that I’m doing much of what I would call real nursing. The men who run the place seem to think the few women there can be best utilized cleaning and cooking. Matron Pember tells me I must be patient.” Carrie looked at her blankly, and she continued. “Matron Pember came to us from Georgia. She is the head matron in charge of one of the divisions. She keeps telling me it is going to be women who save the day for Confederate medical care. She believes that soon all the men will be on the battle front. Then women will get the chance to show what they can do!”
Since Carrie had not gotten far from home when the unpleasant incident had occurred, the carriage was almost approaching 22nd Street. She leaned forward impulsively. “I know you’ve had a harrowing experience, but I would love to have you join me for tea. Would you care to?”
Janie’s eyes lighted. “That would be lovely, Carrie. And I really am feeling much better. I have learned one has to be tough to survive in Richmond just now,” she said with a laugh.
Carrie frowned. “It has not always been like this. There was a time when a lady was perfectly safe to roam the streets at will.”
Spencer spoke up from the driver’s seat. “That time ain’t now, though, Miss Cromwell.” He turned as the carriage rolled up in front of the house. “I’ll be around back with Micah when Miss Winthrop be ready to go home. You just give me a call.”
“Thank you, Spencer,” Carrie said warmly. Then she led the way up the walk and into the house.
There was no more talk until Micah had delivered hot tea and biscuits.
Then Janie turned to Carrie. “Did you know that black man who tried to help your driver?”
Carrie nodded. “He is the cousin of one of my father’s slaves. I was on my way to visit her.”
Janie looked at her quizzically, opened her mouth as if she wanted to
say something, then shut it again.
Carrie smiled. If this was going to be a friendship worth having, and she sensed it was, she needed to be honest from the first. “Opal, Eddie’s cousin, is not just my slave. She is a friend. I visit her whenever I’m in town.”
Janie looked at her closely. “You are friends with your slaves?”
“My father’s slaves,” Carrie corrected. Then she smiled. “I’m one of those evidently rare Southerners who believe slavery is wrong. I find my views make me extremely unpopular with some people, especially during these times.”
“Yet you are so open with me. Why?” Janie asked bluntly.
Carrie chose honesty again. “Because I sense you and I could be good friends. I’d just as soon be open from the start. If my beliefs repulse you, it could save us both a lot of time.”
Janie laughed. “You’re right. You and I are going to be good friends. I have found no one in this city as refreshingly honest as you. And, no, your beliefs hardly repulse me. I feel the same way you do. I, too, have lost friends because of my beliefs.”
Carrie smiled in delight and moved forward to squeeze Janie’s hand. The rest of the afternoon passed in a haze of conversation and laughter.
Finally Janie looked at the clock. “Oh, my goodness, I really must be going. My landlady will think something horrible has happened.” She paused. “I would love for you to come for tea tomorrow. Where I live is not as grand as this - I have just a room - but I would love for you to come.”
“And I would love to do so,” Carrie said, delighted.
She walked out to the carriage with her new friend, waved good-bye and then returned to the porch. She smiled as she stared up at the darkening sky. “Thank you,” she whispered softly. Her heart was light as she went inside. She had been so lonely for a friend. She knew she had found one.
Carrie was resting by the fire when the front door slammed open and her father strode in. She knew instantly something was wrong. “Father!” she exclaimed. “What is it?”