Novel Description Book 2
English version: Jan 24th, 2025
Book 2 - Love and War
Published at: Harcourt Brance Jovanovich, Nov 1983, 1088 pages, todays ISBN 0-451-20082-9
(Cover 1st U.S. edition, 25th (todays) U.S. edition)
Contents
Book 2 - Love and War
Book One: A Vision From Scott (chapters 1-32)
Book Two: The Downwards Path (chapters 33 - 48)
Book Three: A Place, Worse Than Hell (chapters 49 - 63)
Book Four: "Let Us Die To Free Mankind" (chapters 64 - 87)
Book Five: The Butcher's Bill (chapters 88 - 118)
Book Six: The Lord's Verdict (chapters 119 - 147)
Book 2 - Love and War
Prologue: Ashes Of April
On April 30th, 1861, two weeks after Orry's visit, the house
of George's foreman Fenton is burning in town. George (36) rushes to help, but
the foreman, his wife and a cousin are dead already. It is said to have been a
family tragedy. To George, this event releases the lethargy of the previous
weeks, but he also thinks on the years that passed since he met Orry the first
time.
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Book One: A Vision From Scott
Chapter 1
C.S.A. Captain Charles
Main performs formal drill with Colonel Wade Hampton's volunteers, associated
with his partner First Lieutenant Ambrose Pell.
Chapter 2
Charles' troop is attacked
by some Yankees. Charles leads a counterattack into the woods and the enemy
disperses. When a wounded enemy stays back lying on the ground, Charles has to
take action against some of his determined but untrained amateurs who want to
kill that helpless man.
Chapter 3
Billy, now a U.S. First Lieutenant,
is assigned to engineer Captain Melanchton Elijah "Lije" Farmer in
Washington, while Brett stays in Lehigh Station. Washington is more like an
overcrowded cauldron. Billy is transfered with his unit to Alexandria.
Chapter 4
At the War Department,
President Lincoln gathers with Secretary of War Simon Cameron, the aging Union
General in Chief Winfield Scott (75), Secretary of the Treasury Salmon Chase as
well as Stanley Hazard and another visitor. Talk is on the situation and the
problem to hot have enough weapons for all the volunteer fighters. Lincoln
anready has ordered the blockade of the south by sea, but Scott's further
planing to take New Orleans via the Mississippi and thereby cut of the South
and wait for it's surrender my lack of supplies has no following.
Chapter 5
Cameron wants to get
George to his department to handle purchasing of guns. Stanley tries to prevent
this, but gets the advice to generte his own war profits by making shoes.
Chapter 6
Brevet Colonel Elkanah
Bent (37) hits the bar while Cameron, Stanley and a shady dealer are doing
business there for cheap uniforms. A waiter confirms to Bent, that one of the
men who has just left was Stanley Hazard. His recent order is sending Bent to
the army at the Cumberland, KY under Major Robert Anderson. There, he is to
train volunteers at Camp Dick Robinson in secessionist territory. Bent
disagrees to this order and looks for ways to avoid that transfer.
Chapter 7
Bent visits his secret mentor who has help him back on track
before more than once. Heyward Starkweather from Ohio has connections to high
politics and economy and is seclured but very wealthy living at the outskirts
of Washington. Bent is his extramartial son. But raching the place, he lears
that Starkweather has died that day by a stroke.
Chapter 8
Isabel, nur quite
haggardly looking, is outraged when she lears that George and Constance were
asked to come to Washington. She calms down only by Stanley reporting on the
new business idea.
Chapter 9
Brett (23) drives to
Lehigh Station for errands. There, she is harrassed by drunk workers as a
Southerner. Nobody helps her exept a jewish store keeper, so Brett has to use
all her strength and the whip to escape.
Chapter 10
George is asked to speak
for putting up a regiment of volunteers at the citizen meeting, because he is
the only man in town who has fought in Mexico. Disgusted, he waits for the
mayor to end his war-hungry speech and thinks about the former West Point
comrades from the South, who all are or have been formidable officers.
Chapter 11
George, Constance, Brett
and the children William (12) and Patricia (11) are at the dining table, and
George comforts Brett on the attack in town. Both ruffians were reported by the
storekeeper and are in jail now. Furthermore, George has fired them at Hazard
Iron. Then he helps Brett on her pain of separation from Billy.
Chapter 12
Cooper and his family
arrive in England with the last steamer that left Savannah before the blockade
closed up the harbor, and some days in London, they travel to Liverpool by
train. His task there is to produce storm boats, that are to harrass the
Northern maritime traffic in a way that they have to use blockade vessels to
secure their trade lines. In Liverpool, he meets the marine agend James D. Bulloch
from Georgia.
Chapter 13
Well covered, Bent watches the burial of his bodily father
Heyward Starkweather. He never learns who his mother was. He was given in
foster care to the poor Bent family in Felicy, Clermont County, OH. Only via
Starkweathers lawyer Jasper Dills he learned at the age of 15 that the Bent's
weren't his real parents.
Dispite former orders, Bent goes to see lawer Dills to get
recalled his transfer to Kentucky. The lawyer sends him away without doing
anything for him. But after thinking on it, he wants to puts a word in for
Bent, because now being Starkweather's legal successor he receives payments
from Bent's bodily mother as long as Bent is alive.
Chapter 14
George and his forman, young scottish Christopher
Wotherspoon, are looking for the reason for the ongoing failures in the new
cannon production. George also searches for a decision how he can be of use for
his country. He would prefer a line assignement to fight, but it also scares
him. He would be more of worth to the War Department, but then he would have to
collaborate with Stanley and Isabel.
Constance is clueless because she learned that her father
wants to move from Texas to California and she is worried on his age of 60. But
she suggests that George shall travel to Washington and look for his decision
there. When Brett learns on that, George arranges an escort for her to
Washington and Billy because he himself has to solve the production problem
before his departure.
Chapter 15
Billy and Brett meet in his boarding house room. The next
day - Captain "Lejie" Farmer gave him a day off for that - they go
for a stroll on the Presidents Park. The day after that, Brett gets acquainted
to Captain Farmer and is impressed by that white-haired former travelling
preacher.
Chapter 16
Justin LaMotte thinks on
revenge against Madeline and Orry and also gives Orry the blame for his failure
in raising his "Ashley Guards", where - in contrast to Wade Hampton's
volunteer regiments - dispite colorful uniforms, only a few farm boys have
signed up. When a drill exercise under the command of his brother once more has
turned into a brawl and Justin is sent for some negroes to go in and quell the
action, a shot gets fired and hits Justin in his buttocks.
Chapter 17
Orry is busy running the
plantation. He has manage a lot of details - e.g. to find a new overseer -
before he can think about the offer to go to Richmond as staff member of
special military advisor Robert E. Lee. He would prefer an fighting assignment,
and also thinking to be close to Ashton and James Huntoon disgusts him, but is
hasn't made a decision yet. First, he signs the obligation to deliver a portion
of the crop profits to the government.
His mother Clarissa still is mentally locked-up and doesn't recognize him while she always greets him politely. Madeline is happy with him but shares his sorrows.
Chapter 18
Madeline relays the news
to Orry that Justin has died on infection of his bullet wound. Instantly, they
start planning their wedding, in part that Orry can follow up on the call to
Richmond.
Orry thinks on the negros getting increasingly uppity.
Especially Cuffey is on his mind. Flashback: Cuffey's wife Anne had twins
months ago, but one died soon after birth. With Brett being away from Mont
Royal in dispute with Orry on her marriage to Billy at that time, nobody sent
for midwife Aunt Belle Nin. Recently - Cutty now was a foreman - the second
girl died while Orry and Madeline were off in Charleston. After their return,
Orry at once took care on Cuffey and Anne, but was accused by Cuffey and sent
out of his cabin. Shortly thereafter, Anne spoke out to Orry and asked him to
sell her as quickly as possible because constantly would beat her and she
couldn't stand it anymore. Orry didn't sell her but gave her to a befriended
family in Charleston as a house maid.
Another accident occured when Madeline's horse shied because
foreman Cuffey was beating 60 year old slave Cicero with great cruelty. Only
the interception by slave Andy, who also resisted Cuffey's orders, prevented
further harm to Madeline. Orry personally conveyed his thanks to Andy. The next
day, Orry learned that Cuffey has retrospectively greatly abused Cicero with a
club. So the foreman function went from Cuffey to Andy.
Orry receives the application of elderly Philemon Meek for
the job as overseer, but not earlier than in Autumn, and Orry admits that he
wants to join the military.
Chapter 19
The capitol of the Southern States was moved after
Virginia's secession from Montgomery to Richmond VA, a sophisticated city of 40,000
inhabitants. Ashton is unhappy because James is unable to get a better job than
a small worker to the Secretary of the Treasury. They reside in a boarding
house room and visit social events to be introduced to influencal people:
Brigadier General Beauregard, Attourney General Judah Benjamin and others.
James succeeds in having a conversation with President Davis and starts another
discussion on the rights of the individual states, that Davis aborts after some
time, what provokes Ashton's rage.
James and Ashton are contacted by elegant Lamar Hugh
augustus Powell on an investment in blockade runners. But James declines.
Chapter 20
Charles buys an unimpressive Grey from a farmer, that has
some talent as a war horse. The circumstances in camp are bad due to rubbish,
alcohol, whores, illnesses and dirty water. Charles gets informed by Colonel
Hampton that one of his soldiers, cavalry man Custom Dawkins Cramm III (who
previously wanted to shoot the Yankee) has been picked up having left his unit
without permission to take part in a horse race with the 1st Virginia Cavalry
under J.E.B. Stuart. Hampton assigns the chair of a special court-martial on
Cramm to Charles. Some officers enjoy occasional dinner parties given and paid
by wealthy comrades.
Chapter 21
Stanley buys the momentarily closed Lashbrook Shoe Factory
and re-employs the former administrator Dick Pennyford with the authority to
rapidly produce cheap shoes for the army as fast as possible. Isabel even plans
business over those shoes with the South to maximize profits.
Kapitel 22
Just barely, Charles can keep a thief from the notorious Zouaves regiment from Louisiana to grab his beautiful saber made of Solingen steel that was a present from Orry.
Kapitel 23
On July 1st, 1861, George
reaches Washington. He first beds in a hotel while Stanley and Isabel can take
over the house of an old widow. George doesn't find them there because they are
still in New England. The next day, he appeard and spoke to the leader of the
office of armory, Colonel Ripley, who himself rejects any innovation in
weaponry.Even after a conversation with Cameron, George postpones his decision,
but tends to accept with greatest care.
Chapter 24
Stanley can complete the acquisition of the shoe factory in
Lynn and already has received a contract to supply shoes to the government. He
now sees himself in a superior position in the War Department that George.
Chapter 25
Ambrose Pell's negro Toby
as well as two servants of an aristocratic captain from the "Tiger"
company have run off. With Hampton's consent, Charles and Ambrose set out to
look for them. On a small farm they meet young widow Augusta Barclay from the
Fredericksburg area, Spotsylvania County. She smuggles chinin from Washington
into the South. When six Yankees are riding in, Charles and Ambrose hide the
young woman in the attic.
Chapter 26
Charles confronts the
young Second Lieutenant Prevo leading the troop of the Georgetown Mounted
Dragoons. He avoids an armed fight with Prevo's outspoken corporal and is able
to prevent a search of the house after the woman.
Chapter 27
Charles and Ambrose stay on the farm over night while Charles gets to know Augusta better.
Chapter 28
While Constance is packing
for Washington on July 13th, suddenly Virgilia (37) appears, durty and ragged. She
is able to convince Constance for shelter and agrees to her demand of behaving
strictly sensible. Also, George may not be informed about this. Constance is
aware of the things Virgilia has stolen and sold off to survive, and she plans
on convincing Brett to tolerate Virgilia's presence.
Chapter 29
Orry and Madeline marry in a very small ceremony at Mont Royal. On the family side, only mentally absent Clarissa takes part. A small distraction occurs when slave Cuffey gets noisy.
Chapter 30
George - in full uniform
as a captain - meets with Billy in a Washington restaurant. They wish each
other best of luck. Shortly after that, Constance and the children arrive. They
reluctantly comply to an invitation from Stanley and Isabel for dinner. Stanley
brags on his wealth and takes every chance to belittle George, so by his better
position to Cameron, in critizising West Point, or the shoe supply contract.
Chapter 31
Virgilia's behaviour
towards Brett is not self-righteous anymore but impolite in other ways. Nevertheless,
Brett sensitively gets Virgilia to at least take care of her own body. Very
slowly, Virgilia's mood shifts from indifference to pride.
Chapter 32
Like many others, George
drives out with his family to picknick on an outlook with a carriage where the
coming battle near Manassas is expected to be observable. But they arrive late
at noon to only hear some gun fire. They meet many acquaintances there,
including Stanley and Isabel, but don't take further notice to them.
When they disappointedly turn
for returning, they get into the chaotig flight of beaten Union soldiers. Again
and again, George has to interfere to re-open the blocked path, while Stanley
and Isabel let their carriage rush by in panic. Soldiers force George to hand
over the carriage and they have to continue to Washington on foot. On their
way, they meet Stanley and his family at the road side with their overturned
carriage. Stanley looks pittyful, and they pick up him, Isabel and the twins.
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Chapter 33
Colonel Bent and his
roommate Colonel Elmsdale watch the Union soldiers returning to Washington.
Bent now fears that the war will drag on by this defeat and he finally will
have to go to Kentucky.
Charles was dispatched
with his unit to support Beauregard in the Battle of Manassas (or Bull Run).
But being unable to use the train, they arrive after the South has won the
battle already.
Tom Jackson and his
brigade stood like a stone wall near Henry House what earns him the nickname
"Stonewall" Jackson.
Chapter 34
George collects
informations on the battle from the Union position. Blame for the defeat was
given to Scott and McDowell, and George's West Point acquaintance George
McClellan was tasked with overall command. Then, George is sent on an
inspection tour of the Cold Spring Foundry near West Point and visits his
former place of education.
After that, office routine
takes over for George. In August, he is promoted to Major, Colonel Ripley now
is a Brigadier General. But he has no joy in his unsatisfying work. Good
offerings often could not facilitated by bad dicisions, hasitations, Secretary
Cameron's influence and internal schemes, and it has to be acquired what was
available worldwide after the Rebels have plundered the markets.
One evening, President
Lincoln appears at the arsenal where George inspects inferior foreign long
guns. Es reports that he sent buyers to Europe himself because he is disappointed
by the work of Cameron's and his people. His only praise is to George.
Stanley recllections on
the walk back from Bull Run is fragmentary, but he blames it on George and
blocks his work wherever possible. He also senses that Cameron's department is
under bad critics, because the army lacks on material of any kind - except
shoes. He seeks advice from Isabel, but she is angry over Constance making
connections for her and George that she would like for herself.
Chapter 35
The Hampton's League is in
camp North of Centreville and is reorganized on their losses. Charles is
invited to an officer's reception in Richmond. At the ballroom, he watches
Ashton and James Huntoon crowding around the President. But he also meets West
Point comrade Fitzhugh Lee, a nephew of Robert E. Lee, as well as Colonel
J.E.B. Stuart, who had made him that haircut back then at West Point and is the
commander of the 1st Virginia Cavalry today. Augusta is among the guests as
well, and Charles talks and dances with her a great deal of time. When parting,
she asks to see him again.
Chapter 36
James Huntoon is tasked
with minor works at the Treasury, but he is not satisfied, in part over Ashton
as well. Lamar Powell visits the Huntoon's at their house and provides details
on his offer. He plans to import luxury goods from Europe and sell ot with high
profits. James declines a participation and prevails in that. The followup
arguments with Ashton sends him to the couch for the night.
Ashton investigates
Powell's address and pays him a conspiratorial visit. Without long tit-for-tat,
they end up in bed and Ashton gets fully satisfied. So, Ashton signs an
investment over 35,000 Dollar for his ship.
Chapter 37
Secretary of War Cameron
is critizised from all sides, and Stanley and Isabel talk on separating from
him. Isabel plans on aligning with Senator Benjamin Wade from Ohio, Cameron's
radical opponent. Stanley gets an appointment to Wade and hints to deliver
internal informations from the War Department. Wade shows interrest.
Chapter 38
Arthur Scipio Brown (27),
half-negro from near Boston and fan of Dr. Martin Delaney demanding the return
of negroes to countries like Liberia, has a short and interresting conversation
with George and Constance. He works as a hotel clerk and takes care of colored
refugee children. Constance accompanies Brown to his small flag to visit the 12
children and the elderly nanny there. With George's consent, Constance offers
her support.
Three days later,
Constance and Brown travel to Lehigh Station with three of the children.
Constance is amazaed on Virgilia's exterior changes. She advises the Hazard
workers to remodel the former refugee's barn, but the workers show resistance.
When a hateful parole was written at the barn's warn, Constance gets one of the
rebelling workers to be fired.
Chapter 39
The wealthy widow Burdetta
Halloran (32) gets on her way to Lamar Powell, that hasn't sent word for some
time. But Lamar brushes her off at the front door saying, that he replaced her
with another woman.
Chapter 40
On November 7th, 1861,
Commodore Du Pont's flotilla takes Beaufort harbor near Hilton Head island.
Robert E. Lee, having some failures in Western Virginia, receives command of
the new Department of South Carolina, Georgia and East Florida. On his way, Lee
appears at Mont Royal with three of his staff officers and talks to Orry. That
is when Orry is glad to accept the position offered in the War Department in
Richmond.
After Philemon Meek has arrived
at the plantation and Orry is satisfied with the man, and while Orry gets ready
for the journey, the old midwife Aunt Belle Nin arrives at Mont Royal. She
brings along her young niece Jane, wo he freed after her mistress' death.
Madeline accepts to let them stay as long as Aunt Belle's broken leg needs
healing before they want to travel on to the North. Foreman Andy is fascinated
by Jane. The next day, Orry departs for Richmond.
Chapter 41
In Summer of 1861, the
United States Sanitary Commission is founded under director Frederick Law
Olmstead to help avoiding unnecessary losses due to lack of hygiene in the
camps. Women all over the north are organizing markets and collections on this.
Constance as well holds a market in a Hazard storyge building to generate
donations. Brett and Virgilia, who gets praised for her looks and manners, take
part in that.
Two weeks later, a
newspaper article on Constance's highly successful efforts is relayed to Miss
Dorothea Dix (60), having the prime oversight on the Union Army field nurses.
Virgilia takes interrest in the work of a nurse and asks for a letter of
commendation. Shortly after, she speaks to Miss Dix and is accepted.
Chapter 42
Orry moves into a room of
a Richmond boarding house and enters his duty as Lieutenant Colonel under
Secretary Judah Benjamin, including holding contact with the problematic Chief
of Military Police: Brigadier General John Henry Winder, a West Point associate
of President Davis and maltreter of people. Orry's inaugural visit to him is
less pleasant.
Orry is invited to a
dinner party of Navy Secretary Stephen Mallory. On an evening stroll with
Benjamin, they meet Ashton and James. After a short conversation, they part
again, but the Secretary correctly senses the tensions between the siblings.
Ashton visits Powel as
often as possible. The man shows himself as a fiery patriot, but declining the
President and plans to draw wealth from the war and then take over a leading
role in the country. To James, especially as a lover, Ashton has nothing but
scorn.
Chapter 43
Birry writes in a letter
to Brett, that he has returned to Washington with Company A, now being formed
with Company B from Maine and Company C from Massachusetts as an engineer
battalion under Captain James Duane with assignment to McClellan's Army of the
Potomac. Brett is lonely after Constance as well as Brown have left for
Washington and Virgilia is with Miss Dix. She helps sweet Rosalie at the negro
orphans house over her sorrow of a dead turtle. This way, she doesn't take notice
that Rosalie is a black child.
Chapter 44
Aunt Belle Nin dies on
October 10th, 1861 on blood poison and is buried at Mont Royal. The same day, a
fire storm destroys 600 buildings in Charleston. Foreman Andy is flirting with Jane,
but Cuffey harrasses her. The following day, Madeline askes Jane to natuarally
take a seat at the breakfast table. Against her feelings for Andy, she still
wants to leave but looks for a way to help the plantation. Against all customs,
Madeline lets Jane visit the family library.
Chapter 45
George is upset on his
sensless work. His boss, old Ripley, still declines all kinds of innovation
using silly arguments. Constances reports on an invitation to the reception of
Major General George Brinton McClellan ("Little Mac"), being General
in Chief since November 1st.
Stanley thinks that his
business interrests are in dager by the momentarily depression in Washington,
and he starts stealing secrets from Cameron's department and deliver it to one
of Wade's confidants. At noon, he gets done one of that fashionable,
harmonically staged photographs from him and his family. He then tells that
Stanton, one of Cameron's lawyers, has written and instantly published a
report, saying that Cameron allededly has spoken out to arm run-off slaves. The
President is outraged.
Chapter 46
Christmas coming up,
George meets with Billy at the arsenal. The same evening, he is invited for
dinner with Superintendent Emeritus Sylvanus Thayer (76), who also likes to
attend McClellan's reception. Thayer tells George that he would be of better
service for the Union in the field than behind a desk.
Short of the closing of
the year, the reception of George's former classmate McClellan es held. Other
than military men and their wifes, many politicians are present, including
Stanley, Isabel and even Cameron. Senator Wade signals to Stanley thinking on
taking him over. When the brothers met - Stanley always closely followed by
Isabel - Stanley already hat a lot of punch. Then President Lincoln strolls
along and talks with Constance with ignoring Stanley and Isabel. The greetings
with McClellan are heartfelt, but George keeps his reservations on that overly
seif-concious general.
At Mont Royal, Clarissa suffers a stroke and will likely stay paralyzed half-sided.
Chapter 47
On Christmas Eve, George is mad and talks with Constance on the illusion of a 90 day war.
Chapter 48
In the quiet phase after
Manassas, Hampton is elevated to brigade command by adding further units while
Charles leads on his scouting party. At winter quaters near Dumfries, he builds
a wooden shack for him and Ambrose. One time, he is able to ride over to
Spotsylvania County to visit Augusta, but the elderly free negro Washington
reports to him that she is off to town with his son Bosworth. Besides that,
life in camp is plagued by bordom during the cold winter time. At Christmas
eve, Lieutenant Ambrose Pell does not retorn to camp from a scouting mission.
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Book Three: A Place, Worse Than Hell
Chapter 49
On his retorn trip from
Brigadier General Stuart's headquarters, Charles and five of his men bump into some
Yankees in the fog. Charlestonian First Lieutenant Reinhard von Helm, the
replacement for Ambrose Pell was described to Charles as a intriguing coward
and idiot making his career solely on the help of well-known persons. In this
situation here, Helm shows extreme carelessness and causes a skirmish. After
Charles' men chased off the Yankees and killed on of them, Charles picks up a
lost and brand new Spencer repeating rifle and copper bullets from the ground
and surveys it the next day at the shooting range. The soldiers present are
devestated on the accuracy of that weapon.
The coming day, Charles
receives a small book with poems via field mail from Augusta, keeping it with
him from how on. That evening, after another incident, he throws von Helm out
of his shack.
Chapter 50
Under pressure, Simon
Cameron resigns to be sent as the U.S. ambassador to Russia. On saying
good-bye, he tells Stanley that he is aware of Stanley's connections to Senator
Wade. His successor will be lawyer Edwin McLasters Staton, pushed through by
Wade.
Some Union victories in
Western Kentucky and Western Tennessee put an old West Point comrade of George
into the spotlight: Ulysses "Sam " Grant, now a brigadier general.
Lincoln issues Order No. 1 for McClellan to march off for Richmond until
Februars 22nd, 1862 at the latest. But McClellan again hesitates.
Chapter 51
Charles' commander, Major
Calbraith Butler, summons him in, with Colonel Hampton also waiting there. They
tell him that his unit has turned against him and that Hampton wants to use him
as a scout according to his skills. Charles asks for a short leave and rides
over to Augusta. He stays the night but doesn't dare to sleep with her fighting
his desires. At early morning, they were disturbed by a Southern troop passing
by, and Charles rides off in a confused state of mind.
Chapter 52
Cooper has success with
Captain James Bulloch to get out blockade running ships who leave England under
a fake name, change their captain in Nassau and receiving their armory at see
from another ship. This shows the ineffectiveness of the sea blockade as
ordered by Lincoln. One gunboat delivered that way is to attack Union merchant
vessels to force Lincoln to withdraw forces from the blockade for escorting and
protecting his trade lines. On March 22nd, the "Oreto" is finished
for that who will be named "Florida" after the planned change of
flags. A second one, the "Enrica", also aledgedly for a shipping
company in Palermo, is under construction.
Nevertheless, maximum
secrecy is required, because Yankee spy Dudley can uncover their schemes any
moment. In a Liverpool bar, Cooper is contacted by private detective Marcellus
Dorking. Cooper's activities are well-known to him and he offers money. But
when he indirectly threatens Judith and the children, Cooper throws him out of
the bar.
Chapter 53
Elkanah Bent, now a
colonel, gets command over an Ohio regiment in April - just before the start of
the Battle of Shiloh against Albert Sidney Johnson's army, where the commanders
of about every regiment fell victim. Bent is desparate and gives blame to
division commander William Tecumseh Sherman. At the last minute, Bent is
transferred from line to staff duty under Anderson, but this commander
subsequently is replaced by General Sherman and Bent gets sent out again.
The young Ohio men under
his command, as well as Bent without any fighting experience, have no chance
against Hardee's onslaughting rebels, so he retreats with his unit, even
clearing the passage to the rear against his own men by force. After being
knocked unconcious by a granade detonation, bent finds himself relatively
unhurt among several dead and wounded. To avoid blame as commanding officer, he
wounds himself in the thigh.
Both sides claim Shiloh to
be a victory, while Johnston did make ground on the first day but was killed
and Grant pushed back the rebels to Corinth the next day. Bent has to declare
himself several times, but Sherman distrusts him and pulls him off the command.
One month later, he is transferred to staff service in the occupation forces at
the Gulf, signalling clearly that his carreer turns to the end.
Chapter 54
Billy commands a troop to
built a pontoon bridge over the Black Creek. His works are hindered by rain,
mud and partisan skirmishers. With McClellan's army, he was shipped to the
peninsula between the York and James River, after the general had lost the
position als General in Chief on March 10th, formally on his hesitation. Now he
organizes the attack on Yorktown.
When the Confederates pull back out of Yorktown at eary May,
Billy has to discover that they were fooled by wooden fake guns. That way,
Magruder's units could fortify a better position uphill.
With Abner Woolner and another scout, Charles rides between
the lines at Yorktown for days. When they watch a Yankee troop on the road, one
of their horses neighs and they can make their escape only narrowly.
First Lieutenant Billy Hazard is provoked by patronizing
Second Lieutenant George Armstrong Custer, who just had graduated at West Point
last of his class in 1861. He starts a brawl with Custer's comanion Captain
Rawlings until Billy's friend and superior officer Lije Farmer intercepts on
his side.
Chapter 55
From within the surrounded
city of Richmond, also being overcrowded by refugees, Orry daily listens to
heavy artillery fire outside of town where McClellan has taken position. After
the fall of forts Henry and Donelson, Secretary of State Benjamin is replaced
by George Randolph. Davis issues a draft order for men from 18 to 35 years.
Robert E. Lee takes over command of the Army of Northern Virginia, while Orry
has to defend himself against several plots.
After he makes love to
Ashton, Lamar Powell tells of his plans to eliminate President Davis on
alledged incompetence. James Huntoon is angy over his assumption that Ashton is
constantly with another man and he on the other side has to work like a slave
to pack up the Treasury into boxes. He gets train tickets, but Ashton refuses
to leave town.
James finds bank receipts
and confronts Ashton. She openes to him her partnership in Powell's blockade
runners, having made that way more than 250,000 Pound Sterling in two runs. In
the following arguments, Ashton suppresses James' upcoming manly uprightness.
Chapter 56
McClellan is compelled to
retreat from Richmond after Lee succeeded to get Stonewal Jackson's support.
That way, "Old Bob" can make good on his starting weaknesses and
flank out "Little Mac". The command takeover was feared for him being
the known best soldier of his time.
George has a lot of work
to do in Ripley's team, but gets increasingly frustrated on that, as well on
watching his incapable brother getting accepted by Stanton and even rising to
his executing deputy. Stanley tells George over dinner that West Point will be
closed due to lack of funds.
On July 29th, with local
dignitaries, Cooper takes part at the maiden run of ship No. 209 he helped
organize with Captain Bulloch under great secrecy. At the last minute, he can
fend off agents Maguire and Dorking who want to prohibit the departure. Bulloch
explains to the passengers that they will return on a tow ship because this
ship will go to America to engage at the war under her name of "C.S.S.
Alabama".
George travels to Lehigh
Station checking on things, then travels on to Braintree, MA and meets
"Old Sylvanus" Thayer. They conclude on steps necessary to save West
Point.
In Washington, the high
commander in the West, Henry "Brains" Halleck is called in as new
General in Chief and successor of McClellan who himself still commands the Army
of the Potomac.
Charles and Abner are
scouting around Frederick, MD and find out that the inhabitants don't really
want to be "liberated" by the Confederates. When they let a 55,000
strong army pass them coming from Virginia (with the cavalry led ny Major General
Stuart), senior Brigadier Hampton rides over to them and reports that Charles'
former adversary Captain von Helm was drunk at drill exercises, fell off his
horse and as broken his neck. Private Cramm has deserted. Charles sees that the
infantry soldiers are more ragged than a
year before, lots of them not even have shoes.
Chapter 57
In September, the cavalry
marches in full line, followed up by Lee's divisions. Slowly, McClellan forms
his army against them. On September 12th, Lee dares to split his army, Stuart follows
the western detachment. But McClellan aproaches faster as usual and thwart's
Lee's ruse with the partitioned army after some of his men before found three
cigars wrapped into a sheet with Lee's written Order No. 191.
On September 15th,
Stonewall conquers the armory and corn depot of Harpers Ferry and tales 11,000
Yankees as prisoners. The next day, Charles and Abner are in the rear guard of
"Old Jack" on his way to Sharpsburg where Lee is in position. At
sunrise on September 17th, the battle begins. Charles is ordered to replace a
fallen officer ant take part in infantry fighting. When the rebels hold the
upper hand in their sector, Charles pulls himself out again. He supports some
soldiers to roll a cannon into position while the tow horse is wounded and the
lieutenant is incapable. A major takes his name and thanks him. On his way back
to headquarters, he is hit by a bullet but that got reflected by Augusta's book
he is wearing on a string around his neck. Tha masses of men savaged and dying
deeply engraves into his soul.
The following day, Lee
retreats back to Virginia crossing the Potomac River again, having lost 23,000
men in one day. Charles watches the ambulances looking for survivers all over
the fields and woods. Lee is lucky that McClellan ultimately doesn't follow up
and just took a defensive position.
Chapter 58
Billy and his unit arrives
at the battlefield on South Mountain by September 15th, when the ambulances
still are busy. He has to build a ford through Antietam Creek. The engineers are
not engaged in the big battle, but were ultimately used on the 17th. Then,
Billy helps to repair the Harpers Ferry bridge after destruction by the rebels.
On September 24th, Lincoln
issues the Emancipation Proclamation wherof all slaves in the South would be
free by Januar 1st, 1863.
Cooper receives a letter
asking him to be of service for the Navy Department in Richmond. Since he still
is loyal to the South, he and Judith decide to return home.
Chapter 59
Colonel Elkanah Bent is in
the occupied city of New Orleans, and with disgust he watches a parade of the
newly formed 1st Louisiana Native Guards, a black unit. He has succeeded to be
transfered to policing service what vested him with some powers. To his
surprise, he sees Stanley Hazard in company with Colonel Andrew Butler, the
brother of the commanding general.
Stanley seals a deal with
Andrew Butler exchanging is shoes made by Lashbrooks in Lynn with cotton for
the North. Both partners know that business with the enemy is against the law.
To the close of November,
the replacement of General Butler as commander of the Army of the Gulf
approaches. Bent enters the etablossement of Madame Conti and mixes with the
waiting and drinking soldiers there. Madame Conti re-recognizes him and
attaches him to one of her ladies. Under a pretense, he provokes a general
brawl to distract Madame Conti. Then he cuts the portrait of Madeline's mother
out of its frame, gets surprised by Madame Conti and beats her down in
merciless fashion.
Chapter 60
The Army of the Potomac
under Burnside reaches positions at the Rappahannock, the engineers are housed
in shacks of the Falmouth camp. Billy suffers from a feverishy cold, when he
takes part to build a bridge close to the watch fires of the rebels. He gets
under fire, loses concious and is carried to the hospital. That way, he misses
the devestating Battle of Fredericksburg starting at December 11th.
Chapter 61
By night, only President
Lincoln, Secretary Stanton, his adjutant Major Albert Johnson and Stanley
Hazard are waiting in the department, when news on Burnside's defeat begin
comming on.
With skill and authority,
Virgilia runs a ward in the Union Hotel turned hospital in Washington, when the
first wounded are coming in from the battle. She manages to get her assistant
Louisa Alcott, being appalled by the disgust at hand, used to that work. Then
the new doctor Erasmus Flyle of Washington starts to compliment her, but she
ignores it.
Chapter 62
The day General Butler is
replaced in New Orleans by General Banks, Butler orders Bent in his office,
accused him of having provoked the fightings at Madame Conti with the
establishment being totally destroyed, further accuses him on theft and on the
attack on the Madame, and denotes him to a Lieutenant. Bent therafter deserts
the army and leaves New Orleans with the next steamer.
Chapter 63
On December 22nd, 1862,
Charles finally has a chance to ride over to Augusta after having been deployed
nearby for weeks. He senses danger, enters the house over its roof and frees
Augusta from the hands of two Yankee scouts. He kills the younger, wounds the
elder one and lets him escape, when Augusta keeps him from shooting the man in
the back. Thereafter, Charles and Augusta have wild and intense sex together.
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Book Four: "Let Us Die To Free Mankind"
Chapter 64
At New Years Eve, George
and Constance visit a church service. Despite some rowdies throwing stones at
the windows at midnight, there is a sense of hope. But also Lincoln's
proclamation for setting free the slave is enacted and not just a few people in
the North fear the consequences.
Orry talks to President
Davis at the new year reception and mentiones that Madeline will come to Richmond.
Beyond several other acquaintances, he meets Ashton, James and another man he
doesn't know (Powell).
Chapter 65
Madeline departs from Mont
Royal. Cuffey has been captured and brought back seriously ill. Philemon Meek
does good work, is to old for the second conscription act as well and therefore
can stay at his post. Jane works for wages as a housemaid and teaches the other
negroes. Cuffey obviously still wants to have her but Jane has more and more
feelings for Andy.
After one of Jane's
lessions, the blacks hold a discussion if it is worth to know how to read,
write and calculate. Cuffey is first to decline it and promotes an unforgiving
revenge. Jane and Andy are kissing.
Senator Sherman, brother
of the general, discusses resolution 611 with George, bringing the end to West
Point because the federal funding.
Chapter 66
In Nassau, Cooper returns
with his family to the American continent. One week later, the blockade runner
"Water Witch" comes in coaded with cotton. Soapes, mate of the ship,
confesses that they take up sherry, cigars and other luxury goods for the
return trip and plan on breaking through the blockade near Wilmington.
Cooper talks to Captain
William Ballantyne the next day when the captain fills out loading papers
alledgedly going to the Bahamas. When cronfronted with Soapes' informations, he
hildes behind the ship owners of whom he mentiones Ashton Huntoon by name.
Chapter 67
George visits the Senate
debate on the proposal on West Point funding and witnesses his previous effords
over a heated discussion finally bare fruits. The proposal is passed with 29 to
10 votes, what upsets Stanley that much that he leaves the chamber without a
greeting. But George ultimately sees now that he cannot support this political
circus any longer.
Stanley receives Stanton's
order to support Colonel Baker to investigate on the goverment critics who mark
themselves with copper pennies of 1857 at ther coats. This order is highly
conspiratively, since Baker is head of a secret detective bureau that even the
President doesn't know about.
George meets Christopher
Wotherspoon from the foundry and accompanies him in a freight train taking
cannons they delivered to the arsenal. There, he meets the unconventional
Brigadier General Haupt who even hasn't formally accepted his appointment to
general yet. A civil engineer by profession, he now works on repairing
railroads.
During this time, Charles
visits Augusta three times and sleeps with her every time. He also takes two
long guns and amunition with him for Washington and Boz.
Chapter 68
At the hospital, Virgilia
is present as Congressman Samuel G. Stout is part of a visitation. She
instantly is fascinated by Stout, but she steps back when he said to be married
while still being ready for adventures.
Chapter 69
In a shady bar, Bent
secretly meets Dills, and the lawyer hands him a letter of application for Bent
to get a post at the internal security group. Bent is delegated to assistant
Stanley Hazard being responsible for that. Wir greatest self-control, Bent, calling
himself Ezra Dayton, succees in being passed to Colonel Baker.
Chapter 70
Cooper and his family are
on board the blockade runner "Water Witch", when the moon suddenly
comes out from the clouds while sneeking through the blockade and the ship is
taken under fire. The ship sinks, the captain dies, while Cooper, Judith and
the children manage to jump off in time. While swimming, Judal is hit by parts
of the exploding boiler and dies. Exhausted, Cooper, Judith and Marie-Louise
reach the coast and manage it to the next fortification on foot.
Chapter 71
Orry and his West Point
friend George Pickett share the dissatisfaction on how the war progresses and
his work for General Winder. Then he picks up Madeline from the depot.
Washington and Boz are
worried and tell Augusta Barclay to leave the farm and go to Richmond, since
the Union troops will march directly over her land. But Augusta wants to stay
for Charles to find her.
Brett's only joy is her
work for the black children. She has some discussions with Scipio Brown over
North-South- and Negro-issues until she sees that he only lets her look into
the mirror. Slowly, she begins to honor him.
By April, Bent alias
Dayton succees to being employed in Colonel Bakers secret police. To test his
skills, he is sent behind enemy lines in Virginia for his first order.
Chapter 72
Cooper fels sick on
pneumonia and has to stay in the same room as Judith and Marie-Louise for a
month. He changes is standings dramatically in that time period and now he
wants to go to Richmond, first to take revenge on Ashton for Judah's death, and
second to put all his energy in for the Confederacy's war effort.
Chapter 73
Ashton is in an exclusive
delicatess store when she has to escae from a mob of angry women looting and
pillaging in the streets. She drives to Lamap Powell, and after one round in
bed he inserts her in his plans to kill President Davis and his cabinet and
erect his own Confederacy in an mostly uninhabitated area of New Mexico. To
finance this, he has acquired a profitable gold mine in the West by
questionable means.
James spts Ashton coming
out from the delicatess store and escape with her carriage. He sees proof to
his assumption that she betrays him.
Chapter 74
Charles again sees for Augusta.
After making love, he also advises her to seek shelter in Richmond, but the
stubborn woman rejects Charles worrying for her.
Chapter 75
Andy confesses his love to
Jane at Mont Royal, and she replies the same. Cuffey hides behind a shack and
then harasses her unethically. Andy and Mr. Meek arrive to help and beat Cuffey
off, who utters wild threads while backing up.
Chapter 76
Billy arrives a small farm
house with his unit. With little resistance by the farmer, he pulls down the
barn to aquire wood for the river crossing. Later, they cut trees, where
Billy's friend and commander Lije (Colonel Melanchton Elijah Farmer) is killed
by a fallen tree.
Chapter 77
Stanley, having spent all night
in the War Department's telegraph room, sees George in the dining room. George
tells him that he has seen Virgilia in a carriage. But Stanley still wants
nothing to do with her. Then, news arrives that General Hooker was successful
and Stonewall Jackson was wounded. To Stanley's lack of understanding, George
is filled with consternation.
Chapter 78
Virgilia drives to
Washington to plea for a re-assignment to Miss Dix on difficulties with the new
chief nurse Mrs. Neal. But Miss Dix keeps her reserve. On her way back,
Virgilia by chance crosses path with Congressman Stout. They have a private
conversation with both expressing their desire for each other. But Virgilia
stays stedfast because Stout is married.
Chapter 79
As ordered, Bent alias
Dayton meets a messenger. After he received the informations, he stabs the man
in cold blood.
The following day, May
13th, Orry takes part in the funeral procession of General Thomas
"Stonewall" Jackson in Richmond. He and Augusta take in Augusta
Barclay and her two helpers for some days, finding her to be quite
self-confident by sympatically.
Bent also is in Richmond
and sees common faces in the crowd. He learns that they are James Huntoon and
his wife Ashton, and he connects her looks with Orry. Then he determines Orry's
address. Observing the house, he watches Madeline leaving, recognizes her face
from the portrait of Madame Conti's and learns that she is Orry's wife. Then he
has to leave Richmond since the messenger's body was found.
Chapter 80
For the Navy Department,
Cooper has to perform senseless tests with log torpedos, but he stubbornly puts
all his energy in this. Navy Secretary Mallory conferrs with Cooper on a second
submersible boat developed by engineer H. L. Hunley, that is capable of pulling
torpedos behind it and should be better suited for action than the
"David" with the load pushing ahead.
Madeline never gives up to
invite Cooper and Judith to dinner. Finally they comply, and she and Orry learn
on the background on Judah's death and the owners of the "Water
Witch". Orry worries over Cooper's changed manners and that he visuably
drinks heavily.
Stunned, George reads
reports on General Jackson's funeral in Richmond. But his rejoices to see
Colonel Orry Main in the list of mourners, the first sign of his friend since
the start of the war. He hopes that Orry has found a more satisfying occupation
that he himself.
Inebriated, Cooper in
Ashton's and James house, crashes some precious china and confronts them with
his accusations. Ashton first reacs affected, but when accused of greed, gets
him thrown out.
Chapter 81
Bent alias Dayton reports
to Colonel Baker, who questions him on rumors in Richmond that some Lamar
Powell plans on erecting a new Confederacy. The next task for Bent is to arrest
the government critic and Cincinnati Globe's publisher Eamon Randolph.
Chapter 82
During preparations for
one of the typical parades by J.E.B. Stuart, Charles is ordered to see General
Fitzhugh Lee, a West Point comrade who has made a rapid career presumably with
the help of influencal relatives The general friendly welcomes Charles and
offers him command of a regiment in the rank of a colonel. When Charles points
out that he fights for his home only and that scouting is what he does best,
Fitz Lee quickly terminates the conversation.
After the parade, Charles
and the other men were woken up early because the enemy has approached to
close. When Charles and Abner bump into some Yankees, Charles first wants to
make way and Ab accuses him of cowardice for that. There, Charles sees that by
his love affair to Augusta je nearly has lost his fighting spirit. Back with
his unit, he is involved in the fighting, during which Wooler gets killed.
The casualty list of
Brandy Station is long. Wade Hampton's brother has fallen, hitting the General
hard. Charles's commander Calbraith Butler looses one leg, and Stuart isn't
successful for the first time. Charles, being promoted to Major, has rising
doubts on his relation to Augusta in times like these.
Chapter 83
Stanley demands in
unexpectingly strong manner, that Isabel leaves Washington with him and the
twins on rumors that Lee was practically knocking at the door. He argues,
Stanley has to let him go given his knowledge on Baker.
Bent and two detectives
enter the etablissement of Mrs. Devores to get Eamon Randolph. When the suspect
doesn't comply instantly, Bent brutally beats him down and influcts serious
wounds. One whore manages to escape.
At Lehigh Station, with
Stanley and his family back in their house, drunken Stanley tells Brett that
General Meade has replaced Hooker. When starting to brag about how the Yankees
would treat the South after their undoubtedly final victory, Brett breaks off
the conversation.
Chapter 84
Lee has disappeard in enemy
country, Rosecrans sits in Tennessee, and Grant slowly chokes up Vicksburg.
Orry, being worried on these news, is still frustrated over the pernament
conflics on the inhumanely overfilled prisons on the one side and the friction
on that matter with the Secretary, his superior. Orry hears from a smuggler
post box and sends George a long letter - without knowing if it ever will reach
him.
Ashton talks with Powell,
to home she has grown obedient, how to deal with James getting increasingly
suspicious. Powell decides to integrate James into his plans for keeping
control over him.
Stanley just wants to
leave Lehigh Station with Isabel on informations that a battle is about to be
fought there, when he is summoned by Stanton. The secretary is upset and sehds him
to Capitol Spare prison with Colonel Baker waiting for him there. He inspects
the beaten-up prisoner Randolph and learns that the escaped whore has talked
and that Randolph has to be set free shortly.
Stanley is very resolved
and demants that Baker will reprimand agent Dayton accordingly for this abuse
of power. Baker then orders Bent to his office and dismisses him from service.
Bent is upset, blanes others for his fate, and changes sides.
Outside Richmond, Powell
informes James on his planes. James not clearly agreed to them, but Powel is
sure to have him in his hands.
Chapter 85
Charles and his new
companion, farmer boy Jim Pickles, find some yankees, questions a wounded man
for unit and destination and fends off a possible attack from the back in coldblooded
action. Three brigades had crossed the Potomac on June 27th and are now in the
enormous battle of Gettysburg. Charles bares witness of horrible scenes with
sounded soldiers on flat wagons.
On July 4th, the battle os
over, Lee has to withdraw, casualties estimated on 30 percent. Orry's academy
comrade George Pickett has been nearly butchered down with his unit on open
field. That disturbed the formerly cheerful officer in a way that he won't
later recognize Orry when seeing him.
In new York, the protests
against the subcription order turn into a general riot.
For the first time, George
tells Constance openly that he wants to swap his desk duty for active service.
With her encouragement, he talks to Colonel Herman Haupt of the railroad
regiment, his commanding General Henry "Brains" Halleck and with
Stanton, wo approves the move after an unpleasant conversation.
Chapter 86
Billy and other engineers
are traveling on a working train to repeatedly rebuilt a bridge over the Buill
Run. There get attacked by partisans under Major John S. Mosby and Billy is the
only man captured alive. Mosby himself prevents that one of his subordinates
simply shoots him.
Chapter 87
By August, Richmod suffery
by extremely hot weather. James has quit believing in the goals of the
goverment and his department, suddenly visits Powell and by chance missed
finding Ashton there in his bed. He declares to Powell to take part in his
scheme. Ashton is asked by Powell to embolden James from now on in his new
role.
Billy and other captured
Union men were carried to Libby Prison north of Richmond, the former factory
buildings of "Libby & Son Shipping & Colonial Merchantile".
There, Corporal Clyde Vessey forces them to submissive actions.
George finally receives
Orry's letter and is glad to learn that his friend has married Madeline and
that he is well. Then he reads in astonishment that Orry as well is unsatisfied
with his work.
Bent, calling himself
Captain Erasmus Bellingham now, in a restaurant questions Lamar Powell on his
plans. He produces his prepared story, being from Maryland, sympathizing with
the South and having been wounded recently under General Longstreet. Although
Powell admits to nothing, Bent feels victory. The next day, he visits Ashton
and shows to her the robbed painting of Madeline's mother.
Accompanied by Jim
Pickles, Charles visits Augusta. But again, the evening was not always spent in
harmony. Even Jim sees Charles' ways changing to the worse.
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Kapitel 88
Charles keeps changing
constantly. Wenn often cited for his courage and the care for his comrades, he
often spends time with his horse and in reading novels on the Wild West. Not just
the men but also the horses don't get enough food for some time now. Major
General Hampton orders him in and offers him command of a brigade and a
promotion, but Charles again declined.
Navy Secretary Mallory
sends Cooper to Charleston to work on the submersible "Hunley". He
takes his family and assistant Lucius Chickering with him. The city has changed
from a graceful, enegant harbor town to a run-down camping site, marked by
siege and bombardment. Cooper manages to re-use and renovate his former house.
Not much is left from the C.S.C. after being taken over by the military,
besides the blockade makes any sea travel impossible. Then he starts working on
the "Hunley" with the same diggedness as ever.
Beauregard wants to give
up ob the submersible after several failed attempts, when the "David"
hits a mark and the U.S.S. "New Ironsides" has to be pulled out for
repairs. Now, Cooper is able to convince Beauregard, that the
"Hunley" is even superior to the "David".
At the next test on
September 15th, led by Hunley himself, the engineer dies together with the
whole crew. Cooper gets the boat lifted and surveys the causes. To his family
he increasingly gets ruthless. Finnally, Beauregard agrees in January to
assemble a new crew under Captain George Dixon. Cooper himself wants to take
part in a prolonged submersive test.
Chapter 90
Since six months, Billy is
at Libby Prison. Gotten skinny with a
long beard and haggard face, he sits with several hundred other prisoners in one
of the large rooms. The prison is totally overfilled and icecold in winter
time. On December 25th, Corporal Clyde Vessey is transfered as night guard in
Billy's room and from then on torments Billy constantly.
Quarres increase between
Cooper still working hard on the submersible and Judith, because she doesn't
want to maltreat the workers with him besides himself, and that he would risk
his life in the submersive test.
Chapter 91
By his friendship to a
young prisoner, Billy acquires some paper and writes a letter to Brett. But
Corporal Vessey snatches the letter and fiests on Billy's anger until the
tortured man flipps out and beats Vessey to the floor.
Chapter 92
Cooper performs the
prolonged submersive test under Captain Dixon with six more crew members. The
test is successful, the vessel had been under water for over two hours. The men
and especially Cooper are euphoric and cannot wait to see the Hunley place her
first torpedo into the rump of a Union ship.
Chapter 93
Corporal Vessey complains
on Billy to prison comandant Captain Turner. But because the one-armed Colonel
(he speaks about Orry) is checking in to often, they plan on a punishment
outside the prison. So, Billy is tied to a cart rolling up and down a bumpy
road. Thereafter, an old doctor has to take care of him for days.
Standing on Fort Sumter,
Cooper watches on February 17th the first submersive mission with a torpedo. As
planned, the U.S.S. Housatonic was sunk, but the Hunley herself doesn't return.
This event increasis Cooper's hatred on the Yankees in such extremism that even
a conversation with his wife gets impossible.
Slowly, Billy recovers and
is able to leave the sick station and is greeted happily back in his big room.
There, he learns on the big escape during his time of unconciousness, and that
Vessey had been demoted. Being asked who did this to him, Billy remains silent.
It is March 1st, and on the outside they hear U.S. artillery.
Chapter 94
Finally, George learns on
the whereabouts of Billy being missed since the end lf last year, and instantly
he conferrs with Brett and Constance. He wants to ask Orry to gather
imformations on Billy. A dubious messenger is hired to smuggle a letter to
Richmond. While waiting for an answer, George is informed that he is transfered
to active duty at last. And then a letter returns on similar secret paths Orry
agrees to take action on the matter, but wants to call on Charles to help him.
Chapter 95
George enters his line
duty in the locomotive shed of Alexandria. But his superior is not Herman Haupt
as he had hoped but grumpy scotsman Daniel McCallum. After George tricked him,
20 colored men are assigned to him as his workforce.
Chapter 96
Burdetta Halloran visits
one of the very vew remaining receptions in Richmond. Looking for a person she
can trust, she sees Orry and learns that he is working for Mr. Seddon. The next
day, she visits Orry at the war department. She presents him maps and
activities of Lamar Powell on a farm bought by him at the river outside of
town, and she tells him, that they stack up weapons there for the plot to
assassinate the President. While such plans to eliminate polititions come in on
a regular bases, and they mostly fall out to be baseless, Orry this time gets
suspicious due to the detailed informations.
Chapter 97
In April, Charles visits
Augusta at her farm after having bivouacked not far from it all winter long.
After a romantic night and a quick argument over breakfast, Jim arrives with
Orry's letter he has found lying in the woods for weeks when the messenger has been
killed. Charles instantly rides off for Richmond.
Chapter 98
Cooper works like crazy,
is of evel mood at home and makes it very hard on Judith, his daughter and his
assistant Lucius Pickering. Cooper and Judith are invited to a reception of General
Beauregard wo has been assigned to the Departments of North Carolina and
Southern Virginia and thus the defense of Richmond. On their way, they have to
wait for a group of captured Yankees to be paraded through the streets to their
prison. Cooper flipps out, starts a brawl where he out of his mind even goes
after a woman who just wanted to calm him down. After uttering accusations on
the death of his son and even hearing church bells that were brought to safety
months ago, he collapses.
Chapter 99
Hidden by underbrush,
Cuffey shoots at Andy with a musket but misses. Meek takes defensive measures
since he has often heard about thieving gangs of former slaves, one of which is
Cuffey with now. The next day, Andy is sent to Francis LaMotte to borrow some
pickling salt, but finds the neighbor in the woods hanging from a tree, his
body full of bullet holes.
At night, Orry carefully
stalks to the farm house being told my Mrs. Halloran. Inside he can see Powell,
three other men and a woman. Powell presents a shipload of precision guns. Orry
identifies the voices of James and Ashton Huntoon. But then Powell and the
other men feel alarmed and Orry has to retreat quickly. In talk with Madeline
he tries to find the best actions to take. By her persuasion, he only wants to
go against Powell and not mention Ashton and James in the process.
Orry visits Secretary
Seddon who fetches General Winder as Chief of Secret Police and orders him to
send men to the farm at Wilton's Bluff. Seddon wants to inform the President,
and Orry should go after Powell. But he had already disappeard from his private
residence.
Winder reports, that there
were no traces of activity to be found at the farm, and no boxes of amunition
either. Orry suspects that Winder and his assistant Israel Quincy are part of
the plot or have been bribed.
The same evening, Charles
arrives at Orry and Madeline.
Chapter 100
Since his breakdown,
Cooper is laying on his bedapathetically, while Pickering and Navy Secretary
Mallory were called to Charleston. Mallory talks to Cooper in harsh words and
indirectly demands him to resign. After Mallory has left, Cooper wakes up from
his lethargy, recovers slowly and regains his ability to think clearly. He even
rises, greets his daughter and reveives Stephen Mallory, declaring to him that
he don't want to support the war anymore but preach peace and emancipation and
therefore will move to Mont Royal.
Chapter 101
Orry and Charles draw
plans how to get Billy out of Libby Prison and on his way home. Charles keeps Orry
from going with him because he would be too recognizable by his missing arm.
With a forged order for
bringing the prisoner over for interrogation, Charles enters the prison. Billy
appears in terrible condition but recognizes him. Charles has to shoot Corporal
Vessey to leave the building with Billy.
Chapter 102
With grey vest and forged
papers, Charles and Billy reach Richmond. They exchange all news important to
them. Then, Billy rids a mule off to the North.
The next day, Orry informs
Charles on the plot uncovered by him and that Ashton is involved in that.
Chapter 103
On his way North, Billy
meets three rebel soldiers, shares his ration with them and learns some facts
on the progress of the war. But the rebels, all of them deserters and on their
way home, take his mule and his papers before they disappear.
Slowly, Billy works his
way amd is surrounded by battle noise several times. One officer takes him for
a deserter, points out the direction to the battle lines and tells him that
Stuart was killed at Yellow Tavern. Later, he receives a musket and has to take
part in the fighting on the rebel side. He crawls from the rifle pit, crosses
the field to the Union soldiers, is hit by a bullet and drops to
unconciousness.
In the night to May 10th,
George leads repair works on the Aquia & Fredericksburg line. He just
ordered a pause from work, when a train with wounded men passes him with - what
he has no way of knowing - his brother Billy.
Chapter 104
Virgilia and other nurses
are taken to a provisional hospitals at Falmouth under Mrs. Neal, where the
badly wounded were carried to. At first she refuses to take care for Southern
wounded as well, but then she also cares for a rebel soldier but lets him bleed
to death on purpose.
Chapter 105
Salem Jones signs up to
the Union Army in New York State under the name of Stephen McNaughton. A lot of
shady figures use this practice with him. Jones needs money and wants to
collect the volunteer bonus, only to desert shortly after, just like the last
four times. But the major in charges sees through him, gets his head shaved
bare and brands him with a "D" under his right eye. But Jones tries
again to desert on the next night march.
Mrs. Neal confronts
Virgilia on the Southerner blead to death and accuses her for purpose. Virgilia
insists on a mistake, but Mrs. Neal wants to report on that to Miss Dix.
Virgilia leaves the tent hospital and traves to Washington to see Sam Stout.
Chapter 106
Billy was sent to the
Harewood Convalescent Hospital to cure on his lower leg passthrough wound.
Lincoln gets nominated for
a second term as president. This day, Isabel and her boys travel to Newport for
vacation. This comes handy to Stanley who recently started an affair with
stupid but bodily attractive 20 years old variety dancer Jeannie Canary. He
gives in to watch with her the fireworks in town and be being spotted by
Congressman Henry Davis of Maryland, opening his affair to the public.
After the death of J.E.B.
Stuart, to Charles astonishment, Wade Hampton only gets part of the responsibility
he could expect being the oldes brigadier. Back from Richmond, he continues to
worry over Augusta since the Union army again has moved passed Fredericksburg.
In a fighting, Charles sees General George Custer on the other side, shoots at
him but misses.
The next day, Charles and
Jim fight against a unit of General Phil Sheridan and are able to push them
back by evening. When following up, they find several dozen horses shot dead by
the Yankees, that must have been completely healthy and just hindering the
soldiers right now.
Outside the gates of
Richmond, fightings occur at Cold Harbor and then at Petersburg, after that the
Potomac Army resorts to a siege. Orry and Madeline can see the end coming. Orry
talks to Major General George Picket who hints to have a field command for him.
Secretary Mallory informs Orry on Cooper's change of mind. Then he learns that
some prostitutes have asked for passes to leave the town, which is an
unmistakable sign of the coming fall of Richmind.
At the farewell reception
for Secretary Memminger, Orry and James are both invited since originating from
the same home state. Both have their wifes with them. Orry talks to somewhat
shallow looking Ashton on Powell's businesses and confronts her and James with
his knowledge on the plot.
But Ashton tries to
silence him with her informations on Madeline's blood heritage. In front of the
guests, she tells Madeline what she has learned. James resolutely pulls Ashton
out of the room, but Madeline sees herself exposed.
Virgilia sends a message
to Sam Stout and waits for him in her hotel room. There, she tells him about
the wounded Southerner and Mrs. Neal's threat. Stout promoses her to help and
demands a physical quid pro quo that she is more than willing to give.
Chapter 108
Since his affair is affair
is now out in the public, Stanley flees to Newport. But the next day, Isabel
confronts him on the tart and demands only that he will not show up with her in
public again. Isabel is reasoning that she still needs Stanley for her goal to achieve
social standing in Washington after the war with his money and his connections.
Chapter 109
On June 16th, Billy
returns to the engineers, this time shortly outside Petersburg, and has
thoughts on the changes in Charles.
Chapter 110
Similarily altered as Orry
after the Mexican War, Cooper returns to Mont Royal. He refuses to take notice
of the war, although Sherman already is standing outside Atlanta, and he writes
memorandi to peace negotiations. Newpaper reports that his former ship
"Alabama" was sunk in the English Channel. Cooper's reaktion to this
is pacifistic, and he worries for the ship's crew.
Secretary Judal Benjamin
summons Orry and opens to him the thank of the President for his care on his
wellfare. But he also hints that his informations are put down as so many other
rumors Asked on his satisfaction, Orry admits to think on a field command and
then has to answer on Ashton's accusations against Madeline. The President
wishes Madeline to leave Richmond. Orry terminates the talk with Benjamin in
foul mood.
Orry engages young civil
employee Josea Pilbeam from the department to investigate on Ashton. At night
he tells Madeline he hadn't been able to find that Captain Bellingham, and that
she has to leave town, but not for Mont Royal but for Lehigh Station for
crossing lesser fighting areas.
In disguise of a black
frock, Orry alias Reverend O. O. Manchester rides out to Augusta Barclay's farm
near Fredericksburg, that is looking run-down with the town-down stables and
all the trees cut. Orry tells on Madeline's problem and Augusta has Boz
accompany him back to Richmond.
End of June, Orry,
Madeline and Boz leave Richmond and part at Augusta's farm. While Madeline and
Boz get on their way to the Potomac, Orry returns to Richmond. There, Josea
Pilbeam waits for him with the information that James and Ashton have been out
of Richmond for several hours and have met Winder's assistant Israel Quincy and
an unknown fat man at the old farm.
Chapter 111
Orry sneeks to the wooden
barn of the farm the same way again, but this time the field is freshly plowed.
Since it is a abandoned farm, Orry recognizes that the weapons must have been
hidden inside the field. Through the gap in the wall, Orry sees James, Ashton,
Quincy and Captain Bellingham, identifying him quickly as Elkanah Bent. Powell
himself is not present. Orry confronts the group and informs them that the plot
has been uncovered. In the emerging fight, he shoots Israel Quincy and the barn
gets set on fire. While James and Ashton escape, Orry and Bent wrestle with
Bent falling backwards out of the window, drops the cliffs closely behind it
and splashes into the river water below.
Orry directly rides back
to Secretary Seddon's house, wakes him up, and presents the secured proof
articles (one of the bombs disguised as chuncs of cole and a floor plan of the
Treasury and the President's rooms with markings for the planned places of
detonations). Then he reports were to find the precision guns melted down by
the fire, as well as Powell's personal things in the attic of the farm house
and the dead body of Winder's assistant Quincy. Then he walks over to Ashton's
house and demands that she and James leave town immediately or will be called
on by him. One hour later, the Huntoons were gone.
Orry first declines the
official written presidential commendation, but then accepts it under the
condition to be transferred to General Pickett's staff at the front.
Chapter 112
Lawyer Jasper Dills tries
to gather informations on Elkanah Bent's whereabouts for not loose a welcomed
side income. He first interviews Colonal Baker of the Secret Police, who only
could tell him that "Dayton" was seen in Richmond. Then he meets
Stanley Hazard as Secretary Stanton's confidant. But even on a "donation"
of 1000 Dollar, he only gets the information that no informations are
available.
Brett increasingly recuses
herself from public live in Lehigh Station, and only the work with the cildren
gives her joy. By letters she learns on Billy's release and recovery. When news
arrives that Madeline is in Washington, she instantly travels there with
Constance to pick her up. First thing, Madeline reveals to them her blood
heritage, what makes Brett quite uneasy due to her upbringing.
Andy once more neary gets
attacked by maroding gangs consisting of negroes and deserted whites. Even
Cooper admints that the plantation has to prepare for an attack.
Orry rides on a supply
waggon to Chaffin's Bluff where Pickett's division forms the right end of the
innermost of five defensive rings of Richmond, and he reports to the general.
Chapter 113
At Belvedere, living
together for the three women Madeline, Constance and Brett is plagued by their
worries for their husbands and the truth on Madeline. This way, no joy can
develop.
Chapter 114
Discouraged, Charles rides
out the dangerous path to Augusta's farm - for the last time, he plans. After a
quick meal they sadly agree that they cannot be together given Charles'
momentarily mental state. Charles says good-bye and rides off. Augusta stays
behind and regrets to not have told him that she is pregnant by him.
Chapter 115
George is busy working in
the railroad corps in City Point while Billy takes part in the siege of
Richmond. General Seridan finally took Atlanta, and the other generals also
send better news.
Scipio Brown has signed up
as a Lieutenant of the 2nd U.S: Colored Troops and pays his good-bye to the
ladies at Belvedere - especially Brett, who remarks afterwards that she shortly
had feelings towards that colored man. She connects this new sentiment with her
doubts on Madeline, then instantly visits her and begs for pardon.
Chapter 116
For the first time, Billy
commands an engineer detail made up of black men and is delighted on their
courage and deployment. Then, George pays a visit and they exchange news but
are depressed on the conduct of the war.
Chapter 117
Ashton and James travel
aboard the "Royal Albert" from Hamilton, Bermudas (where the money
made by the scheme is in the bank - to Virginia. James is seasick while Ashton
longs for sex with Lamap Powell. Powell, who first hid himself at the farmhouse
attic and then in Wilmington, has received Ashton's message and met them on the
Bermudas. It satisfies him to hear that Ashton still submits herself to him,
mentally and physically.
On his way back from
Charleston, where he could hardly collect any usable weapons, Cooper is
confronted by Cuffey, speaking from a hiding place. After some threats, Cuffey
pulls back again.
Chapter 118
Orry now rides in the Army
of Northern Virginia, by this time consisting solely of ragged, mostly
barefooted, inside and outside scarred men. They find a badly wounded Yankee,
and when trying to help him, the man manages to shoot Orry at close range.
Thus, Orry's line duty lasted just a few days.
Sherman has reached Savannah
and with that he completed his march to the sea as a success. There is joy over
this at Belvedere but not shared by Madeline and even by Constance.
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Chapter 119
A letter by "J.
Duncan, Esq." to "Maj. Chas. Main, Hampton's Cavalry Corps,
C.S.a." is sorted out by zealous postal officers in Richmond as
undeliverable.
Chapter 120
Charles keeps on fighting,
but he doesn't see sense in it anymore. Even General Hampton, revered by
Charles, has lost his typical confidence, and after a promotion has taken a
staff position. Under Cailbraith Butler, Charles moves to South Carolina to
resist Sherman's returning gang. Thoughts on Augusta are hunting him this ice
cold January. His comrade Jim Pickles has deserted because his mother is badly
ill or has already died.
By chance, Charles spies a
partisan troop about to force some Yankees to be burnt to death. Their commander
is Colonel Fillywell, a preacher whose cruelty has been reportet several times
before and who takes his fun on some Yankee engineers now who were just trying
to collect some firewood. When Charles intercepts to end this, he is threatened
by Follywood. Then he recognizes Billy Hazard as the Yankee troop's officer.
Charles decides to act. He shoots Follywell with his shotgun and opens the
fight, during which he gets knocked off his horse. Billy saves him but is
wounded himself. When the Yankees gain the upper hand, Charles makes his escape
on his badly wounded horse. He barely makes it to a Confederate post as his
faithful horse dies.
Two days later, Charles
leaves the unit on a train to South Carolina to look for a replacement horse.
Chapter 121
In a arduous journey,
Ashton, James and Powell are traveling with forged papers to St. Louis via
Montreal, Windsor, Detroid and Chicago. There, Powell and James continue on to
Powell's gold mine. Ashton is to directly go and walt for them in Santa Fe.
Ashton wants to get rid of James, and Powell makes some vague remarks about a
long and dangerours trip to the West. They don't get it that James is watching
them. When they part ways, James hands Ashton a closed envelope for the case of
emergency.
George shortly leaves his
workers to drink some creek water. A seemingly friendly rebel appears on the
other side. They start to talk to each other, and George learns the
circumstances of Orry's death.
Chapter 122
Stanley has rented a spacy
appartment for Jeanny Canary, and he frequently visits her there. Without
asking Stanley's brothers, Isabel has remodled Fairlawn to her permanent
residence, after placing their two uneducatable sons to a boarding school. In
his own house, Stanley meets Ben Wade who reports on fruitless peace talks. He
cannot grant the desired post as chief of the office of supplies to Stanley,
but will put in his word for one of the assistants.
Cuffey now has gathered 52
men who are living and have armed themselves by raids and thefts. Now, he is
waiting for his idol General Sherman, because then the Confederats have to pull
off all available men from the Charleston defenses and make way for him to go
into action.
Chapter 123
Ragged and dirty, Charles
reaches Mont Royal. The plantation had been spared by Sherman as the whole
Ashley district, that delivers a unreal peaceful impression. Clarissa Main
still absently sits on the veranda all day, but Judith and Cooper give him a
warm reception. Asking, he tells them that he is pracitcally looking for a new
horse since Petersburg.
Charles notices fewer
black folks on the plantation, but they show more self-consciousness than
before. He greets foreman Andy, Jand and the overseer Philemon Meek, who tells
him on the guerilla band being active in the area. Then Charles has to report
on Orry's death.
Chapter 124
Billy is sent home after
he has received a bullet wound in the chest during the fight with the
partisans. Brett lears by a letter from George to Constance on the death of her
brother. But she is strong and relays it to Madeline. After a short faint,
Madeline behaves bravely.
Chapter 125
On February 17th, Sherman
enters Columbia and burns the city to the ground. Two days later, this news
arrives at Mont Royal. In the evening, a black boy reports on Cuffey's group closing
up to the plantation. With Jane dissenting, Cooper, Charles and Andy begin to
set up the defenses.
Chapter 126
Virgilia awaits Sam Stout
in her room, who first had to take his wife and children zu the depot. He hands
Virgilia a ticket to the inauguration ceremony, but he insists that they keep
their affair hidden from the public. Virgilia reads the draft of his speech and
gives advices to make it better and more captivating. She now sees herself back
in the track.
Chapter 127
On April 2nd at 6 o'clock
in the morning, Mont Royal is attacked by guerillas. They torch the kitchen
building and shoot Meek when showing himself in a window. A breaking oil lamp
sehts fire in the parlor. Charles and Cooper take positions at the entrance.
Bullets come in through closed doors and they defend themselves with only
little success. The upper floor is engulfed in flames, when Cuffey appears at
the stairs, armed with a longknife. With Charles pistol empty, he can only use
his parade saber, but the blade breaks when stabbing the black man. Cuffey
stumbles back into the parlow and dies in the flames.
The hordes take away all
of worth, jewelry, wine and liquor, before they pull back. Badly wounded,
Charles manages to get out and then collapses. The other survivers hide in the
rice fields for the rest of the day: Cooper, Judith, Marie-Louise, Clarissa,
Jane, Andy, kitchen maid Sue, her two sons and old Cicero. When darkness
returns, Charles, Cooper and Andy dare to return to the house. But the formerly
big estate has turned into smoldering ruins and a sole brick chimney.
Ironically, Cuffey's mule is waiting at the back of the house, and Charles
takes it as his replacement horse.
Chapter 128
The same day, President Davis
gets notice on the breakthrough at the Richmond defenses. In the evening, he,
his wife and some of the secretaries will leave the city in an extra train to
security. Shortly before departure, the freight cars are opened for the public.
A cruel fight ensues on the few spots available there.
Chapter 129
Burdetta Halloran has
secured some Union flags in time that she now puts on her house, when the
troops ar marching into Richmond, led by a colored regiment. She is addressed
by an officer, but she cannot know that he's from Billy Hazard unit.
Billy shaves his face and
steps out into the streets without a gun. He helps a colored man in a quarrel
with Lute Fessenden, the man who formerly has harrassed Brett, to enter the
recruiting office.
Chapter 130
Charles helps to built a
temporary shack from the partly burnt wooden planks and to acquire some of the
scarce food from the neighbors. Tired and burned out, armed only with his army
pistol and the broken saber, he sets out back to the North.
Chapter 131
On April 9th, Palm Sunday,
Billy takes Brett to a walk at Lehigh Station. They talk about Lee's army being
almost done. Brett tells him about Stanley's projection for the time after the
war and she asks Billy to allow her some time at Mont Royal to help out there.
Then she tells him that she is expecting his child.
The same day, George is
busy in Petersburg repairing the Petersburg & Lynchburg railroad, when a
rider comes in reporting on the surrender. After everyone initial is stunned,
they all break into cheers.
Chapter 132
Stanley is dissatisfied on
the drunken mob brawling in the streets for days, the splashing fireworks and
ringing bells. He ends his works at the War Department to enter his new
assignment as assistant in the Freedman Bureau under General Howard that Wade
handed to him. This evening, Jeannie Canary asks him to go to the Ford Theatre
with her because Lincoln would also be there, but Stanley agan has to decline.
On this very evening,
April 15th, 1865, Abraham Lincoln is shot in that very theater. His dead body
lays in state in the East Room of the White House for one day. Dispite of the
long queue of waiting people to pay their final respect, Virgilia is among the
few that actually can do it, and she looks at the dead man with some form of satisfaction.
Chapter 133
James Huntoon suffers
badly at the dangerous two week transport trip of two waggons, hiding gold woth
300,000 Dollars in their double floor boards. Six horses each were tamed by
drivers, led by scottish scout Banquo Collins. The route from Virginia City
runs through Indian Territory, and Collins has gained some idea of the freight
as well as on the fact that they were followed by Jicarilla Indians. Just as
Powell wants to eliminate James, the Indians attack.
Chapter 134
Somewhere in North
Carolina, Charles meets a Colonel telling him that Lee has surrendered more
than three weeks ago and that the war is over. First, Charles is devestated.
Then he realizes that he first has to help Mont Royal and then must see Augusta
in Virginia as fast as he can.
Chapter 135
Powell lures James away
from the camp fire, shoots him in the back in cold blood and pushes him into a
canyon. Then he gets striked down by a tomahawk himself. Collins manages to
pull back from the fire in time before the drivers sitting there fall victims
to the Indians. Collins hides and watches as the Indians set the waggons on
fire and let them roll into the canyon. He plans to retrieve the gold there
later on.
Chapter 136
At Mont Royal, news on the
state of their country ls relayed by homecomers passing through. Hunger is
everywhere. Cooper uses old tools to works in a field. Just Andy, Jane,
Marie-Louise and sometimes Judith are of any help to him. Cicero is too old for
hard work. On one of these days, Clarissa peacefully passes away. When they are
about to bury her, Madeline, Billy and Brett arrive.
Jasper Dills arrives in
Richmond, is appalled on the destruction and meets with one of Lafayette
Baker's former agents hired by him. The only usable information to gain is that
a farmer saw a body floating in the James Rover last June that could match
"Captain Dayton". But Dills resolves to pretend to the source of his
side income that Bent is living in the West being a successful farmer.
Chapter 137
Clarissa Gault Main is
buried at Mont Royal. In the light of the burnt-down ruins of the big house,
the survivors see this as the irretrievable end of the past.
Three days later, Charles
is back again, but he is grumpy and hardly talks. Some days later, Wade Hampton
stopps by, having heard on Clarissa's death and the fire, and is surprised to
see his old scout Charles he was looking for. Other than most of the soldiers
from the South, Hampton as a general had to lay off his uniform. They exchange
latest news. Hampton wanted to close up with Davis, but the president's
location is unknown. Lincoln's murderer Booth was shot. Bitterly, Charles
declines Hampton's offer to support him rebuilding the state and gets on his
way to Virginia.
On Saturday, Mai 13th,
Jefferson Davis and his entourage are captured near Irwinville, GA.
George and Constance reach
Charles by sea and are horrified on the destruction and the negroes hanging
around everywhere. George is still in the army but has laid off his uniform. At
Mont Royal, George sees the conditions of the impoverished family Main and
wants to visit George's grave. But only a wooden cross signals his resting
place because his coffin has burned somewhere in North Carolina in a train
crash. Nevertheless, George pays his final respects to his old friend.
After a poorly dinner,
George tries to reestablish the bond between the Main ahd Hazard families, and
even difficult Cooper agrees. Then George hands Cooper the bag that Orry has
brought in 1861 with part of his investment debt, containing a credit letter
from his bank at Lehigh Station over 40,000 Dollar and the promise to provide
as much as needed.
Chapter 138
For three weeks now,
Ashton has waited in hot and dusty Santa Fe, when some soldiers take a dead man
into town and report that he had been ambushed on his waggon treck by Indians.
One soldier confirms to Ashton that it was Powell's waggons and that everyone
else is dead as well. Ashton is devestated but resolves to look for the gold in
the canyon. She doesn't moan over James.
She then openes the letter
James has given her in St. Louis. She reads that James has strong suspicions
for her cheating on him with Powell and, in case he dies before her, the money
from the "Water Witch" all goes to his relatives with leaving Ashton
empty-handed. After a freakout and a sleepless night, Ashton focusses on the
gold in the canyon and starts approaching the wealthy men in town.
Chapter 139
Madeline questiones all
blacks on the blacks on the plans for the future. Cicero is more than 70 and to
him the sudden freedom seems to be scary. But Andy and Jane are thinking to
stay for some time and work for wages and to marry at Mont Royal.
Chapter 140
Charles arrives at
Barclay's farm and finds the house to be vacant and closed-up, the fields and
gardens to be neglected. A mysterious poem written on a bookmark in her most
revered book at the bed side gives him a hint that she left and nobody shall
find her. A store owner in Fredericksburg tells Charles just that she sent off
her negroes and has disappeared months ago. Sensing the truth, Charles even
reads the wish of death from the poem, and that depresses him very much.
Chapter 141
Three men under a corporal
from Illinois are searching in the rubble of Richmond for government papers.
They find boxes of undelivered letters, partly burnt or wet. They open the
letters and find the one from Union volunteer Brigadier J. B. Duncan to
Charles.
Duncan writes about his
niece Augusta, that she was pregnant but didn't tell him no apply no pressure
on him. Due to complications, Duncan has her brought across the Potomac to his
house, where Charles Augustus was born on December 23rd. Augusta died within
the hour. Duncan plans on raising Charles jun. until Charles can take him in
his care.
The soldiers agree to try
to deliver this touching letter despite all difficulties.
Chapter 142
Charles is roaming around,
aimless and quarrelsome, his mule had run off. Then he remembers the name of
U.S. Brigadier Duncan and he wants to question him on Augusta. So he gets on
his way walking to the North. He catches up with a black family moving the same
direction, and he assists them to pull their cart.
Chapter 143
After having served in General
Halleck's staff during the entire war, Secretary Stanton transfers Brigadier
Jack Duncan to line service. Now he has to fight Indians with the Western
cavalry. Duncan is still waiting on a sign of life from Major Main from the
South.
Charles inquires the War
Department on Duncan, but the staff refuses to answer a former rebel. When a
colonel steps in, Charles recognizes him as former Lieutenant Prevo whom he has
tricked from searching Augusta's farm. Prevo is very friendly and helps Charles
to acquire Duncan's address.
Chapter 144
Duncan informs his young
irish nanny Maureen on the upcoming move to the West. She is enthusiastic and
wants to go with him and little Charles. The house maid Mrs. Caldwell will stay
in Washington and receives an ample bonus for her service.
Charles and Prevo drink
some Whiskeys and talk on past experiences. The moment they part ways,
Brigadier Duncan boards the train with Maureen and the baby.
Chapter 145
Charles arrives at
Duncan's house, but can hardly just hold up the carriage of the house maid.
Together they instantly drive to the depot. Charles has to run and catch up
with the train to pull himself up on the last car before a conductor halts the
train.
Charles 146
Thanks to Duncan, Charles
doesn't get arrested but peacefully has a conversation with him in his old
house. Duncan tells him the whole story, that Charles simply can't get his head
around. Duncan, repeatedly pointing out how decent Augusta has been and that
she has loved him even as the war took bad impact on his character, still keeps
some distance to Charles. Charles, overrun by the informations, is unable to
decide quickly to take over his son.
Amidst a nightly
thunderstorm, Charles walks to Georgetown and visits Augusta's grave. There, he
collapses in devestation and search of a decision. Only by noon he returns, wet
and dirty, and says that he had thought it through.
Chapter 147
George and Constance
return to Lehigh Station and have thoughts on what the war has done to the
individual members of the two befriended families.
Charles rides 1st class
with Duncan to Baltimore after having bought an appropriate suit. Charles had
told Duncan that he wants to join the regular army in the West. There, Maureen
brings in the baby and Charles for the first time take his son on his arm.
Epilogue
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