Chapter 9: Soldiers

Zim sat in the comfortable room of the house where General Lee had left him. For a primitive wooden house, the structure was furnished rather nicely. There was a small writing desk and chair, a folding cot with a trunk at the foot, two folding chairs, in one of which sat Zim, and a few candelabra and lanterns completed the décor of the battlefield mansion. A sentry stood outside the front door with a rifle, making Zim feel even better about the importance of his rank.

"My apologies for taking so long, young man." Lee said, entering the house with two other men. One was a younger man with a brown moustache, who looked as if soldiering was his religion. The other was a tall, dark haired man with a long beard and somber, brooding eyes. Lee motioned to the younger man. "This is Major Taylor of my staff, and this is General Longstreet, one of my finest generals." Longstreet held out his hand, and Zim took it in a greeting shake. "Now we have much important work to do, many preparations to make for tomorrow. Before we do, I have instructed Major Taylor to round up a few items for you." At this, Taylor stepped forward, and presented Zim with a grey wool jacket, a black leather belt with a brass buckle that had "CS" stamped on it, and a grey wool cap with a leather visor.

"Your uniform." Taylor said, as if presenting a box of gold. Zim took it, and as the men talked, the Irken put on the jacket, which came to his hips, and fastened the belt around the coat. He carefully placed the cap on his head and adjusted it to his perfection.

"Then it is settled, gentlemen." Lee said, clasping his hands together. "Here, we will fight."

"Sir," Longstreet began. Zim turned to listen to the conversation. "you know my quality. I do not believe that we should fight here."

"Do go on, general." Lee replied, the statement sounding more like a question. At that moment, General Hill and another commander, a thin, dark haired man with a long moustache entered the room.

"It's just that…" Longstreet continued, "I am afraid that perhaps this isn't the best ground for a battle."

"I understand that, General." Lee said. "But we have encountered the enemy here, and we have been drawn into battle here. We must then fight here, sir. The rest is in God's hands."

"Yes sir." Longstreet replied, and Zim thought he saw the tall general's eyes drop for a moment.

"General Hill, sir…" Lee said to the new commander. "I understand the Federal army is retreating, and we must keep them from gaining the high ground. Please send word to General Ewell at all possible speed. Tell him he must take that hill if practicable." The two commanders left the tent, leaving Zim again with Lee, Longstreet, and Major Taylor.

"Zim is ready to serve the Confederate States of America." Zim Said, saluting.

"Do you pledge your heart and courage to the army, Zim?" Lee asked. "All I ask of any of my men is a dedication to our cause that goes beyond the dedication to themselves."

"I do." Zim replied.

"Then you are now a soldier in the Army of Northern Virginia." Lee said. "And a soldier in my staff."

"Thank you. And let me say that I am greatly honored, and I'll do my best to…" He noticed Lee's somewhat impatient look. He cut his acceptance speech short and came to attention with a snap salute. "Sir!"

………………………….

After a long walk with their captors, Dib and Tak came to a large farm house just as the sky began to darken. The sound of distant gunfire still resounded. The group of Union soldiers led the two past groups of officers and squads of men in the yard of the building, and up to the porch.

"Detail!" The young officer said in a commanding voice. "Halt. Stand at ease. I will take the prisoners from here." The men stopped, and began talking amongst themselves as if glad for the break. The officer, ushering Dib and Tak in front of him, entered the house, and took Tak's rifle, propping it against the wall. Inside, several commanders and their staff officers sat in chairs, or stood in the large room just to the left of the entrance. They turned as the three entered. Dib felt nervous with so many eyes on him, and cringed into his coat's upturned collar.

"Lieutenant…" One of the men said curiously, eyeing the officer and his two wards. "What brings you here?"

"I have these two prisoners." He replied. "I believe them to be deserters, major." He stood confidently, as if expecting an immediate promotion to general for capturing two kids.

"Prisoners?" Asked the major disdainfully. "We've captured over 1,000 rebel prisoners today, and you…capture…two children from our own side?" The lieutenant's face showed his humiliation, and Tak gave a devious smile.

"Major," The lieutenant said, trying to save face. "They were far behind the lines, I believe they deserted their regiment." The major, a portly, bearded man looked as though his annoyance matched his girth. He looked at Dib and Tak and sighed.

"Very well, son." He said. "Leave them here, and we'll make sure these dangerous fugitives don't escape." The rest of the officers gave chuckles, and one older man by a map guffawed loudly. "We'll see what General Meade says when he arrives." The now speechless young officer stood for a moment, as if confused about what he should do next. "You're dismissed, lieutenant."

"Yessir." The man said awkwardly. He glowered at the two time travelers.

"Bye." Tak said pleasantly. The lieutenant scoffed, and left angrily.

"Now are you children really deserters?" The major asked.

"Well, um…not exactly." Dib replied, trying to think of how to explain their situation.

"Not at all." Tak said.

"Well, what regiment are you with?" Asked an officer from across the room.

"We're with the…Iron Brigade." Dib replied, repeating the name Tak had used earlier.

"I see…" Said the major, narrowing his eyes. "Infantry, eh?"

"Yes sir." Tak replied. The major looked back at the other men in the room for a moment before turning back.

"Though your hat brass says you're from Cutler's brigade?" The major asked. Dib felt like he was on trial. Tak started to say something, but the major continued. "And yours, young lady…though we don't allow young ladies in our army, says that you are a musician, yet you were the one with the musket. This is very curious." Tak sighed, knowing her ruse was defeated. "You're not soldiers." The major stated. "Then the question is…who are you, and why are you wearing Union kepis and gear, and traipsing around on a battlefield?"

"We're not soldiers, major." Tak admitted. "But we want to help the Union defeat the rebels."

"Well, you'll have to take that matter up with General Meade when he arrives." The major said. "Meanwhile, you two sit about and…well, I don't suppose it matters much as long as you don't go away."

"Okay." Dib said. "As much as I've walked today, I don't think I could walk another step." He found a corner that seemed relatively cozy for a corner, and slumped down, falling asleep. Tak requisitioned a book on military regulations, and sat, leaned against the wall near a lantern, studying the text. She let Dib sleep. For now, they could rest, and the boy looked like he needed it. Tak knew that soon, they would be back into the fray. Fortunately the next few hours were marked only by far off barely audible gunshots, the officers entering and leaving the house, and messengers bringing both written and spoken messages. The night grew dark around the house, and outside the windowpanes it looked as though a black void had encompassed the house. Only in space had Tak ever seen such a dark night before.

"So dark out there, it's a bloody mess. Can't see a damned thing." A man said entering the house, sharing Tak's sentiments as he spoke to a companion. As he entered the room, the occupants turned and saluted.

"General Hancock, sir." The major said respectfully. The man who had spoken stopped and came to a regulation salute.

"As you were." General Hancock said. "General Meade has yet to arrive yet, I see."

"No sir." The major replied. Tak walked to where Dib lay sleeping, and shook him.

"Dib." She whispered. "Dib, wake up."

"I didn't eat the last of the cereal, Gaz." Dib muttered. He opened his eyes and looked around.

"Dib, get up, I think someone important just came in." Dib yawned, and climbed to his feet. Hancock looked toward the two. Tak saluted and nudged Dib, who managed a shaky salute. Hancock looked back at the major.

"It appears that General Lee is moving in force into this area. When General Meade arrives…" He was cut off by someone entering the house, and the slow, determined step of heavy boots. Dib and Tak looked in relief as General Buford entered the room.

"Ah, hello, John." Hancock said warmly. "You did well today. Very well."

"Thank you, General." Buford said in his typical broody voice. "My brigades are pretty bad off. My troopers are low on ammunition, and I don't think they have much fight left in 'em." Hancock thought on this a moment.

"Well, I'll see about getting you reprovisioned, and sent to the rear. I don't think anyone can ask more of you than you've already done."

"Thank you." Buford said. The two men looked at the floor for a moment.

"You were there…" Hancock finally said. "When Reynolds died?"

"Yeah." Buford replied. "I saw him." There was another short silence.

"I'll make sure he gets to his family here." Hancock said. "He will be missed, old John Reynolds." Tak gripped the handkerchief in remembrance of the general. It seemed everyone respected him. He was a great commander.

"He will that." Buford replied. He saluted.

"You take care of yourself." Hancock said, saluting. Buford turned, and saw Dib and Tak.

"And thank god you two are okay." Buford said.

"I'm glad you're okay." Dib replied. "We were hoping that you'd make it through the battle."

"We were with General Reynolds, sir." Tak said. "It was…"

"I know." Buford said meditatively.

"You know these two, sir?" The major asked. Buford glanced back at him.

"I'd reckon, major." He said. "I picked them up outside of town as I came in. Figured on 'em bein' spies, but they aren't spies. They're just a couple lost kids."

"I see, sir." The major said.

"I sent them with Reynolds to get them outta the way of the fight. I guess that couldn't be helped."

"No sir." Was the major's reply. Buford looked back at the two and gave a small smile.

"You two take care of yourselves." He said.

"You too, general." Dib said. Tak just nodded. Buford left the house, probably returning to his men. Hancock now studied the two young prisoners a few moments.

"They were brought here under suspicion of desertion, sir." The major said. "They claimed they put on the kepis and gear because they wanted to join our army. I was waiting on General Meade to arrive, sir."

"I'm certain we have much more important things to look to at the moment." Hancock said, lighting a cigar. He looked at Dib and Tak again, as if trying to make up his mind. "I'll tell you what," He said "You two would like to be of assistance to the army?"

"Yes sir." Tak replied. "We want to help beat the rebels into oblivion."

"I see." Hancock said, amused.

"Like I said, sir…" Tak continued. "we were with General Reynolds." Hancock blinked and looked down for a second. "I just want a chance…to do justice on them."

"I understand." Hancock said. "Though we're not supposed to take people as young as you two, or women into our ranks, I suppose a Corps commander has a certain flexibility in such times." Tak smiled. "You can stay on with the army…for this battle, you understand?" The two shook their heads in affirmation. "You will have the ranks of private, and I'll place you with one of the regiments under my command."

"Yes sir." Tak said.

"I'll see about keeping you out of as much fighting as possible. You'll serve as…messengers, scouts, orderlies, those sort of duties."

"We understand." Tak said.

"Major?" Hancock stated. "Please see to obtaining these two young soldiers some uniforms."

"Yes sir." The major replied with a salute.

"I'll see about placing you with the 20th Maine when they arrive." Hancock added. "They're somewhat undermanned, and could use a couple more soldiers."

"As you wish, general sir." Tak said with a salute. Dib looked at Tak, and saluted the general.

…………..

8:30pm

Zim sat in the room with General Lee. For a leader, and such a respected and venerated one, Lee was a mystery to Zim. Lee never seemed to get angry, or yell. He never barked out orders. He didn't seem to be a violent man. If fact, He seemed to be full of thought, to constantly be meditating on something. His orders were softly spoken, but had a stony, commanding quality that the men obeyed without question. He was nothing like the tallest, but for a human, he was not only a great commander, but a rare sort of one. As Zim sat, perplexing over his new commander, an old bearded general entered the room. Lee turned to the man and saluted.

"General Trimble." Lee said, a curious, inquiring tone to his voice. The man, General Trimble saluted. Zim could see that he looked frustrated. "I understand you had some problems with General Ewell earlier?"

"Sir…" Trimble said, as if unsure how to continue. "The man…it…It was an outrage. The man should be stripped of command…sir." He panted.

"Yes, general?" Lee said, urging him to continue.

"That hill. It stood with but little forces on it. I could've taken it with half a regiment…" He began to get flustered. "I asked him to allow me to take it. He said nothing!"

"I see." Lee said.

"I told him that we had to take the high ground, that if we took the damned heights, there would be no fight tomorrow. You know what he did?"

"No sir." Lee replied softly.

"He refused!" Trimble cried. "Now, the Federals have the high ground, because that damned fool Ewell…"

"General Trimble," Lee said calmly. "You are an excellent general, and I understand your indignation. I will speak to Ewell of this personally." Trimble blinked, and took a couple breaths. His anger seemingly faded away.

"Yes sir." He said. "Thank you, general." He saluted. Lee gave a strong salute, and Trimble exited.

"General Lee, sir…" Zim said. "I would be furious at Ewell for not capturing such important enemy positions."

"Yes, Zim." Lee said, sitting in a chair, the old man relaxing. "But we cannot change what is already done. Mistakes are made, and they are unpreventable. But we can change what tomorrow holds. We can learn from yesterday. You understand this, Zim?" Zim thought for a moment. It did seem to make sense to the Irken.

"Yes." He replied, still in thought.

"It would not help to get angry. We have fought well today, and tomorrow is a new day. It's all in God's hands." Zim nodded and looked out the window at the gathering darkness, and the campfire nearby where General Longstreet sat with several generals who had just arrived.

……………………

12:10am

"Gentlemen," A commanding voice stated. A tall, imposing commander walked into the house that had already seen so many officers within its walls that evening. Hancock and the other officers saluted. The salute returned, the newcomer walked to the table where a map of the area lay unfurled. "Do you all believe this to be good ground?"

"The best I've seen in a while, General." Hancock replied.

"Are we ready for a fight, General Hancock?" The man asked. Tak studied the tall, older man. This must be General Meade. She was somewhat glad Hancock had seen to them. Meade looked less lenient than the soft spoken Hancock.

"My divisions will be here in the morning, sir." Hancock replied. "And the 1st and 11th Corps are beaten back, but they still have a lot of fight left." Meade nodded in approval as Hancock pointed at the map. "Tomorrow, we'll see my 2nd Corp, and hopefully the 6th Corps arrive, and we can continue to reinforce our positions on the heights outside of town.

"Very good." Meade commented. "You all agree on this?"

"Yes sir." Several of the men in the room replied.

"Then tomorrow, we will have the high ground, and we will fight."

When I began this fic, I never imagined it would become so epic in scope. I now realize that this has become no mere fanfic, and has evolved as I've written it, into what it is becoming. I must say that I'm rather impressed that I am capable of writing such an epic work, and regardless of its deficit of readers and reviews, I'm almost driven to complete it. Those of you who have reviewed, thank you, thank you, a thousand times over. Those who haven't, please let me know what you think. I'll try to have the next chapter up soon, as it begins day two of the battle. Until then, my loyal readers, cheerio.