March 7, 2011
Prompt: Newcomer
Pairing: Jasper/Alice
Storyline: Letters
… Continued from Chapter 47
~*Witfit*~
Early November, 1864
As Alice walked down the street, she felt like a newcomer to her home town. Atlanta was practically in ruins. The shop fronts looked shabby – paint cracking, windows boarded up – and the normal hustle and bustle she was used to seeing had all but disappeared. People still moved about, but the life and vigor she had once known had disappeared when Sherman blazed through.
Slowly and ever vigilant, she strode alongside Jane, focused and just as serious, purposefully to the makeshift military office. She had sent countless letters in hopes of getting word, and finally, she had gotten an answer. She was told to come to Atlanta to meet with Colonel Young.
Everything from the moment Jane had given her that letter had been a blur. They had spent two days packing for the trip, wanting to bring only the bare necessities while also ensuring they had everything they might need. Her mother had initially insisted on going with her, but after much debate, they'd all agreed that Alice and Jane would go together.
Standing in front of the building, Alice looked at Jane, who responded with a hopeful smile. With deep breaths, they moved forward and entered the building. The officer at the desk looked up. He wore a shabby gray uniform and a pair of spectacles that made his eyes appear buggy and large.
"Yes?" he asked impatiently, turning back to the large stack of papers before him.
"We're here to see Colonel Young." Alice's voice sounded more confident than she felt. She had prayed practically every moment of their journey that they had found Jasper. She needed to get to him. Something deep inside her told her he needed her.
"Colonel Young isn't here today," he said dismissively.
Jane watched as surprise and then determination flashed across Alice's face. She knew full well that Alice would never leave without speaking with the Colonel, especially not when she had come this far.
"Excuse me, sir," Alice said, insistently. She waited until the man looked up. He sighed heavily, his face the picture of exasperation.
"What is it, m'am? I already told you, Colonel Young isn't here."
"And I appreciate you saying that. However, I received this letter." She paused, withdrawing the tattered envelope from her bag and holding it out for him to take. "And it specifically says that I am to see Colonel Young. So, if you'd be so kind as to tell me when we might speak with him, we'd be most grateful."
Alice knew she was piling it on a little thick, but she didn't care. She was focused on one thing and one thing only – finding Jasper and bringing him home.
He looked from her to the envelope in her hand and back to her before reaching out and taking it. He quickly scanned the letter and handed it back.
"Please wait here."
Alice flashed a quick, tentative grin at Jane, who returned it with one of her own. After a few minutes of silence, they heard two sets of heavy footsteps coming their way. Smoothing down her dress, Alice straightened her back and pulled back her shoulders; she was the picture of confidence.
A short, balding man with a rather large belly rounded the corner. He had a thick black mustache and salt and pepper black hair. He looked distinguished and wise, despite his slow gait and battle worn appearance. He stopped before the ladies and smiled kindly.
"Miss Brandon, I see you received my letter."
"Yes, sir," she said softly.
"Follow me."
Jane and Alice moved quickly as he turned and walked back around the corner to his office. He pointed to the two chairs, and they each took a seat.
"Miss Brandon, we have received all of your inquiries about Major Jasper Whitlock. As you know, there were many wounded and dead after Atlanta fell. It has taken time, but we have finally found him."
Alice gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, and tears filled Jane's eyes. Unmoved by either of their responses, he pressed on.
"Major Whitlock is being held at Point Lookout Prison Camp in Maryland."
"Maryland?" Alice asked in surprise.
"Yes. Unfortunately, despite out best efforts, we have been unsuccessful at arranging a prisoner transfer. General Grant seems determined to prevent any further exchanged. So, until this war is over or something changes, there is nothing we can do."
They sat in silence after he'd finished. Alice stared at her hands for a minute, trying to think through everything the Colonel had said. Something didn't feel right. Deep in her gut, she knew there was something more that could be done; there had to be.
"Colonel, with all due respect, how is that possible? He is an officer in the Confederate Army. There has to be something else that can be done."
He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Miss Brandon, I wish there were, but like I said, until General Grant lifts the transfer ban, there is nothing else we can do. General Lee is attempting to make a number of concessions, but nothing is firm."
"Well, what can I do? I can't just continue to sit idly by while my fiancé is trapped in a prison in Maryland. If I have to go there myself, I will."
His head popped and his shoulders stiffened.
"M'am, that won't help and it won't get you what you want. The Union Army is not apt to release Confederate officers. "
"Well, then offer them a higher ranking Yankee soldier. Jasper is my life, and I will come here every day until you offer me some assurance that you will do everything within your personal power to get him released."
Colonel Young stared at the petite, dark-haired woman with big blue eyes in front of him. She was a true beauty, and something about her fierce determination struck a chord in him. He thought about his options. There really wasn't much he could do, but he knew he could potentially pull a few strings.
"Miss Brandon, that won't be necessary. Let me see what else I can do. I'm not promising anything, and to be completely honest, it's highly unlikely anything will come of it. But your determination is impressive, and I feel compelled, for some strange reason, to help you."
"Thank you, Colonel. Jane and I will be staying at The Grande Hotel until we hear back from you."
"Very well. I'll send word when I know more."
