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2024-10-29 19:42:56Cordia’s look of surprise at seeing him in the doorway was only out done by the expression on Will’s face. He had volunteered to repair the break in the fence while his cousins and aunt and uncle gathered up the stray cattle. They were just about finished and he had come back to check on his sister. He hadn’t even noticed the wagon tied out front and was greatly astonished to see that his sister was not alone. Cordia, likewise, was shocked to see him walk in for some reason, though it made perfect sense, since he was staying there. She simply stared at him, dumbfounded, until Julia jumped up and ran over to hug him. “Will!” she exclaimed, as she attempted to throw her arms around him.
He stepped back, keeping her at arm’s length. “Hold on, Jules. I’m soaked and you don’t need to be getting all wet.” She nodded, knowing that any amount of wetness could easily cause her consumption to flare up.
She stepped back
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Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Soaked
“My goodness, it’s wet!” Arthur exclaimed as he flung open the door. Behind him trooped in all four of his sons and his wife, all soaked to the bone. Puddles quickly began to form on the floor, and Cordia wondered if they might form a river, what with so many drippy people all entering at once. The three younger boys all ran to the fireplace, stripping off coats and hats as they went. They didn’t see Frieda there at first and almost knocked her over, much to her chagrin. Julia scooted over to help her aunt get out of her wet things, and Will simply slid over to make room around the fire. Meanwhile, Jaris had yet to notice Cordia standing across the room. He was also trying to get out of his wet coat, hat, and gloves. It was Margaret’s cry of surprise that first made him look up and realize that she was there. Cordia was beginning to wonder if their wagon hadn’t floated away. Normally, people noticed when someone else pulled up and hitched in at th
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Unexpected
Weekday evenings were generally quiet in the town of Lamar. Cordia usually spent the time after supper reading in her room or playing the piano for her father in the den. Occasionally, a few of the elder men in town would meet with her father in the parlor, the door closed, voices low and secretive, and the only indication of what was going on in there was the continual smell of pipe smoke that seeped out from around the door. Of course, Cordia knew they were discussing the imminent war and the defense of the town, which was a welcome idea, at last. By late April, there seemed no way around it. There was a fight coming, and they could no longer pretend it away. Several men were leaving the county every day to meet up with regiments from one side or the other.The State Guard continued to drill on the square, and sometimes, when she was bringing lunch to her daddy, Cordia would see Jaris drilling right along with them. He was very good, too, she had noticed, never seemed to mi
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Plea
Now Cordia understood. That’s why Jaris had come. He was finally going to join up with the army. Though she had known he was going, and though she only loved him as a friend, it was still a little difficult for her to bear. She let go of his arm, walking a little ahead of him at first. But he caught up to her and took her arm again. “Cordia, don’t be cross,” he said pulling her back toward him. “You knew I was going.”“Yes, yes, I did,” she admitted, turning to face him. “But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.” She looked at him, straining to see his face in the dim moonlight. “I’m not mad, Jaris. I’m sad. I’m sad for all of us, sad that this war ever had to happen.”“I know, I know,” he said, putting his arms around her. “Me, too. But I have to go. We’re leaving this Saturday. All of us, riding out together. Only leaving about forty militia behind
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Send Off
On Friday afternoon, the whole town seemed to shut down early. When Isaac Pike had heard that there was to be a big send-off for all of the boys going out to fight, he insisted on hosting it at his house. And no one protested, as the Pikes were known for throwing some of the best social events in the county. After the double wedding at the First Baptist Church, they all walked or drove their horses and carriages the few blocks to the stately, two-story brick house on Broadway. Frieda had stayed behind to ensure everyone would have plenty of libations when they arrived. It was almost like a parade, Cordia noticed, as she walked along beside her parents making their way back home. Some of the fighting men were in their uniforms, many carrying their guns, sometimes firing them up into the air. And though not all the uniforms were the same, some for one side, some for the other, no one seemed to be disagreeable or ready to fight the folks from their own town. This was the last celebrati
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Beckoned
Cordia did not like to hear men sit around and talk about such things as war. She was seated next to Julia, who had been nothing like the solemn child she was when Cordia first met her. She had even danced with a few of the men earlier. Will was also still there, standing across the campfire from them. Her eyes wandered to him more often than they should have, but a few times, she thought she saw him looking back at her. Or maybe he was just checking on his sister. She couldn’t be sure. How was it that she could be just as upset about him leaving, someone she hardly knew, as she was about the man she was to marry, someone she had known her whole life? She was hoping that, before he left, she would get just one more chance to talk to him. Perhaps, she could write to him, maybe under the guise of keeping him informed of how Julia was doing.Jaris was sitting a few benches away from her telling a story, and everyone was listening intently. She glanced back up to where Will
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Kiss
So many thoughts went thundering through Cordia’s mind as time seemed to stand still once more. What was she thinking, kissing Will when Jaris was seated not a hundred feet away How could she do such a thing? What if Jaris found out? How would she explain herself to Will, who would obviously be outraged that she should violate him in such a way?But then, she realized, he was not outraged. He was kissing her back. And then, she felt his arms around her, a smile spreading over her face like none she had ever felt before, and she was kissing him even more passionately.There was noise behind them, people standing up, getting ready to go, and it brought them back to reality, brought them back to war. He released her then, and she had only a moment to look into those mysterious eyes before she gave his hand a gentle squeeze and turned to walk back toward the others, still feeling the warmth of his lips on hers.A glance over her shoulder told her Will had gone
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Letters
May 16, 1861Dear Jaris,I hope this letter finds you well. I decided to wait a few days before writing to you because I wasn’t sure how long it would take for you to meet up with your unit and get settled. And, until today, I really couldn’t bear to think that you were gone. The town has changed in the last few days. It seems all the young men are gone, all the old men are politicking, and all of the women are trying to keep their minds preoccupied with something other than the fact that their sons or their sweethearts are off fighting. Rumor has it that your side is planning an attack soon, that Gov. Jackson has decided to take the state back from Union hands. I pray that you will be safe, no matter what lies in the future. I hope that you will find some solace in thoughts of me and of your home, which awaits your safe return.Your fiancée,CordiaCordia sighed, rereading the letter
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Drawing
Julia took the picture she’d drawn of Will and set it aside, but Cordia’s eyes followed it. Then, she caught herself, and realized that Julia had moved on to the next image. “This is a picture I am working on,” she said, opening a sketchpad. It looked new, and she wondered if Mr. or Mrs. Adams hadn’t gotten it for their niece. “It’s a sketch of me. I’m going to send it to Will so that he can remember me by it.” The picture was only half done but already Cordia could see that it was going to look just like Julia when it was finished.“That’s a very good idea,” Cordia agreed. “I am sure he will treasure it.”“I have an idea,” Julia said, her face lighting up. “Maybe I could draw you and send it to Jaris! I am sure he would love it!”Cordia knew that he would—what she wouldn’t give to confiscate that picture of Will and take it home. But she wasn&
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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
