Chapter 9: The Second Day Begins

7:00am

A trumpeting of bugles and the roll of drums caused Dib to leap to his feet from the place on the floor where he lay sleeping.

"Wha…what the…oh man, what's going on…" He cried in confusion.

"It's assembly." Tak said stoically. Dib looked at her questioningly. "You know, the army's way of saying "Get up and get ready? So get up and get ready."

"Do I have to?" Dib whined.

"We're soldiers now, so yes…yes you do. Though I'm used to more…advanced forms of warfare, I have to say it feels good to be back into soldiering again."

"Well, I still think it's a bad idea." Dib muttered. General Hancock entered the house. He spoke to the officers for a moment, speaking low and gravely, pointing again at the map on the table. The men nodded and left the house. Hancock turned, and noticed Dib and Tak.

"Ah, you two." He said in his friendly tone. "I hope you weathered the night in good fashion."

"Yes sir." Tak said, saluting. "We're awaiting your orders, general. Where do you need us?"

"Well, there's nothing going on this morning, but the Rebs are still out there."

"So there's going to be more fighting today?" Dib asked. He could hardly believe that any army could still fight after the fierce battle the day before.

"I believe so." Hancock replied. "And soon, I think." He sighed. "You two come with me for now. I'm preparing to see General Caldwell."

"Yes sir." Tak said. Dib managed a salute.

Meanwhile, Zim was also preparing for another day of fighting. After only about three hours of sleep, General Lee had awakened. In fact, he had been up and talking to officers and orderlies, planning, writing, and all other responsibilities of command since 3:30. Zim's respect of Lee was renewed. He had never seen a human so involved in their duty. Now that the sun had risen, Lee had ordered the tall, bearded General Longstreet to gain intelligence on the enemy's strength on the hills. Zim could feel the threat of battle looming in the air, as if all the men, rifles and cannon were stretched taut and ready to snap at any minute.

Nearby at a table made from a door laying across a fence, Lee and Longstreet stood talking, a map on the makeshift bench. Also nearby was a tall, skinny human in an odd brown suit and tall black hat. He had been introduced earlier to Zim as Colonel Freemantle, but was not a Confederate officer. He was from a country called Britain, and was observing the army Zim was now part of. Zim didn't know quite how to take the man with the funny accent, which was a bit like Tak's. He was always praising the army, and the generals, and going on and on about how the south had to win, they were so genius and so professional. Then he'd blather on about things Zim didn't understand at all like English squares, a guy named Napoleon, and Light Brigades. Zim sat on a fallen fencepost, and listened to the conversation between Longstreet and Lee. Longstreet was motioning toward the enemy position, barely a mile across a great open field from their own.

"They're well entrenched up there," Longstreet said, "All the way across this ridge here. The one with the cemetery. Their line extends then south, to those two hills. As of yet, the federals have no men or batteries on those hills."

"Yes, general," Lee replied. "And it is those hills we must seek to occupy. Occupy those heights, and drive the enemy from that ridge by commanding higher elevation."

"Yes sir." Longstreet agreed." Zim walked closer, eager to aid in or at least be present for the planning of the Confederacy's glorious victory.

"Very well." Lee said. "Your generals Hood and McLaws arrived last night, and are well rested, correct?"

"Yes sir." Longstreet replied in his low and somewhat broody way.

"Well, sir…Hood and MacLaws should move around to the south, then push forward, and take those hills as soon as possible." Longstreet looked a little apprehensive.

"Sir," He began, "I think we should try to move around those hills, and possibly strike the enemy on the flank and from the rear."

"No sir." Lee countered calmly. "We are unsure of the terrain, and of enemy positions beyond those hills. Without General Stuart's cavalry, we have no idea what may lie beyond. No sir, you must take those hills directly. Now, at the time of your attack, several brigades will also attack the enemy right." Longstreet sighed. "Yes, general?"

"Well, sir…" Longstreet said, pausing as if unsure how to continue. "You know I've always been a cautious commander. If we take those hills, it will be under heavy fire."

"Not entirely." Lee argued. "There about halfway across the field, you will be out of sight of their guns, and be able to advance unmolested. Between artillery support, and an advance on both ends of the Federal position, they will undoubtedly become spread out and confused. Now general, when you are ready, please commence the attack with all speed." Longstreet's eyes fell. He looked back at his commander.

"Yes sir." Longstreet said.

"Oh, general?" Lee added. Longstreet cocked his head upward. "I would rather you not ride forward with the advance. This army has lost too many of its best commanders, men who are irreplaceable…"

"Sir?"

"You are too valuable to this army and to me. You must stay behind the assault." Longstreet sighed and nodded in affirmation. He placed his large white hat on his head, and walked toward his horse, which was being held by Major Sorrel. Another officer, a man Longstreet called T.J. was already mounted on his beast.

"Mr. Zim?" Lee's soft but firm voice said. Zim turned to the general. "Would you please accompany General Longstreet and his staff? Please make sure, young man, that he understands that he is to remain behind the action?"

"Yes sir, General Lee, sir!" Zim saluted. Finally, a mission. Something to do to impress General Lee. Zim thought for a moment. Why did he feel he had to impress Lee? He had never cared what any human thought. He wanted humans to fear him, to bow down to him, but now, he found himself hoping to gain praise from one. Lee had a strange quality. Everyone around him treated him with a fatherly respect that Zim felt infecting him. No sense in worrying about that now. He had a mission.

"Zim needs a horse-beast, general, sir." Zim said. Lee seemed amused as always at Zim's way of speaking.

"There's a pony tied to a tree over there." Lee answered, gesturing toward a house. "I had it saddled for you to use. It's well trained, and should be the right size for you." Zim saluted and walked to where the small horse was. He untied it from the tree, and nervously stepped into the stirrup, expecting the animal to try to eat him or something. It didn't. He threw himself into the saddle, and pulled lightly on the reins, testing the strange art of horse-riding. The horse moved the way he wanted. SUCCESS! He thought for a moment, and carefully shook the reins.

"Go on, horse." Zim said. The horse began to walk. Zim was amazed with himself. This wasn't so bad, he thought. The rode in the direction of Longstreet and his staff. Finally catching up, he found Freemantle among them, talking away to Major Sorrel. Zim rode up alongside Longstreet, who looked down at him.

"General Longstreet, sir." Zim hailed. "General Lee has sent me with you."

"Well…" Longstreet replied with a slight smile, chewing on a cigar. "Happy to have you, son. Glad you learned how to ride finally." They approached a man sitting atop a large black horse. The man was dressed in a fine uniform, and looked more like a great commander than most of the generals Zim had yet seen. "Son, I must have a few words with General Hood. You can stay here and keep Major Sorrel and Colonel Freemantle company." Zim nodded, and pulled back on the reins gently, bringing the horse to a stop. The small group came alongside, but Zim sat looking at the General that Longstreet had called Hood. He was a man who looked strong, both mentally and physically. As with quite a few of the men Zim had come to know already, he by now liked this man too.

"Marvelous, isn't it?" A voice commented. Zim looked up to see Freemantle above him on a white horse. He was smiling proudly. "I say, that General Hood is a remarkable chap I hear."

"Really?" Zim asked.

"My yes. His command is of a group of men from Texas and Alabama, or as I have been told. Rugged sort. Pioneers, bandits, cowboys, Indian fighters, and what. Wonderful general, or so they say. I do believe this battle will be won here today, what of you?"

"This army is going to defeat those Yankees and the Confederacy is going to be independent." Zim said, clenching a fist.

"Oh, you think so too? Marvelous." Zim looked back at the two generals talking. He could see some sort of debate between them. Longstreet was shaking his head gently, and looking down. General Hood looked exasperated, and pointed down past the two hills in the distance.

"Where are you from, young sir?" Freemantle asked.

"Eh? Oh…far away." Zim replied. "Yes, I'm from a place far away from here."

"Ah, indeed? As am I, as you have heard. Well what brings you to this army, if I may ask." Zim was rather annoyed at the man, but didn't want to outright insult him in front of the confederate officers. He gave the simplest explanation he could think of.

"I came here in the middle of this war." Zim said. "I didn't plan on it, like it was a horrible accident. I didn't even know anything about it at first, but I had to pick a side. This army is fighting for their freedom, and their homes. Now Zim is a confederate soldier. They're going to win, and Zim will help them win. Then…maybe I will go home." He sighed. "I will help the Confederate victory, then I will go home…I hope." He suddenly felt a pang of sadness. He missed his old life, and wondered if he would ever go home again.

"Hmm…" Freemantle said. "Very brave…" He said it meditatively. "Indeed, young sir, quite noble. Your perspective is quite…ah what is the word…sobering."

"Yes…" Zim replied, wheeling his horse around. Longstreet rode back.

"Well…" He said pensively. "We'll link up with Pender and…well, we have a long ride, so let's not drag our feet about it." He began to ride forward. He seemed depressed, or burdened. The group turned, and rode after him at a fast trot.