Charlie then sat down and ate, between fielding a wide variety of questions as the conversation turned on the massive logistics of remobilizing the regiment.
After lunch, Charlie and Polk retired to his office to write the detailed mobilization orders. All afternoon, a constant stream of officers and key men filed in and out of the office, as plans for supplies, foodstuffs, horse management and equipment transportation were discussed and finalized.
Elizabeth, accompanied by Samuelson and Whitman, was one of the last staff members to be consulted. Charlie was concerned they would end up trying to fight a running series of skirmishes, rather than fixed battles. Designing a way to treat injured men when the regiment was on the move was a major challenge. They worked through dinner, which was brought in on trays, to find a way that, while not exactly satisfactory, was at least viable.
--*--
Charlie dragged himself to bed that night exhausted. The lamps were dimmed, no candles were lit and the house was silent. It seemed everyone else had finally fallen into bed and sleep called him like a siren.
He quietly entered Rebecca’s private sitting room and stripped his clothes, hoping to grab his nightshirt and slip quietly into bed and her sleeping warmth.
He found Rebecca waiting for him in bed, holding his pillow to her chest, crying quietly.
"Darling, what is it? Why did you wait up for me? It is so late, darling, and you need your sleep."
"I cannot sleep. I am too worried about your leaving and what will happen then."
"Darling, please, do not do this to yourself. I am leaving men here to take care of the place and to help Mayor Frazier keep order in town in case deserters start coming through. I will take the utmost care of myself. As things are going, I will be home before you know it, a month or two at the most, if General Grant’s siege works as expected. The war cannot last much longer." Charlie took her in his arms and gently soothed her back and shoulders as she spoke.
"I am your wife and I love you. How can you ask me not to worry?" Rebecca smiled, gently running her hand over his chest. "I only want you home."
"Can I tell you a secret?" He nuzzled her hair.
"Of course you can. You can tell me anything. I hope you know that."
"I really wish I could stay behind and send Richard off to the front. I am so tired of war, and want so much to begin our life here together properly." Charlie sighed, "Unfortunately, I believe I have to complete my commitment to the Union and the Army. It is very hard for me to leave you, darling –– but you are an amazing incentive to come back as quickly as I can."
"I know, but it still does not keep me from worrying about you. For the first time in my life, I have found love and I do not want it to end. I realize you have commitments, but that does not make the fear and the pain of your departure any less."
"Nor does it make my task any easier, when my leaving is the last thing either of us wants. But I must, dear. Please understand why." Charlie laid his head on her shoulder and softly kissed her neck, offering comfort and taking it at the same time.
"I do understand. I truly do. I just cannot help but feel my heart is breaking for fear I will lose you. The only person I have ever loved passionately, the way I love you. Sometimes I think this is all so new to you, that you do not understand what will happen to my heart if you are killed." She paused, curling closer to him. "It will die with you, Charlie."
Charlie froze. The image in his mind of her life without him overlaid the image of his without her and he knew the truth of what she spoke. "Then I suppose I just cannot let myself get killed. We have a daughter and another child on the way who just would not understand if their mother’s heart died before its time."
"No, you had better not. I want you home; Em wants you home and by the time you return there will be a new life for you to meet." She sighed and closed her eyes. "But do not be angry with me for doing what my heart tells me to do, which is worry."
"I cannot control that anyway, my love. I have learned I have as much ability to change the way you feel as I do to control the weather, so I shall not try. But," Charlie nibbled on her earlobe. "I can try and distract you for a bit."
"Charlie, stop!" She pulled back and tried to make him understand. "Not everything can be made better by making love and right now I need you to hold me more than I need to make love."
Charlie was immediately contrite. He pulled back, shifted and took her in his arms, her head lying on his chest. She could not see the bleak look in his eyes. His fears and worries were just as great as hers, if not greater, as he knew just what kind of risks he was facing. Desperate men made dangerous enemies. Charlie’s demon just laughed.
--*--
Tuesday, February 21, 1865
Charlie had just finished his morning run and was having his first cup of coffee when he heard a light tap on his office door.
"Come." Whoever was knocking this early must have something important to say –– and private.
"Major Timothy Byrnes, Commander, Company F, requests permission to speak frankly, Sir."
"Have a seat, Byrnes. Since when have you had to stand on formality with me?"
Byrnes grinned ruefully, then unconsciously rubbed his thigh. Since he had taken a Miniéé ball in his leg the previous summer, he had developed the nervous habit. "Well, sir, I think anyone actually volunteering to remain behind may be faced with a problem. These boys have a certain…… enthusiasm for seeing an end to the war and getting home. I think a lot of them can taste it, if you know what I mean? If a man volunteers, he might be seen as a slacker –– or even a coward."
Charlie shook his head and snorted. "I have been at war for so long and wanted to have peace so badly I honestly never thought of that. I knew Dewees was eager, but given the problems we had earlier, it is understandable."
Byrnes raised his eyebrow. "Aye, he is a bit, Sir. I think he has the makings of a good commander, but under Monty he had very little opportunity to develop. Keep an eye on him, he may do something rash out there in the vanguard."
Charlie nodded. "However, I suspect you did not come here to talk about Company C’s young commander. How can I help you?"
"Well, sir, I think I might just want to stay behind. I have a good second who is entirely ready to take command and, to be honest, this leg is just plain bothering me. I have met some of the folks in town and seem to get on well with them. And I have the right experience. I was the local sheriff in Bucks County before the war began."
"So you would like me to arrange it so the men do not know you have volunteered, but you are actually volunteering?"
"That is about the sum of it, Sir. I think I could do a good job. And, um, Sir?"
"Yes, Byrnes?"
"I will make sure Mrs. Redmond’s letters get through to you in the priority dispatch bags." Byrnes grinned at Charlie. It was not strictly by the book, in fact, it was specifically forbidden to put civilian correspondence into the priority military dispatches, but Byrnes was one of those who thought Rebecca was a good influence on his spit and polish General.
Charlie called a meeting of all his officers that morning. The announcement was simple. "I recognize that every man of you, as well as every man you command, is dedicated to ending this conflict. Being asked to remain behind is a hardship, one that is necessary, but even so, a hardship. I thought long and hard last night, and reviewed the records and condition of every man in this regiment. My decision has been made strictly on the records of the individuals, their enlistment status, and their physical condition. Major Byrnes will lead the garrison here. He has been selected because of his civilian experience and because he has not fully recovered from the injuries he sustained this summer. Here are two lists. One is of men who will be assigned to the garrison in Culpeper. The other is the list of men who will be mustered out because the term of their enlistment has expired. Quartermaster, please handle the muster out pay and make arrangements for transportation for any who wish to return home. Major Byrnes, please take command of your garrison."