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2024-10-29 19:42:56As Cordia pulled into the drive that led to the barn, she noticed a familiar horse tied outside of the stables. She found it rather odd that Carey Adams would be at their house this early on a Wednesday afternoon. It wasn’t quite super time yet, and though he had been a frequent guest of late, he usually didn’t arrive until much later in the day. She also noticed that her father’s cart was in the barn, which meant that he was also home. At first, her heart caught in her throat, afraid they had some terrible news to tell her. But then she realized that no one had any idea that she was in love with Will. If something happened to him, she would have to find out from Julia or his aunt. Her parents would never think to break such news on her lightly.
Neither would Carey Adams. He would probably be sufficiently delighted to find out that something awful had happened to Will, simply because Carey seemed to be pleased anytime another human being suffered. The though
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Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Whirlwind
The next few hours were a whirlwind of gifts and baked goods, congratulator hugs, followed by a meal, piano playing, and dancing. Cordia was obligated to dance with her new fiancé though it was awkward to say the least, not just because of his missing arm but more so because she could not stand to be held so closely to him. Everyone clapped and cheered, some insisting that the new couple kiss, to which Cordia was able to draw the line, based on her own modesty.At the end of the evening, the visitors slowly started to file out. Cordia had found her way out to the porch swing, where she was sitting with Susannah, who was going on and on about how unfair it was that Cordia’s husband would never have to go off to fight again. Cordia was lost in her own thoughts and barely noticed exactly who was stopping by to tell her they were leaving until Susannah finally stood and hugged her goodbye, her little ones pulling on her skirts as they made their way down the porch st
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Obedience
The next morning at breakfast, Cordia’s mother wanted to know if everything was okay between herself and Carey. Though it seemed like a prime opportunity to completely enlighten her mother, Cordia did not do so. She simply replied that nothing had changed between herself and Lt. Adams; their relationship was just as it had always been. Jane took this as good news and finished the meal with a smile on her face.As soon as the post office had opened that morning, Cordia had been there, letter in hand, ready to inform Will of everything that had transpired. “Good morning, Mr. Wheeler. How are you this morning?”The older man smiled at her, his spectacles sliding down his nose. “Just fine now, my dear. Long as this sun don’t burn me alive!”It was intolerably hot outside again already, and Cordia completely understood the sentiment. “Yes, I am certainly looking forward to some nice fall weather! Mr. Wheeler, I need to get th
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Devestation
After Vicksburg had fallen in early July, Will’s company was back to its usual routine: travel around a bit, encamp, engage the enemy, repeat. Though there were no major battles, there were plenty of skirmishes and plenty of opportunity to get shot. His enlistment would be up on September 1, and should he choose to do so, he could go home. Back to Missouri—back to his sister and to Cordia. Though he longed for the familiarity of home and the peace it would bring, he could not help but feel that he had not yet found atonement for his brother’s death. As long as even one Rebel stood against the Union, he found it hard to leave the war effort.And, yet, he knew Julia was not doing well. His sister did not write as much as she used to, and when she did, the correspondence was not as long. Clearly, she was struggling. Cordia did not mention her as often, which led him to believe she was not able to visit as frequently, probably due to Julia’s illness. His A
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Guidance
October 1863The fireplace blazed away as Cordia sat in the straight-backed chair in her bedroom, her mother brushing out her long plaits of hair, just as she had done when she was a small child. The dressing mannequin across the room was an ominous presence, dressed as it was in the now nearly finished wedding dress. It had been almost two months since she had sent word to Will asking him for his consent to let her disclose their relationship so that she could terminate her engagement to Carey, and yet she had heard nothing. Every day, she stopped by the post office, hopeful that Mr. Wheeler would have some news for her, but each time, he shrugged, reluctantly. Cordia was curious to know whether or not Julia had heard from her brother, but she had been so ill recently, Cordia had scarcely been allowed to visit. The one time she had stopped by a few weeks ago, she hesitated to mention him because Julia was already struggling to breathe, and she didn’t want to u
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Slip
A few moments after Cordia knocked on the front door, Margaret opened it, a broad smile on her face. “Cordia!” she exclaimed. “It’s so nice to see you!” She embraced Cordia warmly, gesturing for her to come. “How are you, dear? I bet you’ve been so busy planning the wedding. It seems like it’s been ages since we’ve had a visit from you.Cordia stepped in, offering the bread to Margaret before taking off her coat and hanging it near the door. “I know, I have been busy. I’ve also been hoping to give Julia some time to recuperate. How is she doing?”Margaret took the pumpkin bread. “Oh, thank you! You didn’t have to do that. You’re so thoughtful.” She paused for a moment, considering Cordia’s question. “She has her good days and her bad days. She has not fully recovered from her last spell, but the doctor does say he thinks she is on the mend. He says any alleviatio
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Shock
As Cordia entered the kitchen on Margaret’s heels, she peered around anxiously, hoping to find a way to engage Margaret in a conversation so that he could ask the question she’d been longing to have answered. As if reading her mind, Margaret began to slice the pumpkin bread and poured two cups of coffee. “Have a seat, darling. I don’t get too many opportunities these days to visit with you. I’d love to hear how the wedding planning is a’comin’ along.”Cordia went around the side of the table and sat down in the chair she had always sat in when she was visiting. It seemed like so long ago, in those carefree days when she would come in from running around in the backyard, hair a mess, covered with dirt, and sit down for a glass of milk. Those days were long gone now, as was the friend she had played with so hard.Margaret set coffee and a slice of bread in front of Cordia and sat down across from her. As Cordia studied her
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Quarrel
Cordia’s eyes widened as she glanced down at the ring on her finger. “What?” she asked Will, realizing at last what the misconception must be. “You know I don’t have feelings for Carey. I wrote you. I told you, I never even said yes.”Will had spent ample time imagining how this conversation might go on his long and arduous trip home. His emotions had gotten the best of him several times, and he had run the gamut from extreme anger at her deception to despair. Now, face to face with the woman he had spent so much time thinking of and longing for throughout the course of his service, he couldn’t help but think of what might have been, if only she had been honest with him. There was one thought that kept returning to him time and again, and now, faced with the opportunity to voice it to her, he hesitated. Yet, he couldn’t help but say, “I guess I should have known better than to ever get involved with someone as fickle as yo
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Confrontation
Fortunately, Cordia did not have to search further for find her alleged fiancé. “Cordia!” Carey exclaimed smiling that wicked smile of his as he pulled open the door. “Whatever brings you here this time of day?”She didn’t bother to come inside. Even as he spoke, she was pulling the ring off of her finger. “How dare you?” she exclaimed, throwing the small circle of gold at him and hitting him squarely in the chest. “You are the most despicable person I have ever met, and please listen carefully when I tell you I never want to lay eyes on you again. Ever!”He looked puzzled, watching the ring bounce off and roll across the porch. “Now, Cordia, whatever has gotten into your little mind now?” he asked, belittling her.Cordia could not keep the tears from trailing down her cheeks. The anger and devastation were welling up in her now, and she didn’t know if she could even find the words to
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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
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Jules
The ride from the Tucker house to the Adams Farm was nearly silent and forced. The horses were spurred on in a full gallop for as long as they could bear it. Arthur did not have to say anything more for Will to know that, if Arthur was riding out to retrieve him, Julia must have grown much worse.When they arrived, Zachariah came out and took their horses. Arthur helped Cordia dismount but by the time she was off of her horse, Will was already inside the farmhouse, flying toward the back room. Cordia caught up with him at the door of Julia’s room, where he paused to compose himself before entering. She put her hand gently on his back, giving him the assurance he needed to enter the room and survey his sister’s waning condition.As they entered the room, they could see Dr. Walters sitting on a chair next to her bed, Margaret at the foot of the bed but within reach of her niece. Julia’s breathing was labored, but she was breathing. Her cheeks were flush
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Evil Plans
Carey was encamped with Quantrill and his band of raiders, which numbered nearly two hundred, in a wooded area north of Lamar, for several days before they finally rode out to meet up with a few stragglers who had been out visiting family. Quantrill had been corresponding with Col. Warren Lewis of the Missouri State Guard, and they both had their eye on the outpost located in Lamar at the courthouse. On November 4, Quantrill gathered up his forces and began the ride north. Carey and the few men who had come along with him were instrumental in giving information about roads and the location of troops, etc. Carey also suggested that they try to take out the prominent businessmen in town and their families, hoping to use the famous rebel as a means to get revenge on those he believed had done him wrong. Quantrill agreed. Any permanent scars they could leave on the face of the town would be well worth it. Carey sketched a rough map of the town, placing an “X” on the homes of
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Hurry
The trip into Nevada took about thirty minutes each way. Besides sending the telegraphs, they had also gotten some much-needed supplies. Will was anxious to hear how Julia was doing, and he didn’t want to stay cut-off from his family for too long, but he also wanted to make sure that Cordia’s father had the opportunity to receive the telegraph and calm down the authorities some before they headed back to Lamar. That was assuming that anyone was even looking for them. They weren’t even sure that Carey had reported anything to the sheriff at all. They decided to wait about a week before venturing back to the Adams Farm to ascertain the situation.They had done their best to avoid as many people as possible, particularly other riders. The fewer people who knew the old Tucker homestead was occupied again, the better, especially since the town was alive with whispers and rumors of guerrillas and marauders. Despite the fact that the house she was staying in had be
