Chapter Eleven

April 1865

The year that followed the news of Kid's reported death was one that Lou barely remembered. Isobel thought that having received official word from the war department might have somehow eased Lou's mind, for at least she knew for certain now. But instead Lou never mentioned the parcel of letters, and wouldn't have it spoken of by the others. Despite the official notification, she wouldn't let herself believe it. They had said "presumed lost", and that meant there was some hope. Isobel gave up trying to argue the point with her and just let it be.

They had other concerns during the last year of the war. Sherman and his army had reached South Carolina from Georgia and were steadily marching towards the sea. Columbia lay right in their path and in February of 1865 the city was taken and burned. Lou and the others had seen the distinct orange glow on the horizon as they lay huddled together in the old farm cellar. The Federal army had not encountered the farm as they were intent on reaching Columbia, the place they considered to be the birthplace of secession. But Jack had heard too many stories of looters and troops foraging for supplies so he insisted they remain in the damp, bitterly cold cellar until they could be sure they would remain unharmed.

The wake of Sherman's army left the inhabitants of the area admitting the inevitable defeat that the Confederate Cause would suffer. There was no possible way the decimated Rebel army could stave off the marauding Union soldiers, so it came as no great surprise when Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox two months later.

Isobel and Lou received the news tiredly — finally it was all over. Lily and Jack wept on their knees when the news came for it meant that their boys would be coming home. Both of them had been spared and would soon be back on the land where they belonged. Though the future of the South was uncertain, Jack and Lily would have their sons back. In the end, that was all that mattered.

The surrender was followed by sporadic fighting but the curtain had been lowered on the Confederacy. The South was left gutted, towns and cities destroyed, farms and plantations ruined. Food was still scarce and livestock was almost impossible to come by, but Isobel began making plans to return to Williamsburg. Lily was appalled at the notion, after all there may nothing left of the farm to go back to. Williamsburg and the surrounding area had seen much fighting and in all likelihood their home would be destroyed.

But despite being South Carolinian by birth, Isobel felt it was her duty to return home. She felt she owed it to Rob to stay on their land and rebuild whatever damage had been done. The children were older now, and would have their own land when they became adults. Isobel was convinced it was her duty to return them to their home, to not let the Yankees deny them their birth right. No matter how ardently Lily protested, Isobel was determined to leave as soon as it was humanly possible.

Isobel just assumed that Louise and Ginnie would come with them back to Williamsburg. She and Lou were as close as sisters now, having shared the greatest of burdens and darkest of times during the past four years. Isobel could not imagine being without her. They were each other's strength and support, now they were both without husbands.

Lou duly left South Carolina when the time came. She was far more reserved now than she had once been, having learned to keep her emotions tightly locked away in order to survive. But leaving Lily and Jack was hard on them all, particularly for three-year-old Virginia who had come to love the couple like her very own grandparents. Both she and Lou cried sadly as they drew away from another home that was still not their own.


Much to Isobel's relief, the farm survived the war relatively unscathed, unlike the countless properties they had passed on their way north. The journey took even longer this time, as their only form of transportation was a rickety cart and a stubborn old mule which was almost on its last legs. Everyone took turns walking except for Ginnie, so it was many weeks before they finally reached Williamsburg.

The journey had been arduous, but everyone felt such a sense of relief being home that they were soon ready to begin rebuilding their farm and their lives. Lou was no exception. Isobel had once again assumed that once she left South Carolina with them she would stay on the farm as part of the family. Isobel knew it was what Kid would have wanted for her and their daughter, but Lou had other plans.

"Where on earth will you go?" Isobel cried incredulously when Lou revealed she would not stay on the farm. "You can't possibly try and go west now, Louise. It just isn't safe yet."

Lou sighed and braced herself for another argument with her friend. It seemed they always fought over any important decision that was made by either of them. This was one time when she would not be swayed or cajoled.

"I'm not goin' back to Rock Creek, not yet anyway," she explained patiently. "I haven't decided where we'll go eventually, but for now I know we can't stay."

"Is it because of Kid? Are you afraid the memories will be too strong here? Because if that's the case, Louise, surely it's better you're with people you know and love. You should be with your family."

"It's not that," Lou paused, knowing what kind of reaction her next utterance would cause. "I'm going to Manassas. If Kid's alive—"

"Louise!" Isobel gasped, exasperated. She could not believe that after all this time Lou believed he was still living.

"If Kid's alive," Lou repeated in a determined voice, "then I need to do all I can to find him. If I go to Manassas I have a better chance of findin' out some information about what happened."

"But it was four years ago!" Isobel protested. "There were tens of thousands of soldiers there, and thousands were killed. You can't possibly expect anyone to know anything or to remember him!"

"I don't expect it," she replied quietly. "But I still have to hope. You can't deny me that, Isobel, not after all we've been through together."

"I just don't want to see you waste your life chasing a ghost! You have Ginnie to think about — what kind of life can you make for her when you're forever watching the roads for Kid? He's not coming home, Louise, no matter what he promised you."

Lou looked at her like she had been slapped, and immediately Isobel felt guilty. No matter how much time passed, it seemed Lou was determined to hold out hope for her husband. There was nothing Isobel could say or do to convince her otherwise. She sighed tiredly and admitted defeat.

"Where will you go in Manassas?" Isobel asked after Lou had calmed down.

Lou took a moment to answer, to find her voice again. "I don't know yet. Maybe there's a hospital where I can work. We'll find a boarding house to stay in."

Isobel shook her head. "Corinne had a friend there, Julia Papen. She's a good woman, well respected in the town. I'm sure she'd take you in. I could write a letter."

Lou smiled and knew it was Isobel's way of giving her blessing. She hugged her friend tightly in thanks.

"But I will miss you, Louise." Isobel said with difficulty as she blinked back tears.

"I'll miss you too," Lou said, her eyes shining. She pulled back from Isobel and held her gaze. "But I have to go. I have to know for sure before I can do anythin'."

"Well, we'll be here when you find out for sure. I hope you won't stay away long."

"Thank you, Isobel. Thank you for everythin'." Lou hugged her again, but already her mind was racing.

Julia Papen. Manassas. Kid.