Prisoner in Time (Time travel) (35 page)

“That’s a fine brew you have there gents,” he said, now coming to his feet. “My wife can brew coffee this good too.”

“I didn’t know you were married,” David responded, now curious.

“Shore am. Married to the pertiest gal this side of the Mississippi,” he replied proudly.

Instantly, he lifted his side flap and pulled out a small yellowed photograph. Kneeling again, he handed it to David, sitting by the fire.

“Wow, what a beautiful family you have Sarge,” David said, mesmerized by the photo. “And such a large family… three boys, two girls.”

“Actually, there’s another young ‘un that ain’t pictured in that there photo. The missus and I had her just two years ago… after I went home a spell. I ain’t never seen her though, but the missus says she’s a spittin’ image of me,” he replied, now beaming.

“Wow, six children. They must miss you terribly,” Geoff said, now thinking of how he missed his own parents.

“It’s
me
who misses
them
terribly,” he responded, his tone instantly becoming soft.

“How do you do it? How do you stay focused in battle, knowing at any minute, your children could be fatherless or your wife widowed?” David asked, bluntly.

As David handed the photo over to Geoff, Sgt. Cooper stared thoughtfully into the fire. He then cleared his throat and spoke.

“I ain’t made of steel, boys. I won’t lie to y’all. Sometimes just before the lead flies, I almost dirty my britches. It’s a scary time cuz all you do is think of your family and what would come of them if you was kilt. I venture to say it’s enough to chase someone right off. But desertion ain’t for me, mind you. I’d rather be kilt in battle than see my wife and young ‘uns carry my shame for the rest of their lives. I love them too much to do something so ugly to them. Yes Sir, I do believe that is what keeps me focused.” he said.

Taking a sip of his coffee, he continued:

“Now once the action commences, other forces take over your thoughts. Scared is replaced by obligation. When the ball begins to fly, protecting my men and fulfilling my orders is what keeps me focused. I’ve got folks counting on me. Their lives depend on it and I won’t let ‘em down or I’ll die trying. Does that make any sense to you two fellers or am I just talking gibberish?”

David looked into his eyes and for a moment, he saw another man. He saw a loving gentle husband and father who under better circumstances, would be tending to their needs with unwavering dedication. He saw a man whose commitment to his men and superiors embodied the greatest example of duty and honor. Staring into the sergeants eyes, he felt humbled.

“Sgt. Cooper, not a single word you spoke was gibberish. Your words were as profound as they were moving. You really are a good man,” David said, proudly.

He reached out his hand. Sgt. Cooper grasped it, smiled and pumped it vigorously in gratitude.

“I shorely appreciate that,” he replied, modestly. “With all the killin’ around us, a man can grow confused about what he’s become.”

“Well, I just want to say, I’m proud to serve under you,” Geoff added.

“Thank you, son,” Sgt. Cooper responded, now shaking Geoff’s hand in gratitude.

For a moment, there was only silence between the three. As the quiet grew unpleasant, Sgt. Cooper ended their exchange.

“Well boys, we all have a battle to fight. We’ll all be assemblin’ out yonder by the large boulders in about five minutes,” he said, now standing. “Once there, we’ll all be marching to the northern edge of Rocky Face Ridge,” he finished, pointing toward their destination.

“We’ll be ready,” Geoff replied.

Sgt. Cooper nodded approvingly, then turned to walk away. He hesitated in mid-stride, and turned back to Geoff and David once more.

“Just wanted t’ let y’all know, I won’t be forgettin’ yall savin’ my life back in Dalton. You not only saved me, but you saved my family additional.”

Before Geoff or David could speak, Sgt. Cooper tipped his hat to the two and hurried away.

David turned to Geoff and said, “Yup, you were right.”

“About what?” he asked.

“Special treatment from the Sarge for saving his life.”

“I knew it,” Geoff boasted with a proud smile. “I wonder how long it’ll last for though.”

“As long as we keep saving his life,” David joked.

-----*-----*-----*-----

The northern edge of Rocky Face Ridge:

The three looked out toward the north over the rocky rolling field. Only a couple hundred feet wide, its length seemed to stretch out from east to west as far as the eyes could see. Dotted throughout the open space, large oak trees stood strong in the early morning light. To their left, the formidable cliff of Rocky Face Ridge stood nearly six hundred feet above them.

David looked up and wondered about the rugged hilltop.

“Just curious… anyone try to reach the top of that cliff?” he said to Sgt. Cooper.

“Only a couple of birds, I ‘spect,” the sergeant shot back in playful humor. “The general send out a batch of scouts the other day, looking for a way to the top, but they ain’t found nothin’ yet.”

David nodded in understanding. Looking off to his right, he scanned the long skirmish line that stretched out for nearly a quarter of a mile. At the furthest point, the soldiers were undetectable.

“You think Gen. Sherman will try to out flank our right side? Seems like it might be a pretty easy thing to do. He can use the forest for cover and simply rush around our right flank and hit us from behind,” David wondered.

“We have scouts all through those woods. If they all even ventured in there to take a crap, we all would know about it in short order,” the sergeant rebutted. “I think a bigger worry is the west side of this here ridge line. If Gen. Sherman is so inclined, he could send a unit down through the valley on the other side of us all. They all could march to the end of the ridge and backtrack up this side of the valley completely unmolested. They all could march right up our tails.”

“How far south does this ridgeline go?” Geoff cut in, worry now spreading across his face

“I hear it’s ten… maybe fifteen miles long and ends at a city called Rome, but there
is
a gap about two miles down the line a piece. Them Yanks could try to cross it if they was brave enough, which they ain’t. Our scouts think the pass is too narrow and too dangerous to send a brigade of men over the top, so we all ain’t too concerned. If we all make a good showin’ here, we won’t have to worry about it neither, cuz them cowards will just turn tail and run.”

Geoff looked over to David. Both read the same expression on each other’s faces: disbelief.

“Sarge, don’t you think they might give it a try? With all due respect, I don’t think they’re as cowardly as you might suggest,” David asked.

“Agreed. I’ve seen some of them Yanks do some
things
,” he responded, widening his eyes for effect. “But they just ain’t as tough and brave as us Rebs. When they whoop us, it’s only cuz they have a mess of troops that outnumber us all. But when we all number the same size, them blue scum don’t stand a chance.”

“Are we both the same size for this battle?” Geoff asked.

“Unfortunately, no. Our scouts think they might have a force half again as big as us,” he responded in disappointed tone.

“Hmm, so they could conceivably out-shoot us here today, just due to their sheer size,” David responded.

“They could if we all was out in the open, but we ain’t. We all are tucked up against this here long cliff and we all are elevated and shootin’ down on them blue dogs. We all have the advantage of natural protection where they all don’t. As long as we all don’t do something stupid, it’ll be like trying to pull a badger from his burrow.”

“You’re right, unless of course, they all do something smart,” David countered.

“Damn Yankees, ain’t got the brains of a chicken. I ain’t worried just yet,” he replied confidently.

Suddenly, the roar of a cannon sounded out across the field. Then another…

“Take cover!” Sgt. Cooper shouted loudly down the line.

Instantly, shells exploded several yards to their front, the shrapnel ricocheting off rocks and embedding in trees around them.

“Prepare to fire!” Sgt. Cooper commanded.

As more shells thundered in, the long line of men readied themselves for battle.

-----*-----*-----*-----

On the northern end of the field, Union Gen. Tecumseh Sherman ordered his men to advance in a full frontal assault. Watching through his field glasses, he observed their movements with intensity.

“Col. Abrams, double-time march across the field. Hold your fire until you’re within range,” he commanded.

“Yes Sir,” Col. Abrams shouted back.

As Gen. Sherman sat on his horse and watched within the protection of the tree line, Col. Abrams shouted commands for his men to march across the field. Instantly the long column advanced forward.

Gen. Sherman brought his binoculars to his eyes and stared out at the enemy. Scanning from east to west, he searched for weakness in the distant skirmish line.

“Blast!” he growled under his breath. “Tighter than a sheep’s ass,” he said out loud.

“Sir?” Lt. Jefferson asked.

“The rebel line is tight… no weakness as far as I can tell,” he shot back.

“Yes Sir,” Lt. Jefferson answered.

“No matter… Once Gen. Powel’s men out flank them through the woods, we’ll cut them to pieces in a crossfire.”

“Gen. Johnston’s wily. What if he anticipates our flanking maneuver?” the young lieutenant asked.

“Plan B,” Gen. Sherman smiled.

“What’s plan B, Sir,” the lieutenant asked again.

“If our eastern flanking maneuver fails, I’m hoping to try a western flanking maneuver. Right now, I’m waiting word from our scouts on the west side of Rocky Face Ridge. If they can find a gap through that range, I’ll send Gen. McPherson down that western valley. Once he crosses over and heads back north, we’ll have Johnston’s men dead in our sights and it’ll all be over. With our forces on all sides, he won’t have a choice but to surrender.”

The lieutenant nodded approvingly, then turned his attention to the Union line. Near the base of the cliff, at a slightly elevated position, he saw a puff of smoke. A second later, he heard the report from the enemy rifle.

-----*-----*-----*-----

Moments before…

“Ok boys, here they all come. Prepare to fire on my says so,” Sgt. Cooper shouted down the line. “Don’t fire till y’all hear my command.”

He turned to Geoff and David and said, “Ok boys, y’all and the rest of the sharp shooters can fire when them blue dogs is in range. Shoot fast and steady.”

“Yes Sir, sergeant,” David said, never taking his eyes off the approaching Union line.

Placing his hand on David’s shoulder, he added, “I’m countin’ on you Warner. Load as fast as you done did at Dalton.” Focusing on Geoff, he continued, “Robbins, you’re the damnedest shooter I ever saw. Get them blue bellies.”

“Yes Sir,” both men responded in unison.

Geoff sighted his weapon. He observed the winds blowing easterly across the grasses out in front of him. He then estimated the distance to the Union soldiers. Looking down the barrel through his sights, he raised the bead of the sight above and to the left of his target. He took a large breath and exhaled out his nervous tension. Once more, he inhaled deeply, then exhaled. At the bottom of his breath, he squeezed the trigger.