-Alfred-

I've been with the militia for about a year now. I want to say that I've been lucky enough to have not killed anyone yet. But I would be lying.

I want to say that I haven't fought in a battle. But I can't. Thoughts like these claw and eat away at my head at night when I try to sleep.

"Alfred. Are you still awake." Jonas whispered.

Jonas Acker was a soldier for the militia like me. He was about a year older as well. He and I became close friends over these last few months.

The first time he and I met was when his militia had combined with mine to fight against a troop of Germans and British. And I will admit it was a tough fight. We barely won.

We lost many men that day. I almost died as well. A German had me pined to a tree and was going to stab me with the bayonet of his musket but Jonas had come up from behind me and got him first.

After that we were almost inseparable. His militia had stayed with ours because we were stronger that way. And in doing so we were able to get to know each other and become friends.

"Yeah Jonas I'm still awake." I whispered back.

"Okay."

I couldn't help but chuckle "Did you need something?"

He rolled over to look at me, his light brown eyes shined brightly under the full moon. "Well..."

"Hm?"

I wouldn't get my answer from him.

"Soldiers rise!" Our commander yelled in a frantic voice. "A troop of British are coming!"

We all jumped up off the ground and ran for our muskets.

"How far away are they Commander Swartwout?" I yelled.

"They will be here within the hour."

"Shit. Why are they attacking at night?" I mumbled.

"I'm not sure." Jonas said behind me. I couldn't help but to jump from his voice.

"Don't do that Jonas! You scared me!"

"What you thought I was a enemy?" He started laughing. I can't believe that he can laugh at a time like this. I smiled at him. "Nah. I know you have my back. You wouldn't let me die. Not that easily."

"You got that right!" Jonas said as he patted my head.

"Alfred. I have a job for you to do. You won't take part in the fight." Commander Swartwout said as he walked up to me.

I stood straight and looked at him. "What job sir?"

"I need you to take a horse and head south. I have a message I need you to deliver to General Comb."

"Yes sir." No questions. You never question your superiors.

"Good. Go grab a horse and come by my tent." He looked at Jonas. "Go get ready for battle boy."

Jonas twitched lightly in shock and looked at me one last time before running off to join the other soldiers.

I ran over the the trees that we tied the horses to and grabbed a quarter horse before heading to the commander.

As I was about to turn around I was stopped. I went to look at who grabbed my shoulder and it was Jonas.

"You be careful alright Alfred? You come back to us safely okay?" Jonas said.

"I should be telling you that idiot! I'm not the one about to go and fight. Don't get hurt while I'm gone." I chuckled.

"I wouldn't dream of it." He smiled. "See ya later Alfred."

"Bye Jonas!" I yelled as he ran off again.

I went over to the commanders tent.

"Sir?" I said outside.

He came out and handed me a letter.

"Remember Alfred. Don't read it." I nodded. "Now you need to head south. Follow the Hudson River. General Comb's troops should be camped along side it. It should be a few days travel."

"Yes sir."

"One last thing Alfred. Be careful. We are not sure, but there may be a British force heading in that direction as well or may already be camped near there. So try to hurry. And make sure you are not caught. If you feel that you might, then burn this letter. Don't let it fall into enemy hands."

I nodded.

"Then go boy! Be swift!"

I jumped on the horses back and took off for the river.

It had only been a few minutes after I left but I could hear it. The sound of the battle starting.

The sound of gun fire can be deafening. It can haunt your dreams at night. I knew I would have nightmares of my comrades dying during this journey.

A/N No one in this story is real. A few places might be, like the Hudson river. It up near (in?) NY. Battles actually took part near it.

I'll try to be kinda accurate about things, but at times I won't otherwise the story wouldn't be interesting. But I'm just kinda making these people up. If I bring a legit person in I'll tell ya.