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Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss
Author: Bella Moondragon

Cordia

last update Last Updated: 2021-02-19 11:33:34

Sunshine peeked through the tops of the elm trees that lined the thoroughfare that was Broadway Street, the warm rays invigorating the sparrows who bounced around from branch to branch without a care in the world. As she passed beneath them, however, Cordia Pike could not help but think of all the worries that may be coming in the not so distant future. She made her way along the brick sidewalk, her long gown swishing back and forth. Occasionally, she waved at a familiar face within one of the wagons or carriages that made its way down the busy street from the town square. Conveniently, Cordia’s family lived only a few blocks from the Lamar Square, the geographical center of the town and the economic and social heart for its residents. So, she could easily walk the short distance between their home and any business she could possibly need to visit. The year was 1860 and Lamar had been settled for less than twenty years. It was the county seat of Barton County, Missouri, and it was thriving. Two railroad tracks kept the people employed and the visitors coming in streams. But Cordia could not help but wonder how much longer this peaceful life they had laid out for themselves would last.

She made her way across the busy intersection on the southwest corner of the square. Her father was the President of Barton County Bank and Trust, which was located on the northwest corner of the square. She nodded her bonnet at strangers and greeted the many faces that she knew as she made her way across the final street and into the two-story building. Her father, Isaac Pike, had moved to the area that was now Lamar as a young boy. His family had done well, and he was able to found the Barton County Bank and Trust, with a little bit of help from a few state senators and congressmen he had befriended over the years. He and his wife, Jane, lived in one of the most beautiful houses in town, and he was well respected, both for his work at the bank and his dedication to the city. Cordia swung open the thick mahogany doors, Overly ornate for such a country settlement, she had always thought, shaking the dust off of her light-blue gown.

“Well, hello there, Miss Cordia,” a familiar voice called from across the black and white checked marble floor.

“Good day, Mrs. Adams,” Cordia replied, smiling at the older woman who was crossing the hall toward the exit. “It’s so lovely to see you,” she added, shifting the basket she was carrying with her so as to offer her hand.

Margaret Adams beamed as she took Cordia’s white-gloved hand delicately into her own. “Cordia—it is always a pleasure to see your beautiful face. I was just getting some business out of the way for Arthur. He is very busy planting these days, you know. Has every single one of those boys of ours out there in the fields as well. You know what he is always saying, ‘Nothing quite like a long day’s work to make a man proud.’ Are you bringing that pa of yours some dinner?”

Cordia nodded and stepped out of the way so that others could make their way in and out of the doors. “Yes, I try to bring him something at least a few times a week. It is hard for him to find time to eat these days himself. The town is booming right now.”

Margaret’s face lit up. “I know! Isn’t it wonderful? Who would have imagined a railroad would have had this kind of impact on a little old town like ours?” She reached up and adjusted the bow of her bonnet. Margaret was a workingwoman whose hands and face showed what sun and weather could do. Her dress reflected this as well, Cordia noted, thinking of the difference between her own stylishly cut bonnet, and Margaret’s simple, homemade bonnet, designed to keep the sun out of her eyes, not the eyes of the men on her. Although, the Adams family had done quite well for themselves as local farmers. In fact, they were some of the wealthiest folks in town, though you could certainly not tell by their demeanor, or in the way they presented themselves to the rest of the citizens of the town. “Well, you give our best to your dear father,” Margaret smiled, embracing Cordia quickly before stepping toward the door.

“Yes,” Cordia replied, a little surprised at Margaret’s show of affection. “Please send my best to your family as well.”

“All right, dear. We’ll see you on Sunday.” Margaret stepped through the door and out to her wagon that was tied to the post not too far away. Cordia watched her briefly before turning back around and proceeding to her father’s office. Sunday. Just three days from now. She would be attending church at the First Baptist Church as always. But afterward, she would be joining Margaret’s oldest son, Jaris, on yet another afternoon stroll. She had been on many such walks with Jaris lately. Was Margaret’s embrace some indication that this Sunday would be different than other Sundays?

“Miss Cordia? Is something the matter with you, dear?”

Cordia looked up to see Mr. Sulley, one of the bank tellers, looking at her curiously from behind the banking counter. She blinked, wondering if he had been speaking to her and she had not heard, lost in her thoughts. “Good day, Mr. Sulley,” she said, a polite smile turning up the corners of her mouth.

“Well, that’s more like it, dear.” The old man chuckled, adjusting his wire-rimmed glasses. “You must have been dreaming of your mama’s ham. I could smell the sweet aroma the second you walked in the door. Boy howdy, is your daddy in for a treat today.”

“Yes, sir,” Cordia said over her shoulder as she continued toward her father’s office. She stopped and turned slightly to add, “If I ever do get it to him.” She smiled back at him and ascended the staircase. Her father’s office was on the second floor, giving him a view of the town as it spread out from the square.

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  • Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss   Over

    Carey’s horse ran straight past him, seeing the other riders off in the distance, and Carey knew he was trapped. Will was certainly behind him now. He dropped the derringer to the ground, hoping compliance would be beneficial. His only option was to find a way to get close enough to Cordia to take that gun away and use her body as a shield. “Cordia,” he said as sweetly as he could muster, “you’re not going to shoot me,” he smiled at her, nonchalantly. “Go ahead and step out of the way, darlin’ so I can join my men.”“You and your men shot my daddy,” she replied, her voice filled with hate.Carey swallowed hard. It had never been his intention to physically harm her father. “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said quietly. “Your father and I have always been such good friends. I’m sure he would understand why you would let me go.”It was a stretch, and they both knew it

  • Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss   Fire

    Carey’s plan was working. The cavalry was not prepared for an assault on the munitions, and when they blew, it shook the entire square. Glass shards flew through the air, people went flying, horses darted off, some with riders still holding on. The explosion had caught the wooden steeple and roof of the courthouse on fire, and the structure was going up in flames. Within a few moments, the entire top of the building was burning.The Union troops realized that their focal point was rapidly disappearing. While this was certainly devastating to their purpose, it did suddenly create a sense of mobility to the commanders. No longer tied to a structure to protect, they began to pour out in formation, engaging the enemy where they were, rather than waiting for Quantrill and his men to come to them.Quantrill recognized this problem almost instantly. He had hoped to acquire some of the weapons and munitions that had been stored there, but at least they would no longer be

  • Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss   Defense

    The group of men Carey was leading were pyromaniacs, apparently. His understanding was that Quantrill wanted them to converge on the square, take the outpost, and then light the town on fire as they made their escape. These men spent a great deal of time throwing torches through broken windows, and it seemed that they would never make it to the heart of the battle unfolding on the square a few blocks away.At last, Carey gave the order to ride on, and then did so, not caring who followed. He could see that a large contingency of the men had accompanied him, while only a few stayed behind to torch the houses along Tenth Street. He covered the few blocks to the square quickly, hoping to get in on the fight. It had been almost two years since he had tasted battle, and he was eager to feel the rush of assault again. However, once he got to the square, he realized Quantrill and Lewis had not organized their attack as well as he had hoped. The 8thCavalry appeared to be ready

  • Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss   Trouble

    Carey was furious. “This is my aunt and uncle’s farm!” he was yelling, bringing his horse between the torch men and the shed they had just lit on fire. “You have direct orders from Quantrill not to touch any of our property or our relations’!”“Sorry! We didn’t know!” an older cross-eyed soldier spat back before riding off. Though it was too late for this particular shed, Carey was hopeful that he could save the rest of the farm from a similar fate. He was leading a small band of marauders into town. Quantrill had split his men into smaller groups so that they could enter the city limits a bit more stealthily. They would meet back up at the courthouse directly. Carey had given very specific directions to everyone as to which houses were to be spared, this being one of them, but apparently these outlaws had not listened as closely as he would have liked, and he began to fear for the safety of his father who was likely sleep

  • Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss   Goodbye

    A few hours into Will’s vigil, he realized that Julia’s breathing had changed. The door to her bedroom was ajar, and he could hear his aunt bustling around, keeping herself busy. “Aunt Margaret,” he said as loudly as he could muster. “I think you should probably come in here.”Margaret had been present at quite a few deaths over the years. Thankfully, most of them had been the passing of elderly members of her family, such as her grandparents, though she had watched her mother breath her last at the age of fifty-two. She had always regretted not being there for her brother and his wife, Will’s parents, but they had lived such reclusive lives. She didn’t even know they were sick until after they had passed. Entering the room, she could tell immediately that Julia’s time had come. Her breathing was very shallow and uneven. Several seconds passed between breaths. Catching Will’s eye, Margaret nodded solemnly.He

  • Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss   Family

    Cordia’s parents were elated to see her, though hearing of the circumstances that brought her diminished their joy significantly. They invited Zachariah in, but he declined, thinking his mother may need him back at the house. He knew that, once Julia had passed, his mother would be extremely emotional, and he wanted to be there to comfort her.Once Frieda had greeted her, she disappeared into the kitchen, pouring drinks and preparing something for Cordia to eat. Though she protested that she was not hungry, Frieda insisted that she would need her strength. Cordia joined her parents in the parlor, feeling awkwardly like a guest in what was, until very recently, her own home for so long. She sat on the duvet across from her parents, who sat in their usual chairs. The fire was blazing in the fireplace, and Cordia suddenly became very aware of how cold she had been, despite her heavy winter coat.“Well, Cordia, dear,” her mother began. “How have you

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