A Soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss

Author:Marissa Moss
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Amulet Books
Published: 2012-08-28T04:00:00+00:00

F COURSE JEROME isn’t at Harrison’s Landing. But there is a letter for Damon from Polly and one for me from her cousin, Virginia. She’s actually written to me after all, and I feel strangely flattered.

Dear Frank,

I’ve heard what a brave, handsome soldier you are, and I hope you won’t think it presumptuous of me to write to you. I want to do what I can for our great nation, and helping support our troops is one way I can help. I’ve enclosed some socks I’ve knitted and a picture of myself. Please send me one of you so I can imagine you as I read your letters. If you want to write back to me, as I pray you do.

Sincerely,

Virginia Keyes

“She wrote to you!” Damon beams. “And she sent you a daguerreotype! Let me see if she’s grown as pretty as Polly says.”

I hand over the small sepia-toned image of a young girl, her hair piled on her head in an attempt to make her look older.

“She’s fine enough,” I say. “But a bit young. Looks about twelve years old!”

“No, no, she’s at least sixteen, plenty old enough to get married.” Damon studies the portrait. “I met her once, when she was still in braids. She’s all grown now, though I admit she looks a mite strict for someone so young. But what can you tell from a picture? She’s softer-looking in person, I’m sure.”

“I don’t know about that, but I’ll write to her. Who knows what will come of it?” Actually, I know that precisely nothing will come of it, but I’ll seem more like a man if I have a girl writing to me. And it’s always good to get mail, even if the people writing to you aren’t really writing to you at all. Frank Thompson is getting letters now, but Sarah Emma Edmonds still hasn’t a soul for a friend.

I pen a quick answer to Virginia and fold the requested portrait into the letter. The roving photographer told me I’m a handsome fellow (meaning I’m an ugly woman). Maybe Virginia will be so smitten by my good looks, she’ll write me lilac-scented letters like the ones Miss Anna sends to Jerome. I’d like that. I’d like to think that someone, somewhere finds me attractive.

The letter to Virginia is short, but the dispatch I write for Mr. Hurlburt is long. I start by describing the move to Harrison’s Landing, something McClellan calls “changing base.” He assures us it’s not a retreat, even though we’re moving in the exact opposite direction necessary to confront the Confederates and seize their capital. To make things worse, the Rebels continue to nip at our heels, shooting at the rear guard, even lobbing shells over our heads and into our midst. By the time we arrive at Harrison’s Landing, we’re sick, exhausted, and demoralized, no matter how many tattered daydreams we cling to.

General Samuel Heintzelman and staff, Harrison’s Landing, Va.

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