The Last, Long Night

by Ginny Dye

  Thomas was the first to break it. “Do you hate me?” he asked Jeremy hoarsely. “I won’t blame you.”

  Jeremy shook his head. “It’s all so new,” he murmured. “But no. I can’t imagine what I would have done in the same situation. I may question it at some point, but the truth is it would be wrong to judge something I’ve never experienced.”

  Jeremy shook his head as he continued to gaze at Thomas. “So you’re my half-brother. We have the same father.”

  “I knew there was a reason I liked you so much,” Thomas said teasingly. His lighthearted tone released the vise that had gripped the room since Jeremy had begun to read the letter.

  Jeremy turned to Carrie. “You’re my niece?” he asked in a disbelieving tone.

  Then his eyes widened as everything sank in. “I have a twin?” he whispered. “I have a sister? She’s your best friend?”

  Carrie laughed, happiness filling her as truth spun through the room. “Rose is the most wonderful person in the world!” she exclaimed. “Father made sure we grew up together in our home. He made life easier for her because of what his father had done.”

  “No,” Thomas said firmly. “If tonight is about truth, it should be about the entire truth.” He turned and faced Jeremy. “I made Rose’s life easier because I felt so guilty. I know what I did was the wrong thing, but I didn’t know what else to do. And I didn’t understand that black people are just as human as I am. I thought you were a possession I could do with as I chose.” He turned a tender look to Carrie. “Your niece has taught me differently.”

  Thomas reached for Jeremy’s hand. “Will you please forgive me?”

  Jeremy suddenly threw back his head and laughed. “There is nothing to forgive, but if it makes you feel better, yes!” The laughter seemed to release something in his soul. “I’ve had a wonderful life, and I didn’t have to work in the tobacco fields. I received a wonderful education and had the best father a son could hope for. I’d say I came out on the good end of this.”

  Jeremy jumped up to pace the room. “And now I find out that a man I greatly admire and respect is my brother. And a woman who is one of my favorite people on the planet is my niece, though I suppose our ages will steal the uncle privileges from me,” he said teasingly.

  Carrie jumped up and ran over to give Jeremy a big hug. “I’m so happy you know! I’ve hardly been able to keep from telling you.”

  Understanding dawned in Jeremy’s eyes. “That’s why you were so startled when I came for dinner the first time.”

  Thomas shook his head. “I know you’re good at keeping secrets, but this one must have been really difficult for you.”

  “You have no idea,” Carrie murmured.

  “And I have a twin,” Jeremy said again, looking overwhelmed. “Tell me about her.”

  “Rose is amazing,” Carrie proclaimed, so happy to be able to tell him. “She is beautiful and one of the smartest people I know. She is also kind and wise, and the best friend anyone could hope for. I miss her every single day.”

  “Is she on the plantation?” Jeremy asked suddenly, his face hopeful. “Is there any way…?”

  Carrie shook her head. “Rose is married now. I helped her and Moses escape the plantation two years ago. Moses is a Union soldier. Rose teaches school at the contraband camp at Fort Monroe.”

  She paused and took Jeremy’s hand. “One of the reasons Rose decided to escape was so she could come back after the war and find her twin brother. You’re all she has left now of her family, and she so wants to meet you.”

  It was time for total truth. “She was afraid you might not want to know her,” Carrie admitted, “and I didn’t know what to tell her. She was afraid because you had grown up white that you wouldn’t want to know you had a black sister.”

  Jeremy stared at her. “And that’s what my father was afraid of?”

  “He knows how hard it is for black people in America. He saw the oppressive nature of it every day in his congregation. He didn’t want you to go through the same hardships they did.” Carrie squeezed his hand. “Your father loved you so much. He only wanted the best for you.”

  Jeremy nodded, the dazed look returning to his face.

  “Move in with us here,” Thomas said suddenly.

  “What?”

  “Move in with us here,” Thomas repeated. “I recently had another boarder move out so we have a room. It would be wonderful to get to know my brother.” He smiled. “That will take a little getting used to. I’ve come to think of you as a son, so it will take me a bit to absorb the fact you’re actually my brother.”

  Thomas stood and walked over to Jeremy. “Please move in here,” he said again. “I know you have your father’s house but wouldn’t you like to be with family?”

  “Family,” Jeremy repeated, seeming to roll the word family around on his tongue to get used to it. He turned to stare out the window and then nodded. He swung back around, a wide smile on his face. “I would like to move in here,” he agreed. “I’ve wondered what I would do. A family from the church can live in the house for now, and I’ll move in with you. Thank you.”

  Carrie laughed with delight and then moved to stand next to him. “Just don’t think you get to tell me what to do now – uncle or no uncle,” she warned playfully.

  “Trust me,” Carrie’s father said lightly. “That would be a total waste of your time. This is a woman who does what she wants to do.”

  “One of the reasons I love her,” Jeremy said quietly. “Rose is like that?”

  “Perhaps more so,” Carrie said. “Rose held a secret school in the plantation woods because of her determination to help other slaves read. I can assure you you’ll have two very strong-willed women in your life.”

  Jeremy laughed and then fell silent. “I know this is all going to take time to process, and I know we have so much to talk about…”

  “But you need some time alone,” Thomas finished for him. “I totally understand. I rather feel the same way.” He put his arm around Jeremy’s shoulder again. “Your room is ready for you when you’re ready.”

  “Brother…”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Philadelphia certainly smells better than Washington. I imagine you’re glad to be home,” Matthew said as he entered Aunt Abby’s house and greeted her with a hug.

  Aunt Abby nodded. “I was glad to go, but I was even happier to return home,” she admitted. “Washington is becoming a formidable city, but the growing pains are rather difficult to endure. I’m sure everyone there is breathing a sigh of relief that fall is almost here. It will push back the mosquitoes and cool things down.”

  “Did you accomplish what you went for?”

  “Even more than I went for,” Abby said with a smile. “I garnered several business contracts that are allowing me to hire even more women. I put seventy-five more women to work in the last couple weeks.”

  “I know they are grateful,” Matthew said fervently. “Especially with winter on the way.” He reached out to take her hand. “How has the business community reacted? And I want the truth, please.” Abby had told him about the threatening group of men who had stopped her carriage.

  “Everything is fine,” she assured him. “Oh, I won’t even pretend there aren’t people who are upset with my actions, but so far the connections I made while I was in the capital seem to have provided a shield of protection. No one has approached me.”

  “You mean having lunch with President Lincoln gave you some status?” Matthew asked with a grin.

  “That seems to be true,” Abby agreed with a laugh, her gray eyes lit with amusement.

  “That was quite an honor,” Matthew observed.

  “It was indeed,” Abby said fervently. “I never dreamed I would ever meet the president - much less share a meal with him. Not that I was the only one there, of course. There were five other women.” She clasped her hands together. “It’s a day I will always remember.”

  “What did you talk about?”

>   “The president brought us in to thank us for our service to the soldiers and the contraband camps. It seems he’d received word of how involved I’ve been in getting supplies to the contrabands.”

  “Involved?” Matthew snorted. “You’ve been a one woman supply depot for Fort Monroe. The last time I was there Rose told me how well supplied her school is.”

  Abby smiled softly. “You know I would do anything for Rose.”

  “I wish other contraband camps had someone like you.”

  “Yes, I hear some of the other camps are not very pleasant.”

  “Not very pleasant?” Matthew frowned and settled back in his chair. “They’re terrible,” he said bluntly. “People are sick, they’re hungry, and many of them have no shelter at all.” He shook his head heavily. “But there is really nowhere to place blame. It’s not that the Union doesn’t care; it’s just that no one was ready for the tens of thousands of slaves that would go to the camps. There was no real plan, in addition to very little organization.”

  “Is there no improvement at all?”

  “Yes, improvements are being made, but the flow of new slaves into the camps is not slowing down. Slaves are lured by freedom, but too many leave situations that are much better than the squalid conditions at the camps.”

  “Are you suggesting they should continue to live as slaves?” Abby asked with disbelief.

  “No,” Matthew replied instantly, “but most of them are living on plantations where little is being done and there is no oversight. At least on the plantations, they have a home and food until the war is over, but there is no way to let them know that, and so they continue to come. Many of them think it’s their only chance.”

  “They’re afraid of what will happen if the South wins the war.”

  “Definitely. They’re willing to pay the price for freedom now.” Matthew reached forward and selected one of the sandwiches Abby had laid out on the table. “Thank you,” he mumbled as he took a big bite.

  “Are you not getting fed on your assignments?” Abby asked with a laugh.

  “Oh, they’re feeding me,” Matthew replied, “but everything just tastes better here. Did I smell an apple pie when I walked in the door?” he asked hopefully.

  “You might have,” Abby said playfully, “but you’ll only get it if you bring me up to date on the politics in Washington. I know the Enquirer sent you there before you came home. Have things really turned around for Lincoln as much as I hear they have?”

  “You hear correctly,” Matthew confirmed. “How much do I have to tell you before I earn my apple pie?”

  “You talk. I’ll decide when you’ve earned your pie,” Abby said archly, her eyes laughing.

  Matthew grinned easily and reached for his coffee. “Lincoln was almost positive in the summer he would not be re-elected. Sentiment against the war had risen, which practically guaranteed the voters were against him. There was talk of calling another convention and nominating a new candidate to take Lincoln’s place.”

  “Then things changed?”

  Matthew nodded. “The fall of Atlanta was huge, but it seemed to be just the beginning. We haven’t had any major victories around Richmond, but neither has there been a major defeat. In the people’s eyes, it means we’re winning. It was Sheridan’s victory in the Shenandoah, however, that has made people believe we will actually win the war.”

  “I was still in D.C. when they did the one hundred gun salute to celebrate Sheridan’s victory at Opequon.”

  “The people definitely needed something other than bad news. Then there was what happened down at Mobile Bay in August.”

  “The port down in Alabama?’

  “Yes,” Matthew agreed, “it didn’t seem like much of a victory back in August. Admiral Farragut took control of the port, but we lost the monitor Tecumseh, and we suffered more than three hundred casualties.” Matthew sipped his coffee thoughtfully. “Mobile was the last important port on the Gulf of Mexico east of the Mississippi remaining in Confederate possession. Its closure was the final step in completing the blockade in that region.”

  “People didn’t see it that way back in August,” Abby observed. “The casualties were piling up so high that’s all anyone saw.”

  “That’s true. Things have changed now. In addition, the victory in Atlanta and Early’s army being routed in Opequon have certainly turned around people’s attitudes.”

  “And the way they see the election,” Abby finished.

  “Republicans are celebrating,” Matthew confirmed. “They’re jeering that Farragut, Sherman, and Sheridan knocked the bottom out of the Democratic platform.”

  “It’s rather hard for Democrats to run on a peace platform when their own candidate – McClellan - writes a letter that says the war must go on until it’s won,” Abby said wryly, “especially when the Democratic platform demands armistice and a peaceful settlement.”

  “Precisely,” Matthew replied. “The tide has turned for Lincoln. I believe he will be re-elected. It would take a massive loss to change national opinion, and I don’t believe that will happen.”

  “Because all the generals are being told to be cautious until after the election,” Abby stated.

  Matthew gazed at her with admiration. “I don’t know how you manage to stay so well informed, but you are absolutely right.”

  Abby shrugged. “What would have been the point of being in the capital if I hadn’t taken advantage of it?”

  “And what would be the point of my coming to your home and not taking advantage of that wonderful apple pie I smell?” Matthew replied.

  Abby threw back her head and laughed heartily. “I suppose you have earned it,” she said, leading the way into the kitchen.

  When both of them had finished a warm piece of flaky pie, Abby gazed over at him. “I accomplished more than just building my business and helping the soldiers,” she said.

  “Such as?” Matthew asked, reaching for another piece of pie. “I learned a long time ago not to be surprised by anything you do.”

  Abby settled back with a fresh cup of coffee. “This war will not last forever. So I made connections for Carrie.”

  Matthew tensed, but then immediately relaxed. Aunt Abby knew how he felt about Carrie. He didn’t have anything to hide. He could only hope that in time the pain of longing he felt whenever he thought of Carrie’s gleaming hair and shining green eyes would fade.

  Abby took his hand but remained silent.

  Matthew appreciated that she didn’t try to convince him he shouldn’t feel what he was feeling. After long moments he was able to smile naturally. “What did you do for our favorite Southern belle?” he asked lightly.

  “I told you about meeting Dorothea Dix,” she said. “I also had the honor of meeting Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell.”

  “I’ve heard of her,” Matthew said, leaning forward with interest. “She was the first woman to receive a medical degree.”

  Abby nodded. “She also graduated first in her class. What she has gone through to achieve her medical training is an amazing story. She’s an astounding woman.”

  “How did you meet her?”

  “Can you believe she showed up at my office one day?” Abby asked. “Dr. Blackwell has been responsible for the medical training of the nurses Dorothea hired. When she arrived in town, Dorothea told her about me and about Carrie. She came by my office to tell me she would do whatever she could to help Carrie receive her medical training. She also told me of a medical school for women started by Quakers right here in Philadelphia!”

  “That’s wonderful!” Matthew exclaimed. “I hope I’m in the same room when you tell Carrie that.”

  Sudden tears filled Abby’s eyes. “Oh, Matthew, please tell me it will be soon. I can’t stand the separations this war is causing. I’m so very grateful to see you when I can, and I’m thankful for the letters I’m able to exchange with Rose, but the complete separation from Carrie breaks my heart.”

  Matthew stood and gathered her in a w
arm hug. “It will end, Aunt Abby.” He searched for a way to reassure her, but all he could come up with was, “The South can’t hold out much longer.” Then he took a deep breath.

  Abby looked up at him knowingly. “You’re leaving.”

  Matthew nodded. “The Enquirer is sending me to the Shenandoah Valley.”

  “To cover what Sheridan is doing?”

  “Yes,” he said heavily. Abby stared at him until he added, “Grant lost all patience with what was happening in the Shenandoah after General Early’s troops burned Chambersburg. That’s why he sent Sheridan down; he’s known to be much more aggressive. Grant believes he will get the job done.”

  “Which is to burn out the lovely Shenandoah Valley and destroy all the food,” Abby said flatly, her face tense and white. “I know about it. My family lives there. So far their home seems to be removed from the actual fighting, but it’s another thing I have absolutely no knowledge about and no control over.” Tears brimmed in her eyes once again.

  “I hate this war,” Matthew said as he reached forward to grasp her hand in sympathy, “but I’m afraid I agree with Grant’s belief that only complete destruction will make the South give up.”

  “And what then?” Abby asked softly. “When there is complete destruction… when an entire society’s spirit has been crushed… what then?”

  Knowing there was no answer to her question, Matthew stared off into the distance. The question had been reverberating in his own heart and mind for months.

  What then?

  Matthew was happy to see Peter settled in a chair by a blazing fire. October in the Shenandoah Mountains brought frigid nights. “Hello, old man,” he called, moving up to rub his hands over the flames. Matthew had arrived at the camp just an hour ago, reported in, and then went looking for his friend.

  “Who you calling an old man?” Peter scoffed. “You’ve been hanging out in the plush splendor of Philadelphia while the rest of us have been out here working!”

  Matthew laughed and grabbed his hand. “It’s good to see you.” He couldn’t see Peter without vivid memories of their months at Libby Prison. Memories, too, of their escape that gave them back their freedom.