CWT Serial 1 Seth & M

[johan_steele]

First installment of the Serial... I know this will only get better, I hope all enjoy and have an opportunity to learn something new through resarch and new interest.

[johan_steele]

The letter that started the idea... it is important for continuity.

My Dearest Sister

This last week has been an interesting time, once again we are assigned to Provost duty. It has been an easy time as the cutthroats and thieves have been noticeably absent and the Secesh have kept their mouths shut. However, we have had the distasteful task of verifying the papers of brothels throughout the city. As these are thought to be the places spies hide it is a necessary evil. Though, it is my own belief that officers just like to visit such places with official sanction.
Corporal Steele says these women are just trying to earn a living. They make far more than the fifty cents a week an honest woman can expect and they rarely have to look for food or a roof to sleep under. Though, he is quick to say that I should stay far away from such dens of inequity. I agree, though when the surgeon came and got a detail of the Provost Guard as escort we have little choice of what kind of sinful place we will visit. The women at this house required the attentions of a surgeon as he said that several men who had visited had been given a “gift” that they could not be loosed of. The surgeon wanted us along to enforce quarantine if he felt it necessary. It was not a detail I thought I might enjoy.
The surgeon says that they are women who live in sin and as such have no hope of redemption. Their souls are lost and they should be treated as such. I wonder what our parson might say of such, I know that the bible says that Jesus forgave Mary Magdalene her sins, how can we do less?
The mistress of the house accused the surgeon of being a hypocrite, visiting on Friday and returning to harass the house on Sunday. We all looked to the surgeon and saw his face color; we knew then that she spoke the God honest truth. Steele spoke to the woman in French and soon learned the truth. It would appear that the surgeon believed that he might blackmail the house into waiving his fee in exchange for being exempted from any quarantine. The mistress of the house had refused and here was the surgeon with a Provost detail in tow. We were not amused to be used in such a manner.
The Corporal informed the surgeon that he would make a full report to the Captain if the surgeon attempted such a thing again. I think we need fear no such action as the surgeon knows the Captain to be an honest and efficient officer who takes his duty seriously.
The ladies insisted upon inviting us into their parlor for a pleasant meal. It was disconcerting to share a room with women who live their lives in carnal sin. I cannot lie and must admit that I was sorely tempted by their loveliness. I need not tell you that I kept myself free from such sin. Though, the temptation was great.
On the march back to camp Corporal Steele explained that many a soldier knew only the gentleness of a soiled doves embrace. To many soldiers, women such as those in the house were their only comfort. The surgeon scoffed and made the comment that the Corporal only spoke such to assuage his own guilt for having visited such houses before. I do not believe the surgeon realizes how close he came to death this afternoon as all of us know well how the Corporal idolizes his wife and would do nothing to dishonor her.
I was sorely troubled by our visit to that house; the actions of the surgeon were a disgrace to the Union and dishonored the men who wear the same uniform as he. When we had service that eve I entered the chapel to see the surgeon sitting near Mrs. Steele. I was so angered that I left the chapel afraid that I might accuse the surgeon of ungodly conduct in front of the entire congregation.
The Corporal lurked outside the church smoking his pipe as he often does when a service is conducted. I told him that I was not certain God existed any longer. That the surgeon was not struck down on the spot struck me as proof that there was no God. And that Religion was a useless tool anymore in such a world. Steele laughed and called me a fool if I believed so. His words were so apt that I thought I must take up pen and tell you of them. “There is nothing wrong with religion it gives hope to those who have none. Without faith in God the hopeless are denied even hope. Hope and prayer gives a man a reason to keep going when all else is lost.” His words touched my soul and I eagerly took them to heart. When I questioned him as to why he only rarely partook in church services he smiled and told me that he didn’t wish to be present in church if God should change his mind and turn him into a pillar of fire for his sins, he was content to pray in his own way and listen to the joyful noises made unto the lord in the chapel. He then pitched me into the church with such force that I stumbled and made quite the racket. The parson was kind enough to make me the focal point of his sermon.
After the service at supper one of the new recruits made some boasts that were generally ignored by the veterans of the company. He is young and full of <font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font> and wind. He will soon see that there is far more to being a soldier than bravado and boasts. I am scarcely three years older than he and can remember when I was such, it seems so long ago. I have held my place in line upon countless fields of battle and twice been wounded. Never have I fled from danger though fear has gripped my heart many a time. Those that say they have never experienced fear in battle are either fools or liars. I have thought to run several times but the presence of men I knew and friends from home sharing the same danger and fear kept me in line by their presence alone. They faced the same fears as I without fleeing the danger, I could do nothing less. I tell you little sister that when a soldier goes to battle he is challenged as much by his own fear as by the enemy. I believe that these fears are as dangerous as the enemy, if not at times more so.
I eagerly wait your letters as they are a welcome medicine for my heart and soul. To know that the family is safe and free from the attentions of an Armies occupation is a godsend. If we were not here the Rebels would be there and then your larder would be empty, stripped empty by foragers. The woodpile next to the barn would be gone and the fences for miles around taken to provide fuel for the voracious cook fires of the army. The horses and mules would be appropriated to pull wagons or guns or to provide remounts for the cavalry. All other stock would furnish cooking pots with food for hungry soldiers, the apple tree in front of the house would be plucked bare and the garden and fields stripped and trampled barren. You would have to beg for a guard to be placed at the door; of coarse this would be denied as our family is known to support the Union. You would fear from abuse from not only soldiers of the rebel army but from deserters from the army that had failed you. God has smiled upon us that no army will ever approach our home. I see an Army as a scourge of God punishing indiscriminately those who are in its path.

Keep me in your prayers as I need them.

God Bless and keep you Little Sister

Your Brother Seth

(Message edited by johan_steele on November 04, 2004)

[johan_steele]

Sir:

By providence I have discovered where your unit is situated, and it is my heart's desire that you will receive this letter before your surgeon visits our establishment again. The regard I have for this doctor is riddled with disdain, and I and my other frail sisters have been visited by him under the cloak of darkness on more than one occasion. It is a strange brew that a Man of God, practiced in the art of medicine, can never seem to avail his professional services in the kinder light of day. This irony is not lost on me and indeed we often laugh ourselves to tears regarding your doctor's inability to provide medical treatment to an afflicted lady, without expecting another service in return.
I feel no remorse that you will find me even bolder than my profession dictates of me, but I felt a silent communication between you and I last evening and although I risk all if this letter is intercepted, or reported, I felt compelled to write and explain what your eyes told me you questioned.
I have no wish to offer a lengthy explanation or grandiose story as to why at the tender age of 20, I am peddling my own flesh in such a sinful way. But I can tell you that not so long ago, I washed my hair by the warmth and light of a fire, and filled a home with love and laughter. I have prayed that my Heavenly Father would bestow the blessings of a little son or daughter into what I thought was a joyful union. I can offer no earthly reason why my husband saw fit to desert me and the home that I had grown to love. To discover that there was no savings, protection or alternative plan for my well being was more than my youthful heart could bear. My husband did not join the army, which also makes him a coward of the worst kind, and this much I discovered after relentless searching, and many painful and embarrassing queries. With no family left to offer temporary shelter and protection from the wretchedness of this cruel and fast world, I believe, Sir, that you might in good Christian conscience, understand my circumstances. My lack of means led me to consider sins of the flesh in order to keep flesh on my bones. I lost my romantic school girl notions long ago and have replaced this innocence with a brittle reality that even the most devote confession would not break.
Alone in my thoughts, I sometimes believe that my profession serves more purpose to the army than those of a more legitimate nature. I dare not speak of the intimate details of my employment as a ceiling expert, but I can assure you that just as many men come here for comfort, or simply to pass the evening with a fine meal, and quiet conversation with the lady of their choice. I had a gentlemen procure my services recently who wanted nothing more than a good night's sleep in a bed with the warmth of a woman by his side. It is not always drunken, lewd and provocative behaviour in our establishment. I like to think that we nourish lost souls as well.
On those evenings when a gentlemen requests conversation only, I am reminded that I am a thinking, feeling, living female, walking a fine line between Madonna and Magdelene. I can almost feel respectable again, if only for an evening. A regular client of mine fancies himself half in love with me and would gladly marry me, he insists, if not for the fact that he already has a wife at home and six lively children. But even so, I fear that at my tender age, I am now jaded by the empty promises of men and trust no one but myself to ensure my future happiness. My hope is to retire from this profession when this cursed war is over, move to a more fair and less judgmental climate, and open a small but profitable book store. A healthier profession I think you would agree.
I will gladly tell you that I see myself as a soldier in my own right and I think you might agree with me, though you might find my musings somewhat adle-brained in the eyes of a soldier. But consider the risk to health that my sisters and I endure and the injuries and often death at the hands of an abusive drunkard. We do have shelter and a bountiful meal every day, but we are often at the mercy of our clients. Although your surgeon may save lives on the battlefield, he has come close to taking lives in this place that I call home.
In closing, I would be pleased to send you a copy of Dante Gabriel Rossetti's "Jenny" which perhaps would awaken you with respect to the tender feelings of the author towards a girl such as I, yet the shackles of his own hypocricy remain unshaken. When next you find your unit on official business to our house, I hope that you will find favour in sitting next to me in the parlour, where perhaps we could discuss this further.

Prayers are appreciated, no matter what your perspective.

Respectfully, M.

[johan_steele]

Ms M

We were not certain who your letter was intended for and addressed as it was to the French Corporal of the Guard it was guaranteed to find itself into the hands of Corporal Steele. He is a good man who often is confused with someone of great learning. He says he speaks three languages: French, Dutch and English with enough Turkish and Russian to get himself into trouble. I think he jests as I know him to speak three languages fluently and they are English, bad English and Drunkenese. While he has been a man of many travels our illustrious Corporal has never managed to learn the ways of the letter. His wife, Mrs. Steele has been trying to teach him and I do believe he is eager to learn, but I think he has had no luck as of yet. He inherited a copy of Blackstone from our first Sgt Major when he died and he has been trying to puzzle his way through it. I think if he can, he will one day do himself well. Perhaps he will even find himself in business.
We soldiers appreciate any letters we receive. Yours has been passed throughout our mess three times; young William has even gone so far as to write home to his sisters about it. I have taken up pen to respond to your letter. I think your courage deserves a reward; we receive little kindness from those in this land of war. What we do receive we appreciate and reply to in kind.
I would be honored to sit beside you at a meal and for some pleasant conversation. I remember being quite uncomfortable sitting in that parlor with so many lovely ladies. While I have grown to be man in the presence of my mother and sister I have never been around women who wore their shoulders bare and I found the look of a bare flesh to be disconcerting. I was quite relived not to be propositioned by any of the young ladies. I should have known that that would not be. You see ma’am, Corporal Steele told me some of the facts of life in a house such as yours. We need not have worried as he knows the woman who owns the house. He was once in her employ in the old country as a boy of all work before he got into trouble with some sailors. He refuses to say what he spoke to her about and we have made up our own stories for him, much to his chagrin. I would be most indebted to you if you might pry the information from Madame Josephine. And Corporal Steele can be rather stubborn, no matter how badly we tease him.
When I read your letter to the Corporal his wife was near to hand and enjoyed the correspondence immensely. I think she might send you a letter. She has little opportunity to converse with ladies. She is shunned by the officer’s wives because she is not of high society, though to be honest she is wiser than most of them and certainly more welcome in our camp. As I expect you would be.
The Corporal has taught me the game of chess, I wonder if you might be interested in a game if you know it. We are so starved for educated and friendly company that some swear they might die of boredom. Young William has taken to memorizing the labels of tinned meat. I hope to receive a reply to this short note as it would be nice to know if you are truly interested in the company of the men from my mess. If so then you might pick out who you wished to sit and converse with.

Your Most Obedient Servant

Private Seth Barnaby

[johan_steele]

Dear Mr. Barnaby:

It is with pleasure that I received your letter late this afternoon, just as my sisters and I were finishing a small Comfort Bag to send to your regiment with tomorrow's post. During these past few days, some of the ladies whom you had previously met, and I, have been emptying our closets, drawers, and our pantry of items which we thought might be of benefit to the brave soldiers stationed so close to our town. I trust that you will find our contributions, although small, of some use. As you can imagine, in an establishment such as ours, there is a plethora of needles, thread, yarn, thimbles, scissors, pens and pencils - I have included a few sheets of my own personal stationary as well as a sweet from last evening's dinner. This I wrapped in a small box and secured with two layers of thick paper, separate from the other provisions. My fervent hope is that you will receive our Comfort Bag in good order, and without delay.

My sisters and I were distressed to learn that a soldier, such as young William, is so seriously lacking in reading material that he is obliged to memorize labels from the likes of tinned goods. An ambiance so devoid of lustre has caused me to include a short poem of Elizabeth Burrell Browning (Comfort) so that men like William have more noble and soothing lines to read. Madame Josephine infomed us only yesterday that our 'unknown benefactor' of stationary and other luxury items can no longer supply our establishment with pen and paper, so it is much to my chagrin that I cannot spare William with his own sheet of paper. I can't think what I will do when I can no longer put my thoughts down on paper. It eases my lonliness and removes me from the reality of this terrible war, if only for a time. Fanciful this might be, as M. Josephine likes to tell me, but at least I do not suffer from the ambition of artful and designing men.

While I am flattered that so many men in your regiment have read my letter, I must confess that I am somewhat dismayed to be the object of such scrutiny. I had feared that my letter might be received in an aura of scorn, and measured with a yardstick of audacity or willfull ambition. But I sense no judgement now from your fellow soldiers, and I am pleased that men so far from home and distanced from the hyprocricy of society, can look at me and see beyond my profession. It warms my heart to know that I would be welcome in your camp and be treated as any lady. Perhaps I will consider such an adventure.

I was amused to hear of Corporal Steele's fluencies in the English language. Sadly, I am only too familiar with Drunkenese as a consequence of my profession, but I can tell you that M. Josephine is well versed in her own three versions of the French language, and each interpretation becomes more colourful depending on the subject at hand, and the hour of the day! I suspect that Corporal Steele and M. Josephine might require their own interpreter should they find themselves rubbing elbows at our table next time we are in need of your surgeon's services!

I can assure you , Mr. Barnaby, that there is no fear of losing your virtue whilst in the company of my sisters, and there isn't a lady in our house who would be so base as to proposition a visiting soldier. M. Josephine would be outraged to learn otherwise and any such lady would be quickly dismissed from her employment. We may instigate conversation to ease the awkwardness of men such as yourself, but the intimate requests of our clients are established only through M. Josephine and we are to remain discreet until we know their pleasures.

I am comforted to know that you have such an honest mind as I hold this dear above all other virtues. For your discomfort here I am truly sorry and since my sisters and I are seldom permitted to wear long sleeves during the evening, we forget how shocking it must be to see so many bare shoulders under such close proximity. If you can imagine, it is often just before dawn before our weary bones bid a final goodnight to our clients, or to each other, and often times I feel as if I've become no more than nocturnal prey for the darker side of life. Because of this, I do not dress until evening and then of course we are required to wear our shoulders bare, with the slighteset hint of decolletage. M. Josephine assures us that the fashion in our house is sufficiently alluring to our clients, while retaining an outward glance of respectability. I have to bow to my employer's superior knowledge in such things but I beg you to forgive our unintentional assault to your senses.

It saddens me to hear that Corporal Steele's lady suffers needlessly from the animosity of the other officer's wives. No doubt they are jealous, for Madame Josephine has it on good account that Mrs. Steele is not only an exotic beauty, but she is also wise for her young years and well accomplished. I am reminded of Voltaire in this instance and his infamous quote "The way to become boring is to say everything," and perhaps these women have a laudanum affect on your regiment! We would be most happy to receive the Corporal's wife for tea and conversation, but such a fine lady would not risk her reputation by crossing the threshold of the local brothel, no matter the stimulating conversation she might find behind our doors.

It is a pity because the ladies here are individually accomplished, and M. Josephine ensures that every employee is educated, or continues to study while in her employment. I have a great love for the violin and piano, and I am often asked to play the piano, when a certain client of mine finds himself in a more musical mood. On such nights, I am reminded of the dichotomy of my life - the joyful and creative expression that I find when given the opportunity to play M. Josephine's piano, uninhibited and without shame, only to be followed by my loss of self to men.

We would be pleased to show you our library next time you are here, as it contains classics that can no longer be found. I had the advantage of a father who insisted on educating his only daughter and I enjoy the works of Thoreau, Hawthorne, Longfellow , Whittier, Poe, Shakespeare and so many other brilliant artists. Copies of Lord Byron and Emerson grace our humble library, and please telI Corporal Steele that I do understand his difficulties in staying the course through his inheritence of Sir William!

I am greatly amused by the writings of William Byrd, and Madam Sarah Kimble Knight's account of her journies between Boston and New York have kept me entertained by the hour. I have attached to my dressing table Shakespeare's Sonnet 29 which is a favourite and one that I can recite by heart. I can send this to you should our communications continue, but I fear that a soldier such as yourself would not be interested in the romantic sonnets of William Shakespeare. But I believe that Shakespeare knew everything.

I would consider visiting your camp, with the utmost discretion of course, to visit with Corporal Steele's wife if she would entertain such a visit, and also to familiarize myself with your camp life, in which I am most interested. I trust that the men would not think ill of having a frail sister in their midst, and that I might count on your personal protection if a soldier should misinterpret my visit. I come only in the spirit of shared generosity, and I would hope that mutual respect would be observed.

I shall await your thoughts on the above and I trust that this letter will find you enjoying good health.

Respectfully,


M.

For William:

Speak low to me, my Saviour, low and sweet
From out the hallelujahs, sweet and low
Lest I should fear and fall, and miss Thee so
Who art not missed by any that entreat.
Speak to mo as to Mary at thy feet !
And if no precious gums my hands bestow,
Let my tears drop like amber while I go
In reach of thy divinest voice complete
In humanest affection -- thus, in sooth,
To lose the sense of losing. As a child,
Whose song-bird seeks the wood for evermore
Is sung to in its stead by mother's mouth
Till, sinking on her breast, love-reconciled,
He sleeps the faster that he wept before.

[johan_steele]

Ms. M,

I heartily appreciate your letter, and the three comfort bags that you sent with your letter have already been parceled out among the mess. I have managed to acquire nearly thirty pieces of stationary from the men of the mess as well as a small package of coffee to send you and hope that you will be able to put them to good use. We have also enclosed a dozen stamps, we appreciate that these are in short supply as is good paper. Young William has shown his appreciation of your enclosed poetry by doing his best to memorize it. He has enclosed two bit in thanks for something better than tinned meat to memorize.

I have written of our correspondence to my sister; I hope this is not offensive to you. I share everything with her and always have. To not tell her of our correspondence I think would be tantamount to telling a lie which is something I have never excelled at. My family has faced serious financial difficulties with my entrance into the service to the grand old flag. My father died before this horrid war began and my joining the army deprived my family of the fruits of my labor. Instead of my presence I send home my pay, as meager as it is. I pray constantly for my sister and cousins, who have all congregated at my family farm so that they might support each other.

My sister has said that one hundred dollars in good gold coin would wipe out the debt for the family. I think the same amount of money here would wipe the slate clean for half the city by passing from one hand to another in such a rate that all would be happy within a day. I am forced to wonder at your profession, the house you reside in, according to Corporal Steele sees ten times that money in a week. Can this be true?

I have spoken with both our Corporal and our sergeant, if you or any of the ladies of your house wish to visit our Company we shall endeavour to provide an escort and I shall put forth my guarantee that no men in our company shall misconstrue your presence. Corporal Steele at least is an honest man… at least where women are concerned and I firmly believe that no insult shall enter upon your person where he is concerned for no more reason than that he fears his own wife and her frying pan more than he fears the actions of the Rebel Army. Though I will warn you, I think Mrs. Steele would be cautious of anyone who might enter our camp.

I have managed to create a chess board and pieces from a gum blanket and camp items. The pawns are minnie balls, the rooks carved pieces of hard cracker, knights and bishops craved from a bit of saddle soap traded from the cavalry and the kings and queens whittle pieces of elm branch. If you would care for such a game and are not insulted by the crude pieces I would be most honored.

Do not worry yourself upon the plight of Mrs. Steele, she has cooked meals for the highest officers of the army and received their thanks and appreciation. For any to think her deserving of scorn, they have only to worry of the disgust of such as General Sherman himself but that in itself is nothing to the danger of the anger of Corporal Steele, or the men of his mess. I think he would have no compunction whatsoever in mortally injuring any that might insult her. We would do no less. These are the kinds of men you have chosen to speak with.

Years of soldiering have hardened our hearts, but the soft voice of a woman, such as yourself, might soften our hearts. And will only garner our thanks and appreciation. Young William and myself were almost driven to fist-a-cuffs over who would read your correspondence first. The hint of perfume upon your note was sure to elicit interest --addressed as it was to the Provost detachment. Let me suffice it to say much interest was made upon the contents of your package.

Until we see you walk upon our Company street I bid you a good day.

God Bless and Keep You

Your Most Obedient Servant

Seth Barnaby

[dawna]

Dear Mr. Barnaby:

I was summoned to Madame Josephine's private parlour last evening and was relieved of my anxiety when I discovered that there had been no customer complaint lodged against me, but a letter to be handed to me from a soldier in Corporal Steele's regiment. My own thoughts were deafened by my racing heart, and the crimson of heat that crept quietly onto my waiting face most certainly disarmed my outward appearance of stoicity. My altered countenance was recorded under M. Josephine's watchful eye, and my discomfort no doubt was noted for another day.

My mistress wears a thousand masks and she reminds me of a spider who studies her prey from across the room with classical amusement, frozen smiles, and expressions of innocent concern. We have all fallen victims to M. Josephine's embroidered web of vulnerable confessions, but I learned my lesson during the early months of my employment and quickly found the means to out maneuver my employer's extractions. I feigned a defiant indifference to your letter and left M. Josephine to wonder at it's contents, and the circumstances that have kept me in communion with one of Corporal Steele's men.

Since you are both direct and honest, I will honour this will equal truth in answering your questions regarding my profession and the gilded life that I lead. M. Josephine procured this house several years before the war, and while it is not elaborate, it is comfortable, stylish, and of course, functional. Our cook indulges our employer with every delicacy imaginable, and there is a daily abundance of wasted food that is quickly consummed by greedy rats and starving mongrels.

M. Josephine is a shrewd and calculating business woman whose only confidante and superior is the institution that nestles her profits. Corporal Steele seriously underestimates the amount of money that passes through our establishment each week, and M. Josephine protects her earnings with the wiliness of a fox that unwittingly finds itself in a barnyard of unsuspecting hens. I have over heard M. Josephine admonish a prospective client for putting on financial airs in a house that is only to willing to debit one's assets.

I want for nothing, other than freedom, and my sisters and I are obliged to spend several hours each day preening for the evening's social hour. Although I drape myself in borrowed jewels, dress in dupioni silk , and perfume my hair with the finest oils from Europe, I remain a prisoner of invisible chains and dreaded opulence.

I envy the closeness of your family since I am an only child and lost my own dear mother when I was only ten years of age. To have a sister or brother to share one's deepest secrets is something I have only been able to conjure up in the recesses of my imagination, or to enjoy in a Dicken's novel. But, Mr. Barnaby, I do question the wiseness of informing your sister that you are now corresponding with a woman of ill repute, no matter the simplicity of our communications. Do you wish the innocence of your sister to be tainted by the knowledge that ladies such as I exist to profit from men such as her brother?

I am returning William's coins with this letter and trust that he is not too young to learn a valuable lesson at the hands of the opposite sex. When a lady offers a gift, but one in particular of words that boast meaning and merit, she does not expect financial considerations in return. Although I'm certain that William meant no harm, it was distressing to learn that your friend felt obliged to pay for what I perceived to be no more than a sisterly and innocent gesture.

With respect to your kind invitation to play chess, I would be pleased if you would accept a gift from me that might prove useful to the men in Corporal Steele's regiment. I have inherited a Staunton chess game carved in African ivory which was a gift to my father from his beloved wife. After my mother's death, my father could no longer bear to look at this treasure, and to my dismay it was put away before my father suspected that I harboured a desire to learn the art of chess. The sisters in M. Josephine's establishment do not enjoy the game of chess, and whilst we often play checkers, charades, and anagrams, it is peculiar that they view chess as a game for the wealthy and privileged, and treat it with much disdain.

My father would be honoured to know that I had donated this small inheritance to such a worthy cause, and equally pleased that someone might finally teach his daughter the game that has eluded her for many years! With Corporal Steele's permission, I would personally deliver my donation to your camp along with a copy of Keat's Volume 1, if that might interest you as well.

Please forgive my lack of manners in not firstly thanking you for the paper and stamps enclosed with your letter - both are appreciated.

Until such time,


M.

[johan_steele]

My Dearest Sister,

Little Sister you would not believe what I have experienced over the last weeks. You might recall in my last letter I mentioned visiting a brothel in the official duty of the Provost Guard with a surgeon who we learned to be less than honorable and far from honest. Well, I was stunned to receive a letter from one of the women who reside in a house that our party visited. She was most thankful that we had prevented the Surgeon from causing trouble. And she thanked us for our honesty. As she was not exactly certain to what unit we belonged she sent her letter to the care of the French Corporal of the guard. As Corporal Steele is the only Corporal in the regiment who has any understanding of the French language it naturally found its way into his hands.

To say that Mrs. Steele was startled to be handed a letter addressed to her husband written by a lady of the oldest profession does not quite do the situation justice. And then asked to read it by her husband, the scene was amusing to say the least. Mr. Steele was not a Corporal in that conversation and there can be no doubt who the Sgt Major of that family is. His explanations only made matters worse I think, I was required to intercede on the behalf of the Corporal and explain the situation. Mrs. Steele was furious to discover that the surgeon who had most politely sat near to her and Little Miss Myra in service was such a man.

Mrs. Steele is a good woman and she did forgive her husband, though not before a good round brow beating. The Corporal presented Mrs. Steele with a lovely silken burgundy and white ball gown that he picked up in town last eve. She appreciated it immensely, though I do not know upon what occasion she will be able to wear it.

During the night we were called to the Colonel of another Regiment. He had been laid low by the dysentery and was certain to soon pass to the other side. He had called the Captain of our Company so that he might speak with a man of God, our Captain is a minister you see. The Captain received his words and his confession of sins. The Corporal and I were required to post ourselves outside the tent of the Colonel so the Captain and Colonel would not be disturbed. The Colonel passed to the other side while with the Captain and the Captain read his will aloud to the officers of his Regiment. He provided some not small monies to be spread among the enlisted men of the Regiment and parceled out his worldly goods among the officers. We were required to take the Colonels horse to a nearby Cavalry camp and present it to a young Private soldier there. The Corporal and the Captain both found themselves in possession of several items from the Colonel. I hope and pray that both men received those items honestly. I know the Corporal capable of robbing the dead but I believe the Captain above such things as he has been a man of God with a congregation and respectable family.

On our way to the Cavalry camp we came upon a most distressing scene, a woman in a fine ball gown was cursing roundly a passing Regiment. Her language was frightful and will not be written down here. But I shall tell you she offended every Union man present and shamed herself by using terms guaranteed to endear her to none but the devil himself. Corporal Steele ordered the woman to quiet herself and she turned upon him and focused her rage upon him. Apparently, this vicious woman had seen Mrs. Steele in our camp and knew that we were from that camp; she turned her vile language to insulting the honor of Mrs. Steele. I believe that to have been uncouth and certainly not worthy of a lady wearing such fine clothing. So did Corporal Steele as he handed me his Springfield and proceeded to pull the dress from the woman. Her protestations at least ended the curses that had bombarded the men marching past and brought forth a cheer from them. A First Sergeant stepped from the ranks and put the women across his knee and proceeded to give her several strokes across the backside with his ramrod. She was sent scurrying to her place of residence in her underclothes grasping a sore bottom. She was no longer insulting the honor of our men nor speaking ill of Mrs. Steele.

We stopped once more before reaching the Cavalry camp and spoke for some small time with a Catholic Priest. Corporal Steele spoke to him for a short while and explained our purpose as well as explaining why there was a fine dress hanging from the saddle. I was surprised when Johan offered the man a swallow of Cognac and even more surprised to see the Priest take it. I think he was much disturbed to discover that we were part of the Provost detachment.

We continued on to the Cavalry camp and located the Private, presenting him with the fine horse. He was a young and slight lad very fresh of face and quiet in voice. I suppose the Private must have been a relative of the Colonel as he was brought near to tears when presented with the horse. The horse was fine black Morgan almost 16 hands and stood out when placed next to the other horses. He was much better fed and of better breeding than any of the other horses picketed there.

We returned to camp to find that a woman had visited Mrs. Steele. We could not discover if this was the lady of the letters and Mrs. Steele would tell us no more than that she had promised to return. Young William and Kevin had both stared at this visiting lady for a long time as she was quite pretty. I wish that I knew if this the lady who has presented our mess with the gift of three small comfort bags as I wish to thank her in person.

Little Sister it is important that you not think that all of the women of the South are such as the women who donated a dress to Mrs. Steele. The woman residing in a house of ill repute has been most kind and gone so far as to communicate with the men of my mess. She provided a poem for young William and three small comfort bags which were quickly parceled out. Young William put two bits into my thank you note and she insisted upon returning it to him as she felt it wrong to take coin for a gift. I look forward to a visit from such a young lady, in a recent note she has promised to bring a fine chess set that was her fathers and even offered to donate a volume of Keats to us. I look forward to a game with someone other than Corporal Steele as he beats me too handily. I need not stress to you that you need not worry that I shall enter into sin with this young lady. I am not that type of man, you know my heart so I know that you will not worry. Our Captain is a good man as is our Sergeants and my friend Corporal Steele, women intending to tempt our souls away from the lord will never be allowed into camp.

I pray that this letter finds all in our household well. I believe we shall see an end to this war soon and hope that I will be able to return home to you with a clear conscience.


God Bless and Keep you.

Your Brother

[johan_steele]

Mrs. M

I take up pen this eve in a bit of discomfort and anxiety. It would appear that during our last stint of duty as Provost that a mysterious lady visited the camp. She visited for a short time with Mrs. Steele and was apparently in the camp looking for someone in particular. You can not imagine the consternation this caused our mess. We all feared that we might have missed you and that in missing you we shall never have the pleasure of meeting you.

Mrs. Steele has steadfastly refused to answer as to the identity of her visitor other than to say that she had a lovely conversation with her in French. And that to lady was searching for the "Sous Corporal" as we are not fluent in French we are not certain what that means and the guesses have gone far towards filling our day with amusement. The prevailing guess is that "sous" means sweet but young William is certain that what Mrs Steele said was "Sue's Corporal." As none of us know of a woman named Sue we think he is certainly wrong. Mrs. Steele was most amused by our attempts to pry information as to the visitors appearance and would say only that she was quite pleasant to both the eyes and to the ears. I think she was enjoying the game of torturing our minds.

Upon coming to the conclusion that we would not be able to elicit the information from her we made attempts to garner the truth from the camp guards. They were less than forthcoming. Corporal Kusilek insisted that the woman was in her forties, blond and not that nice to look upon. Another Private put her age at closer to twenty, with blond hair and a beautiful face and figure. Upon interrogating two other privates we concluded only that our visitor was blond of between twenty and forty years and that the men we were questioning were enjoying the torment they were inflicting upon us.

I eagerly wait the opportunity to play the game of chess with you and would be honored to play the game on such a board as you have proposed. I shall also be quite happy to take that copy of Keats off of your hands, though I will admit that I will likely not pass it on to William until after I have read it. I thank you for sending back the coin William sent to you, he meant no offense and was quite surprised to have me hand it back to him. He has said he was raised to believe that nothing was free, that there was a price for everything no matter how simple. It was William who insisted upon enclosing stationary after it was mentioned that your house was barren of it. Corporal Steele has provided nearly two score sheets for me to include with this note as he knows how much we have all enjoyed your notes and wishes to make certain there is no excuse to discontinue this correspondence.

So, it is with this in mind that I close this letter and must ask: was it you who graced our camp or another lady upon whose identity shall remain a mystery? We of Corporal Steele's Mess await an answer with baited breath and the prayer that we did not somehow miss your introduction to our camp. Perhaps you might also end the mystery of the term "Sous" as I recall several of the women in your house spoke French.

God Bless You

Your Most Obedient Servant

Seth Barnaby

(Message edited by johan_steele on November 08, 2004)

[dawna]

Dear Mr. Barnaby:

I felt obliged to write to you poste haste in order to alleviate your concerns regarding the mysterious lady who visited your camp while you were actively engaged in Provost duty. It was I, and although my visit was not successful to it's original intent, I did have the good fortune to make Mrs. Steele's acquaintance and for that unexpected opportunity I am most grateful.

I confess to being somewhat disarmed by Mrs. Steele's warmth and although she was initially cautious to find a strange woman in her midst, she was much relieved when I spoke to her in French, and our conversation immediately became one of animated pleasure! I believe that the Corporal's wife enjoyed this unforeseen occurance as much as I, and welcomed this unusual occasion to speak with another woman.

Madame Josephine was correct in her description of the Corporal's lady but in the person I found her to be even more beautiful, and refreshing. Mrs. Steele is naturally lovely and I found her to be blessed with the most luminous skin and commanding, charcoal eyes. Corporal Steele is a lucky man to have such an agreeable woman by his side during this odious war and I am certain that Mrs. Steele's husband draws daily strength from her well of moral courage and fortitude.

I lingered for a moment after Mrs. Steele had bid me goodnight. She moved about the campsite with the gracefulness of a cat, weaving her own brand of magic to whom ever needed a kind word, or a listening ear. Surely such a woman is an angel from God, content to walk amongst the men with little knowledge of the veneration that exudes from those around her.

In French, "sous" means under, or below. The men in your camp were only privy to part of the conversation that I had with Mrs. Steele, and upon my arrival, I inquired, "Je cherche le jeune homme qui est avec le régiment de Corporal Steele qui a amasser récemment le papetière pour entre envoyer chez la maison de Madame Joséphine." - (I am looking for the young man with Corporal Steele's regiment who recently collected stationary to be sent to Madame Josephine's house.)
But I can well imagine the clamour should an unknown lady visit your camp seeking the whereabouts of "The Sweet Corporal," since I have borne witness to Mrs. Steel's camp equipment and her frying pan is indeed a formidable weapon!

As you can imagine Mr. Barnaby, I was reluctant to leave my Father's chess set with anyone other than yourself. Mrs. Steele suggested that I return to your camp three night's hence, when you were certain to return from Provost duty, but I regret that I cannot be assured of an escort at that time. I have sworn Erik, our cook, to secrecy in this latest adventure and I can't think what M. Josephine would do should she ever discover the nights that we are missing from her establishment.

On those nights when I need to escape from the oppression of M. Josephine's house of ill repute, Erik is only too happy to escort me along moonlit roads to purge my soul and fill my lungs with cool, pristine air. You might think me on the threshold of madness for courting such potential disaster, but I assure you that these midnight ramblings of mine are at the very least, necessary.

I have invited Mrs. Steele to dine with us next week and my fervent hope is that Corporal Steele might find occasion to visit our establishment under the guise of official duty. I would be honoured if you would join the Corporal and his wife, (I have it on very good account that Mrs. Steele has recently acquired a beautiful new dress!) and I extend this invitation to William (we have taken to calling him Sweet William!) and of course, Kevin, if they are agreeable to an evening of fine dining and good conversation. I would also take this opportunity to present you personally with my Father's chess set and the Volume of Keats which I previously mentioned to you. I would be happy to show you my small collection of books and if you should find something that might be of further interest to you, it is yours to borrow and share with others as you see fit.

We had a sobering incident occur two days past which caused both alarm and concern to our establishment. M. Josephine still frets that this happened during the daylight hours and without a single witness to come forward. A shot was fired through Madame's front window and with good fortune, no one was injured other than M. Josephine receiving a cut to her ankle while attempting to clean up the shattered glass. Our mistress was indisposed that evening and my sisters and I were left to conduct the evening's business without M. Josephine's supervision. You might imagine that we were a little merrier than most evenings, and we were much amused to hear M. Josephine adamantly declare that "I will bleed all over Tennesee before that brute (your Surgeon!) sets foot in this house again!" when it was suggested that her ankle mind need proper binding.

We try not to concern ourselves with this incident and take heart that it was no more than a foolish accident, and not a warning from those who might wish harm to M. Josephine's business. But I couldn't help but notice a new sense of guarded apprehension when I bid Madame goodnight.

There is so much I wish to ask you with respect to your life as a soldier, and the thoughts and beliefs that sustain you through these dark and trying times. When faced with uncertain death, and with destruction and havoc all around you, what binds your feet firmly to sullen earth? How do you summon forth your own resurrection, over and over again, when your losses are finite, and immeasurable? Perhaps you might find time to share such intimate thoughts with me when we at last meet.

I close this letter with one final thought for William and in putting these thoughts down on paper, I understand the hyprocricy of a woman who openly offers one thing for sale, while remaining fiercely protective of something less attainable, and of a more abstract nature. While William may well have been raised to believe that there is a price to be paid for everything, no matter how small, I beg to differ with this unbridled philosophy. My estimation of the importance of words, and the value of honesty, is completely without guile, and free to all possible solutions.

I pray that you are well.

Respectfully,


M.