volunteer in a Federal army hospital. There were many here who would disapprove of her prayers for Confederate soldiers.
“I know the major’s not doing so well,” Rob said. “I think perhaps, well...I think he feels responsible.”
Her skin prickled. Responsible? She sat down on the edge of his bed. “What exactly do you mean?”
“I think he feels responsible for the captain and the others.”
Emily’s pulse quickened. This was the first time anyone had mentioned Sally’s brother. Did Rob know what had become of him? She glanced about for Dr. Mackay. If Stephen was hiding out somewhere, she didn’t want that man or anyone else in blue to know.
The Scotsman was at the far end of the room, checking on a sergeant with a terrible cough. His ears were plugged by his stethoscope. Jeremiah had gone to the kitchen, and the sentinel at the door was well out of earshot.
Emily looked back at Rob. “Captain Hastings was reported on the lists as missing. Do you know what has become of him?”
He swallowed. “I’m afraid I do, miss.”
Her heart immediately sank. Oh, no. Rob was undoubtedly struggling to tell her what she could already guess.
“Is he dead?”
For a moment he looked almost relieved. The gentleman in him did not wish to break such news to a lady. “I’m afraid so...but he died bravely. A hero.”
Tears filled her eyes. Emily shut them for a moment. When she regained her composure she asked the man to tell what he knew. There was no longer any fear of Federal eavesdropping. Plotting to help a Confederate soldier would be considered treason, but Stephen was beyond any aid or shelter she could offer him now. Any details Rob could provide about his demise may bring a small measure of comfort to Sally, and perhaps hold the key to Edward’s solitude.
“Were you with them on the battlefield?”
He nodded. “Me and what was left of the old Maryland Guard. First Maryland Infantry Battalion we are now.” He shifted his position, wincing slightly. “Captain Hastings, well...it was a bad scrap. We don’t blame Major Stanton. He was just following General Stewart’s orders. Things just happen like that sometimes.”
Her heart beat faster. “What things?” she asked. “What orders?”
“To take the hill, miss. Culp’s Hill.” He gestured battle movements with his hands. “You see, we were all lined up. The bluecoats were above us and we were fightin’ our way through the trees, over the rocks. That’s when it happened.”
“What did?”
“Captain Hastings was with Major Stanton in the front. Right in front of me, in fact. They charged valiantly, yelling for us to follow. Gave the rest of us real courage, it did.”
Emily had expected no less. Stephen and Edward were the bravest of the brave. At least Sally and the rest of them could take solace in that.
Private Nash continued. “Captain Hastings took a bullet to the chest. I know ’cause it spun him around. Major Stanton took one in the arm just about the same time. They fell together. The next one had my name on it.”
She was grateful he spared her the gruesome details, although she had little difficulty imagining the sight. Emily had seen what hot lead could do to a man. “I am certain your comrades appreciated your sacrifice,” she said, her voice quivering slightly. “Were you successful in taking the hill?”
“No, miss. We had to fall back.”
Tears spilled over once again, and frustration filled her soul. Such loss, such sacrifice for nothing gained! Stephen died for ground unclaimed, ground that even the Federal army probably no longer occupies!
“Our men tried to gather us,” Rob insisted, “but they couldn’t get us all. The Yankees were just too quick.”
“Is that when you were captured?”
“Yes. Major Stanton shielded the captain just in case any of the bluecoats used their bayonets, but I believe he was already dead by then. When the major realized, he was shook up real bad. You could see it in his eyes. He held it together for the rest of us, though, tried to encourage us as we were being rounded up. But then we learned we’d been fightin’ the First Eastern Shore.”
He looked at her as if she should know what that meant. Emily had no idea.
“I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”
“The First Eastern Shore is Maryland Infantry, miss. We, the First Maryland, were fightin’ against men from our own state.
Emily sucked in air. Rob continued.
“When Major Stanton learned that, the fire just went out of him. All he could say was ‘it was my fault.’ To my knowledge he hasn’t spoken a word since.”
Waves of nausea rolled through her.
“I can sure understand it,” he said. “We’re all torn up inside. Sergeant Moore told me he’d seen his own cousin bearing the colors for the First Eastern Shore.”
Emily was afraid she was going to be literally sick. It was bad enough these men were fighting against their own countrymen, but Marylanders spilling Maryland blood? No wonder Edward could not speak.
“Miss Emily? Will you do something for me?”
She tried to rein in her feelings. She could do nothing about what had happened on that hill, but perhaps she might be able to do something for Rob, for Edward.
“Of course.”
“Will you tell Major Stanton that he’s one of the bravest men I ever served under? And that I’d be proud to do so again.”
She was struck by his loyalty, his compassion for his officer. “I will do so. Is there anything else that I may do for you?”
“No, miss. Don’t fret over me. There’s plenty of other fellas here worse off.”
“Thank you for telling me,” Emily said.
“You’re welcome.”
He offered her a hint of a smile and she gave him one in return, but they both knew the other’s heart was heavy.
Gathering her skirts, Emily rose slowly, feeling as though she had twenty petticoats and two sacks of flour tied about her legs. She had promised Rob that she would convey his message, but would the words comfort Edward or be another painful reminder of what had taken place on the battlefield?
Just as she stepped away from the bed, Dr. Mackay made his way across the ward. He must have seen the look on her face and recognized something was wrong.
“Are you ill?” he asked.
Ill didn’t even begin to describe how she felt. Men from my state are shooting at their neighbors, their own relatives! And Sally...her brother has been killed! Now I must tell her the terrible news!
But Emily swallowed
