Ch 1:The Awakening and the Betrayal
To fully grasp the severity of the situation we must go back to the start, back to the point where I was called to take up arms in the name of the land I love. My men and I were charged with a task to retrieve a cache of union weaponry that had fallen into the hands of the confederacy. My men and I set out of the capitol for chancellorville Virginia on the 10th of April 1863 my group reached chancellorville on April the 15th we had been told that not a sole would know of our presence but we were wrong when we found our camp sight there we saw a house and a gun toting buffoon about to put a bullet between my eyes. "What in the hell" This strange man had choked out "I was told there was only going to be one hundred of you not a full damn regiment!". "Who are you Identify yourself" I yelled. 5 of my men then drew their rifles and this strange man sprang to life
"Ok don't shoot" he said shaking. "Who are you" I continued to grow deeper in anger.
"Its alright The names Jake…Jake Claiborne and I am here to help you". "Lower your hands and state your purpose!" I said. "I'm with a group of anti-secessionists and we help out union troops like you we have a lay of the land you need me". "General May I speak to you for a second" I turned around it was my second in command Lt. Jameson
"What is it Jameson?" I asked. "Sir If I may say that we do not know a thing about this man and for a man in a confederate state of all places to offer us help I say we kill him right here". "Jameson look our scouts don't know to much about this place and this man seems honest enough we keep him on a short leash and if he does anything we kill him".
"Claiborne welcome to the ranks". After that was said we made camp and finished by nightfall not a word was spoken between the men and this new face among the ranks. All was quiet our first night outside of Chancellorville.
The date April 16,1863 so far all goes according to plan. And this Claiborne fellow seems to be true to his word. So far Claiborne had Given our cartographers possible leads as to where this weapon Cache might be. I have sent patrols to the Locations and told them to return in several days time with the details. I pray they find what we are looking for and we are not here for to long. The fear of having a head on collision with the confederates is all to real but we are adequately fortified and the Confederates want to come to our camp and make war I know they are out there and they are planning something If that is the case we will be ready.
April 17,1863 one of the patrols came back today empty handed and lacking in number. They arrived back at camp today looking as if they had just walked through the fires of hell it was truly a disturbing sight to see one of my best patrols leveled so. According to one of the accounts form the returned troops he had said "It was quiet we were carrying on with our patrols as instructed when we reached our destination shots rang out everywhere and before we knew it we were running back to camp I saw my people fall in combat to an unknown assailant I honestly wish we could have done something but we weren't able to lift our rifles they were on us so quickly we failed in our task forgive us General". Truly a disturbing thing I pray the other patrols find better results.
April 18,1863 sad news once again from the medic the surviving troops that returned from the ambush have died from their wounds I had felt the confederates would do something but not this quickly I wonder to myself what have we gotten ourselves into and Claiborne was acting as if it would have happened I really do wonder what are that mans motivations and why he chose to help us but I'm starting to think I should have taken Jameson's proposal to heart and killed Claiborne on the spot I really don't know what to think about this but something really does seem off and It troubles me to not know what it is. The leash we have been keeping on Claiborne will be tighter from here on out. I had personally gone to question Claiborne but upon arriving at his tent he was not present when I asked the perimeter guards they had told me "We didn't see him leave". I ordered the camp to go on lockdown no one comes in no one leaves. These were my exact words to the perimeter guard. "If Claiborne returns empty your weapons into him".
Meanwhile 3 miles outside of the union camp lays the confederate camp with General Jonas Riggs leading them Claiborne returns to relay his work to the confederate leader. "Let me in damn it" Claiborne Croaked. "Identify yourself" the gate guard yelled with rifle drawn. "I seem to be getting that a lot of that today I am Jake Claiborne I'm an informant for the general now let me in". "Very well I will have to get clearance from the general wait here" the guard commanded. "damn it Jonas hurry it up" and then after that was said the guard returned to his post. "Very well the general says you may enter". Guards then escorted Claiborne to Jonas Stone's tent "General Jake Clai…". "Yea I know let him in". "Brother" the general said rather happily "Good to see you to brother" Claiborne said rather sadly. "Well what do you have to report?" Riggs yelled "Well Nothing but good I waited for them at their Camp site as instructed we were slightly off in their number it is a full regiment of about 1000 men one of the patrols I have sent into ambush has returned and they died a day later from their wounds they have no idea as to who attacked them and they will be leveled easily if taken by surprise". "And I wonder Does their leader suspect you at all" Jonas pondered all the while stroking his beard. "Brother their leader is a fool he actually believes that there is anti confederate activity here he is the most foolish of them all" Claiborne laughed. "Be that as it may you have returned here I want you to do one more thing before this mission is complete". "Yes Sir what is it?" Claiborne said wondering. "In three days time I will come with you and together we will level their camp, Capture and publicly execute them sending a message to all who think they can oppose President Davis" Riggs yelled sternly. "Yes sir" Claiborne said
April 19th 1863 I figured I would write a letter to my wife Marie and let her know I am alright so as I have done so many times I reached into my desk and pulled out pen and paper and I began to write
Dear Marie,
I pray life in New York is treating you well. We left the capitol on the 10th and arrived on the 15th and we found a man named Jake Claiborne and he claimed to be a part of an anti secessionist group and he had given us some lay of the land I had sent out several patrols to the locations that Claiborne provided us so far one patrol has come back and died a day later from their wounds and to add to the hell that this mission is proving itself to be Claiborne has left the camp he has gone to the confederacy and I worry now more then ever about what would happen to my men And I. But such is the price of war and I must accept that but I fear that I am loosing faith in my ability to lead, in my platoon, and the country. But forgive me for being so terribly morbid I don't know what to do anymore I think of leaving the men and coming back to you. Don't fret pray for me, I will return to you from this mess and we can start our lives back up again. Do not fear my love Have faith in everything we have and Aspire to be I love you.
Signed
General Jonathan Walker
Chancellorville Virginia
April 19th 1863
And as I sealed that envelope thoughts of acting upon what I had told Marie in the letter started to run through my mind I had always wanted to die in glorious battle but not death by execution. It just seemed so tempting to follow through on my promise. But then I thought to myself "I'm Just having a hard couple of days I need sleep" I then Laid my head down to go to sleep to hopefully to wake up and force myself through another day
Out of all the horror I dreamt during my time as a solider I dreamt only one profoundly meaning full thing and oddly enough it happened during my hardest time as a solider I dreamt that I had been walking through a forest and I heard a voice "Jonathan" and oddly it sounded like my wife Marie. So I continued to follow the voice "Jonathan" then the voice had dissapeared."Show yourself" I yelled in desperation. Then out of the shadows emerged my wife Marie She looked so angelic she slowly approached me and said, "Jonathan leave this war and return to me your place is not on the battle field it is here with me"." You are wrong "I cried, "My place is on the battle field with my men"."Jhonothan" she said all the while maintaining her composure "If you value your life leave this place there are better things for you". Remembering my vows to this country "Never will I leave this place I took up an oath to defend this country and I intend to keep it". Upon saying that it appeared as if time itself stopped for all but myself and this phantom of my dream. The air grew dense and hot and the next words out of my beloved's mouth was not her normal voice but demonic and hellish growl." You dare disobey me your wife leave the field of battle it has nothing but death for you leave!""Oh my god" I awoke with beads of sweat dripping down my head. Awake an ready to start a new day.
The Next day seemed to push on at a snails pace I had gone about my regular routine according to the guard none of the other remaining patrols have returned yet. My suspicions about Claiborne are starting to become very real. At around noon it had occurred to me that I did not send someone off with the letter to my wife I had gone back into my tent and I called for my son Marcus he came stumbling into my tent "Fath… I mean General you called for me" he choked out of breath. "At ease son Yes I called for you I have a job I need you to Carryout" I said. "I need you to deliver a letter to your mother for me and as a reward I'm giving you a weeks leave spend some time with your mother" I said rather happily. "Thank you father Permission to speak freely" he said.
"Granted" I replied." Father the men and I worry about you seem to be rather depressed as of late and its really bringing us down what I really mean to say is are you alright". When my son said this I was so Taken Aback by what he said my son gave me that same inquisitive stare he would give me as a child it really tore me up to lie to him but I had to say it. "I'm fine son now go deliver that letter to your mother" My son and I briefly embraced little did I know that would be the last time I saw my son ever again.
Back at the confederate camp the planning stages of attack on the union camp continue. "Have all the preparations been made for their "gift" Jonas said snidely.
"Of course brother as far as they are concerned the patrols I sent out are alive and well
Were about to change all of that" Claiborne said closing a rather large box. "But this is a gift Jake we must adorn this with a proper card stating our cause. "Yes your right as always Brother allow me to give them a letter" Claiborne then pulled out a pen and a piece of paper and began to write
Dear Men of the 101st
I hope you find this a worthy gift and Accept it with open arms
Signed
Jake Claiborne
"There its finished have the men deliver it to the camp ". Jonas said giggling, "Also rally the men I have an announcement to make". Jonas said, "Brother forgive me but that will have to wait a little while" Claiborne said afraid. "Not problem brothers I must prepare my speech anyway do what you must" .The two men then split ways Claiborne went to his tent and unknown to his brother was really pleading to General Grant of the Union for aid Claiborne again pulled out pen and paper and began to write
Dear General Grant
My name is Jake Claiborne brother of Jonas Riggs general in charge of Guarding Chancellorville my brother instructed me to go into the Union camp under the guise of an anti Secessionist and gain their trust, my infiltration was success and they completely believed in what I had to say. When I relayed this information to my brother he had proposed a plan to strike fear in the hearts of all whom oppose President Davis. My brother plans to sack the camp capture and publicly execute the occupants of the camp I had originally intended to infiltrate the camp and just steal information. My brother has gone to far and I would like you help in stopping him.
Claiborne then left the note on the desk to go and rally the man as per the general's request. "Jake you in here?" Jonas asked Jonas then stepped into the tent and began to look for his absent brother and then he saw the unfinished note Jonas then picked up the expertly scrawled note and read it to himself and he thought to himself how could his brother do something this stupid he thought to himself "Fine Ill play along the troops must be rallied already I have a speech to deliver".
"Alright Settle down the General has something to say. Jonas you have the floor". General Riggs then approached the Stage, "Men in two days we will march on the confederate camp and level these union bastards we are to go into the camp and destroy it no structure stay standing capture them all." Jonas yelled "Why Capture them?" a voice in the crowed yelled. "The Answer is simple and the causes many but I don't want to keep you all here waiting on what I have to say we are to enter the camp capture whoever we can and kill the rest eat and sleep well gentlemen and then we ride for war for the President for the Confederacy For the South!. Then an Uproarious applause overwhelmed the crowd.
April 21st the most brutal day of the mission a box was left outside of the camp baring a confederate flag and a note I had the perimeter guard bring it in I called a meeting of my 2nd in command to examine this strange box and see what is inside. "General There's and envelope under the flag maybe we should take it out and see what it says" Jameson then stepped back and the I moved for the note. "Well what do we have here its from our old friend Claiborne" I said sarcastically. "Open it General read the damn thing" Jameson said in desperation. "Very well, lets see what's in it" I took my pen knife and began to carefully open the letter "it says to the men of the 101st I hope you find this a worthy gift and welcome it with open arms" I said puzzled. "We might as well open it tell you what ill open it" Jameson walked up to the box with a crowbar and slowly pried it open the lid to the container flew open and Jameson Flew back and recoiled in horror and fell on the floor with his head in his hands "What's the matter I shrieked". Jameson lifted his head from his hands tears were welled up in his eyes and he said to me "Do you want to know where the other patrols are?" he said all the while sobbing uncontrollably "look in the box". As I neared the box an overwhelming smell hit me a smell of death and then I look into the box and contained therein were the heads of every one of the men whom I sent out on patrol I looked at those dead faces and they seemed to stare back at me with an icy accusing stare saying to me "you did this to us this is your fault how could you"
I failed them it really was my fault I believed that bastard Claiborne he made me think his intentions were good but they weren't I failed the men they and lost their lives
I signed their death warrants was the minute I allowed Claiborne to Join us
I failed them and now they are dead I couldn't help but collapse on my knees and cry against the box repeating I'm sorry over and over again this is by far the worst thing I have ever done during my time as a solider. I wish I could say that I am sorry to all the men I have wronged but I cant
April 22nd several days before I would witness the execution of my men the tragedies of the past several days had been nerve wracking to me and I tried to find hope in the thing that gives all men hope and strength prayer "damn it where is it I yelled ah here it is" I pulled out the gleaming silver cross that Marie had given me and like so many times before I knelt down and began to pray
"Oh lord who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come. Lord I pray to you again because the days I live grow troubled and I need you now more then ever lord please help me guide me out of darkness and into the light lord I beg of you aid me give me a sign with every passing day I loose faith in everything I love please lord only your holy benefaction can save me now Amen"
And then I was right prayer really did show me these things in a new light it showed me that I really must act upon What I told Marie I knew then That I had to do I had to leave I don't know what drove me to do it but I did I went about the day As I normally would but I thought to myself "Midnight I will leave at midnight"
All had been going according to plan but I needed one final piece of the puzzle to make my plans complete I needed to address the men but not in person in the form of a letter I needed a well thought out letter to tell them of my betrayal and let them know how sorry I am for the crime I have committed so as I have done before I reached into my desk and pulled out pen and paper and began to write that one last time
To the Men of the 101st
It Truly pains me to write this I had assumed that our last words we be "we fight together we die together" not "I'm Sorry or "goodbye" for the past week something has changed in me I don't know what it is but what ever the change is I have lost faith in the union myself and the country. It Truly pains me to write this but I must say it I am leaving this Army for better things if you men learned anything from me learn that you all are your own people you answer to yourselves and no one else. But alas I am no Solider I am a traitor and I am to be treated as such. As my last act as your leader I appoint Lt Jameson to lead you men continue on with the mission forget about me I have betrayed you all and I am to be treated that way so as your former leader I bid you all good luck in your lives and I pray you may find peace wherever life may take you
Signed
Jonathan Walker
And As I sealed up that letter a single tear ran down my eye and hit the surface of the envelope and the sole things running through my mind were leaving the army and returning back to my wife and ending my ties to the armed forces forever I laid my head down to go to sleep ready to awake at Midnight and wash my hands at the union for good. This would event would echo through the history of the Army for all time.
Finally midnight came about I had gone to the Stables as I knew I would and oddly enough not a soul was on guard in the stables. I had gone down to the end row to my horse I got on and I took a brief moment to reflect and I thought to myself for one brief moment that I should get off my horse and return to duty but I thought to myself once again "I made a promise to myself that I would leave and damn it I intend to keep that promise . I said to myself "It has to be done come shadow show me the meaning of haste" My horse bolted out of the stable for the forest I left them no sign of my passing but they knew that I would be gone by morning….
Later that morning it happened Lt Jameson went looking for the General he stuck his head in the generals tent "General" he yelled but to no avail "General" he tried again still nothing, he began to survey the enormous tent and found the goodbye letter Walker had left behind almost as if he meant for Jameson to find it "Wonder what this could be?" he thought to himself he then too out his knife and carefully with almost surgical precision ran the knife along the carefully folded envelope and removed the letter and began to read the note his tired eyes moved carefully along the note taking the time not to miss a single word and these words spoke volumes the words contained into the letter burned into his mind he felt as if he couldn't believe that these words written on the paper in his hands it was as if it was all a dream that this would all end soon but all he saw was a reality and it was not going to end little did he know it was just beginning he now had to take charge of 1000 men "I need to rally the men and tell them what has happened they must know".
Jameson called the men together to tell them what happened the now General walked out of the house at the camp site to the full regiment waiting very anxiously to find out what had happened it seemed as if word had already spread throughout the camp all the men were horribly uneasy you could almost feel the tension as he walked out of the house to the men he walked out to a very silent crowd they all had seemed that they lost themselves as if their morale had been wiped from them and they were shells of what they once were. Jameson walked out to the middle of the Front porch and began to speak
"Men Hard times have fallen on the Regiment our leader General Walker has left" when Jameson said that the solider began to talk amongst themselves uncontrollably in an effort to calm them Jameson raised his voice slightly "But we cannot live like this we cannot live in fear of the fact that our general has left us but as his last act he left me in charge of this regiment" he paused for a moment and then started back up again "The patrols that were sent out to look for the cache of weapons have all been killed and decapitated by whom?" the crowd then Chimed in "The Confederates". "We may be leaderless but that doesn't mean that we can avenge the deaths of our brothers and give these confederate bastards what has been coming to them stand with me now and Prepare for War!" Then the most powerful scream overtook the crowd the men got up and readied themselves for war guns loaded, Barricades made the entire camp was now an impenetrable fortress asking for an attack. The Confederates were moving on their camp,
Jameson and his men would be ready
But sooner then they though the Confederates would be on the doorstep of the union camp. The entire regiment guarding chancellorville emptied out into the forested roads armed to the teeth and prepared for battle as the march continued on and odd silence seemed to have hovered over the group then to brake the silence Jonas broke in "Men be ready for…" the line stopped then angrily Jonas went down the regiment to inspect what had happened he then came upon a fallen solider. Jonas then looked upon this man with an intense disgust "What the hell is this get up" Jonas Screamed. The man sprang to his feet within seconds "What's your damn name boy" Jonas Continued to yell. "William" the boy said shaking with fear "well then William do you have a last name?" Jonas yelled growing angrier by the second. "Rourke sir Private William Rourke" William said all the while trembling. "Ok then William why did you fall and make me come back here". "Sir I'm very sorry for falling its just that I want this war to end I want to go home back to my family I don't want to be killed by the north I want to live" the young man started to cry slightly bringing a sadistic smile to Jonas's face "What makes you think I wont kill you?" Jonas laughed while gripping his gun holster "wha.." a single shot rang out and the 16 year old Rourke lay dead "weakness will not be tolerated ill see you in hell" Jonas growled. Jonas kicked the corpse in the face to accentuate his brutal point all the while with his men and brother watching him. "Let this be a lesson to you all weakness in the regiment will not be tolerated weakness equals death and I know none of you want to end up well like him" Jonas said Kicking the corpse. "To battle" Jonas Screamed "For Victory and The Confederacy" the men screamed back in unison. "Onward to Victory" Jonas Yelled. The entire regiment disappeared into the forest to lay in wait for the Union Army
Meanwhile in New York Marcus had just arrived to deliver the letter to his mother
"Who is it?" the soft voice said "A letter from the front Mom". "Marcus is that you" The door flung open to reveal a beautiful red haired woman of about 30 she had deep piercing brown eyes and a soft spoken manner. "What news do you have for me son come in come in" she said leading her son into the alabaster house. "Mom dad has given me a weeks leave he says I need to spend more time with you" Marcus said taking off his field jacket. "And here is the letter for you" he said handing the letter to Marie. "Thank you " She said holding her son in embrace. "Lets see what your father has to say to me" Marie said prying the letter out of the envelope she carefully read it over the expression on her face changed happiness and warmth to sadness she started to cry over the note" Mom are you ok what's the matter" Marcus said comforting his mother. "Read the letter son this is the most depressing thing your father has ever sent me I worry for him now more then ever Marcus what happened to him" Marie said crying . "I don't know I really don't know" Marcus said sighing. "Son go to sleep its getting late I have to prepare my letter to your father" Marie said motioning for her son to go upstairs "Ok mom Ill see you in the morning" Marcus said as he disappeared into the upper part of his house
Marie got up and went to the little desk in the corner of her great room and she began to write to her beloved husband
To my dearest Jonathan
What has become of you, Marcus delivered me your letter and it scared me to read it you seem as if life doesn't matter to you anymore Jonathan I beg of you please don't feel like this your sadness will consume you and I don't want that to happen
I don't want a shell of a man to come back home to me I want the man I fell in love with to come back to this place Jonathan I don't want you to have fears or doubts because it can kill you I don't want you to die I want you to come back and grow old with me Jonathan I love you please come home safe best of luck
With Love
Marie
And as Marie sealed the letter she began to silently cry to herself not caring if tears hit the envelope or not, but little did Marcus and Marie know Jonathan was long gone and there was a full Confederate regiment on the way to the camp to decimate all they knew and loved
Back at the Union Camp Shots rang out and Claiborne's plans were going off without a hitch the men were caught off guard just as planned men were falling one by one the confederates were in the camp as Walker feared and they were pushing forward fast. By morning the camp was a shell of what it once was and the confederates were loving every minute of it they reveled in their victory callously looting the corpses of fallen soldier's and killing the surviving union men who questioned them it was truly a bloodbath something the faint of heart should not have seen but when it was all over 300 men survived Jameson Among them. Jonas and Claiborne relishing in their victory walked among the line of surviving union servicemen spitting on some of them as they walked by "That's all" Jonas Screamed "That's the best you've got" Jonas yelled again. "We gave our best" a union man shouted from the crowd. "That was your best" Jonas screamed "That was all you can muster against my men we swept your defenses in one night and you have the nerve to call yourselves Servicemen" Jonas kicked one of the service men out of spite "You know what I'm done talking take them to the camp Kill them all" Jonas laughed sadistically as the Confederate guard of Chancellorville marched the remnant of the 101st to their Demise
To fully grasp the severity of the situation we must go back to the start, back to the point where I was called to take up arms in the name of the land I love. My men and I were charged with a task to retrieve a cache of union weaponry that had fallen into the hands of the confederacy. My men and I set out of the capitol for chancellorville Virginia on the 10th of April 1863 my group reached chancellorville on April the 15th we had been told that not a sole would know of our presence but we were wrong when we found our camp sight there we saw a house and a gun toting buffoon about to put a bullet between my eyes. "What in the hell" This strange man had choked out "I was told there was only going to be one hundred of you not a full damn regiment!". "Who are you Identify yourself" I yelled. 5 of my men then drew their rifles and this strange man sprang to life
"Ok don't shoot" he said shaking. "Who are you" I continued to grow deeper in anger.
"Its alright The names Jake…Jake Claiborne and I am here to help you". "Lower your hands and state your purpose!" I said. "I'm with a group of anti-secessionists and we help out union troops like you we have a lay of the land you need me". "General May I speak to you for a second" I turned around it was my second in command Lt. Jameson
"What is it Jameson?" I asked. "Sir If I may say that we do not know a thing about this man and for a man in a confederate state of all places to offer us help I say we kill him right here". "Jameson look our scouts don't know to much about this place and this man seems honest enough we keep him on a short leash and if he does anything we kill him".
"Claiborne welcome to the ranks". After that was said we made camp and finished by nightfall not a word was spoken between the men and this new face among the ranks. All was quiet our first night outside of Chancellorville.
The date April 16,1863 so far all goes according to plan. And this Claiborne fellow seems to be true to his word. So far Claiborne had Given our cartographers possible leads as to where this weapon Cache might be. I have sent patrols to the Locations and told them to return in several days time with the details. I pray they find what we are looking for and we are not here for to long. The fear of having a head on collision with the confederates is all to real but we are adequately fortified and the Confederates want to come to our camp and make war I know they are out there and they are planning something If that is the case we will be ready.
April 17,1863 one of the patrols came back today empty handed and lacking in number. They arrived back at camp today looking as if they had just walked through the fires of hell it was truly a disturbing sight to see one of my best patrols leveled so. According to one of the accounts form the returned troops he had said "It was quiet we were carrying on with our patrols as instructed when we reached our destination shots rang out everywhere and before we knew it we were running back to camp I saw my people fall in combat to an unknown assailant I honestly wish we could have done something but we weren't able to lift our rifles they were on us so quickly we failed in our task forgive us General". Truly a disturbing thing I pray the other patrols find better results.
April 18,1863 sad news once again from the medic the surviving troops that returned from the ambush have died from their wounds I had felt the confederates would do something but not this quickly I wonder to myself what have we gotten ourselves into and Claiborne was acting as if it would have happened I really do wonder what are that mans motivations and why he chose to help us but I'm starting to think I should have taken Jameson's proposal to heart and killed Claiborne on the spot I really don't know what to think about this but something really does seem off and It troubles me to not know what it is. The leash we have been keeping on Claiborne will be tighter from here on out. I had personally gone to question Claiborne but upon arriving at his tent he was not present when I asked the perimeter guards they had told me "We didn't see him leave". I ordered the camp to go on lockdown no one comes in no one leaves. These were my exact words to the perimeter guard. "If Claiborne returns empty your weapons into him".
Meanwhile 3 miles outside of the union camp lays the confederate camp with General Jonas Riggs leading them Claiborne returns to relay his work to the confederate leader. "Let me in damn it" Claiborne Croaked. "Identify yourself" the gate guard yelled with rifle drawn. "I seem to be getting that a lot of that today I am Jake Claiborne I'm an informant for the general now let me in". "Very well I will have to get clearance from the general wait here" the guard commanded. "damn it Jonas hurry it up" and then after that was said the guard returned to his post. "Very well the general says you may enter". Guards then escorted Claiborne to Jonas Stone's tent "General Jake Clai…". "Yea I know let him in". "Brother" the general said rather happily "Good to see you to brother" Claiborne said rather sadly. "Well what do you have to report?" Riggs yelled "Well Nothing but good I waited for them at their Camp site as instructed we were slightly off in their number it is a full regiment of about 1000 men one of the patrols I have sent into ambush has returned and they died a day later from their wounds they have no idea as to who attacked them and they will be leveled easily if taken by surprise". "And I wonder Does their leader suspect you at all" Jonas pondered all the while stroking his beard. "Brother their leader is a fool he actually believes that there is anti confederate activity here he is the most foolish of them all" Claiborne laughed. "Be that as it may you have returned here I want you to do one more thing before this mission is complete". "Yes Sir what is it?" Claiborne said wondering. "In three days time I will come with you and together we will level their camp, Capture and publicly execute them sending a message to all who think they can oppose President Davis" Riggs yelled sternly. "Yes sir" Claiborne said
April 19th 1863 I figured I would write a letter to my wife Marie and let her know I am alright so as I have done so many times I reached into my desk and pulled out pen and paper and I began to write
Dear Marie,
I pray life in New York is treating you well. We left the capitol on the 10th and arrived on the 15th and we found a man named Jake Claiborne and he claimed to be a part of an anti secessionist group and he had given us some lay of the land I had sent out several patrols to the locations that Claiborne provided us so far one patrol has come back and died a day later from their wounds and to add to the hell that this mission is proving itself to be Claiborne has left the camp he has gone to the confederacy and I worry now more then ever about what would happen to my men And I. But such is the price of war and I must accept that but I fear that I am loosing faith in my ability to lead, in my platoon, and the country. But forgive me for being so terribly morbid I don't know what to do anymore I think of leaving the men and coming back to you. Don't fret pray for me, I will return to you from this mess and we can start our lives back up again. Do not fear my love Have faith in everything we have and Aspire to be I love you.
Signed
General Jonathan Walker
Chancellorville Virginia
April 19th 1863
And as I sealed that envelope thoughts of acting upon what I had told Marie in the letter started to run through my mind I had always wanted to die in glorious battle but not death by execution. It just seemed so tempting to follow through on my promise. But then I thought to myself "I'm Just having a hard couple of days I need sleep" I then Laid my head down to go to sleep to hopefully to wake up and force myself through another day
Out of all the horror I dreamt during my time as a solider I dreamt only one profoundly meaning full thing and oddly enough it happened during my hardest time as a solider I dreamt that I had been walking through a forest and I heard a voice "Jonathan" and oddly it sounded like my wife Marie. So I continued to follow the voice "Jonathan" then the voice had dissapeared."Show yourself" I yelled in desperation. Then out of the shadows emerged my wife Marie She looked so angelic she slowly approached me and said, "Jonathan leave this war and return to me your place is not on the battle field it is here with me"." You are wrong "I cried, "My place is on the battle field with my men"."Jhonothan" she said all the while maintaining her composure "If you value your life leave this place there are better things for you". Remembering my vows to this country "Never will I leave this place I took up an oath to defend this country and I intend to keep it". Upon saying that it appeared as if time itself stopped for all but myself and this phantom of my dream. The air grew dense and hot and the next words out of my beloved's mouth was not her normal voice but demonic and hellish growl." You dare disobey me your wife leave the field of battle it has nothing but death for you leave!""Oh my god" I awoke with beads of sweat dripping down my head. Awake an ready to start a new day.
The Next day seemed to push on at a snails pace I had gone about my regular routine according to the guard none of the other remaining patrols have returned yet. My suspicions about Claiborne are starting to become very real. At around noon it had occurred to me that I did not send someone off with the letter to my wife I had gone back into my tent and I called for my son Marcus he came stumbling into my tent "Fath… I mean General you called for me" he choked out of breath. "At ease son Yes I called for you I have a job I need you to Carryout" I said. "I need you to deliver a letter to your mother for me and as a reward I'm giving you a weeks leave spend some time with your mother" I said rather happily. "Thank you father Permission to speak freely" he said.
"Granted" I replied." Father the men and I worry about you seem to be rather depressed as of late and its really bringing us down what I really mean to say is are you alright". When my son said this I was so Taken Aback by what he said my son gave me that same inquisitive stare he would give me as a child it really tore me up to lie to him but I had to say it. "I'm fine son now go deliver that letter to your mother" My son and I briefly embraced little did I know that would be the last time I saw my son ever again.
Back at the confederate camp the planning stages of attack on the union camp continue. "Have all the preparations been made for their "gift" Jonas said snidely.
"Of course brother as far as they are concerned the patrols I sent out are alive and well
Were about to change all of that" Claiborne said closing a rather large box. "But this is a gift Jake we must adorn this with a proper card stating our cause. "Yes your right as always Brother allow me to give them a letter" Claiborne then pulled out a pen and a piece of paper and began to write
Dear Men of the 101st
I hope you find this a worthy gift and Accept it with open arms
Signed
Jake Claiborne
"There its finished have the men deliver it to the camp ". Jonas said giggling, "Also rally the men I have an announcement to make". Jonas said, "Brother forgive me but that will have to wait a little while" Claiborne said afraid. "Not problem brothers I must prepare my speech anyway do what you must" .The two men then split ways Claiborne went to his tent and unknown to his brother was really pleading to General Grant of the Union for aid Claiborne again pulled out pen and paper and began to write
Dear General Grant
My name is Jake Claiborne brother of Jonas Riggs general in charge of Guarding Chancellorville my brother instructed me to go into the Union camp under the guise of an anti Secessionist and gain their trust, my infiltration was success and they completely believed in what I had to say. When I relayed this information to my brother he had proposed a plan to strike fear in the hearts of all whom oppose President Davis. My brother plans to sack the camp capture and publicly execute the occupants of the camp I had originally intended to infiltrate the camp and just steal information. My brother has gone to far and I would like you help in stopping him.
Claiborne then left the note on the desk to go and rally the man as per the general's request. "Jake you in here?" Jonas asked Jonas then stepped into the tent and began to look for his absent brother and then he saw the unfinished note Jonas then picked up the expertly scrawled note and read it to himself and he thought to himself how could his brother do something this stupid he thought to himself "Fine Ill play along the troops must be rallied already I have a speech to deliver".
"Alright Settle down the General has something to say. Jonas you have the floor". General Riggs then approached the Stage, "Men in two days we will march on the confederate camp and level these union bastards we are to go into the camp and destroy it no structure stay standing capture them all." Jonas yelled "Why Capture them?" a voice in the crowed yelled. "The Answer is simple and the causes many but I don't want to keep you all here waiting on what I have to say we are to enter the camp capture whoever we can and kill the rest eat and sleep well gentlemen and then we ride for war for the President for the Confederacy For the South!. Then an Uproarious applause overwhelmed the crowd.
April 21st the most brutal day of the mission a box was left outside of the camp baring a confederate flag and a note I had the perimeter guard bring it in I called a meeting of my 2nd in command to examine this strange box and see what is inside. "General There's and envelope under the flag maybe we should take it out and see what it says" Jameson then stepped back and the I moved for the note. "Well what do we have here its from our old friend Claiborne" I said sarcastically. "Open it General read the damn thing" Jameson said in desperation. "Very well, lets see what's in it" I took my pen knife and began to carefully open the letter "it says to the men of the 101st I hope you find this a worthy gift and welcome it with open arms" I said puzzled. "We might as well open it tell you what ill open it" Jameson walked up to the box with a crowbar and slowly pried it open the lid to the container flew open and Jameson Flew back and recoiled in horror and fell on the floor with his head in his hands "What's the matter I shrieked". Jameson lifted his head from his hands tears were welled up in his eyes and he said to me "Do you want to know where the other patrols are?" he said all the while sobbing uncontrollably "look in the box". As I neared the box an overwhelming smell hit me a smell of death and then I look into the box and contained therein were the heads of every one of the men whom I sent out on patrol I looked at those dead faces and they seemed to stare back at me with an icy accusing stare saying to me "you did this to us this is your fault how could you"
I failed them it really was my fault I believed that bastard Claiborne he made me think his intentions were good but they weren't I failed the men they and lost their lives
I signed their death warrants was the minute I allowed Claiborne to Join us
I failed them and now they are dead I couldn't help but collapse on my knees and cry against the box repeating I'm sorry over and over again this is by far the worst thing I have ever done during my time as a solider. I wish I could say that I am sorry to all the men I have wronged but I cant
April 22nd several days before I would witness the execution of my men the tragedies of the past several days had been nerve wracking to me and I tried to find hope in the thing that gives all men hope and strength prayer "damn it where is it I yelled ah here it is" I pulled out the gleaming silver cross that Marie had given me and like so many times before I knelt down and began to pray
"Oh lord who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come. Lord I pray to you again because the days I live grow troubled and I need you now more then ever lord please help me guide me out of darkness and into the light lord I beg of you aid me give me a sign with every passing day I loose faith in everything I love please lord only your holy benefaction can save me now Amen"
And then I was right prayer really did show me these things in a new light it showed me that I really must act upon What I told Marie I knew then That I had to do I had to leave I don't know what drove me to do it but I did I went about the day As I normally would but I thought to myself "Midnight I will leave at midnight"
All had been going according to plan but I needed one final piece of the puzzle to make my plans complete I needed to address the men but not in person in the form of a letter I needed a well thought out letter to tell them of my betrayal and let them know how sorry I am for the crime I have committed so as I have done before I reached into my desk and pulled out pen and paper and began to write that one last time
To the Men of the 101st
It Truly pains me to write this I had assumed that our last words we be "we fight together we die together" not "I'm Sorry or "goodbye" for the past week something has changed in me I don't know what it is but what ever the change is I have lost faith in the union myself and the country. It Truly pains me to write this but I must say it I am leaving this Army for better things if you men learned anything from me learn that you all are your own people you answer to yourselves and no one else. But alas I am no Solider I am a traitor and I am to be treated as such. As my last act as your leader I appoint Lt Jameson to lead you men continue on with the mission forget about me I have betrayed you all and I am to be treated that way so as your former leader I bid you all good luck in your lives and I pray you may find peace wherever life may take you
Signed
Jonathan Walker
And As I sealed up that letter a single tear ran down my eye and hit the surface of the envelope and the sole things running through my mind were leaving the army and returning back to my wife and ending my ties to the armed forces forever I laid my head down to go to sleep ready to awake at Midnight and wash my hands at the union for good. This would event would echo through the history of the Army for all time.
Finally midnight came about I had gone to the Stables as I knew I would and oddly enough not a soul was on guard in the stables. I had gone down to the end row to my horse I got on and I took a brief moment to reflect and I thought to myself for one brief moment that I should get off my horse and return to duty but I thought to myself once again "I made a promise to myself that I would leave and damn it I intend to keep that promise . I said to myself "It has to be done come shadow show me the meaning of haste" My horse bolted out of the stable for the forest I left them no sign of my passing but they knew that I would be gone by morning….
Later that morning it happened Lt Jameson went looking for the General he stuck his head in the generals tent "General" he yelled but to no avail "General" he tried again still nothing, he began to survey the enormous tent and found the goodbye letter Walker had left behind almost as if he meant for Jameson to find it "Wonder what this could be?" he thought to himself he then too out his knife and carefully with almost surgical precision ran the knife along the carefully folded envelope and removed the letter and began to read the note his tired eyes moved carefully along the note taking the time not to miss a single word and these words spoke volumes the words contained into the letter burned into his mind he felt as if he couldn't believe that these words written on the paper in his hands it was as if it was all a dream that this would all end soon but all he saw was a reality and it was not going to end little did he know it was just beginning he now had to take charge of 1000 men "I need to rally the men and tell them what has happened they must know".
Jameson called the men together to tell them what happened the now General walked out of the house at the camp site to the full regiment waiting very anxiously to find out what had happened it seemed as if word had already spread throughout the camp all the men were horribly uneasy you could almost feel the tension as he walked out of the house to the men he walked out to a very silent crowd they all had seemed that they lost themselves as if their morale had been wiped from them and they were shells of what they once were. Jameson walked out to the middle of the Front porch and began to speak
"Men Hard times have fallen on the Regiment our leader General Walker has left" when Jameson said that the solider began to talk amongst themselves uncontrollably in an effort to calm them Jameson raised his voice slightly "But we cannot live like this we cannot live in fear of the fact that our general has left us but as his last act he left me in charge of this regiment" he paused for a moment and then started back up again "The patrols that were sent out to look for the cache of weapons have all been killed and decapitated by whom?" the crowd then Chimed in "The Confederates". "We may be leaderless but that doesn't mean that we can avenge the deaths of our brothers and give these confederate bastards what has been coming to them stand with me now and Prepare for War!" Then the most powerful scream overtook the crowd the men got up and readied themselves for war guns loaded, Barricades made the entire camp was now an impenetrable fortress asking for an attack. The Confederates were moving on their camp,
Jameson and his men would be ready
But sooner then they though the Confederates would be on the doorstep of the union camp. The entire regiment guarding chancellorville emptied out into the forested roads armed to the teeth and prepared for battle as the march continued on and odd silence seemed to have hovered over the group then to brake the silence Jonas broke in "Men be ready for…" the line stopped then angrily Jonas went down the regiment to inspect what had happened he then came upon a fallen solider. Jonas then looked upon this man with an intense disgust "What the hell is this get up" Jonas Screamed. The man sprang to his feet within seconds "What's your damn name boy" Jonas Continued to yell. "William" the boy said shaking with fear "well then William do you have a last name?" Jonas yelled growing angrier by the second. "Rourke sir Private William Rourke" William said all the while trembling. "Ok then William why did you fall and make me come back here". "Sir I'm very sorry for falling its just that I want this war to end I want to go home back to my family I don't want to be killed by the north I want to live" the young man started to cry slightly bringing a sadistic smile to Jonas's face "What makes you think I wont kill you?" Jonas laughed while gripping his gun holster "wha.." a single shot rang out and the 16 year old Rourke lay dead "weakness will not be tolerated ill see you in hell" Jonas growled. Jonas kicked the corpse in the face to accentuate his brutal point all the while with his men and brother watching him. "Let this be a lesson to you all weakness in the regiment will not be tolerated weakness equals death and I know none of you want to end up well like him" Jonas said Kicking the corpse. "To battle" Jonas Screamed "For Victory and The Confederacy" the men screamed back in unison. "Onward to Victory" Jonas Yelled. The entire regiment disappeared into the forest to lay in wait for the Union Army
Meanwhile in New York Marcus had just arrived to deliver the letter to his mother
"Who is it?" the soft voice said "A letter from the front Mom". "Marcus is that you" The door flung open to reveal a beautiful red haired woman of about 30 she had deep piercing brown eyes and a soft spoken manner. "What news do you have for me son come in come in" she said leading her son into the alabaster house. "Mom dad has given me a weeks leave he says I need to spend more time with you" Marcus said taking off his field jacket. "And here is the letter for you" he said handing the letter to Marie. "Thank you " She said holding her son in embrace. "Lets see what your father has to say to me" Marie said prying the letter out of the envelope she carefully read it over the expression on her face changed happiness and warmth to sadness she started to cry over the note" Mom are you ok what's the matter" Marcus said comforting his mother. "Read the letter son this is the most depressing thing your father has ever sent me I worry for him now more then ever Marcus what happened to him" Marie said crying . "I don't know I really don't know" Marcus said sighing. "Son go to sleep its getting late I have to prepare my letter to your father" Marie said motioning for her son to go upstairs "Ok mom Ill see you in the morning" Marcus said as he disappeared into the upper part of his house
Marie got up and went to the little desk in the corner of her great room and she began to write to her beloved husband
To my dearest Jonathan
What has become of you, Marcus delivered me your letter and it scared me to read it you seem as if life doesn't matter to you anymore Jonathan I beg of you please don't feel like this your sadness will consume you and I don't want that to happen
I don't want a shell of a man to come back home to me I want the man I fell in love with to come back to this place Jonathan I don't want you to have fears or doubts because it can kill you I don't want you to die I want you to come back and grow old with me Jonathan I love you please come home safe best of luck
With Love
Marie
And as Marie sealed the letter she began to silently cry to herself not caring if tears hit the envelope or not, but little did Marcus and Marie know Jonathan was long gone and there was a full Confederate regiment on the way to the camp to decimate all they knew and loved
Back at the Union Camp Shots rang out and Claiborne's plans were going off without a hitch the men were caught off guard just as planned men were falling one by one the confederates were in the camp as Walker feared and they were pushing forward fast. By morning the camp was a shell of what it once was and the confederates were loving every minute of it they reveled in their victory callously looting the corpses of fallen soldier's and killing the surviving union men who questioned them it was truly a bloodbath something the faint of heart should not have seen but when it was all over 300 men survived Jameson Among them. Jonas and Claiborne relishing in their victory walked among the line of surviving union servicemen spitting on some of them as they walked by "That's all" Jonas Screamed "That's the best you've got" Jonas yelled again. "We gave our best" a union man shouted from the crowd. "That was your best" Jonas screamed "That was all you can muster against my men we swept your defenses in one night and you have the nerve to call yourselves Servicemen" Jonas kicked one of the service men out of spite "You know what I'm done talking take them to the camp Kill them all" Jonas laughed sadistically as the Confederate guard of Chancellorville marched the remnant of the 101st to their Demise