By Charla
Copyright 2000
A Teaspoon of Advice: “You just don’t know what war is ‘til you’re right thar in it.”
It was late November, about a month after taking his leave and Kid was about to see battle much sooner than he had expected. He’d rode across the country on his favorite horse, Katy, missing Lou more with every mile. Kid watched the South he had known in his youth changing before his eyes. The country, with its stark quietness, rutted roads and pale skies, looked desperate, and war had barely begun.
Quickly joining a regiment upon arrival in Virginia, Kid regretted his decision to leave Lou daily. He recalled their conversation by a campfire, long before they married; Kid had told Lou leaving her would be the hardest thing he had to do, but not going back to fight would be harder. How quickly that sentiment was changing -- his fellow soldiers found him quiet and reserved, his superiors found him frustrating and withdrawn and Kid found his heart back in Sweetwater.
Kid was not rude to his compatriots, but he didn’t socialize either. All the friends and family he needed were back in Sweetwater and Kid didn’t intend to serve Virginia for any longer than necessary.
Katy proved an immediate contention with the officers in his company. The cavalry wanted to appropriate the horse for their regiment, but Katy wouldn’t let anyone ride her but Kid. The cavalrymen were appalled that a mere infantryman would ride such a fine horse, but eventually they gave up the fight.
December 20, 1861 dawned cold in Virginia and Kid felt the chill all the way to his bones. The smell of battle was in the air and even the hardened men felt a hint of fear.
The Battle of Drainsville was a loss for both sides, the USA saw seven killed and nearly one hundred wounded. The Confederate States of America was hit much harder with nearly fifty dead and 150 wounded. Kid saw much blood, heard the cries of men around him as they die and the groans of the wounded still on the field.
The real torment for Kid was Katy’s death. He choked and swallowed his own bile as Katy sunk to the ground, the bite of a bullet killing her quickly. The battle swirled about him as Kid sat beside his paint and cried. With resolve, Kid lunged to his feet and fought like a seasoned warrior, his pain making him numb. Little did Kid realize that not only had he lost his beloved horse, but he was also about to lose Lou and even himself as well.
The officers, after calling halt to the battle, discussed the precise but deadly fighting of the soldier known as Kid. Certain superiors were quite impressed and a decision was made. Kid was pulled off the battlefield, just as each side was moving back, surveying its wounded and restocking it guns.
“Tell me, how long you lived in Virginia?” asked the younger officer.
“Actually, I haven’t lived here in a while, but I came back to defend my home soil,” Kid offered.
“Exactly what we’re looking for,” nodded the senior officer. “Son, how would you like to serve our newly elected Confederate president, Jefferson Davis?”
“Sir, I thought I was serving him while I served Virginia,” replied Kid.
“No soldier, we’re talking about as a personal body guard,” the younger officer explained. Kid looked them over carefully. “I’m not one to run from battle.”
“That’s why we want you,” declared the Captain. “Your duty now, is to protect our Confederate president with your very life. Come with me.”
Kid was sent from his first battle with several notes and directions to the capital in Richmond on a new horse. Completely unaware, Kid was putting more miles between him and Lou with every step. ***
“Sir, we forgot to give him his posts. There are several here that look to be from his wife,” said the Lieutenant.
“Son, you might as well throw those in the fire and issue his death notice to that address,” shrugged the Captain.
“What are you talking about sir? What death notice?”
“Son, this is a war. We can’t let him send any letters out West; he could be sharing privileged information, even without knowing it. Until after the war, that man is dead. His duty is completely to President Davis.”
“But sir,” stuttered the Lieutenant, “how can we do that? What about his family. It’s not right, them thinking he’s dead.”
“Don’t worry so -- they’ll just have more to celebrate after the war. They’ll be all the more thankful to see him. Hell, he’ll be home before you know it ‘cause the North will soon give up trying to tell us what to do anyway.” With his words, the Captain grabbed Kid’s letters, addressed with Lou’s neat hand, and threw them into a nearby fire. “List him with the dead, now.”
The Captain’s voice brooked no argument and the junior officer hastened to comply with his bidding.
On to Chapter Four
