Eliza POV

Susannah had been here for a week already and I still did not know how she had come to be at the camp. I couldn't go any longer without knowing. "Susannah," I asked, "If it isn't too much of a displeasure, could you tell me why you are here?" She came and sat across from me and started to explain what had happened. After she finished her story, I had a few questions for her to answer. She answered them well until I got to my final question: "Where were you headed? You said you were on your horse?" She started to seem more closed up than she had before. "I was on my way to visit my brother and his friend who are… who are in the Union Army," she said. "My brother is in the army as well, Susannah. Maybe they know each other? What regiment is he in, or what is his name?"

Here she tensed up even more and looked around to see that no one else could hear us. "They would not know each other, or at least there is very little chance. My brother is- you mustn't tell anyone- he is Colonel Robert Gould Shaw of the 54th Massachusetts regiment. His friend is Major Cabot Forbes of the same regiment…" she trailed off with a look of longing and sadness in her eyes. I, on the other hand, was astonished that her brother was the man in charge of the first official black regiment. I held in my astonishment and tried to cheer Susannah up instead.

"So, who is this Forbes fellow? I saw the way you looked when you mentioned him," I inquired. She blushed and timidly replied, "He is my brother's good friend, as well as mine. He asked for my hand, but I refused. I felt I was too young to get married at the time, and did not think of him in that way. Not until he left for the war. Of course, it was then that I would have accepted his offer, had he asked again. Now I have decided that I no longer love him. I forced myself to stop on the chance that he might die, and I would feel horrible." I gasped, "Oh dear. I'm sorry for bringing it up! I had no idea it was a troublesome relationship." "Please don't be," she said, trying to smile, "I am glad to have a confidant to talk with and share my feelings with. I know that we will be friends even when this war is over, whichever the outcome."

William POV

I was walking past Susannah's tent when I heard her talking with Eliza. Eliza asked Susannah who someone named Forbes was. I was worried and I too wondered who this man was. I was concerned for if she had been courting, or worse, engaged to this man. I know that it is bad to eavesdrop, but I could not help it. Once Susannah had finished her tale about him, I left, happy that she felt only friendship towards him.

But if she forced herself to stop loving him because he might die in the war, how could I ever hope to win her heart? I was a soldier too, and even worse, I was a Confederate soldier! I tried to think of what I could do, but I couldn't ask any of the men at camp because I knew they would continually tease me, and because she was "the enemy," they probably would skip the teasing and go right to shunning me. I couldn't confront her because that would be odd and unnecessary for both of us to have to go through.

I eventually came to the conclusion that all I could do was pray. I am not a very religious man, so I didn't really know exactly what I was supposed to say or do. I had gone to church as a boy, but I never paid attention and as I grew up, my family only attended church on holidays. I just knelt at the side of my bed and folded my hands. I thought about Susannah, what problems would keep us apart, and wished that she may someday feel towards me how I feel about her. I am also never one to vocalize my problems, so I just hoped that He would get the message. After whispering a quick "Amen," I got up and shuffled towards the mess hall- a tent covering a number of tables next to many fire pits.

Susannah POV

I liked going for walks when the weather permitted. I was actually starting to get used to the camp, much to my surprise. I know my family worried for me, but it would pain me too much to write them letters, even though I have been told I could. While walking through the camp later that day, I found myself walking with General Lee. He was very kind, and introduced himself, "Miss Shaw? I'm sorry I haven't been able to introduce myself. I am General Robert E. Lee." I smiled and nodded slightly as he continued. "Now I know that you don't agree with my fellow southerners about their views on this war, but I hope that you will be comfortable here." "Yes, sir," I replied as we rounded the corner, "I am starting to feel comfortable here, and Eliza has done nothing but help me become accustomed here." He looked content with this answer.

"We will be moving camp next week, Miss Shaw, and I give you the choice to stay with us, or else I will give you a horse and you may find your way home." I was quiet for some time, and I contemplated on how my life had seemed so sad at home without Robert or Cabot… and here I had Eliza. And Major Davis. "General Lee, I believe that I would like to stay along, if I wouldn't be too much of a burden," I said confidently, despite the fact that just thinking of Major William Davis almost made my knees buckle. "It would be no trouble at all, Miss Shaw."

We stopped in front of my tent, and he lightly shook my hand. I was pleasantly surprised at how much of a gentleman he was. "Miss Shaw," he acknowledged. "General. Thank you for your kindness, sir." He nodded and walked off as I ducked inside the tent to tell Eliza the good news.