Billy Yank
Ch.13: The Scouting
It had been a little over two months ever since the defeat at Fredericksburg, we have not a single skirmish or battle with the Rebs. We are now at a field, camping for the winter in harsh weather conditions. It is snowing like crazy right now, Katara is in the tent with me as Sokka is talking to some men.
"How's your arm?" she asked as she focused on sewing one of Sokka's trousers. I looked up.
"Its getting better" I said. "It's beginning to just be a scar"
She nodded in understanding. I looked down at the book I was reading. It was soldier tactics, Lt. Ryan suggested I should of read this book.
"Hey Lt. Hamilton!" came a voice. I looked up and saw Corporal Bucklin. "You wanna come out and play some cards?"
"Not today Corporal" I said. "I have a book I need to finish"
"Yes sir" Bucklin said. "Sorry that I disturbed ya"
"Not a problem" I said. He nodded and ran off. I chuckled slightly. Katara looked up.
"Isn't that disrespect?" she asked. "Especially to a Lieutenant?"
"What?" I asked. "Ask me to play cards?"
She nodded.
"I may be a lieutenant, but I'm still a 16 year old boy," I said. "I rather be treated in a friendly matter rather than proper, however that I do not allow on the battlefield when I give orders"
She smiled. I looked out of the tent, the snowing continued to fall, slowly.
"It's never going to stop is it?" I asked.
"I hope it does soon" she said.
"In my opinion," I said as I laid myself down. "I hope it doesn't"
"What? Why?" she asked.
"Personally," I said. "Once winter is over, its back to marching and fighting"
"You don't like to fight do you?" she asked.
"I don't like to kill" I said. "I never liked the fighting and I never will. But I feel I need to help finish this war"
"You sound a lot like my father" she said. I sat up.
"What regiment is your father in?" I asked.
"The 30th New York" she said. I nodded. She sighed.
"Something wrong?" I asked.
"I'm just thinking about home that's all" she said.
"You miss it don't ya?" I asked, stating the obvious.
"I do," she said. "Sometimes I would like to go back home and seen Gran-Gran again"
"Then why don't ya?" I asked. She looked at me.
"Because I don't want to leave you"
I stiffened. I couldn't believe what she just said.
"Why don't you want to leave me?" I asked. "I can't mean that much to you"
"Aang," she said as she put the pants down and crawled up to me. She rested her hand on my cheek. "You mean everything to me"
I blushed a bit.
"What about your brother?" I asked.
"Him too," she said. "But you mean a lot to me, I never met anyone like you. All of the boys at home were always acting like they were the most important men on the planet, but you, you don't gloat or boast, you try your hardest not look or sound aloof"
I smiled. I gave her a hug.
"That means a lot" I said. She smiled.
"Lt. Hamilton!" came Lt. Ryan's voice. I let go of Katara.
"Coming sir!" I called. I quickly looked at Katara. I picked up my hat and quickly headed out the exit. I ran over to Lt. Ryan. I saluted to him. "Sir"
"I need you to do a scouting mission for me" he said. "I want to make sure the Rebs aren't nearby"
"Sir, it's the middle of winter" I reminded him.
"We have one more month and we leave," Lt. Ryan said. "I want you to do this for me, Lieutenant. I wish to have a full report when I get back"
I nodded, I raised my hand and saluted to him. He returned it.
"Where do you want me to start?" I asked.
"Just go south and circle around the camp" he said. "I hope to see you back tonight"
I nodded, saluted again and ran off to my tent. I quickly grabbed Appa's saddle. Katara looked at me.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"Lt. Ryan wanted me to do a scouting" I said. "I'll be back by tonight"
She nodded. I walked out of the tent and walked over to my horse. He was eating the snow. I laughed as I set the saddle on his back and strapped it down. He jumped a bit, which caused me to laugh even more. Sokka came up to me.
"Where are you going?" he asked. I climbed up on the saddle and swung my other leg over the side. I grasped the reins.
"I got an order to scout out the field," I said. "I'll be back by tonight"
"You need me to come?" he asked.
"No," I said. "Besides it's a boring job"
"Its better than staying here" he mumbled. I laughed. "Alright, be careful"
"Will do" I said as I lifted the reins. I gave a gentle nudge to Appa's side. "Ya!"
Appa broke off into a gallop as I traveled south. I looked around in the forest, looking for any clues of Reb infantry, artillery or cavalry. Appa was walking as I looked around. I eyed each open space carefully.
It was like this for hours on end, just looked around thoroughly, making sure no Rebs in sight. I came back as darkness set onto the land. The moon helped me guide myself through the forest. It shined brightly off of the new fallen snow, the storm had ended well before sun down and the sky had cleared up. I followed the road home and arrived at the camp. I got off Appa and walked over to Lt. Ryan. I saluted.
"Sir" I said. He returned my salute.
"What did you find?" he asked.
"I have found nothing in the way of enemy movements" I said. "There are no Rebs in sight"
"Did you check carefully?" he asked.
"Yes sir" I said.
"Very well Lt. Hamilton" he said. "You are relieved for the night"
I saluted and walked off. I tied up Appa outside of the tent and walked inside. I took off my hat as I carefully walked over my friends. I sat down on my bed.
"Aang?" came the groggy voice of Katara. "Is that you?"
"Yes it's me" I said as I took off my belt and set it aside. I laid down on my bed and tried to fall asleep.
To be continued.