Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander

Author:Tamera Alexander
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2017-08-23T04:00:00+00:00

His thoughts preoccupied, Jake helped with the cleanup outside, then assisted the men as they salted down the pork, packed the joints, and layered the meat on the cooling shelves in the smokehouse. Finally, he headed back to his cabin, his left shoulder aching much as it had in those first days after he’d been shot.

Over the next hour, he hauled water from the spring and heated it in a cast iron pot over the hearth, then filled a large oblong tin tub about halfway. He stripped and got into the tub and poured the warm water over his shoulders and back using another pot he’d found in the cupboard. The heat felt good to his tired muscles. Much as his apology earlier tonight had worked to soothe his guilty conscience. Aletta had forgiven him.

They’d reached a truce. Friends again. Even if what he still felt for her wasn’t like what he’d felt for any friend before in his life.

He poured several potfuls of warm water over his head, then grabbed the bar of soap and worked up a lather in his hair. While he enjoyed hog killing day, he appreciated the chance to wash away the remnants of it.

Later, the tub emptied and stored again, he sat by the fire in his long johns in the only chair in the room—an ancient rocker made of hickory that would likely outlive him. He picked up today’s newspaper that Mrs. McGavock had left for him in the kitchen, reached for his eyeglasses, and—as he did at every chance—scanned the paper for news of the war, advancements made or losses sustained.

He’d been at Carnton for a little over two weeks now, but it felt like much, much longer. He missed being with his regiment and missed doing what he’d been born to do. And wondered if he’d ever be able to do again.

Tempy had replenished his supply of ingredients for the poultices the doctor had prescribed, and he was using them as instructed but still couldn’t tell a difference. Yet, with flagging hope, at least fifty times a day, he peered through the rifle sight he kept in his pocket, just in case he happened to—

His gaze snagged on the name Chattanooga, and he pulled the newspaper closer.

The recent Federal victory at Chattanooga, a vital railroad hub, has essentially opened the road to Atlanta for the Federal armies. As earlier reported, following the Battle of Chickamauga in September, Confederate troops besieged those of the Federal in Chattanooga. General Grant took command and the siege has been broken, a thinly stretched army of Confederates being driven from the ridges above the town by an impromptu charge by the Army of the Cumberland.

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