Soldier, Spy, Heroine by Debra Ann Pawlak

Author:Debra Ann Pawlak
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Yucca
Published: 2017-01-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Aiding General Kearny

By May 31, 1862, the weather began to clear. That morning, Little Mac stayed in bed with the ague while the Army of the Potomac remained divided by the overflowing Chickahominy River. The Confederates planned to take full advantage of what they perceived as their enemies’ reduced force. The nearby Battle of Hanover Courthouse had just been fought four days before, resulting in a Federal victory. Now, General McClellan wanted Father Abraham to send reinforcements so that he would be fully equipped to take the Confederate capital at Richmond, about fifteen miles away. President Lincoln, however, was growing rather impatient with McClellan’s slow pace.

In the midst of the overwhelming state of things, the Confederates led by General Joseph E. Johnston, attacked McClellan’s troops in the early afternoon, rousing Little Mac from his bed. They believed that the geographical split of the Union troops would ensure an easy victory in what would later be known as the Battle of Fair Oaks or the Battle of Seven Pines. For three hours, the Rebels relentlessly assaulted their foe along a wide battlefield that alternated between wooded areas, open fields, and wet marshes.

Franklin, in military uniform and reunited with Reb, was now acting as orderly to General Kearny amid bursting shells and airborne bullets. Realizing the gravity of the situation, the general pulled an envelope from his pocket and scrawled, “In the name of God bring your command to our relief, if you have to swim in order to get here … or we are lost.”

He ordered Franklin to carry the note directly to General Grant as quickly as possible. Kearny watched Franklin gallop off, duly impressed once more by the young man’s bravery. Rushing along mud-soaked roads that were nearly impassable due to the recent heavy rains, Reb’s mouth was white with foam. Nevertheless, Franklin relentlessly spurred him into the fast-flowing river. Upon reaching the other side, he quickly located the Union forces, who were already approaching, to find General Grant in the lead. Franklin handed Grant the note. “From General Kearny, sir! It’s urgent!”

Directly after reading Kearny’s words, Grant shouted his orders. “Secure the Grapevine Bridge so that our troops can cross! Our boys on the other side need help now! There’s no time to waste!” Immediately, engineers began to secure the swaying bridge as many anxious soldiers started across the turbulent river on foot. The weakened bridge tottered as supports were placed beneath it, but miraculously it held.

Amid all of the activity, Franklin was eager to return to the battle. “Pardon me, General Grant, but I’d like to be excused so I may let General Kearny know that you are sending reinforcements.”

Without a word, General Grant nodded to the private, touched his hat, and then turned to study the precarious bridge. Deciding that entering the river was a safer bet, Franklin spurred Reb to ford the raging waters once again. As he reached the other side, he looked back to see the men somehow making it safely across the unsteady bridge.

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