Corn Silk Days: Iowa, 1862

by Linda Pendleton

  She wondered if Benjamin had taken to the bottle again. Had James heard that from the men? Was it a rumor going round? Or had he only assumed that? Lucinda would have told her if it were so.

  Alexander would know. She decided she would ask Pap when she saw him next. She knew her father-in-law was not the one to ask anything about Benjamin and she always wondered why Michael had a problem with Benjamin. Over the years it seemed always to be so obvious to her that Michael Storm favored his younger son Silas over his older son, Benjamin.

  Was it Benjamin’s drinking, she wondered. Or was it something else?

  Chapter Thirty-seven: .Where the Grass is Greener

  Daniel was rounding up his cows for milking when he saw a wagon approaching the farm. He wondered who was visiting but the wagon was too far away to tell. Through the dust stirred by the wagon, he noted a horse appeared to be tied to the rear of the wagon and it looked as if there were three people aboard. He moved the cows to the feed troughs, left them to eat, and walked to the drive to meet the approaching wagon.

  He strained to see who was driving the wagon but he couldn’t tell. After all, his eyes were not as sharp as they once had been. He called across the yard toward the house, “Catherine, we have company headed this way.”

  Catherine came to the front door and looked out. “Who is it, Daniel? Were you expecting somebody?”

  “Don’t know who it is.”

  About that time, they both heard a voice call out, “Mama, Daddy!”

  Daniel felt his heart jump at the sound of his daughter’s voice. “Oh, my God, it’s Madeline!”

  Catherine flew off the porch. “Madeline!” she yelled as she began running down the drive to meet the wagon.

  Daniel was right there in a moment, too. As the wagon came to a stop, Madeline jumped down into her father’s arms, hugging, crying with joy, and reached out for her mother’s embrace.

  “I can’t believe you’re here,” Catherine said with joy.

  Both Daniel and Catherine expected to see her husband at the reins but instead they saw a stranger.

  William stepped down from the wagon and helped Sadie down. He then walked around to the side and stood as Madeline and her parents continued their love-fest.

  “Mama, Daddy, this is William Edson, and Sadie. William brought us here from Virginia.”

  Daniel held out his hand and said, “Daniel McCord,” and the two men shook hands. “Well thank you William for bringing my daughter home. And thank God you made it safely. How about coming in for a bit before you head out.”

  “Sir, I’m not going anywhere without your daughter.”

  “Oh, um—”

  “Daddy it’s a long story but William is with me.”

  It took Daniel only a moment to recover. “In that case, come on all of you, let’s go in the house and get comfortable, something warm to drink, something good to eat, is that right, Catherine?”

  “Of course, come on in.”

  “William, let the ladies go on in the house. Let’s water and feed your horses. I’ve got three cows to milk. They’re waiting for me in the barn.”

  “In that case let me help, Mr. McCord.”

  “Hey none of that. Call me Daniel. We go by first name calling around here. Where you from? Virginia?”

  “Yes, for the most part. Grew up there. Left there to go to New York for a time. Graduated West Point before the war broke out.”

  “Oh, are you a Union officer?”

  “No, I uh, graduated West Point and then resigned my army commission and joined the Confederacy under General Beauregard’s command. I was a lieutenant until about a week ago when I deserted, taking your daughter and Sadie with me.”

  Daniel nearly dropped his fork onto this supper plate when he heard Madeline’s statement. “You were what? Spying?”

  “Yes, Daddy. And Sadie was helping me. Taylor Hills Mansion was the gathering place for Confederate officers, and every few days they came to dinner or were there for meetings. So Sadie helped gather information as she went about doing her maidly duties. She was my ears when I might be out of hearing range.”

  Sadie smiled and said, “We was a good team.”

  Catherine commented, “I bet you were, Sadie.”

  “I would write up the war news I, or we, overheard, and usually Sadie would take it to Mrs. Montgomery, a neighboring widow, or at times, I would. Mrs. Montgomery would then get it to the Union General. She’s been harboring Negroes and getting them to safety in the North for quite some time. So it was only natural for her to be a liaison for the Union,” Madeline explained.

  Daniel asked his daughter, “So she got you involved?”

  “Yes, and I was happy to help out. She knew I was not happy about the war and also that I didn’t treat the Taylor Hills Negroes bad.” She smiled at Sadie and added, “I guess word got around.”

  Sadie nodded. “Yes, ma’am it sure did. Peoples was a beggin’ and a prayin’ to come to Taylor Hill and work.”

  Daniel looked across the supper table at William. “So William, did you have any idea what my darling daughter was up to?”

  “No, sir, I didn’t have a clue. That is not until I got word that we were on our way to arrest Mrs. Montgomery and the wife and housemaid of Mr. Lawrence Taylor. I was shocked, needless to say.” After a momentary pause William continued, “By this time I was in love with your daughter, and I thought, well, at that time I wasn’t sure what to think.”

  Madeline said, “I’m really worried about Mrs. Montgomery. I assume they took her to Richmond and locked her up.” She looked at William with a questioning look.

  William took in a deep breath, and then said, “That’s not exactly what happened. I didn’t want to have to tell you both,” he looked at Sadie as well as Madeline. “Mrs. Montgomery put up a fight and she pulled a gun from her pocket and fired, hitting one of the officers in the shoulder. The colonel in charge shot her. I’m afraid she died, Madeline. Right then and there.”

  “Oh my God!” cried Madeline.

  “Oh, no!” Sadie’s eyes grew big and round and tears began to fall from them. “She was such a good lady.”

  William reached over and patted Sadie on the arm. “I’m sorry, Sadie.”

  Madeline said, “Then it’s my fault. If I hadn’t sent her the message that morning—”

  “Hey, stop that Madeline,” William told her. “We’d been watching her for some time. It had nothing to do with that day or even with just your messages to her.”

  “I feel terrible,” she said.

  Catherine said, “Of course you do, honey. She was your friend. But it’s not your fault.”

  “I know,” Madeline said, dabbing the moistness from her eyes with her napkin.

  Daniel spoke up, “Well a good thing you didn’t get wild and shoot anyone. So consider yourself lucky, Maddie, honey.”

  Madeline looked at Sadie, knowing how they both were having a flash back to the day in the peach orchard. She said, “Yes, I am lucky.”

  Catherine said, “And you’re lucky to have William rescue you. I get shivers thinking of you being in a Confederate prison.”

  Madeline nodded. “The thought gives me shivers, too.”

  Catherine stood up, “Well, let’s have dessert. We’ve got apple pie and fresh coffee. Let’s forget about all that happened in Virginia. You’re all here and safe, that is the important thing.”

  William reached over and took Madeline’s hand. He said, “That’s right, Catherine. Dessert sounds great. I’ve missed Sadie’s pies. She’d bake up some good ones in the Taylor kitchen and I bet yours are just as good.”

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve had any, but Mama’s pies were always very delicious,” Madeline said. She rose from her chair, “I’ll help you with it, Mama.”

  Sadie started to get up. Madeline told her, “Sit down, Sadie, you just relax and enjoy yourself.

  “Yes, ma’am, I’s a doing that.”

  Chapter Thirty-eight: Sunday, the 24th Da
y of January 1864

  Indianola, Texas

  Dear Companion,

  This evening affords me the pleasure once more of writing you a few lines and this evening finds me well and hardy and enjoying soldier’s life. I hope this finds you enjoying pleasures of this world.

  Well, Janie we left Fort Esperanza the 16th and we got on a boat and came to a place called Powder Horn. Our regiment camped in the courthouse that night. It was something new to us to stay in a house and the next day we marched about three miles to where we now lay. It is about eighteen miles from the fort. We are encamped at a very nice place. We are on Matagorda Bay camped in a small town. We joined our old brigade again and the boys were all glad to see one another.

  Well, we have a few Rebs not far from here but they keep away pretty well. They got five of our scouts the other day and we got one of ther’n in exchange. The way it happened, our scouts went out to see where the Rebs were and they cut into their lines before they knew it. Our party numbered forty while the Rebs were sixty, divided into three squads. Twenty of the Rebs attached our men and they out ran our men and grabbed five of them. The reason our men did not stand the Rebs afight was this: The Rebs outnumbered them and they feared they would cut off their retreat and would gobble them which they assuredly would have done. The scouts take turns, one day we run their men and another day they run our men.

  The citizens here say that 6 Company of German Dutch was throwing down their arms and the Rebs keep them under guard and furthermore a citizen came from Brownsville and he says five regiments of Rebel cavalry came in our lines and gave themselves up and have enlisted in our army. Whether this is true or not, I cannot say. If it is, you will probably see it in the paper.

  Well Jane we had a nice oyster supper last night. We have fresh oysters here whenever we want them and all it costs us is to go out and catch them. There is nothing any better in my estimation than a dish of good oyster. I take them out of the shell and swallow them alive. It is fun for they go down so slick.

  Well Janie, we have preaching pretty nigh every night in the church. There was preaching twice today and also tonight but I have not been up but once and then I could not get in. This afternoon’s preaching was by a Dutch citizen. He preached in Dutch for there are a great many Dutch here.

  I would like to see you all again. When I lay down of a night I have to think what a happy time we used to have but now we are far from one another.

  I am out of stamps and no chance of getting them here. I wish you would send me some.

  Your husband, Silas

  Dear Jane,

  It is now Sunday, the 7th of February. I received a welcome letter from you. I had the pleasure of reading one that was written by your lovely hand. It refreshed me. I feel as though I had a friend that thinks of me although a great many miles apart we be but I think no less of thee and still go on for Liberty.

  I suppose from all accounts you have had a very disagreeable winter in Iowa while we have had what you would call summer. I do not think it has froze more than a half dozen nights and it is said to be the coldest winter for the last six or seven years but we have now such weather here as we have in Iowa in corn planting time. It is very pleasant indeed. The boys think it is very cool for the last twenty-four hours. I have almost fallen in love with Texas but I do not expect that I will love it well enough to “marry.” I expect when the war is ended my love will grow cold with Texas and I will forget the pleasures there of.

  You said the news at Fort Des Moines is that we were ordered to California. This is the first I have ever seen or heard that. I would be glad if that was so as we would get in a healthy country and a country I have longed to see. You need not be uneasy about us going there for we are in Texas and I think we will remain here. A very good prospect at present. I would as soon stay here as any place in the Southern Confederacy.

  Well Jane, my principles have changed since I last seen you. When I was at home I was opposed to the meddling of slavery where it then existed but since the Rebels got to such a pitch and it became us as a military necessity (I say us because the President is doing for us the best he can) to abolish slavery and I say Amen to it and I believe the best thing that has been done since the war broke out is the Emancipation Proclamation. It has struck a death blow to Rebeldom so say the Rebs themselves and I want the thing to move along until the last blot of slavery is wiped from this Union never more to return and it is dying fast. Louisiana is no more a slave state, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee are all free and slavery will not last long in Texas. Now you may think I am foolish and may call me an abolitionist and as for that, you can do as you please. If you call abolishing slavery abolitionist I own the corner for I am in for putting the Rebs down and that to their sorrow, so they long remember it.

  Now you may ask what will become of those Negroes that are left. At present the Negroes are armed and made soldiers. They are good soldiers. They learn to drill quick, active in their movements, and have pride enough about them to make them handsome soldiers. I am going to try to get a command in a Negro regiment. My officers say I can get a recommend. I will try as soon as there is a Negro regiment arising here in Texas. The Negro regiment will be kept to garrison the forts and that would just suit me. I would go in such a place for five years. Now you may hoot at this and say, “Him go into a Negro regiment. Why he likes Negroes better than Me, Pah!! What a simpleton he is!” Well Jane, as the general said to an old lady in Tennessee when she complained to him about the soldiers taking her chickens, he said “Well Madam we must and will put down this rebellion if it takes the last chicken in Tennessee.” And that is the way with me. We must put down this rebellion if it takes me to be a Negro officer.

  Jane, Fred Nichols got back to the regiment and he told me he had seen you and had a long chat with you. I was glad to hear of it for you could get some information about me.

  He is not very stout yet. Some of our soldiers get married here. They have enlisted in the Veterans and they get a furlough and that means they get to take their wives home with them. None in our regiment has married yet, for our regiment are mostly married men. Our regiment was out on guard review today. That indicates a march but whether it will be so this time I cannot tell.

  I wish as you did that I could be at home with you in my arms these cold winter nights for the boys say I am a very warm bed fellow. I have wished to see you a great many times and kiss your sweet lips as I used to do. We saw happy times once and hope we will again. I wish every night I had a sweet kiss from Jane. I never march, never go to bed, sit down, but what I think of my darling. I would love to see the children. My respects to all inquiring friends.

  Your loving husband, Silas to Elizabeth Jane.

  Chapter Thirty-nine: Mind Games

  It was that time again. Every year it came. A reminder. And every year it was just as difficult. As much as Michael Storm loved springtime, he hated it just as much. It brought with it too many bad memories, and always put him into a depression.

  And that was where he was at the moment, in a depression, and struggling to keep working, struggling to sleep at night, and struggling to forget that one spring day.

  As he thought about that one day, he could not quickly count up the years. He didn’t want to know. Each time having to add one more year, one more time of pain and agony.

  He always thought grief ends with time. After all, it did when his mother died, and even when his young siblings had died. So why not now, after time has passed?

  Why did grief still have a hold on him? And what about the anger? Anger at God? No, that was not it. It was anger at allowing it to happen.

  As he walked around the lumber yard checking inventory and taking notes on supplies, he could not shut out the thoughts of that day. Nor could he shut out the laughter. There it was again! Dammit, he mumbled to himself.

  Tomorrow morning, yes, tomorrow all would be better. He was going to Des Moines. Funny how that had become his redeemer these last fe
w years. Every spring he would arrange his trip, and every spring he looked forward with anticipation, to the thrill of it, wiping away his pain, and soothing his soul.

  By tomorrow night it would be alright. He felt the ache, the anxiety, and even the excitement of it all as he allowed his mind to wonder with the goodness of it all, and all the while, shutting out the sounds of laughter.

  He walked up the steps to the door and tapped lightly. A moment later the door opened. She was voluptuous and her beautiful long dark hair curled and partly concealed full breasts that were nearly overflowing the top of her corset, and long trim legs made her almost as tall as Michael. She smiled and reached out for him. “Well, well, it has been so long, Michael Storm. Come in.”

  He said, “Yes, too long, Susanna.” He pushed the door shut behind him and pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

  When their lips parted she asked, “How have you been?”

  “I’m fine now.”

  “How long will you be here this time?” she asked.

  As he pulled off his coat, he told her, “Two days.”

  She giggled. “Very good. We will have some fun.”

  He smiled. “Just what I need.” He walked over to the sideboard and picked up a bottle of whiskey and pulled two glasses from a shelf. He poured out whiskey and picked up the glasses and handed her one. “Here’s to two days of good things,” he said as he clinked her glass with his.

  Chapter Forty: Dreams

  “Mama, we’ll be moving into Mrs. Clemens house at the back of her farm. You know the one,” Madeline said. “It has the extra maid quarters so it will be perfect for Sadie.”

  Catherine asked, “You and Sadie?”

  “And William,” Madeline said. “All three of us.”

  “Did Mrs. Clemens ask questions about William?”