Jewel of Promise

by Marian Wells

  “Beth, let’s sit over here on this bench. Will the sun be too much for you?”

  “No, after being in that place all day, I love the sun.” They sat, and she turned to face him. He saw her eyes darken, and she whispered, “Mike, what is it?”

  “That I’ve come to see you?”

  “No. I have never seen you like this. Was it terrible, Mike?” Caught off guard, he could only look at her. Her eyes seemed nearly dark lavender.

  “I’ve been reading the newspaper, thinking about you. Mike, they’ve said there’s been merciless guerrilla forces in Tennessee and Mississippi. I wondered about you.”

  He dropped his head, the pictures flooding his mind. “We ran into the results of their work; it was pretty bad.”

  “I can see you don’t want to talk about it. Mike, why have you come so far to see me?”

  “Isn’t that what friends are expected to do?”

  She shook her head. “Not the kind who fight with you most of the time. Mike, we just don’t get along now, I don’t think we have—anything in common. When I saw you, I was afraid. All I could think was that something terrible had happened to Sadie or Amos.”

  “But not that something terrible had happened to me?”

  “I can see you are alive and well—at least I thought so. But I think you’re terribly troubled.”

  “I am; you won’t be still long enough for me to ask you a question.”

  Flustered, she suddenly fell silent. “I’m sorry, Mike. What is it?”

  “Beth, will you marry me?”

  “Now?” her voice trembled.

  “Just any time. Now, or ten years from now. I just want to marry you.”

  “Mike, then why—back then?”

  “I knew you’d ask. Beth, I don’t know why. All I know is that God burdened me with the feeling that we shouldn’t marry then. I supposed he was asking me to give you up forever. Just the past two months I got the feeling that it isn’t our marriage He didn’t want, it was simply the time we had chosen. After I had my leg shot off, I decided that was a reason. No girl wants to be married to a man with one leg when there are plenty around with two.”

  “Mike, if you’re asking me now, that implies I can’t attract a man with two legs. It also implies I’m—” She stopped, and slowly said, “But I am not very level-headed.”

  “Beth, I don’t care what you are. I love you and want to marry you. In fact, I want to marry you right now.”

  “Mike,” she whispered, staring wide-eyed into his face, “I didn’t tell you all. I didn’t tell you about—”

  “Beth, I don’t care. Just marry me.” There were tears in her eyes. She sniffed and nodded. “Would you let me kiss you, right here?”

  She laughed. Wiping her eyes, she lifted her face. “Yes, Mike.” There was no teasing in her eyes, no coy games. She loved him, and he knew it.

  “Beth, my darling Beth.” He kissed her, then kissed her again, holding her close.

  Suddenly voices came from the walk. “They are supposed to be looking at the ducks.”

  “Shall we throw them in the lake?”

  Mike and Beth turned. “Alex! Matthew!” Mike stood up and held out his hands.

  Olivia smiled down at Beth. “You’re blushing!”

  Crystal folded her arms and shook her head. “Beth! I want to know how long this has been going on? I thought you couldn’t stand to be around that man.”

  Mike turned. “I found out she likes men with one leg, so I asked her—”

  “Asked her to marry you! Oh, Mike, Beth!” Olivia turned to the others. “Quick, let’s find someone to marry them right now, before they change their minds again.”

  “We won’t,” the reply came from both.

  While Beth and Mike looked at each other, Olivia said, “But we don’t trust you. Crystal, I think we’d better go plan this wedding now.”

  Thoughtfully, Beth said, “That might be a good idea.” Mike blinked, and she added, “Do you want to risk losing me to someone else?”

  ****

  The following day Crystal looked through Beth’s clothes. “Not dark blue. How about this one with the tiny rose blossom print?” She turned. “Beth, you aren’t listening.”

  “I’m afraid to rush into something as serious as marriage.”

  “Rush? You’ve known him forever.”

  “I don’t think you’re rushing,” Olivia said, “and neither will Sadie. Don’t you want to be married today?”

  “Oh yes!”

  “Let’s go! The fellows are waiting at the church.”

  ****

  The organ music was thin and reedy; one note was flat. Beth clutched the roses Olivia had given her and looked at Mike. He didn’t seem sorry.

  The thin gray-haired pastor was very sober. He looked from one to the other. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here before God, for the purpose of uniting this couple in holy matrimony.”

  Olivia looked at Alex and whispered, “I do.” Crystal squeezed Matthew’s hand while he looked down at her and smiled. Mike kissed Beth.

  As they left the church, Alex said, “And now, Beth and Mike, we’ve arranged dinner for all of us at the hotel. Also, they are holding a room for a Mr. and Mrs. Mike Clancy.”

  “Mrs. Mike Clancy,” Beth blushed and looked at Mike.

  Mike raised a skeptical eyebrow at Alex.

  “Honest, no horse play. But come on, I’m hungry.”

  Chapter 49

  “Alex, we could lose this war; things aren’t going well,” Olivia watched him. He continued packing his kit without answering. “In addition to the war, President Lincoln is fearful of losing the election. Those men are trying to get him out—Fremont with his campaign, and General McClellan, who’s running against him on the Democratic ticket.”

  Alex nodded. “I’ve heard McClellan has been accused of holding back his army because of his pro-slavery feelings.” He smiled down at her. “The South’s interest in the Federal election is interesting for two reasons. First, their avowed reason for war is freedom from the North. Second, if the South expects to win the war, there is no reason they should concern themselves with this election.”

  She nodded. “But if Lincoln fails to win, we could lose the war and freedom for the slaves.”

  “That’s right.” He packed his new Bible. “But to say things aren’t going well is to overlook the obvious. The North has been flopping around for three years, needing a strong general. Without a doubt, Grant is the man. We know Sherman will clean out his end of the South—perhaps not in the manner the South would care to have this done.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Total war is Sherman’s pet phrase. The North came into this war reluctantly, as if they couldn’t believe the South was serious. Given the outcome, both at this minute and at the final battle, I doubt there’s a man on either side of the Union who doesn’t wish he’d done his best to prevent this war.”

  Slowly Olivia said, “If we hadn’t become involved in the Underground Railroad, some of the bad feelings would have been avoided.”

  “Freedom for the slaves, for all people, isn’t an option; it’s an absolute necessity.”

  “But the South’s way of life—Alex, you and I know what a wrenching situation it has been to give up slavery. These people are losing millions of dollars in slave labor. It is worse than burning plantations and fields, factories and stores. To them it is as if their very heart has been pulled out.”

  “My dear, they’ll have to hire laborers at a decent wage and with acceptable living conditions,” Alex stated. “Is the South’s problem any different than the upheaval these black people suffered when they were torn from their homeland and from their people? In their culture, some of these people were as influential, wealthy, and content with life as our parents and grandparents have been. Can we say there is a difference?”

  “You know I agree. Alex, what are we going to do with our lives after this is over?”

  “I’m not certain, Ol
ivia. I’ve prayed for wisdom, mostly because there is one thing catching my attention now. I’m not certain how the Lord will guide. Olivia, when this is over, I’d like to pass my bar exams and use my law education as a means of seeing change in this country. Emancipation is only on paper; it needs to be stamped on the hearts of every American.”

  She smiled and touched his face. “Oh, Alex, it’s just exactly what I would expect of you.” Patting his cheek, she said, “Crystal and Matthew want to be part of the educational system. Crystal told me that for years she’s been haunted by the illiteracy of these people.”

  Alex nodded. “But right now we have a war to fight. Have you packed all you’ll need?”

  “Yes, and I’ve made arrangements with the Sanitary Commission to nurse in their facilities.” She crossed the room to kiss him. Gently tugging his face around, she said, “I’m telling you this now, there may not be opportunity later. Alex, you are more precious to me than anything or anyone. Without you I’m incomplete, but I’ve lived with loss and if necessary I can do it again. Please, don’t worry about me, either about my being hurt or about your—” she caught her breath and finished, “leaving me behind.”

  “Yes, Madam General,” he said tenderly, touching one of the gold blossoms on the brooch. “I have a feeling you’ll do just fine. Furthermore, I expect to see you ordering around the Army of the Potomac within two weeks.”

  Ignoring the twinkle in his eyes, she said, “I’m glad Beth is going to Ohio with Mike. She’s surprisingly level-headed in a crisis. The hospital will find a place for her.”

  “I’m praying you and Crystal will be in the same nursing group,” he said tenderly as he pressed her palm to his lips.

  Later that day Alex and Matthew were placed in regiments assigned to the Army of the Potomac. Just before they left, Alex squeezed Olivia’s hand and said, “This is ironic, but we’re heading for the Rappahannock. We’ll be encamped nearly in the same spot we were a year ago after the battle of Chancellorsville.” He kissed her and said, “I’ll see you next week when the supplies and ambulances are sent in.”

  The following week when Olivia and Crystal boarded the Union supply train going south, Crystal asked, “Why the stack of newspapers?”

  “Because Alex asked me to bring them.”

  “The news will only discourage him. General Grant has sent three of his generals out, and all of them have failed to accomplish his assignment. General Banks botched his Louisiana job; the Rebels are entrenched firmly across the Mississippi. General Butler was so slow that his campaign on the James River became a plum in Beauregard’s hand. Shall I go on?”

  “No, it sounds worse when you say it!” Olivia looked up with a smile. “But there’s West Virginia! Crystal, it’s been nearly a year since that slice of Virginia became a state. And now she has emancipation written into her constitution.”

  “I understand Arkansas did the same thing,” Crystal murmured, picking up a newspaper.

  The following day, medical personnel and supplies were unloaded on the banks of the Rappahannock. They were told the troops had begun their march across the Rapidan River in their first move against General Lee.

  The surgeon in charge, Dr. Jason, briefed the group of male and female nurses. “You have fifteen minutes to get your tents and supplies, and be here waiting for the ambulances. We will cross the rivers on pontoon bridges. When the battlesite is abandoned, we’ll move in, establish our camp, and treat the wounded.”

  Crystal began shivering. Glancing apologetically at Olivia, she muttered, “Sorry; give me a day to grow accustomed to this.”

  During the day a courier came with news for the team positioned north of the Rapidan River. “The battle is taking place in the wilderness. The men are fighting in thick woods, and it appears the woods have been set afire by all the shelling. We’ll have to attempt rescue of the wounded before they are burned to death.”

  Olivia turned to the southeast and saw the heavy columns of smoke. One of the male nurses stopped beside her. “I hear the soldiers have started rescue efforts. Dr. Jason has ordered the women to remain here while we go in.” As he turned away he said, “I wonder if he’ll keep his promise to Lincoln.”

  “What promise?”

  “Grant told Lincoln that no matter what, there’ll be no turning back. They’ve regrouped, but they’re holding their position.”

  The next morning Grant’s army moved, not in retreat across the river as everyone expected, but south. From the tents where Olivia and Crystal dressed wounds, they could hear the men singing as they headed toward Richmond.

  “There’s no skedaddle here,” chortled one of the wounded. He added, “Lady, I was here the last time, and I tell you it feels good to push on. For the first time in a Virginia campaign, the army has stayed on the offensive.”

  General Grant continued to press the offensive. Day after day the Federal Army pursued the Confederate Army, and just as doggedly the Rebels fought back. Casualties mounted.

  At Spotsylvania the Confederates built strong fieldworks, and slowly the Union troops gave way under the continued pressure.

  Briefly Olivia saw Alex when he came into camp. His face was coated with black from biting off the ends of cartridges.

  “This is a difficult battle,” he murmured, taking a mug of coffee from her. She wiped his face with a wet towel as he continued, “We’re no longer fighting an organized battle. This has become a clawing, digging fight for survival. I heard that Grant wired Lincoln that his intention is to fight it out on this line, even if it takes all summer.”

  Olivia said, “One of the men on burial detail said they found a trench with a hundred and fifty dead Confederate soldiers sprawled on top of each other. He said the team just pushed the dirt in upon them.”

  A week later, Crystal looked around the tents filled with wounded. “And these are the ones who can’t be taken to camp. How much longer is this going on?”

  “They are talking about moving the hospital tents nearer Petersburg. I don’t know when it will happen.”

  “Just don’t talk retreat.” A wounded soldier lifted his head, “Ma’am, I ain’t seen nothing like it. Last time we were here, we rested before doing battle again. This General Grant keeps nipping at our heels. The men are bloody tired.”

  “If our heels get nipped,” his comrade said, “think what’s happening to Lee’s. Grant might know something about fighting we don’t.”

  During the following weeks the relentless General Grant kept his men hard on the trail of Lee’s army. Alex reported to Olivia, “We move, they move; it’s like some elaborate ballroom dance. It’s been four weeks now,” he recounted, “and we’ve never lost sight of each other.”

  The next encounter took place at Cold Harbor. Grant was backed into a corner and forced to retreat. For a few days the men were in camp while Grant sent General Hunter up the Shenandoah to destroy railroads and the Confederate supply depot at Lynchburg.

  Alex had lost weight. Even his voice was hoarse with fatigue. “Our losses have been the worst of the war,” he said.

  He and Olivia were in their tent, shuttered away from the others. Exhausted by the heat, they lay on cots, hoping for a cool breeze. Restlessly Olivia sat up to listen to the cries of the wounded. “Alex, the men are dying, being wounded at a rate I didn’t believe possible. This can’t continue; General Grant won’t have an army in another week.”

  Alex turned his head. “My dear, if you think Grant will be without an army, don’t worry. More men are being brought in. Artillery is coming in from Washington.”

  “This seems desperate.”

  “Not so,” he insisted. “For the first time, I’m seeing these men fight as if there’s no back door. They are exhausted, but strangely committed. It’s more spiritual than physical. I think we’ve all accepted an unstated fact. It’s now or never. We are fighting for our collective life.” He reached out to touch her shoulder. “And Olivia, I think if you were out there, you wouldn’t be this discour
aged. We’re close to Richmond; when all is quiet, we can hear the church bells.”

  She began to smile and he came to kiss her, whispering, “Don’t give up now. Your attitude will affect the wounded. Livie, it’s going to be over soon, and we’ll go home, back to Pennsylvania.”

  “But the country will be—”

  “No, not destroyed. It will recover, and we’ll be around to help.” He touched the brooch she wore and kissed her again.

  During the following days, General Lee entrenched at Petersburg and General Grant followed, moving his men in to face the Confederates as they dug their own trenches. Siege was inevitable.

  “Just like Vicksburg,” Crystal murmured. Her eyes were dark and troubled as she turned away.

  As September waned, the intense heat lessened. The medical personnel as well as the soldiers began to recover their strength and spirit.

  General Grant sent General Sheridan up the Shenandoah Valley to rout General Early. When they heard the news, Olivia said, “Dare we say we’re on the winning side?”

  “At least we’re on the side doing the most damage right now,” Crystal commented wryly. “Sheridan’s goal is to sweep the Shenandoah Valley bare of all the produce, grain, and cattle, since it supplies the Confederate Army and all the guerrillas in the area. He’s ruined everything.”

  “Oh!” Olivia looked up. “Finally, the Republican Party is getting their act together. They are no longer talking about replacing Lincoln. General Fremont has dropped his bid for the presidency, and some of the other radicals are declaring their intentions to support the President.”

  ****

  Again the hospital tents were moved nearer the Richmond-Petersburg area.

  October passed, then came Election Day. As Olivia adjusted a bandage and reached for the mug of water, her patient drank gratefully and said, “I’ll be glad when I can use my hand again. Be glad, too, when we hear President Lincoln has won. Sure would be a shame to change horses in midstream.”

  “I don’t expect that to happen, do you?” She moved on.