T. Novan - Words Heard In Silence / Xena Uber

"Absolutely, just let me get changed."

Charlie laid back and watched Rebecca as she started to remove her dress. Watching Rebecca emerge from the whalebone and skirts of her clothing to display her slender, elegant body was always a delight for Charlie.

She settled her nightgown over her head and gently climbed into bed with Charlie. "I would like to be close to you, but I do not want to hurt you."

"Rebecca, I have missed you for so long, having you not come over here hurts far more than anything your touch may do to me. I am starting to heal; it is not as bad as it was."

She sighed and placed her head on Charlie's shoulder then gently draped her arm over her waist. "Is this all right?"

Charlie smiled. She was home. "It is perfect, darling. There is just one thing missing."

"Yes?"

Charlie turned her head and gently laid her lips on Rebecca’s forehead. "Just one thing. Your lips."

Chapter 36 - Epilogue

Thursday, June 1, 1865

Culpeper County, Virginia

Thursday, June 1, 1865

Dear Major Swallow,

I write to you as one of my first activities after regaining use of what is left of my hand. I have also written to your brother to extend my personal condolences on the loss of your young cousin, Joshua. His death is mourned and honored. He fell in a good cause, as I believe our ability to keep those supplies captured at Appomattox Station from General Lee’s forces was the most telling action that led to the final surrender.

Indeed, as my last official act as an officer in the United States Army, I am writing to the family of each man who fell that day, for in my opinion, to ride into the face of those howitzers was truly an act of immense courage. I know that Colonel Polk long since prepared the official notifications, but as their commanding officer, I feel an obligation to honor the valiant fallen. We all knew that day just how important it was to keep those supplies from getting through; though I would have taken a different approach from General Custer’s, we had a job to do, we did it, and the result was, as we both know, the cessation of the war in Virginia. I thank God every day for the end of this most painful disruption of our national family. Trooper Raiford fell still holding the flag; Trooper Franklin and then your cousin followed him, so that the Colors of the 13th Pennsylvania never flagged on that day.

I mourn, too, the loss of Captains Hoffstader and Avery and many of their men. Companies B and I took a major blow in that last charge under General Sheridan at Appomattox Courthouse. Thank God that General Grant’s infantry was there to support us, for I believe the Southerners were desperate and would have been truly formidable had we not had that support. Dewees fell, too, that day, successfully rescuing a pocket of his men who had been entrapped by enemy forces. He gave the ultimate gift –– his life for his men’s.

I have not had word of all the others who were injured but I understand most recovered from their wounds. I would be most grateful if you would advise me of the status of your men in Pennsylvania. I am asking Captain Braddock to keep me advised of the condition of the Ohioans who mustered out under his charge.

Several of our men have chosen to settle here in Culpeper and build new lives. In particular, Tarent and MacFarlane are working the stables here for me, and Jocko has chosen to remain as well. It surprised me that young Duncan Nailer stayed on, but then, he and Mrs. Carter seem to be exploring their common friendship through young Jeremiah. I would not be surprised to see them marry sometime in the future.

Richard Polk has taken over from Major Byrnes as the Military/Civilian liaison in the area. I would not be surprised if he resigned his commission and took up civilian politics in this community. As one would expect of Colonel Polk, he has managed to charm the ladies and make the gentlemen his cronies. We do expect him to be somewhat tamed in the coming months, as he and Dr. Walker will wed next month. I do not expect the good Doctor will allow our friend too much latitude in his personal dealings in the future.

I hope this letter has found you in good health, and happily reunited with your family and look forward to receiving word from you on the progress of our men as they return to civilian life.

Cordially,

Chas. Redmond

Brig. General, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Charlie looked at the letter he had written, one of almost a hundred sending condolences and inquiring after the health and status of his men who had been killed or injured in the last days of the war. He sat back and considered the events of the past month, since he had truly begun his journey to recovery.

The last part of May had been an interesting time on the farm. Many of the families who had been taken in had found their way to other things. Charlie and Rebecca had purchased another two dozen horses. This had resulted in Tarent and McFarlane hiring on another three hands to help take care of the rapidly growing herd.

Richard and Elizabeth set a date for their wedding. Rebecca considered it to be one of the things that had inspired Charlie to work harder to get better. He was getting stronger everyday and took getting out of the house very seriously. He had managed to avoid his own wedding plans, and, now that more plans were in the offing, was once again purposely making himself scarce. Wedding plans were a little more than Charlie could handle.

There had also been an incident, which helped Charlie and Albert get to know each other better. Shannon, in a fit of pregnant pique, bit Jack on the neck, removing a chunk of flesh about the size of a ten dollar gold piece. Charlie’s arm was still not serviceable enough to do the hard work, but he calmed Jack while Albert did the work of patching the horse up. It gave the two a chance to get to know each other and it gave Charlie a chance to thank Albert for taking care of the farm and Rebecca while he was unable to do so.

Jocko had managed to start formally courting Mrs. White and young Duncan had done the same with Jeremiah’s mother, Samantha Carter. Rebecca wondered if she would ever see Charlie in the house again if they all decided to get married.

Culpeper was slowly starting to recover from the horrors it had been subjected to, and people were starting to settle into the community once again. A few new buildings were being constructed, including the new schoolhouse. Someone had suggested Richard would make a fine marshal once his retirement was ratified, and he had been heard to be considering it, but he would have to see what the future Mrs. Polk would have to say about it.

Charlie and Richard had discussed the idea of building a clinic for Elizabeth as a wedding gift, but they were terrible at keeping the secret and she soon found out. A short time later she hired a young man who had recently returned home to draw up the plans.

Charlie had begun correspondence with Mr. Cooke about the possibility of opening a bank in Culpeper. The need for investment capital was great, and Charlie felt he would soon see progress in that direction.

Evenings were spent with their friends and with their children. Em was learning her alphabet, making both her Mama and Papa very proud. Little Charlie was starting to push himself up and hold his head up for longer amounts of time. Andy had a minor bout of colic, which kept Rebecca and Charlie up for three days straight, but they were more than happy to be tending to the youngest of their brood.

Bedtime had found Charlie and Rebecca settling into a new ritual. Rebecca first washed Charlie’s wounds with warm water, then applied a lotion Elizabeth had given them. She said it would help Charlie’s scars fade and while they would never be completely gone, would help to reduce them. Charlie loved the extra attention and his fears that Rebecca would be repulsed by his injuries began to fade along with the scars.