The Confederate Read online

  “Well, now ain’t that sweet!” Llewellyn said sarcastically. “You sweet on pretty little Rosie, huh? Want some more action from that girl?”

  “Knock it off, Llewellyn,” Case said. “He’d got every right to choose who he wants, and she seems happy.” He eyed Billy. “Thought you were looking like the cat who had his cream recently too!”

  A few laughed. Furlong scratched his thin beard. “The slopes are pretty steep at Fredericksburg, perfect for defending.”

  Case agreed. “And we’ve got ‘Old Pete’ as a general who just loves to defend a position! Expect we’ll be digging in once we get there, boys.” Groans came from them all. It was winter and the ground was getting hard. Digging it would be tough. Case turned his attention back to Billy. “You really sweet on Rosie?”

  Billy nodded. Case grunted. Ever since the girl had seduced him the last time in Fredericksburg, Billy had seemed more confident in himself. Maybe the barmaid would do him good. Case grinned to himself. About time the boy took an interest in women.

  Two days later they came over the last rise before Fredericksburg, marching along the Orange Plank Road, the bare trees to either side peeling away as the panoramic view of Fredericksburg greeted their eyes. The land fell away sharply towards the Rappahannock River and the town was built on the western slopes. On the opposite side the white sea of Union army tents grew deep breaths from the men. There were thousands of them!

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Billy had wanted to go into town at once but Case hauled him back, warning him provosts were under orders to arrest anyone not holding a valid pass. The town couldn’t possibly deal with all the Rebel army at once, so the troops were allowed to go on a rota basis; the 1st Virginia had to wait four days before they got permission to visit the town. Billy was virtually frothing at the mouth by that time.

  James Llewellyn suggested putting the young Irish lad on a collar and lead and this drew great gales of laughter. Billy scowled and snapped back at the red-haired man. Case whistled under his breath. The sooner Billy got to Rosie the better. He was practically blowing steam through his ears. Case decided to hold the squad’s passes in his jacket until they got to the edge of town, or else Billy would have run off on his own. Other units were in town and if Billy got to the Rising Sun alone and saw another soldier getting familiar with Rosie, well who knew what would happen!

  The tavern was just the same as it had been before and they arrived alongside a few other soldiers from another Virginia regiment, the 16th. They were part of Mahone’s brigade, attached to Anderson’s division. Case hadn’t seen this lot before but they had been at Sharpsburg. Two particularly big individuals tried to push past Billy but the young man rushed in between them and got to the door first. “Hell kid,” one of the Virginians exclaimed, “ain’t you heard of taking your turn?”

  “I’m in a hurry,” Billy breathed and wrenched the door open. One of the Virginians laughed in good humor and pulled Billy back by the collar. “Well now, ain’t you just unfortunate you’ve pushed past the wrong guys?”

  Billy, furious and outraged, swung a fist in response. He caught the Virginian by surprise who clearly wasn’t expecting resistance, and yelped as Billy whacked him in the eye. But it hardly caused any damage and the big Virginian pushed Billy against the wall of the tavern and sank his fist into the boy’s stomach. Billy’s breath rushed out in one huge ‘ooof!’ and he sank to the ground. The other Virginian stepped forward and was about to kick the helpless boy when Case stepped across him. “Leave him; he’s in no fit state to take any more.”

  “You his daddy?” the first one sneered, “little boy needs his ears cleaning and bottom wiping?”

  “No you big ugly brute, but you’ll be licking his feet by the time I’ve finished with your face,” Case snapped. Behind the two Virginians, the rest of Case’s squad were gathering. James Llewellyn leaned forward and helped a panting Billy up. “Heck, Billy,” James said slowly, “pick on someone your own size!”

  The Virginians sized up the odds and one spat on the cobble stoned street. “Aw hell, let’s go in and get a drink. I ain’t come here just to whup some silly kid who can’t handle his own fight!”

  Case stepped aside, warily eyeing the two big soldiers. “Wise choice.”

  “I ain’t asking for your opinion!” the first one snarled. “Lucky for you I’m too thirsty to bother beating your hide to a pulp.”

  Case laughed in his face. “Try it. If you hate your teeth that much, go on.”

  For a moment the two stood toe to toe, the silence almost deafening. The atmosphere was practically heavy enough to cut, and it seemed to last for an age. Then the sound of laughter came to them from within and the two Virginians made a disgusted noise and passed into the tavern. Case shook his head. Big brutes, big mouths, little brains. “Come on you lot, we’re wasting time out here.”

  The others grinned and followed their sergeant into the noisy tavern. Billy was still holding his stomach. He’d never been hit like that before and it had knocked the wind out of him. It had been a sobering moment. He looked up and tried to see Rosie, but the room was packed. Every table was occupied and a crowd of men stood at the bar. Hundreds of voices babbled about anything and everything, and it was confusion. Case spotted a space by one of the walls and herded his men over to it.

  Billy huddled by the reassuring bulk of the sergeant and looked this way and that, trying to see over the heads of the masses, but the lighting was poor, the smoke thick and people moving about too much. A serving wench passed by and Case caught her attention, mainly by holding out an arm across her path, and ordered drinks for the men.

  She returned and Billy looked disappointed. Case passed him his drink and the others hastily grabbed theirs from the tray. As they did Case leaned forward and whispered into the woman’s ear. She smiled, nodded and vanished. Nobody else saw him do that, they were too busy drinking or looking elsewhere. Billy still found the taste bitter and took small sips while the others drank much faster.

  “Hey,” Furlong nodded to the right, “there’s those ugly guys from the 16th.” The rest turned to see the two big Virginians not too far away surrounded by their comrades, drinking heartily and telling good stories, judging by the laughter that came from them. Just then a serving wench appeared from the left so the group never saw her sidle up to Billy until she spoke. “Hi Billy, see you made it in one piece!”

  “Rosie!” Billy nearly spilled his drink down her cleavage in excitement. He grinned foolishly and Rosie took him by the arm. “I’m taking Billy to a quieter part of the tavern to catch up on news. Can’t hear him with all this noise, fellahs.”

  Case grinned and nodded. “Take care of him, Rosie.”

  She giggled. “Oh, I’ll do that, Sergeant, don’t you worry.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Case smiled. “I want him able to walk back to camp by tomorrow morning.”

  “Heck, of all the luck,” Llewellyn complained, eyeing Rosie’s swaying hips. “She like them young?”

  “Plenty more here for you, Jimmy,” Case said. Then he stopped and scowled. The big Virginians had blocked Rosie and Billy from passing and one had grabbed Rosie by the arm. “Well, well, what a pretty girl have we here? And what are you doing with this whelp?”

  “Let go of me!” Rosie snapped indignantly, struggling futilely. Case tapped Munz and Llewellyn on the arms. “Trouble. Give the others your mugs, we’re needed.”

  Billy, incensed at the way Rosie was being mauled, swung a fist at the first man’s head, but his comrade had been waiting and locked his hand round Billy’s wrist. “Not so fast, kid.” He grinned and sent an uppercut into Billy’s jaw that lifted him off the ground. He fell into an inert heap on the beer-stained floor. Rosie screamed and conversation stopped in the tavern. All except the first big Virginian. “Well my little sweetheart, how about enjoying a real man instead of a helpless child?”

  Rosie opened her mouth to reply but a deep, masculine voice beat her to it.
“So why are you thinking you’ve got a chance?”

  Eyes swiveled to Case, standing threateningly next to Rosie. “Let her go you ugly bastard.”

  The Virginian laughed nastily. “See the boy still needs dada to wipe his snot nose for him.”

  Case laughed unexpectedly. “Hell yes, that’s a good one!” he roared laughing, almost doubled up. The two big guys frowned, a tentative smile playing at their mouths. Billy groaned and Rosie wrenched herself out of the grip of the Virginian and bent down to see to him. Munz and Llewellyn looked at Case in surprise. The sergeant was whooping with laughter and the Virginians were joining in.

  Suddenly Case stopped and swung a meaty fist round in a blurred arc, crushing the nose of the man who’d flattened Billy. Cartilage splintered and his head snapped back, overbalancing the man. He fell back, taking down three others into an untidy heap. His comrade snarled and went for Case, but the Eternal Mercenary was already watching for him and bent down low, hands rising. The combined movement lifted the Virginian up and over Case and he landed on top of the sprawling four with a crash.

  Case turned to admire his work and was grabbed by another of the 16th who was enraged by the treatment of his buddies. The two went backwards into a support beam, shaking it. Case brought his knee up and felt it connect with the man’s groin. The unfortunate gurgled and sank down, clutching his family jewels, but another came in, arms flailing. Munz and Llewellyn plowed in on the others, fists whirling and within seconds a huge punch-up ensued.

  Rosie hauled on Billy’s arm and got him to move out of the brawl’s path, and they made their way unsteadily to one of the doors at the back of the bar room. Rosie produced a key, unlocked it and pushed Billy through. She relocked the door and went over to the far side of the narrow passage, faintly lit by gas light, to a staircase. Billy followed, rubbing his jaw. His legs still felt rubbery, but he was glad to be out of the carnage behind him. The noise was clearly coming to him even through the shut door.

  Rosie led him up, beckoning. Billy paused. “Aren’t you supposed to be on duty?”

  “Not tonight, it’s my night off,” she smiled. “My room’s up the top here.” She took his hand and pulled him along up the stairs.

  In the bar room, the fight was breaking up. The more responsible amongst them were separating the combatants and Case was held by two burly soldiers while a lieutenant barked orders for provosts to wade in and apprehend those responsible. Case caught the eye of Furlong and jerked his head sharply. Furlong nodded and ushered Siddeley out with him. Munz and Llewellyn were pointed out by the furious Virginians and they together with Case were frog-marched out of the tavern with the guilty men of the 16th and lined up in the street while the provost officer barked orders and demanded names and regiments.

  Billy saw this from the window of Rosie’s room, and sighed. “I’m responsible for them being arrested,” he complained. “I should be with them.”

  Rosie tutted, closing the curtains. “I’m sure they won’t mind you being here. That sergeant of yours looks like he can look after himself. I’m sure you’d prefer to be here than down there, don’t you?” She unbuttoned her blouse and allowed her breasts to spring out. Billy eyed them longingly. Rosie smiled. “So why don’t you show me how much you’ve missed me?” Giggling, she pulled Billy onto her bed and the young man forgot all about Case and the others and gave himself up to the pleasures of the flesh.

  Case and his two colleagues were marched back to their camp. No words were spoken; the guards had no intention to talk to the prisoners, the prisoners themselves were forbidden to speak. The provost officer reported to Captain Skivenham and then to Colonel Williams, the regimental commander of the 1st Virginia. Case groaned; with Skivenham they might have gotten off with just a reprimand. The Colonel was different, he was a stickler for discipline and his soldiers fighting with other Confederates was just not done.

  The three men stood in front of the Colonel, listening to the provost as he detailed to Williams the undisciplined behavior of Sergeant Lonnergan, Corporal Munz and Private Llewellyn in the Rising Sun tavern. Williams listened politely, nodded to the provost and promised the three men would be punished accordingly. Satisfied, the provost led his men away.

  Case stood stiffly to attention, a throbbing pain in his cheek slowly subsiding. One of the 16th guys had landed a punch during the final stages of the brawl. Munz had a sore eye while Llewellyn a cut lip. All had bruised knuckles. “Disgraceful,” Colonel Williams breathed finally, eyeing the three men with disgust. “You are supposed to be professional soldiers in the Confederacy. You are supposed to fight the Union soldiers, not your own side!”

  Captain Skivenham stood to one side silently, wondering what punishment would go the way of the three men. They were three of his better men and he didn’t want to lose them, not with a fight coming. The colonel stood for a moment, his face angry. “I shall decide what to do with you three on the morrow; I’m too tired and angry now to decide clearly what punishment you shall face! A night under guard in the open should cool your tempers sufficiently. Captain!”

  “Colonel,” Skivenham saluted. He sighed and watched as Williams retreated to his tent, two guards accompanying him, then he turned to face the three men. “Okay, you have to spend the night under guard in a pen, open to the elements. I hope it doesn’t rain – or snow.”

  With those comforting words, the small guard detail remaining escorted Case and the two others to a wired-off compound that had been hastily built that day. Clearly someone had anticipated there would be some need for it. Case had spent more comfortable nights than the one he spent that night, but, he thought philosophically, he’d spent many more worse. The cold was bearable, but the thought of what would happen in the morning bothered him. He didn’t want to be arrested or even demoted. He’d spent far too much effort getting his squad to the standard it was and there was no way he wanted some amateur ruining things.

  Munz kept his own council but Llewellyn complained about the temperature and their bad luck in being punished. Nobody answered him so even the fiery private went silent and slept as best he could in the uncomfortable conditions.

  What their fate would be none of them had any idea. They spent a cold, uncomfortable and unpleasant night with little sleep.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The morning brought a surprise. They were roused by a barked order from Lieutenant Wyatt from ‘C’ platoon, escorted by three men from his unit, and they were marched to Williams’ tent. The Colonel was standing there with Captain Skivenham, and, to their surprise, Rosie. There was no sign of Billy.

  Williams was genially talking to the barmaid who was dressed in a yellow dress and brown coat, a partial protection from the cold. Rosie beamed at the three disheveled men who stood in an untidy row, waiting for Williams to talk. “Ah, yes, Sergeant Lonnergan, Corporal Munz and Private…ah…”

  “Llewellyn, sir,” Skivenham said quietly. He looked relaxed, too. Case wondered what was going on.

  “Ah yes, Llewellyn. Well, Miss Hampton here informs me you in fact jumped to her rescue last night in the tavern when she was accosted by men from another regiment. Is this so?”

  Case cleared his throat, catching Rosie’s eye briefly. She winked at him. “The fact is, Colonel, she was being physically molested and the boys and me took exception to it, seeing that we ought to show how gentlemanly we Virginian men are.”

  Captain Skivenham almost guffawed but managed to keep himself under control. Colonel Williams nodded emphatically, still holding onto Rosie’s arm. The barmaid smiled winningly at the Colonel. “And they did magnificently, Colonel. You should be proud to have such gallant men under your command. Why, one of his men even volunteered to guard my room through the night!”

  “Really?” Williams looked surprised. “Who?”

  “Private Brady, Colonel. He was so sweet about it.”

  Williams looked dubious; he knew the men of the regiment. “He – was a gentleman about it?”

  R
osie smiled again. “Of course! I made sure he had a chair to sit in so he didn’t have to stand all night.”

  The Colonel nodded, seemingly satisfied. Skivenham shook his head minutely, keeping his face as still as he could. Case eyed Munz but the tall corporal was still. Llewellyn was smiling slightly, however. Rosie disengaged herself from the elderly commander. “Now, Colonel, I must return to the Rising Sun, work to do. I hope these men can visit again, they would be most welcome.”

  “Humph,” Williams made a non-committal noise. “I shall see what I can do, Miss Hampton. Thank you for clearing the situation up.” Rosie waved to the three men who smiled at her and Llewellyn made a little wave. She walked off back towards town, and Williams scowled at the three men. “It seems you’re off the hook. I have my suspicions but she seemed genuine about it. However, I will not have fighting from my regiment in that place again, do you hear? If I do hear you’re involved in any more – shenanigans – I shall punish you very severely. You may return to your duties, but,” and pointed a stern finger at the three men, “I want you to be fully occupied while we are here. I have been constantly reminded by your Captain here that you are amongst the best in the regiment, so you can all be detailed to take on guard duties around the town. I shall clear it with General Kemper.”

  With that they were dismissed and returned very relieved back to their tents. Billy was there waiting, a smug expression on his face. Llewellyn, cold and hungry, reacted badly to that. “So you were nice and warm in bed with her while we froze our damned asses off outside, just because you picked a fight with those two big morons!”

  “Hey,” Billy’s smile vanished, “don’t blame it all on me!”

  “Look kid,” Munz stood in the way of Llewellyn who was getting angrier, “we’re supposed to be a team. One suffers, the rest does. Next time you think about picking a fight, think of your buddies first, okay? Else next time you might have to fight your own fights.”