Tear In Time
Page 26
“It's good to be king,” David joked again.
“Leading men is an awesome responsibility, lad, requiring continuous monitoring. I just hope you're well enough for the heavy burden that has now been placed upon you,” Dr. Morgan said. “How does your wound feel?”
“Well, it's still leaking a bit, but I'm past the danger zone. I'll be alright. By the time we make Chattanooga, it should be healed,” David replied.
“Anymore word from Gen. Rosecrans about Chattanooga?” Dr. Morgan asked.
“No, just that one letter about his bombardment of the city. It would have been nice if we arrived back there under more peaceful circumstances. Now that he's stirred up a bee's nest, it's going to be a lot harder to move around that area undetected,” David replied.
“Yes, I quite agree, lad,” Dr. Morgan said. “Finding the exact location of that portal after a year will be difficult. We don't even know what to look for, and that area might have changed a bit, especially after two battles. If we are carrying out aggressions while trying to locate the portal, it could be challenging.”
“I know. I thought about that, but I'm still optimistic we'll find it,” David replied.
As the two rode down the wide dirt road, David's face lost its contented expression. Dr. Morgan noticed a saddened look on his face and questioned him about it.
“Son, are you ok? You look like you just lost your best friend,” Dr. Morgan asked.
David thought for a moment then spoke, “Well, doc, it's funny you should put it that way. After the year we've spent together, I feel I'm closer to you than anyone I've ever known in my life. To call you just my friend would be an insult to you. I consider you my second father, believe it or not, and the truth is I've been thinking about not going back,” David said, restraining his emotions.
“David, I too am deeply troubled with your return. In some small way, I am hoping that we do not find that portal. When I think that the young man I consider my son will be leaving and that I will never see him again, my heart feels torn like the pain from a loved one lost in battle. I would feel a richer man to have you as my friend, my son, for the rest of my life. But alas, David, I cannot allow the grief from loss to influence the quality of my morals. You must return. The laws that govern time and history demand it,” Dr. Morgan said in impassioned tone.
David looked at his old friend, reached across and placed his hand on his shoulder and replied, “I know, doc. It's just very hard to accept.”
“Yes, lad. It sucks,” Dr. Morgan replied.
David stared at the old doctor for a moment, shocked by his usage of 20th Century slang. David suddenly burst into laughter as his old friend stared blankly back.
“Incorrect articulation?” Dr. Morgan asked, quickly understanding the source of David's laughter.
“Well, let's just say if a schoolmarm heard your usage, she'd crack you knuckles with a ruler,” David replied, still chuckling a bit.
“Oh,” Dr. Morgan replied in simple understanding.
The two rode in silence, digesting their thoughts. Suddenly, Dr. Morgan burst out in laughter as the finally understood his grammatical error.
“You got it?” David asked, now chuckling himself.
Dr. Morgan nodded and continued his laughter, drawing in David as well. As the two rode and laughed, they soothed the pain of their sadness.
--- --- --- --- ---
As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, the long trek to Tennessee brought with it the cooler temperatures of November. The cooler nights and mild days made their rough living easier to accept, and they moved faster because of it. Entering the valley of the Tennessee River, the sight of Chattanooga, with its pleasant rolling hills and majestic Signal Mountain, sent butterflies through David's stomach as he thought about the prospect of returning home.
Scanning the region with his field glasses, David searched for enemy activity within the township. Chattanooga, still in the hands of the Confederates, bustled with energy as steam-driven paddle boats loaded and unloaded enemy supplies. David moved his binoculars to the high ridge on Signal Mountain. Protruding like thorns from a beautiful rose, Confederate cannons sat posed menacingly at the cliff’s edge, watching over the quiet city, ready to unleash their destruction at any moment.
“Dammit, doc, do you see that?” David asked angrily.
David handed the binoculars to Dr. Morgan. Scanning the mountaintop, he said, “This is bad, David. The portal is located on the other side of that mountain. The land is in enemy territory,” Dr. Morgan responded, handing the binoculars back to David.
“Now what do we do? Man, this sucks,” David said, trying to control his anger.
“Well, we better tread lightly, lad. If those guns catch our scent, they'll cut us to ribbons,” Dr. Morgan replied.
“I know. I think we better double back and sneak out of the valley. We’ll have to locate another site for the medical camp. We can send a messenger to Gen. Grant informing him of our location before he arrives,” David replied.
“A sound plan, David. We are grossly outnumbered until the rest of Gen. Grant's army arrives. In the meantime, we can set up a new infirmary elsewhere. I noticed a clearing in the valley before this one. It might suffice,” Dr. Morgan suggested.
“I agree. It seemed big enough and the river was just a short distance away. Being that we are just a small detachment, I guess there’s nothing we can do now except make camp and wait for reinforcements,” David responded. He paused a moment then asked, “Any ideas on how we can get to that portal?”
“Well, lad, I’d say we could possibly sneak around the back side of the mountain. The two of us could slip past their scouts as long as we were quiet. I won’t lie to you, lad. It is a very dangerous proposition,” Dr. Morgan replied grimly.
David looked at Signal Mountain and the enemy cannons that protected it. He looked at Dr. Morgan for a moment, then asked, “Are you as nervous about crossing enemy lines as I am?”
“Lad, I'll have to change out my under-britches three times before we’re through,” Dr. Morgan returned with a smile.
David nodded with a smile and replied, “Lucky you. I don't have extras. I’ll have to soil the same pair three times.”
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
The two set up camp in the valley beyond the reach of the enemy. With orders to his men to secure the camp, David and Dr. Morgan rode out in search of the time portal. As they kept their distance from the mountain, they rode quietly, staying low and used the natural irregularities of the terrain to disguise their appearance.
Three hours later, Dr. Morgan rode his horse through the forest of aspens, working his way west toward the clearing that he had chosen as his infirmary more than a year earlier. With each minute that passed, David's heart began to race. As the trees began to thin out, he sweated with nervous anticipation, soaking through his shirt and coat.
Dr. Morgan entered the clearing and slowly rode over to where he set up his camp a year earlier. Stepping down off his horse, he looked toward the area of the portal. He swallowed hard, then looked with sadness toward David as he stepped down off his horse.
“Well, son, this could be it. Moments from now, we may never see each other again,” Dr. Morgan said, struggling to hold back his emotions.
“I'm trying not to think about that prospect. I keep thinking maybe you could come with me, but then I realize how silly that would be. You'd hate living in the future,” David said.
“I'd hate it? Why would I hate it? I thought the future is a wonderful place to live. Less hardship and less sickness. It sounds incredible,” Dr. Morgan replied.
“Don't get me wrong, doc. I miss my life in the future, but this life here in the past is much more rewarding. Here in this time, people and events are genuine. They are meaningful. People are driven by honor, duty, morals, and well-intended purpose. In my time, people are driven by money. It's quite a shallow world to live in,” David finished with deep conflict in his eyes.
“Well, one thing is certain: without Stonewall, things are going to be a little different,” David added.
“Hmm, quite right,” Dr. Morgan replied. He looked off toward the area of the time portal and said, “Well, shall we venture over and see what happens?”
David swallowed hard and replied in anxious tone, “I'm ready.”
The two men walked slowly toward the portal area, each step slow and deliberate, as if their boots weighed a hundred pounds apiece. Every few steps, they looked at each other for reassurance, then continued on. As they entered the area, David's hair stood up on the back of his neck and he stopped in his tracks.
“Doc, this is it. I can feel it. The hair on my neck is tingling,” David called out in excited tone. “You'd better back up before the portal takes you too.”
The two turned to each other and shook hands. Staring into each other's eyes, David felt his emotions welling up inside him. With his eyes beginning to tear, he pulled his old friend to him and hugged him. He felt a return embrace and the sound of a sniffle as the old doctor struggled to hold his emotions.
“Lad, you better go. No telling how unstable this portal is,” Dr. Morgan said as he pulled away. “You mustn’t waste opportunity.”
David wiped a tear from his watering eyes, turned and began to walk to the spot where he had entered the current time period a year ago. As he walked, he turned around and walked backwards, waving as he backed up toward the portal.
Dr. Morgan waved back, wiping the tears from his eyes, he called out, “Godspeed to you, David.”
David looked over his shoulder and stopped. He was at the exact spot he arrived from. Turning to Dr. Morgan, he replied, “Thank you for everything, doc. You were an amazing friend.”
David stood at the portal and closed his eyes. He waited a moment, then reopened them. He smiled at Dr. Morgan again, then closed his eyes once more. Waiting in silence, he felt the morning breezes brush past his face. Opening his eyes, he took a couple of steps back and forth from the center of the portal. With no affect, he stepped side to side.
David glanced over to Dr. Morgan with concern.
“Something's wrong, doc. It's not working. Am I in the right spot?” David asked.
“As far as I can see, lad. Maybe there are forces surrounding your return we haven't accounted for,” Dr. Morgan replied, a bit confused.
David reluctantly walked toward Dr. Morgan, his face showing deep disappointment.
“I can't figure it out. We're missing something. There's got to be some kind of trigger that opens the portal,” David theorized.
The two stared at each other, searching each other’s eyes for an answer.
“What's different now than from before?” David asked rhetorically.
They both stood in silence. As the seconds past, Dr. Morgan offered a simple answer, “Son, the most obvious thing missing is war. A battle was raging when you arrived. Now it's just peaceful; serene. Maybe there was some kind of energy associated with war that opened the portal.”
David's eyes lit up. Suddenly, he felt invigorated.
“Doc, that's it. That's got to be it. Think about it. When I came through, I was covered in blood from a horrific operation where I lost that eight-year-old girl on the operating table. You yourself were covered in blood, hacking limbs off wounded men in agony. There were loud explosions and screams of death everywhere. Men lined the entire perimeter of this clearing, bleeding all over the place, waiting for their turn to have a limb sawn off. Boy, if that isn't a charged environment, I don't know what is. Doc, that's got to be the answer. This portal will open again; we just have to wait for the battle to start,” David said with enthusiasm.
“I am assuming you are talking about crossing enemy lines during the battle? David, I must caution you. What you are proposing is near impossible. The enemy will be everywhere. Your chances of capture will be high. Additionally, while the battle rages, you might be called upon to fight. I just don’t know if you will have any time to attempt your plan during battle,” Dr. Morgan said.
“Doc, I’ve got to try. I can’t give up,” David replied resolutely. “I am sure that portal will open with the right amount of energy.”
“David, I'm inclined to believe you are correct in your hypothesis, but we must proceed with caution. We must be sure that the time you are going back to is your time,” Dr. Morgan cautioned.
David took a step back, his face suddenly becoming blank. He thought about the old doctor's words and realized the truth about them.
“Wow, doc. In my excitement I forgot about that, but you're right. I really don’t want to go back further in time. Too far into the future wouldn’t be good either,” David said, shaking his head in worry. “I'm going to have to be really careful with what I see before I enter the portal. Wow, this sucks.”
“Life is full of pitfalls, David. It's what makes life interesting,” Dr. Morgan responded.
“Speaking of interesting, Gen. Grant will be arriving at the other camp shortly, and from what you told me about him, we'd better have that place ready to go by the time he shows up,” David said.
“He's a hard man. No nonsense. You're right. We better address the portal later,” Dr. Morgan replied.
Together, they got on their horses and rode off to organize the men. Looking back at the portal area, David said, “Never thought I’d hear myself say this, but I can't wait for the battle to start.”
“Cruel irony, I'd call that, lad,” Dr. Morgan replied.
“Twisted irony is more like it,” David joked.
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
The medical camp was organized to accommodate the assembly line method of surgery. Gurneys were lined up, and piles of wood were gathered and stacked in preparation of boiling water for sterilization. With men rushing to complete the set up, it was transformed from a lazy open field to a bustling medical camp. As David was placing the finishing touches on the stock of supplies, several horses made their way through the aspen forest.
“David, he's here,” Dr. Morgan called out.
“Grant?” David asked rhetorically. He nodded to Dr. Morgan in understanding, then straightened himself for the general’s arrival as he hurried to stand next to Dr. Morgan.
“Here we go,” David said with apprehension.
“You'll be fine, lad,” Dr. Morgan encouraged.
Gen. Ulysses Grant rode into camp, seated high on his horse. Like soldiers guarding nobility, several officers trailed behind him. With a cigar clamped in his teeth, the general gave off the air of nonchalance, but nothing could be farther from reality. With extraordinary intelligence and organization, he ran a very tight army. Sloven and sloppy work were dealt with in the harshest of terms. As he strode on in, he took inventory of the men at work and the set-up of the camp. Stopping only for a moment to observe the series of operating tables staged together, he continued on, satisfied with his inspection.
Standing at attention, Dr. Morgan and David waited for Gen. Grant to dismount before saluting him. With a quick snap of his hand, the general reciprocated in turn.
“Good afternoon, Dr. Morgan. It's been quite a while. I see you're still growing a handsome beard,” Gen. Grant started, stoking his own scruffy beard in jest.
“Yes sir. It is the only way the missus can recognize me,” Dr. Morgan replied in light humor.
“Quite right, sir,” the General replied.
Gen. Grant turned to David. Still at attention and staring forward, he exuded the embodiment of a respectful officer. The general gave him a quick but thoughtful inspection, then addressed him.
“Sir, we have not met. By your epaulet’s stars, I would deduce that you are Brig. Gen. David Warner. I am very pleased t
o meet you. Gen. Negley has spoken very highly of you,” Gen. Grant said, extending his hand and pumping David's with great enthusiasm. “At ease, at ease. How's that wound of yours? I heard on good authority, namely Brig. Gen. Custer, that you fought bravely, saving the general’s life even after you were severely wounded. It is an honor to meet men of such courage.”
“I was just doing my job,” David replied as he struggled for the right answer.
“Modesty is a quality I admire, David. It's a mark of good character,” the general complimented.
David and Dr. Morgan both relaxed their stance a bit and waited for the general to continue. They didn't have to wait long.
“David – may I call you David?” Gen. Grant asked rhetorically, “Even by the vague orders I sent you, I'm sure you are aware of our intention to rout the Confederates from this region once and for all. Chattanooga has been a thorn in our side for quite some time now, even after repeated attempts to 'persuade' them to move on. I have brought up several Corps of men, commanded by Generals Thomas, Hooker and Sherman. I plan to assault the Confederates from the front, but haven't received my reconnaissance quite yet, so things may change dramatically once I'm briefed. I plan on holding you in reserve, so I will call on you if I should need you. In the meantime, please continue to ready the infirmary. Is any of this unclear?” Gen. Grant asked.