To the Victor

[Lovelickin]

The column had moved slowly south after the surrender of Vicksburgh, most of the serious wound had been left beind bt a few, around two dozen, had started on the march. Captain David Adams had taken his wound early on the last day, a round had grazed his left bicep - leaving him in a sling and detailed with supervising the wounded.

the march moved away from the Mississippi and the pace slowly increased. Several of the men began to falter and drop, this would end badly if the army continued. At camp that evening Adams reqested to move the wounded out of the line, "If they stay with the main column the whole army will be held back - but we'll also loose more of them" he argued. Slowly the debate tuned from whether to let them go to what to do with them.

Adams approached the map table, his finger resting on a point a short distance west of their position, "There," he offered "a plantation, nothing around and our scouts report the area clear. With your pemission General I'll take the men and wait there until you can spare more resources for us." he looked confident and the argument was compelling.
Slowly the three carts moved up towards the house, untouched and quiet, Adams was confident this would be the place.

Tall and confident Adams was 35 and a career soldier his blue eyes and blonde hair made some compare him to the darling Custer, but Adams was a considered man, cared for his troops and with none of Custers rash qualities.

He rode his horse carefully to the house.

 

[Perplexia]

Savannah Day, closed her eyes in the mid morning wind. Her troubles were plenty, her husband had deserted from the Rebel army and disappeared, abandoning her to the plantation. Now that the war was over and slaves were freed. It left her with a lot of land, and few hands to work it. The once auburn haired pale beauty, was now tanned, her lips chapped and hands blistered from working the cotton fields with her remaining servants. She never really believed in slaves, but since she had been practically traded to her brute of a coward husband, the 5'6 petite woman of now 24 worked just as hard as any of them. She loved her land, she loved her friends, as she called her servants, and she was willing to fight till she dropped to save them all.

Hearing the horse neigh, she picked up her shotgun from next to the laundry basket and headed stealthaly around the house. "Stop right there and turn around or i'll blow your head off" she declared pumping the shotgun. "Don't let my size fool you Mr. I kill what i aim at."

 

[Lovelickin]

the distinctive click of a firearm followed by the voice made Adams pause. Slowly he raised is good arm away from the pistol holstered at his side. "I'm looking for the owners."he stated slowly and then carefully turned in the saddle to face the speaker. The woman ad the shotgn levelled at him, yes there was no way she'd miss and she looked confident, like somebody who knew how to shoot. Tanned and with her hair tied back, she nevertheless had an air of authority.

"My men need somewhere to stay, I have orders giving me authority to comandeer these buildings for our use. Now I suggest you lower the gun, as murder is a serios thing and you wouldn't suit the noose." he slowly turned the horse, revealing his slung left arm and nodded to the carts. "my me need to get out of the sun, so if you'd be so kind as to point me to the owners......?"

 

[Perplexia]

Savannah laughed "I suggest you have your men put their guns on the ground, you may think you have authority here, but i'm telling you other wise mr."

Behind her the clicking of shotguns revealed her servants had chosen to join her. "There's no murder if their ain't no bodies aye Mrs." Big Joe's booming voice echoed. He was a tall black man built like a truck, but the sweetest kindest gentlest soul.

"Patsy go check out if what he's saying is true" she told her house maid standing to her right.

"Have your men place any weapons on the ground now, since my people are free, i'm not responsible if they decide to start shooting."

Her eyes blazed and her nostrils flared. How dare anyone try to give her orders on the land she worked with her own hands.

 

[Lovelickin]

Adams nodded to the men,who lowered thir guns - but didn't put them down.

"Maam, I must warn you that the full army is aware of my location and purpose here, not on of my men is uninjured and all are battle hardened. May I?"

he slowly lowered himself off the horse and reached for a saddle bag. "my orders here, signed by Genral Grant, give me authority to take these premises from the owner,now, I'm not proposing to do that, all I ask is your tolerance for my men and I with some shelter. We have rations and will not impose further, unless we are forced to act." he paused and stared at the woman, she could be the owner, but seemed young, the steel in her eyes and voice gave him no doubt as to her convition - but he had orders and men to look after.

 

[Perplexia]

Patsy nodded to Mrs Day. Savannah looked Adams squarely in his eyes. "I have no intention on letting your wounded men go untreated. However, if you wish for our help you will do as i ask and put your weapons on the ground now. I don't recognize Grant as anything but a murder and a thief. You may have won the war Sir, but you have not won our conviction.

If you want our help you will do as you ask, and your men will be treated and found shelter. If not i will send you all to an early grave. You ask for our cooperation sir, i am offering that to you in exchange for yours. Put down your guns and we'll help you, Don't and we'll kill you. "

 

[Lovelickin]

Adams stood firmly "you may not recognise us Maam,but I ave the authority here" he patted his jacket. "However, I understand that we need to com together here and not fight." he nodded to te soldiers, who grounded the muskets. "now I think I deserve a little respect too?" he moved his hand to his pistol and slowly emptied the chambers into his hand. Returning the rounds to his pouch and the gun to the holster. "my name is Captain David Adams, and I am at your service, but I'd rather this was a mutual arrangement - so as to avoid complications later on......." he let the words hang,the threat implied. In reality he knew that if wod of this got out the army would simply arrive in force and take the plantation, something he felt unnecessary.

 

[Perplexia]

"I"m Mrs. Savannah Day, I hope you understand Captain, i'm not in human to the pain of your men, But i don't take orders on my land, that i work with my own hands. So if you will follow me we'll get you set up and your men started to be tend to proper." Placing the shotgun over her shoulder she waved her hand and the servants all did the same. Some followed her, others went back to their work.

"The ones with major wounds will stay here at the house with me, the minor wounded will follow Big Joe, He'll take them down to the empty slave quarters and be sure their well looked after. I will be sure all are treated like humans as long as you and your men remember all women are off limits, and we are choosing to help."

Patsy, pull out the spare cots from the cellar an start making up the rooms to fit as many as you can in each. Get some clean linen on all and extra linen tear up for bandages. Calica and Jose' help her please." "Big Joe, take your wife an some of the younger ones an get those quarters down there cleaned an have your wife start with the wounds."

 

[Lovelickin]

Adams smiled "thank you Miss Day, I'm grateful for all this. There are few badly wounded men and my surgeon could use the help. I'm actually glad I chose to come hee, many of my fellow officers would have been less 'toerant' of your needs and felings. But I hop you unerstand me better for that."

he winced as he moved his arm, the pain of the journey now hitting after the tension of the meeting. He called to a sergeant "secure the perimeter - these people are to be treated as friends - do you understand?" the sergeant nodded and scampered off.

"Now Maam - could I trouble you for a little clean water?"

 

[Perplexia]

"thank you for understanding" she said lightly. "I suspect you'll want to stay close to the majorly wounded so you'll stay in the house with us. You will have the room that is next to mine for your quarters. Follow me an i'll get your water an take a look at your wound." She stopped and addressed the surgeon. "Sir if you wish you may use the dining hall as your operating room. The kitchen is close and you'll find soothing remedies (liquer etc) close by to help keep them calm." The stable boys came and got the horses and others helped to carry in the more serious wounded as their rooms and beds became available.

Taking Adams into the large house she took him to the small dining area on the other side of the dining hall. Placing several pots in the fire she began to boil water. Giving the Captain his glass of water she unbounded his arm. "this will hurt she said as she poured alcohol over his wound.

 

[Lovelickin]

the pain was indeed significant, but Adams held the pain inside and merely gave a small wince as the alcohol hit his open wound.

"you don't need to do this, Dr Groves can see to it." he looked at his arm, the bullet had gone straight through - but still, the bruising around the hole was angry and he secretly feared infection. He looked up into Miss Day's face, "If it's not too intrusive, where is the man of the house?" he asked. information was key to the safety of the men, and the more he coul find out the more secure he would feel.

 

[Perplexia]

"It looks like it went straight through, we should have no problem keeping your wound clean an the infection out of it." she assured him bandaging it in clean cloth.
"the man of the house, deserted the rebel army and disappeared, i don't know where he is and could care less." she advised him "As soon as this harvest is in i'll be declaring myself a widow, and burying him"

 

[Lovelickin]

Adams looked at her, studying her as she worked. "D you know where he was posted? Is he likely to come for you?" the security of his men was paramount but he found himself wanting to repay the kindness of this woman, she could have fought his orders, raged at the injustice. But she had accepted them once a parity of status had been recognised. Adams knew that less calm officers then he would have forced her to accept and almost certainly taken everything they wanted, but Adams had seen enough of death and destruction carried out purely for the joy of it.

He replaced his blue coat and buckled his sabre back around his waist. "Mrs Day I hope that you will forgive my intrusion on your land, it is not my intention to take without reason." he paused "I will make sure you and yours are kept safe ....."

 

[Perplexia]

Creating a sling for his arm she smiled. "If my husband were to find his way back i would most certainly find myself a widow quite a bit sooner." she advised him matter of factly. "there was no love lost when he left, and there certainly would not be any rejoicing upon his return. He's not of any use to me one way or the other. As i have no children, i have not their reputations to be worried for."

That was all she had to say on the subject.

Savannah smiled "There isn't an intrusion Captain if i allow you to be here." She stated making it clear to him that it wasn't forced upon her she choose to allow him to stay. Like him she had seen enough death. If she could help make something positive out of this war she was willing to do it.

She laughed a little. "We shall see who keeps whom safe when the neighbors come calling" she advised with a smile.

 

[Lovelickin]

He laughed with her, this was a strong woman who knew her mind - a rarity in his experience. "I thank you - I think we could both benefit from my being here, at least in the short term.." He stood testing the sling and noded his thanks. "I will not impose on you too greatly, I will organise to dine with the men tonight, you are welcome to join us - but soldiers food is not the most palatable and the men may stare somewhat. We've not seen many women recently." he looked at the floor for a moment then bowed "If I may....I should check with the men...."

 

[Perplexia]

"I appreciate your offer Captain, but I think i'll pass on the dinner invitation. I'll be sure your other men are taken care of and fed instead. Please let me know if you need anything."

She smiled softly "Yes of course, please" she motioned to the door so he could go check on his men.

Savannah turned and cleaned up the medical supplies. Going into the dining area she began to assist the doctor for the rest of the evening. There was so much blood, so many screams. Despite her girlish desire to run, he stayed and continued to sooth the men with her voice and helping to numb their pain with the spirits she'd gathered.

By the end of the night Savannah had acquired several marriage proposals. She advised each of the men she would consider it. Of course most were delusional, and others were just in need of something to hope for. She took none of them seriously. Only one of the men died on the table that night. He had given her a letter to have sent to his family.

Savannah walked out onto her large porch in the twilight hours and wept softly for the loss of the man. His injuries were too intensive, no matter how hard the doctor tried there simply was no saving him.

 

[Lovelickin]

Adams had watched. He knew the horror of the doctors art, the failures and the sacrifice that would result in a life saved, albeit without a limb in many cases. These men were lucky in some ways,but maybe not so in most. He walked the grounds an as he climbed the steps to the porch he saw her, sitting, head in her hands,body gently heaving. Her cries were silent, presumably to spare the men, but he saw they were heartfelt.

slowly he walked up to her,wincing as his bootsteps echoed, he approached "I want to thank you, it means a lot to the men - what you've done all day. It means a lot to me...."

he gestured at the empty seat beside her "may I?"

 

[Perplexia]

Savannah wiped the tears from her eyes upon being discovered by the Captain.

"Anyone would do it" she replied nodding that he may sit down. Reaching down in her apron she handed him a letter.

"Please be sure this gets to Private Parker's family". She said handing it to him. "i'm sorry for your loss, he seemed like a sweet boy." Shaking her head she added. "They all seem like sweet boys, it is a shame that this war took so many lives and cause so much heartache. But i suppose there was no other way to stop the inhumane treatment of these people."

Savannah yawned softly. "I would ask one thing in return, as your men recover, we could use their help in the fields in exchange for their shelter and that of their comrades. With use helping the more wounded, it will set us behind in schedule with out their assistance. I'm sure you can understand Captain, this place is all i have in the world, and i will be damned to see it fail."

 

[Lovelickin]

Adams smiled, "I think the men are ahead of you, after today several have already spoken to your men and asked my permission to help." he paused and looked at her "I gav it of course." he smiled, a nervous smile,that spoke of his nerves at being in her company. Despite his rank and age Adams was not used to the quiet company of women and was trying to make sure he di nothing inappropriate.

he notice her tiredness "may I escort you to the house and into the hands of your servants? You seem weary..."

 

[Perplexia]

Savannah Smiled and watched as he rose and offered her his hand. She took it and he helped her stand, walking with her into the house.
"i'm afraid i forgot to eat, and have quite surpassed my bed time. But i need to say goodnight to the men before i retire. Would you care to do so with me?"

 

[Lovelickin]

he smiled "I'd be honoured to, and as for food - I'm sure there is something we can find to satisfy you." Adams smiled as Savanna took his goo arm and he walked her to where the men were resting. Most sat by a fire by the housing,the worst cases were inside being tended, all smiled at her and Adams marvelled at the ease at which she relaxed them all. The most seriously wounded were all sleeping, the last of the whiskey ration helping them rest. The doctor snoring loudly at a small desk.

Adams turned to Savannah and laughed Ocome on , lets get you fe and to rest" he turned to gently lead her to the main house

 

[Perplexia]

Savannah smiled and followed the Captain into the kitchen. She sat down at the little table where she had first fixed his arm and watched him make her a meal.

"you don't have to do this" she said softly yawning. "Are you anxious to get home to your wife and family Captain?" she questioned watching his grace in the kitchen.

 

[Lovelickin]

Adams smiled at her question, "no maam, there is nobody. I've been a soldier for a long time and had notimefor courting." he blushed and offered Savannah the plate.

slowly he sat to talk and let her eat. "my father insisted I either join the clergy or army, I'm not sure I chose right but things may change. Maybe the war will solve some problems...." hebpaused "so how about you - you're a little young to be here alone - if youdon't mind me saying?"

he smiled

 

[Perplexia]

Savannah smiled at him. "oh my story" she sighed. "Let us go for a walk if you don't mind, I don't want this food to sit heavy in me." She got up and Adams again offered her arm. She led him down through the forest. "Its hard to see from here but there is a cabin." Under the moon you could barely make out a small cabin next to the river. "my father built that cabin for him and my mother. My mother was a healer, she use to take her with me when folks needed help." she smiled softly. "my father, he was one of the best craftsman you ever saw. He loved my mother with such an intensity that the suns heat was no match." She turned taking his arm as they walked away.

"My mother caught the pox, on one of her visits. She died a couple weeks later from it. I was fifteen. Every time my father looked at me he saw her, and it drove him to the bottle. He got it in his head he wanted to be a prospector, so he brought me to this house offering to sell his land and tools for cash to go out west. My husband offered him a hundred dollars for everything, including me. My father insisted he married me legal like and he would take 75."

She wiped a tear from her eye, "my wedding was the last i saw of him."

 

[Lovelickin]

He looked at her as she spoke, there was a fraglity in amongst her character and he felt for her. "your father must hav love your mother..." he looked down "but it is a shame he could not see the beauty in you." Adams softly cleared his throat and walked in silene for a moment. Then he stopped.

"your husband, did he feel anything for you? And you him? If I'm being too forward please don't reply" he blshed slightly