CWT Serial 1 Seth & M

[johan_steele]

Mrs M.

I have offended you, I must apologize for it as I did not intend such. In fact now I feel the fool. I know you would likely think the English gent a cad. But I thought you might like his educated turn of phrase. While I despised the man I must admit he was well educated and it was strangley intruiging to listen to him quoting the great bard, and Keats, and Dickens and arguing Blackstone with the Corporal. Amusing and irritating at once.

I have seen my share of killing fields: Corinth, Iuka, Port Gibson, Raymond, Champions Hill, the siege at Vicksburg. I praise the good Lord Almighty that I have survived such and been scarred by the foul slivers of battle but twice and then only lightly. I pray every night that I might be spared the bullet and the dysentery. It is only by the grace of God that I have avoided the Angel of Death and his most enthusiatic tool, the saw. The tragedy is that I have seen men taken beneath the surgeons tent and come out the other side without a limb or the breath of life. I have had the terrible and despised detail of burying those broken and shattered limbs. It is a task I have never spoken to my sister of. I think she would not understand and she need not imagine the stink and horror of it.

Until I joined the Army I had not known of South Carolina as anything but lines upon a map; truth be told I had seen it only on a map twice and never been south even as far as Illinois. I had never seen a black man until on board a steamer bound for service to crush this foul Rebellion. Since arriving in the south I have seen the heart of slavery and all of its viciousness that follow such a trade. Men and women treated as I would treat a horse, worse actually. I am not a member of any abolishionist group; for I cannot with clear conscience support or oppose something I am ignorant of. But I admit a certain sympathy with the cause. I acknowledge my ignorance of politics, while was unable to vote due to my age I think I would have voted for Mr Lincoln as my father was a Republican. You must think such a reason foolish; I was raised to judge a man by the quality of his character as well as that of his friends and enemies. And Mr Lincoln has certainly acquired his share of enemies. My father met Mr Lincoln while he was working as a lawyer in Illinois and thought highly of the man. My father was not one to bestow respect lightly upon anyone; this alone was enough to make me wonder about the man. Then to learn that many of the sataes who would break asunder my nation refused to allow his name upon the ballot. Enough to make me wonder of the motives of those who have plunged us into this horrid war. My father once told me that you could discern the motive of any action by following the monies. While I admit to know little of who is getting rich because of this war I understand quite well I think who would benefit most if the Secesch were to win their gamble. It will not be the men we are fighting, it will be the men sending them to die. The men who benefit most if this War is concluded with the destruction of the Union will be the slaveholders. I see the enormous plantations we have marched through and past. I think it was this class of people that set the table for rebellion. My father always said that Jefferson was a coward for not giving the black man his freedom. He also said that it was a crime that the "three fifth" rule was ever adopted as it gave the rich yet one more way of controlling the government of the people. I do not know if the first thread of Rebellion was laid by Jefferson or by the three fiths law; perhaps it was somewhere else. What I know is that I voted for a President and theat the men of the South never voted for Mr Davis; he was appointed by rich men. The common man of the south had no other option.

President Lincoln will stand to be eleceted again, Mr Davis will not. Even in the middle of this Rebellion we shall have an election, the rebels shall not. I think we must end this war with a victory, I cannot imagine the horor of winning this war but losing an election that shall decide the fate of a nation.

Many of us have decided we must see this through to the end, if for nothing more than not to dishonor those who have sacrificed so much. We are winning this war, so many times it has been said that the end is in sight. I have said it myself and even believe it so. The secesch have been split in half and I have not seen them once hold the field after a battle. This is why I respect General Sherman so much and General Logan as well. General Logan was no soldier before this war, but like us he is one now.

I understand that my letter rambles much, I do not know if I have really answered your questions. I recently received a package from my sister. A much needed sleeping cap and another pair of socks. But she has also included a gift for you, a small jar of our local honey. A neighbor keeps bees and makes his own honey; his trademark comes from the insertion of a rose blossom in the bottom of each jar. I pray that you enjoy the gift. I have managed to receive a guarantee from the First Sergeant that I will be allowed this eve free to meet you. I hope to find you with ease, Sven has agreed to come with me so that I might recognize Erik and I shall wear a cravat of lovely silk the color of blood.

Until we meet I am Your Most Obedient Servent

Seth Barnaby

[dawna]

Dear Mr. Barnaby:

Sven has left with Erik on a mysterious errand which I am not to know about, and I can only guess at what mischief they are up to this day. Erik threatened to purchase me something "special" to wear this evening whilst on our walk, and you would think that our cook was an anxious father in the throes of chaperoning his daughter for the first time. I find this most endearing and Erik helps to restore my faith in the opposite sex.

I was delighted to receive Carlie's thoughtful gift and I have enclosed a thank you note with this letter along with an envelope and stamp. My hope is that your sister might, in future, be agreeable to receiving an occasional letter from me but I would not consider this without firstly receiving your approval.

As always, I appreciate your honesty Mr. Barnaby and I accept your sincere apology. Words from an "educated man" mean nothing if there is no substance behind the speaker.

The next part of my letter will be a departure from my usual communications with you, but before we meet this evening I felt compelled to share something of my past, so that you will know that I am not a withering vine in whose presence you must edit or censor yourself. I share some of the horrors that you spoke of in your last letter and this will be the first time that I have allowed the turmoil within to spill out into letter form. If you are not shocked by my profession, then my sojourn to this town will neither be an assault to your sense of propriety.

My dearest childhood friend perished in the Great Fire of Danville in 1860 and a year later I buried my beloved Father. That summer we suffered a draught in Kentucky that left Danville's streams little more than dry and parched wasteland. I watched my father's land break and shrivel under a heartless sun, and for the first time that I can remember, we were forced to concern ourselves with food and water supplies.

In July of 1860, I awoke one morning to find my husband had deserted me and done so not with reasoning or an appeal to my understanding, but like a thief in the night with no backward glance. My husband's clothes were gone along with the prized Morgan mare that my father had purchased for my sixteenth birthday, and only days later and much to my horror, I discovered that the balance of my inheritance no longer existed. Like the cracked land and the withered flowers in my garden, my heart began to ache with longing, sadness, and disbelief.

By August, I knew the true state of my financial dilemma, and I began to devise a plan whereby I would travel South and try to locate my husband; this became a mission of the greatest importance for I needed to know with all certainty if I was now a widow, or a woman no longer needed. Misfortune struck again and I became ill during the last week in August, and as the days turned into weeks still I languished in bed, unable to lift my head for more than a moment at a time. Thus my misery was so great that I became indifferent to the world and the plan that I had only weeks before so carefully formulated.

The strange illness that had afflicted me for so many weeks left me as mysteriously as it had ravaged me, and my strength slowly returned a little every day and my health was at last restored. Soon I was taking long walks around my Father's property and enjoying an unusually hot autumn; apple picking became my favourite activity marred only by the memory of the apples I had picked in days gone by for my little horse.

I saw my Father's farm for the last time on October 5th. I wore boy's clothing which had been left in haste by one of my Father's negroes, and with my pockets lined with apples and the last of the food from our pantry, I set out on foot towards Perryville, still rich in hope that there was a reasonable explanation for my husband's disappearance. I spent my first night in the cool of a wooded area just outside of town and slept undisturbed until the first light of day, when a Confederate picket happened upon my sleeping form.

Believing the story that I was an orphaned boy whose parents had recently been murdered by scavengers, I found myself warmly received as a hopeful recruit in General Bragg's army, although most thought me to be no more than fourteen years of age. Thus it was I found myself an observer, and "errand boy" in a battle that raged on for two days outside the town of Perryville, and ended with the withdrawal of General Bragg's army out of Kentucky.

I held horses, fetched water from Doctor's Creek, delivered all manner of messages, and witnessed horrors beyond anything I had read about in history books. My introduction into the world of men was both swift and brutal.

I've walked between rows of wounded and dying men and listened to their screams of pain and anguish until I became no more than a slave to my thoughts and prayed for my own deliverance into a better world. The second day of battle was the hottest day in three months, and I watched good and gallant men drop where they stood from heat exhaustion and lack of water. Men lying in heaps, begging for water while hostile creatures observed their carcasses from a distance with greedy anticipation.

Men died in every terrible form of death imaginable and Danville became a hospital for the wounded and the sick. I was spared from the Surgeon's Tent, but not from the utter destruction of bursting shells and the stench and smoke of battle. I have grieved and cried with dying soldiers, knowing not at times which side they fought for, and I've kissed the lips of men who in their last moments on earth, thought me to be their wives back home, or their sweethearts.

Some of the men grumbled that if General Bragg had been better informed or more aggressive in his actions, then the Confederates might have held the field. Even so, it mattered not to me, I followed the Rebels as they retreated South through Cumberland Gap, until my masquerade was discovered and suddenly it was I who was fleeing in the night.

My heart is lighter for letting you know a little of the hardships I endured before I arrived in this town, and I trust that I have made it possible for us to speak with one another plainly now, and without fear of reprisal. Erik and I will look for you in your red cravat, which will be like a beacon to us in the night!

There is an electric fire in human nature tending to purify - so that among these human creatures there is continually some birth of new heroism. The pity is that we must wonder at it, as we should at finding a pearl in rubbish. Keats

Until we meet,

M.

[johan_steele]

Mrs M.

I must express my heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity to finally have met you. Our conversation and walk shall stay with me as a highlight of my service to date. THe sight of a lovely woman is certain to lift even the lowest of spirits and if intelliegent discourse accompanies it then it is indeed a memorable meeting. I was charmed and greatly impressed with your wit and intelligence. I was truly saddened to end our conversation and walk together; I could not believe we had spent almost three hours in animated conversation.

I returned to camp to find the men of my mess smiling, chuckling and demanding to know how our meeting had progressed. Two of my more coarse compatriots demanded to know if I had kissed you. I laughed so hard that tears teased my eyes as in honesty the thought had not crossed my mind. I suppose that the ability to see a woman as something other than an object comes from growing up in a home full of sisters.

William demands to know what you thought of his silver cup, he can be quite single minded at times. I assured him that you appreciated his gift. You would have laughed to see him color. Sven is smiling and giggling like a fiend, it worries me some as I am almost afraid to discover why. I believe he and your friend Erik were conspiring something though he will not confess as to what.

Some in my company and at home think it foolish to educate a woman or to expect much of one. They obviously have met neither my sister nor you.

As I look to the words of your letter I think I understand you a bit more, though for any man to claim he understands one women or all women for that matter is a fool. The horrors of this war are not reserved for the menfolk. War and hate fail to note the difference between men and women. At Shiloh a Wisconsin Regiment lost two of their laundresses to stray cannon fire, at Vicksburg I saw the graves of women who had fallen during the seige and far and away the most unusual experiance I have had in my life was discovering a wounded girl in hospital wearing the uniform of a private of the Infantry. THat might not have been so shocking except that I had unwittinly shared mess with her as had Corporal Steele and all of the men of my mess; none of us suspected that she was anything but a quiet and fresh faced boy who had probably lied about age in order to enlist. I have spoken with men who were in burial parties at Shiloh and they insist that they buried several women wearing the uniforms of Rebel soldiers. Our Captain evn shared an order from General Rosecrans Headquarters telling that women in the ranks were not to be permitted, apparently an orderly Sergeant had given birth to a healthy baby.

Women have shared the danger and many of the hardships of this war with the men, of that I think no one can question. But I think none but a fool would wish his wife or sister to do so. I shudder at the thought of my sister holding the line beside me as we charged a set of works or of watching the dysentery take her. Worse still the idea of her being taken prisoner.

I do not doubt the physical, moral or spiritual strength of the female of the species. What I fear is my own reaction to it. It may make me a fool but the idea of a woman on the firing line bothers me more than I can explain.

The Second Minnesota was at Perryville and I recall receiving a letter from a friend serving with the Second. He was most impressed with the battle and agreed that inept Generals were the cause of all the bloodshed. He was at the brutal battle of Chickamagua and spoke of the intensity and brutality of the fighting. Having been upon several fields of battle I believe that each is terrible and made only better or worse by the number of fallen.

Corporal Steele believes that the true Angel of Death is a beautiful woman who releases the sould by the beauty of her gaze. I do not pretend to know and I am not certain I wish to; I know I do not wish to learn from experiance. Death notices us all, but she pays closer attention when we are contemptuous of her.

I am Your Most Obedient Servent and I hope a friend.

Seth Barnaby

[dawna]

Dear Mr. Barnaby:

In a land that has been darkened and scorched by hate, sorrow, and mistrust, you are the unexpected light that has lifted this veil of sadness from my heart and returned me to my former self, if only for a time. This dreadful war has forced me to measure time in a different way, and the few hours with you last evening have taught me to treasure the moments that are sometimes given to us as a lesson in Faith, and all the good that is still left in this world. I find myself awkward with pen and ink this morning but can offer no earthly explanation as to why.

My sisters were also eager to learn the details of our meeting but my tongue remains locked in a mysterious silence; I'm surprised at the resentment I feel to share even the smallest detail of my walk with you. Please do not reproach your friends too harshly as their eager curiosity is understandable, but I am dismayed that the question of a kiss drew such colour to my cheeks that I fear your cravat and my face this morning would light up even the darkest of nights. It is knowing that these thoughts did not enter your mind which finds me so at ease in your company, and I'm particularly pleased by the regard you have openly shown towards my person.

I'm quieted in the knowledge that you can see beyond a dress and a bonnet and I venture to voice my belief that your mother has raised you to be an honourable man. Could it be that your sisters are responsible for your lively gift in conversation and also for your ability to stay the course through your own convictions?! I see that they have taught you much regarding the true nature of the female spirit, and her capabilities. No doubt your youngest sister and I would have become fast friends under different circumstances and if Carlie is anything like her brother then she would instantly earn my affections.

My Father was a progressive thinker and I was fortunate to have been raised in a loving atmosphere where my opinions were not only heard with consideration, but also valued. My gender was of no consequence to my Father but in spite of this I do believe that it would have given him a different kind of happiness to have been blessed with a son to carry on his name. Even so, I was never made to feel less important and although many thought that my Father gave me far too much reign and not enough structure, my Father was adamant concerning my education and for his rigidness in this regard I will always be grateful. My early willfullness and determination has served me well in the life that I've been forced to lead since I left Danville over a year ago.

It's unfortunate that men such as the ones you speak of in your Regiment do not see the importance of educating all women, for they are depriving themselves of the opportunity to share their lives with interesting and equal companions, but perhaps that is what causes the fear. There is a need in this world for softness, but I have never believed that the penance for this should be an empty head and excessive contingency on another human being.

An older gentleman who in the past frequented M. Josephine's establishment several times a year, had occasion once to tell me that he had lost two sons at Chickamauga, and his wife only several months before the battle. This gentleman's sadness was almost more than I could bear but for his willingness to live on while the world around him turned to dust, I could not help but gain new insight and inspiration. The gentleman in question was consoled by the knowledge that both of his sons fought under General Thomas, and that his beloved wife did not live long enough to know that her sons had both been lost to war.

Please forgive my manners in not thanking William for the return of my silver cup. I am most grateful as it was a treasured gift and I suspected that our precocious little friend was responsible for it's disappearance. I have enclosed a short verse on a separate sheet of paper for William and hopefully this will not incite a riot within Corporal Steele's regiment, or cause you further lack of sleep.

“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him.” Emerson

I remain Your Friend,


Maxine Fuller Temple

[johan_steele]

Mrs M

First I must tell you that William sends his appreciation for the verse you provided him, he is hard at memorizing every line. He is quite happy that you enjoyed his gift. I do not believe he was aware that it had been acquired from your house; I was suprised to learn that. I shall have to have another talk with Sven about his light fingered ways.

On a lighter note; I know you are quite interested in the daily life of the men who are fighting this war. I admit that it seems quite strange to me that a woman should be so interested in the daily tribulations that are the life of a soldier. I hope this story that follows will entertain you somewhat as it is one of those that brings amusement instead of dread and shame.

Yesterday morn our company departed on a patrol with orders to look in upon several small garrisons guarding river crossings and to look for evidence of enemy movements. We found quite a lot more than we expected. By the good grace of God none of our men were wounded or killed.

A short two miles shy of the last blockhouse on our route of march we were charged suddenly by a group of Secesch Cavalry. They burst from a nearby copse of trees whooping, hollering ad shouting for us Yanks to surrender. I believe they thought we were the relief party for the Blockhouse which numbered but twenty men. Instead they charged at nearly fifty. We did a prompt left face and fired a volley into their faces. This emptied several saddles and killed several fine horses but did not slow their charge. The order to guard against Cavalry was given and we fixed bayonets and readied ourselves to have an unpleasant afternoon. At the last moment the charging secesch decided that leaping into a wall of bayonets was not the wisest decision they could make and veered away. We gave them a last volley as they parted ways without the benefit of an unfriendly waltz and said our goodbyes. There were near to fifty horses in that charge and the earth itself shook under the hooves of their mounts. Several of our men were in need of a change of britches as being in the path of a Cavalry charge is not a pleasant prospect. We killed eight of them and wounded several more that left with their brethern. There were seventeen captured who had lost their mounts or been unhorsed by unsympathetic mounts. We treated two of their wounded who had been too badly injured to stay astride a horse.

The Captain left my mess under the command of Corporal Steele to guard the prisoners, police the fallen and gather up any horses we might catch while he took the rest of the company to make certain the blockhouse was still in Union hands. I think he feared the worst as the Company left at the doublequick.

A scant hour and some good chasing after horses while afoot later; the Second Sergeant returned with orders to close upon the blockhouse. When we crested the hill three quarters of a mile or so above the blockhouse we stopped as though the order to halt had been given; though it had not. Our Company was drawn up as if waiting a review and facing them was a Sergeant and twenty all but naked men; a few wore union suits or drawers but the majority wore only a cartridge box, belt and cap with their rifles at shoulder arms.

You can understand that we needed an explanation as to the reason for this rather odd uniform as we were all rather certain it was not within the regulations. Our Second Sergeant explained thus: it being a Saturday morning the Sergeant in charge of the garrison had ordered the men to proceed down to the river so that they might launder their clothing and bathe themselves. The Sergeant being a good man allowed his men to proceed before him while he watched the blockhouse from the bank. So he was still fully clothed when the reb cavalry descended on the blockhouse with the apparent intent to capture the small garrison and fire the blockhouse. You can imagine their delight when they discovered it empty and apparently abandoned. As they prepared to burn it the Sergeant gathered up his men, had them form ranks and double quicked to the task at hand.

You can only imagine the sight that must have greeted the secesch; twenty Norsemen wearing only what God had gifted them with at birth charging up that rise from the river. The Rebs took to their heels; and so as not to imply that those graybacks are any less brave than I... if roles had been reversed I think I might have outrun them. The naked garrison retook their blockhouse and stood to the firing steps to await the attack that they were certain would soon arrive.

It would appear the hapless rebels saw our approach and decide we would be easier pickings than twenty naked Norsemen. Though they were quite wrong; I believe that I can sympathize with their plight.

Corporal Steele in a fit of mischief ordered our prisoners out of their trousers, only a couple requiring the prod of the bayonet. These spoils of war were gladly accepted by the garrison.

What a sight we must have been to the three ladies and their negro servant in that carriage that crested the hill. A company of hard veterans drawn up with twenty naked Norsemen wearing only trousers and suspenders as though waiting a review by General officer. The prisoners without pants could not have but added to the picture.

We should have posted a pickett to keep from being stole upon unawares, but I think the ludicrous situation somewhat addled the mind of the Captain. The shocked scream of one of the ladies waked him to his senses. William, Myself and two other men were ordered to "secure that carriage" and we quickly mounted captured horses and did so. The young negro servant must have thought the Norseman wild indians as he kept begging us to not let the savages lift his hair. One of the ladies had fainted dead away and the other two were so flushed that I wonder if their color was not a natural red.

By the time we returned with the carriage the garrison was dressed in their wet coats and while wet they looked presentable. All thought it an amusing time, even our prisoners couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous situation. They had been able to cover their nakedness through the creation of loin cloths or the strategic wrapping of blankets.

We buried the fallen at a small cemetery on the crest of the hill, the Captain saying a few words over each grave and the Company sang a few hymns to send them on their way proper. Upon returning to camp the Colonel was told of the "Charge of the Norsemen" oh what a sight to see the Colonel choke and laugh at the story. I think the story went around the army faster than the story of the "Charge of the Mule Brigade." It brought smiles to even the most depressed soldier.

The Captain wishes to see the Sergeant and his men mentioned in dispatches for their "naked" courage. But I think the General will ignore the request as no one back home would believe the story.

I hope this small anecdote brings a smile and tears of laughter to your eyes; we all need to laugh and smile once in a while.

God Bless You.

Your Most Obedient Servent and friend.

Seth Barnaby

[dawna]

Dear Mr. Barnaby:

I received your recent letter with great amusement and it has taken me several days to reply since each time I took pen to hand, I was reminded of the entertaining scene that you had so vividly described for me, and once again I succumbed to fits of laughter! I've shared your letter with my sisters and we all thank you for having given us such a pleasant few days and a reprieve from our ordinary activities.

I might have been shocked to read such a story before I left Danville, but my experiences these last few years have given me a layer of worldliness that often serves a greater purpose. The spectacle of three fainting ladies in a carriage at the hands of a terrified negro servant must have aroused varying degrees of sentiment within your Regiment, and I am reminded that even the most serious situation remains so only at the Mercy of God! Do you suppose that there is a Secesch prisoner in your midst who might be brave enough to relate this escapade when writing home to their loved ones?!

I know that you find it unusual for a woman to be interested in the daily life of a soldier but in truth, Mr. Barnaby, there is not much in this world that I am not curious about. The stars hold a special fascination for me which I can't quite explain, but after my Mother died my Father would often find me in my mother's garden examining rocks and insects by the hour. My Father imagined that this was so that I could still feel close to my Mother and be part of a world that she loved so much. This was only partly true. I could not bear to be in a house where I could no longer smell my Mother's perfume, but there is an oais of life and beauty outside that goes largely unnoticed, and this became my sanctuary and childhood playground.

My Father indulged my fascination with the outdoor world with both patience and amusement, but as I grew into womanhood he became more concerned with what was proper for a young lady and prospective wife. I felt my world of wonder slowly pulling up like a deceptive drawbridge, and I was slowly introduced to the world of corsets, silk, and the limitations of my gender. Gone were the days when I could sit in the garden and hold a stone or rock in my hand, marvelling at the way the sun could make it sparkle like a thousand diamonds, or the way the earth cooled between my fingers as I dug relentlessly through each layer.

It might surprise you to know that I have read the works of Jean Baptiste de Lamarck, Thomas Malthus, and still locked away in my trunk since I arrived at M. Josephine's is a book that I've read several times, and one that my Father purchased in England before he died - "Origin of Species". My Father was a deeply religious man but he did not discourage the concept of Darwin's Theory of Evolution, although it was deeply impressed upon me that this was one book and subject that should never be discussed outside the discerning walls of my own home.

I have two requests with this letter and both would please me very much, if you are agreeable. Firstly, I would be happy if we could begin to address each other by our first names, in particular since I am no longer a "Miss" and I have yet to determine if I am still a legally bound "Mrs."; whereas you are and always be a "Mr." I think that our friendship has grown beyond the restriction and formality that society dictates of the opposite sex, and since we have accepted our friendship as it is, I would be honoured if you would call me Maxine.

My second request is of a more adventuresome nature and I can only hope that you might indulge me in this one folly. Since you have acquired additional horses from the Secesch, my wish is that you might consider taking me for an evening ride within the fortnight? I have saved the boys clothing that I wore from Danville, and all I would require is a warm overcoat, and a pair of boots. If you can imagine how much this would mean to me, I would be forever in your debt.

I pray that you are well.

One should take good care not to grow too wise for so great a pleasure of life as laughter.

I Remain Your Friend,


Maxine

[johan_steele]

Maxine

It seems strange to use your familiar name as I have known you only as M. It never seemed right to address someone by their first name unless invited to do so. As you have; I shall enjoy doing so Maxine.

You asked if I might take you riding upon one of the horses that we captured. As much I would enjoy the prospect of doing so it is not possibile. We were required to turn the horses along with the captured arms into the quartermaster. I am rather certain the horses have a;ready been reissued to some needy Cavalry unit. As much as I might like to ride beside you for a lengthy conversation, I fear it is but a dream. I know that our army has scoured the countryside for every horse and mule that can be found.

I fear that this policy has stripped every horse from the nearby area and those who have suffered worst are the farmers who will have a difficult time plowing their fields in the spring. The irony is that the Rebels did a good job of scouring the countryside themselves well before the armies of the Union arived. There are few horses to be had for anyone, let alone a lowly private of the infantry.

Horses that are at home would normally be used to equip our horse soldiers but they are needed by the regiments on the frontier. Infantry is poorly suited to the task of chasing hostile Indians. The war with the Sioux has frightened many at home and many of us here. They attacked the town of New Ulm last year and killed settlers up an down the frontier. It was a very frightening time for me as New Ulm is only about one hundred miles west of my family farm. This may seem like a long way to some, but it is only a day and a half ride for the average Sioux war party. A frightening thought for my sister and those women and children alone on farms while we menfolk are away to war.

I was considerably relieved to receive a letter from my sister that told me she was ready for trouble. She had loaded both of the family shotguns and had them close to hand and our old Kentucky Rifle was loaded and ready to greetany young buck that decided that the residents of our farm were easy pickings. I am glad that Carlie did not have to defend her hair. Corporal Steele tells us that the situation along the frontier is far more complicated than we might imagine and thta we should not judge a man by the color of his skin; whether he be brown, black or white. There are good indians and bad indians just as there are good white men and bad ones. He is right; but that knowledge is small consolation to those who have lost family to the Sioux. The Corporal traded with the Sioux for a couple years before he joined the army; he and Mrs Mina know some of the language and customs of the wild Sioux. To tell the truth having several Indian boys from other tribes in the ranks helps relieve the tension somewhat. Most of us know men on the frontier fighting or families that have been displaced by the rampaging Sioux. It is a frightening thing to know that as we face men in gray here at home other men are facing men in war paint.

It is a far more vicious style of war than what we wage here. The Sioux take few prisoners and those that they do take often fare worse than the dead. At least if we capture a rebel he need not fear that we will torture him. I pray that we shall see peace on the frontier in my lifetime; but I think that is but a dream.

At least I can hope to see the end of the Rebellion, providing God fates me to survive it.

I would rather not dwell upon such matters as they depress me to the point of distraction. I hope I can provide a smile upon your face, perhaps the package I am sending along with this letter might help. Corporal Steele is a very good scrounge and capable of finding the scarcest items. The boots should fit you, they were aquired from an officer we care little for and I am willing to wager a good dinner that his nice winter coat should fit you nicely. While the coat was made for an officer of considerably wider girth than yours I think it will fit nicely over your dress and skirts and go a long way towards keeping the wind at bay.

God Bless You.

Your Most Obedient Servent and friend.

Seth Barnaby

[dawna]

Dear Mr. Barnaby:

I fear that I have been thoughtless with my requests and I humbly beg your forgiveness. I am exceedingly grateful that you have taken the time to explain the crisis which the army faces in the form of
horse transportation. This is why I often inquire as to your life in the army and how it affects you morally, spiritually, and physically. I have no way of knowing these things without the benefit of a soldier, such as yourself, offering me a glimpse into your daily activities and hardships.

In attempting to lift my own spirits and experience the freedom that I feel while sitting on the back of a horse, I have overlooked your own pressures, which at times must seem insurmountable. I marvel at your devotion to cause, and your willingness to die for family and country. But these are part of the reasons that I have grown so fond of you.

I live not a great distance from where your Regiment is stationed, and yet I am as far removed from this war now as if I were living in another part of the world. My current circumstances, and my gender, keep me from viewing this war as anything more than the soldiers who frequent this establishment. Thus far, my education has served little purpose.

If I have appeared indifferent to the plight of your family and to the hardships that they endure while you are so far away, again I offer my apologies, for not a night goes by that I do not pray for your health and for the safety of your family. I will continue my prayers that this war might end soon, for I fear that this world will not stand much longer as it is.

I had hoped that an evening ride would refresh your spirits as well as mine, and I had looked forward to the opportunity to be in your company again. But I understand now that my request must have seemed frivolous to you when your current life is so wrought with danger, and you are consumed by daily heart-ache and grief.

I close this letter with a saddened heart for any anxiety that I may have caused you by my thoughtlessness. If you have saved my letters, I am certain that I have signed my full name on more than one occasion so I'm confused that it's recent disclosure was such a surprise.

I remain Your Friend,


Maxine

[johan_steele]

Maxine,

My friend you misunderstand. I assure you there was no offense taken and I hope I have not offended you. You see I had never received permission to call you anything but Mrs. M until recently. I hope that my doing so has not been seen as offense. To have started calling you Maxine without your express permission seemed too forward a thing for me to consider. I have taken to considering you among my closest friends. I share more, I think, of my heart with you than with any of my comrades and am only so open with my sister. In some ways I have began to think of you as another sister. Your heart and spirit are so like that of hers.

We are preparing to move I think, withing the next two weeks those of us who have re-enlisted shall be off upon a furlough. For most of us it will be the first time we have been home in a very long time. There is apprehension as to what we shall say to the families of those who cannot return with us because they rest in the embrace of eternity. In some ways it is disturbing how easily we have pushed their memories to the back of our minds. I will be heading straight for the homestead, my sister and the rest of my family. Others may come with me, Kevin is somewhat estrnged from his family because he enlisted without the permission of his father; who is vehemently against this war. Young William has heard little from his family for some months and is quite worried; I pray nightly that they have not succumbed to some sort of terrible misfortune. Corporal Steele will return with his family to Minnesota with the rest of us, but I do not know what he intends to do as he has no family. I have invited him to my home as have several others; but he just smiles and tells us that we have family to visit and must not worry ourselves with hangers on. I fear he shall find his family a room in St Paul or some other community and immerse himself in a bottle. For if there is liquor to be found he is quite adept at finding it.

The Captain suggested that he might volunteer as a furlough guard for one of the Iowa Regiments. It is a profitable idea as Corporals and Sergeants who do such duty receive a half dollar for every man they recruit as well as draw full pay and double rations while on such duty. He knows many from the various Iowa Regiments in the Division and I think he might do well by them. He would be expected to deal fairly with any disagreements between civilians and soldiers, and being from a different Regiment and state it is thought that such men will show less favoritism. It is a good idea I think. It is rumored the two furlough guards returning with our Regiment will be Norwegians from a Wisconsin regiment. I wonder if it shall be one of the "Naked."

Mrs. Steele has offered to provide you with a ticket and vouch for you if you might wish to escape your current profession and come north to Minnesota with us. I have a few monies put aside and the Corporal has pledged two twenty dollar gold pieces to stake you. I think you might make an excellent school marm or tutor for some affluent politicians children. It is said that a new beginning can be made in the west.

It is something to think on my friend. I wish you well and pray that God set his blessings upon you.

Your friend

Seth Barnaby

[johan_steele]

Maxine,

I hope and pray that this letter finds you well. There has been a terrible rumor that one of the ladies in your house was attacked by a customer and grievously hurt. Sven has been unable to find the truth of the matter for me and I find myself worried to the point of illness. Sven has promised to hand deliver this note to your trusted friend Erik and return with news of your health. Until then I shall say a prayer for your health and place my trust in the judgment of our Lord.

I shall endeavor to tell you another tale of the life of a soldier. On Thursday morn we heard the long roll and fell into line expecting a fight. We marched about a mile to the crest of the ridge collecting our pickets as we did so and formed a line of battle behind our entrenchments. We stood ready from just after ten in the morning until well past midnight. No rebel showed himself and it is thought that Rebel scouts saw us ready for battle and decided that it without surprise we would be too costly a prize. I think the more likely reason to be some General decided that there might have been truth to the rumor that General Forrest was in the area and he did not wish the garrison to be caught unawares.

Mrs. Steele and Sven brought fresh bread and soup to us about midday; if she had not we would have gone hungry as no rations were provided us. She is a good woman and faithful to the Company and regiment. Corporal Steele is a lucky man.

An incident which I must tell you of captured the heart of every man in the Regiment. About noon a Sergeant who had been to hospital for the last three weeks with dysentery made his way to F Company and joined his men. He had heard that we had been called to battle and chose to make his way to his comrades. He found his company and demanded a rifle. He laid down in the trenches with his men. It is said that he said: “Friends, if there is to be a fight I shall be with you.” He passed to the other side late in the afternoon. The story passed quickly through the regiment; at first it was not believed but when all saw the chaplain and several men carrying a body away from the trenches we knew it to be true. Because we were in line they could not give him a true Christian burial, instead he was put in the ground and covered over before we were released from line.

In the morning his fellows said a prayer over his grave and went to hospital to retrieve his belongings so that they might be sent home to his mother. They had a fight with the head surgeon as his belongings were missing his wallet and pay from last week; being near to fifty dollars in gold coin the men were some upset.

The men of F Company called upon our Captain as he is known to be an honest man. The Captain ordered our company out and B Company fell in with us as well. Near to one hundred and fifty men marched to the hospital so that an accounting might be made.

The head surgeon called for our Colonel and was ignored so he sent a steward to fetch him to the hospital; a few men decided him that he should not go. The Captain demanded the Sergeants effects be produced, all of them, or he would have the Surgeons quarters searched. Of coarse the surgeon protested his innocence, but when he realized the Captain would have his quarters searched he went and got the wallet. The Captain tasked our fleet of foot Indian to fetch the Colonel as he was placing the surgeon under arrest.

It did not take the Colonel long as Littlefoot had told the Colonel that our Corporal had gone hunting a rope. When the Colonel arrived Corporal Steele was testing the branches of a nearby tree for the proper height and strength while Kevin was making a proper noose.

The Colonel ordered the surgeon to his tent at once and several men from F Company were detailed as an escort to make certain he made it. The surgeon was stripped of his appointment and ordered out of camp.

Our Second Sergeant went down to the waterfront and told the Captain of every boat tied to the levee what the surgeon had done. The Corporal and I provided the surgeon’s horse to the cavalry as a remount. I rather suspect he will have a long walk home. He will of coarse complain to the Governor; but by the time the noise reaches us we will be on furlough or on campaign again. Please tell the other ladies in your house that the attentions of the surgeon that was responsible for our introduction will not again trouble this part of the Union.

On a less somber note William has gathered together seven men to perform Shakespeare for the brigade. There was some argument as to which play should be shown and the decision came to a choice of Richard III or Much Ado about Nothing. A vote was taken as to which the men would like to see and Much Ado about Nothing was chosen for which I am heartily glad as I am quite weary of hearing William quote Richard III. There was of coarse some question as to who might play the female roles.

Mrs. Steele had been listening and suggested we ask Mrs. Emaline. I do not know if you met her when you visited our camp. If you had you would know it as she has a quite distinctive red hair. She has become a laundress for the regiment and brings much amusement to us. Her story is one that might interest you. Her family was killed during the Sioux War and she decided to join her brother who was in D company. She arrived before winter looking for him. She had nothing but the clothes she wore and a basket upon her back. Her brother had passed a month before of an infection of the lungs.

Mrs. Steele took her under her wing making certain she stayed away from men in the regiment who might take advantage of her tender years and tragic situation. She spoke for her and helped her to acquire gainful employment as one of our laundresses. She has been a welcome addition to our regiment and all treat her as a little sister. Most of us hope we can find her a home in Minnesota when we return for our furlough but fear that we shall have a hard time of it as she is only fifteen. While I know Mrs. Steele enjoys her company young Mrs. Emaline is too gentle for such company as us.

I had hoped perhaps you might return with us to Minnesota and act as her chaperone. The two of you together would be strong enough to thrive. The Corporal says that I am a fool for suggesting such a thing. I think he underestimates you, I think you strong enough to start anew. I hope my suggestion has not offended you in any way with my loose thoughts.

I eagerly wait a reply from you

God Bless and keep you my friend

Seth Barnaby