War with Spiritual Healing

By Daniel Lango and Sarah Randall

Fourteen-year-old Pete Lincky, who is certain he can change his older brother’s fate as a confederate soldier, has just run away with the hope of joining Robert’s unit during the Civil War. Left behind is his lover, Michelle, who one night is provided a vision of her lover’s fate by an angel who tells her she must act now to save him. After she disguises herself as a man, Michelle leaves a note for her parents and slips off into the night.

As Robert is placed in violent battles where he faces relatives fighting on the opposing side, Michelle finally meets up with Pete and successfully conceals her identity after he thinks he recognizes her. They leave together in search of Robert and are soon engulfed in a fierce battle near Sharpsburg, Maryland, where Pete spots his cousin, Conor, within the Irish Brigade’s battle lines. With his finger on the trigger, Pete is suddenly left with a choice no one should have to make. Moments later, he and Michelle lie wounded in the battlefield and there is only one angel who can save them.

In this historical tale, the brutalities of the Civil War are exposed as two teenage lovers on a journey to find an older brother soon discover that there are tough decisions to make when it comes to love, war, and ultimately, their fate.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Oct 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491740972

Daniel Lango

Daniel Lango graduated from Southington High School and Lincoln Technical Institute with high honors. He is a medical assistant and active in the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery Volunteers, a Civil War reenactment group. Daniel currently resides in Plantsville, Connecticut. This is his first novel.

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War with Spiritual Healing

Copyright © 2014 Daniel Lango & Sarah Randall.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Certain characters in this work are historical figures, and certain events portrayed did take place. However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names, and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-4917-4098-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-4096-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-4097-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014913960

iUniverse rev. date: 09/27/2014

Index Section

Prologue

Part 1: A vision of destiny

Part 2: A father’s cry

Part 3: Reverend goes on a holy quest

Part A:

Chapter 1: A familiar face

Chapter 2: Conor Relives a Horrifying Defeat

Chapter 3: Graving News

Chapter 4: Marching to DC

Chapter 5: Joining Under D. H. Hill

Chapter 6: Why did you do it?

Chapter 7: A spy within DC

Chapter 8: A meeting over Lee’s Campaign

Chapter 9: A march that symbolized prayer and hope

Chapter 10: Crossing the Potomac River

Chapter 11: Panic in DC

Part B:

Chapter 12: A letter home

Chapter 13: The long road to Sharpsburg, Antietam, Maryland

Chapter 14: Antietam

Chapter 15: D. H. Hill prepares defense of Antietam’s sunken road

Chapter 16: Two nights before the Battle over Sharpsburg, Antietam

Chapter 17: The day before hell on earth

Chapter 18: Saying Farewell

Chapter 19: Discovered Love

Chapter 20: The battle of Antietam begins

Chapter 21: Joseph K E. Mansfield’s massacre charge

Chapter 22: The Bloody Stand off

Chapter 23: A Wounded General’s Cry for Help

Chapter 24: The Battle of Ducker’s Church

Chapter 25: Jackson brought aid

Chapter 26 Thomas Francis clears the way

Chapter 27: It’s that dammed Emerald Irish flag again

Chapter 28: Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom

Chapter 29: An Unwelcome Truce

Chapter 30: Captains Meagher’s and Clooney’s Charge

Chapter 31: A frightening dream comes true

Chapter 32: Look OUT Conor

Chapter 33: An angel of the battlefield

Chapter 34: Nurse Clara

Chapter 35: ‘Tis the end, Conor

Chapter 36: Get Doctor Gray Zincky

Chapter 37: Fighting a lost cause

Chapter 38: Conor’s spirit

Chapter 39: The aftermath over Sharpsburg

Chapter 40: A short-lived family reunion

Part C:

Chapter 41: Clouds of Heaven

Chapter 42: More Whiskey

Chapter 43: Purgatory

Chapter 44: Silent Night

Chapter 45: Christmas Eve

Chapter 46: Christmas Morning

Chapter 47: Christmas Dinner

Chapter 48: The confrontation

Chapter 49: Michelle returns

Historic figures within the story:

Children as soldiers within the civil war:

Hancock:

Frederick Douglass:

Abraham Lincoln:

Robert E Lee:

Stonewall Jackson:

Daniel Hill:

A. P. Hill:

Johnson:

Belle Boyd:

President Davies:

Credit:

Work Cited:

PROLOGUE

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Part 1: A vision of destiny

A round nine o’clock at night, within Michelle’s room, all is quiet as a sneaky mouse. Clothes are neatly folded within a basket at the end of the bed. Each piece of clothing is like a block, and together they form the shape of a perfect tower. Their fresh, clean aroma release a pine needle scent throughout the room.

A six-foot dresser stands like a wide brick building from across Michelle’s bed. Its drawers are closed and opened, as though a worried mother searches for strange substances. A single piece of clothing hinges over one of the drawers, acting like a dangling hook.

Jim and Kate, Michelle’s parents, peak through the door as it slowly squeaks open. Kate’s eyes gazes at her daughter lying within her bed. She acts like an observer overlooking a building project. Kate’s gown is a pearl blue, moving like a calm ocean surface.

Jim places both his hands on his wife’s shoulders. The light from within the hall causes a glowing outline around his body. Both his wool slippers are pointed toward Michelle’s room, almost like an arrow.

He whispers to his wife, Our daughter is growing up to be a lovely lady.

As tears of joy leak out her eyes, Kate expresses, She’s in love with a fine young man and will be marrying him soon.

Jim adds while slowly closing the door, Indeed. Pete will make a fine husband.

A click bolts into Michelle’s ears as her parents close the door shut. She sleeps within the comfort of her sheets. She snuggles against her feathery pillow, like a child holding a teddy bear. Warmth causes her to dig deeper within the cozy sheets and wool purple blanket.

Suddenly, a glowing bright white orb drifts to the window of her room. Wind begins to smack against the glass from the orb. Its continuous mighty blow creates sounds like a wind storm. Smacking is heard from the window’s shutters, causing Michelle’s head to shift from side to side.

The orb presses an energetic force underneath the window. The wooden window begins to crack as its bottom springs open slowly. The orb hovers into the room, acting like a thief through a victim’s room.

The orb transforms into an angel, almost as if it had been summoned by a mysterious wizard. Its hazelnut brown hair dangles to its waist. The womanly angel wears a large white gown. The fabric is similar to a rabbit’s pure white fluffy coat. The angel spots a mirror within the room and flies to it. She gently places each of her feet against the floor boards. Gently tapping the large mirror, she places herself within the glass.

Sorry Michelle, but I need to show you what is to come, the angel explains. There is still a chance that the future can be changed. Her voice echoes within Michelle’s ears like a dolphin using echo location. The angel claps her hands together as small waves of energy is displaced toward Michelle.

Michelle’s body jolts several times as she begins to envision the future of her love’s fate. Drums are heard, with trumpets blasting. The sound of hundreds of soldiers bash their shoes into a dirt-sunken road. The shoes’ soles are like a herd of horses pressing their feet into the ground.

Michelle’s eyes flicker, almost acting like paper being struck with a spoon. She begins to grind her teeth. The vision continues as an officer’s voice screams, Load and prepare to fire by company!

She tosses in her bed like a woman swinging sideways on a swing. Sweat forms throughout her body and begins to soak her night gown. Her vision becomes clearer as a green emerald flag appears near her. There is a golden harp in its center, while it sparkles within the sunlight. The words 28th Massachusetts is sewn around the harp in bright white fabric. Union soldiers begin to appear over the nearby horizon, like heroes within the darkness.

Michelle begins to mutter No within her sleep as the vision worsens. She sees Pete’s frightful expression. He looks toward Michelle, with tears of sadness. Pete quickly turns to gaze at the vastly-approaching forces. He is wearing a confederate soldier’s uniform.

She reaches out to him within her sleep. Both her arms are up in the air, acting as if each is being controlled by strings. Michelle’s face trembles like a ship’s bottom against rough seas.

Bang roars out within her head as men die upon the grassy meadow ahead. Bodies fly like paper airplanes in the breeze. Each pound the ground as blood falls like rain. Soldiers in blue begin to sing the battle cry of freedom.

No, no, my poor Pete! She cries within her sleep as her mind envisions a bullet ramming into her lover’s chest. Pete’s voice screams out to Michelle within her head, Save yourself. Leave me; I’m done for. Bang echoes louder from guns blasting mighty roars throughout the area.

Michelle awakes out of her deep sleep. Her back jolts straight up like she has been electrified. Her eyes flicker side to side while she grasps her chest. It was just a dream, her mind expresses. Her eyes discover the angel within the mirror.

Michelle, in shock, rushes over to the womanly angel. Her reaction is like a mother to her child in distress. She is knee high and places her hand against the glass. The angel places its hand against her hand. Tears of sadness are displayed by the angel. Michelle hears its voice express, There isn’t much time to explain everything.

Michelle replies in a puzzled tone, Explain what?

The angel replies out, I gave you a vision of your lover’s fate in the near future.

She jolts back in a shocking response, adding, What? You mean that vision is real and going to happen!

The womanly angel replies, Yes, it will happen if you don’t act.

Michelle explains, He said that I can’t go with him. What can I do?

The angel explains further, You must go with him my child. There is a nurse named Clara. She discovers you both if you go with him. There is a small chance both of you will be saved.

Michelle adds in a dramatic voice, What will happen to my love if I don’t go?

The angel lowers her hand and she turns to the window. Both the angel’s wings start to slowly disappear as if a veil is placed over them.

The angel expresses in sadness, Clara will never find Pete and you will live a lonely heartbroken life. Your soul will be filled of regret until the day you die. Pete’s family will be in shambles. You must go and help change his fate. But you must go now my child.

Michelle expresses in a concerning voice as the angel transforms into an orb, vanishing out of the mirror, Where is this Nurse? How can I find her?

The angel replies, vanishing to the clouds above, Clara will find you when the time is right; but, you must go to Pete now my child. Disguise yourself as a man and make up an identity. You must be by his side and conceal your true self, until the time is right. This is the only way to change your lover’s fate. The human body can’t handle seeing angles without a relapse in memory. You only have a few hours before this experience becomes a dream.

Michelle hurries out of her bedroom like a deer leaping in the open meadow. Her smooth barefooted skin bashes against the wooden floorboards. She grasps hold of the bathroom doorway and swings her body into the bathroom. Discovering a pointy edged knife, Michelle shuts the door quietly like a spy within enemy headquarters. She strolls over to the mirror.

Michelle’s eyes stare at her reflection while gripping her long hair. She places the sharp blade knife against her hair. She forces the blade through her beautiful hair. The blade slices through like paper being torn with a pair of scissors. Michelle repeatedly slices her long hair, like a machine performing the same function.

She bolts out of the bathroom and heads over to her parents’ room. Michelle quickly but quietly takes her father’s clothing. She acts like a thief within the night, going unnoticed. Michelle places a letter upon her father’s dresser as she takes his pocket watch. Her hands grab a small family photo while she places it into her pocket.

Blood rushes throughout her whole body, like flowing water down a stream. Michelle’s body trembles, overwhelmed with emotion, like a locomotive traveling out of control down the tracks.

Near the door, Michelle takes a final look at her parents. Her dad rolls over to the right side, half awake. He lifts his head up to Michelle while she feels her adrenaline kicking into overtime.

He replies, muttering almost as if he’s drunk, What’s my sweet little pumpkin doing out of bed? Something wrong? Why are you holding my clothes? Michelle jolts backward like a deer frozen in front of its predator.

Her eyes waver back and forth as she replies, Nothing Poppa! I’m not holding your clothing… you’re just imagining things because you’re so sleepy. He clears his throat like an elderly man. Her father bashes his head up against his pillow, acting like a bear falling into deep hibernation.

He rolls over to her mother and mutters out, Hum, guess you’re right my sweet pumpkin. You should also go back to sleep too, it’s late.

She whispers to her dad as he goes back to sleep, I love you poppa and always will. However, Pete, my love, needs me. I hope that someday you’ll understand. She closes the door with seeing her father rubbing his head against the pillow. Michelle quickly heads downstairs and out the door, leaving the front door open. She heads off to meet with Pete…

father%27s%20cry.jpg

Part 2: A father’s cry

A round two in the morning, Michelle’s father begins to dream of his daughter and Pete. The dream is similar to Michelle’s. Drums are heard, with trumpets blasting. The sound of hundreds of soldiers bash their shoes into a dirt-sunken road. The shoes’ bottoms are like a herd of horses pressing their feet into the ground. Equipment clanged from the soldier’s bashing into their attached tools.

Pete, I see the green emerald flag over the horizon. Michelle’s voice barrels into Jim’s head. He grinds his teeth. Jim’s hands grasp the pillow, acting like a climber holding onto a cliff’s edge. Michelle, leave me, I’m done for, echoes like church bells within Jim’s head. He flickers his eye lids back and forth. Bang darts into his ears from the sounds of gun fire acting like cracks of thunder. Screaming and dying are heard within his head.

He twists and tosses within the warmth of the sheets. He mutters No like a toddler in disbelief, as more gunfire sprang out. The father envisions Michelle placing her battered head into Pete’s wounded body. A reverend comes to their rescue and tries to protect them both. He turns and screams bloodcurdling toward Michelle’s father, You must wake up and prevent this horrid disaster from happening. It’s still not too late.

Michelle’s father mutters No like a broken tape recorder. He acts like a heartbroken man, spotting Pete firing a Richmond musket at his cousin. Flames sprang out of the mussel. Pete and Michelle give a farewell kiss as the battle rages all around them.

Michelle’s father, in disbelief, awakes shouting, No! No, my loving daughter, no! His wife awakens and turns her head to him. She notices he is sitting upright in their bed. Jim breathes in heavily as the air is being sucked out of his lungs. Both of his eyes are widened twice in size.

Kate yawns, What is it sweetie, bad dream? Jim ignores her, almost acting like he is hypnotized. He slowly glances around the room as if a warlock put a spell upon him.

Slowly drifting out of his deepened dream, Jim calmly explains, Oh, bad dream I guess. Nothing to worry about. Kate places her arm underneath her fluffy feather pillow. Her head gently lands upon the surface of the pillow as she quickly falls asleep.

A vision of Michelle holding onto Jim’s pocket watch causes his mind to explain, Can’t be, it’s just a dream. Not able to spot his gold pocket watch upon the dresser, Jim reacts similar to a spring popping out of the mattress.

Muttering to himself, Jim glances at the dresser. Just a dream; however, it might not be. His eyes are like a detective’s while Jim notices some of his clothing missing. He stands up out of bed and strolls over to the dresser, similar to a drunken man trying to walk.

Honey, what did you do with my clothes? He replies, puzzled.

Kate adds, snuggling with her pillow, Love, you’re dreaming, go back to bed.

Jim heads over to his wife and begins to gently shake her, answering, Sweetheart, I’m serious, what did you do with my clothes? She becomes aggravated and slaps his left arm.

Kate mutters, Stop it! Stop this nonsense and go back to bed. He pulls back his arm from her and gets up. He heads over to the dresser and discovers more of his clothing gone.

Jim expresses like a policeman interrogating a prime suspect, Where did you put my clothes, sweetheart? I don’t see them anywhere? She tries to sleep and holds in her frustration. Maybe the clothes are in the bathroom, his mind explains.

Strolling into the bathroom, Jim sees Michelle’s hair lying all over the bathroom floor. He rushes back to his wife like an investigator upon his suspect. His feet act like a racer’s feet dashing onward. Jim halts near his wife and leans to her.

He shakes Kate out of her sleep, expressing out, Love, there is hair all over the bathroom. A loud huff is heard from her, frustrated. Her pillow is placed over her head like an arched bridge.

She tries to block out Jim’s voice, answering, Stop it!

He adds, standing up, showing a perplexed expression, But love!

Kate screams out, almost losing it, as she wanted to sleep. In case you needed to know, I feed our dog your clothes. It also shed fur all over the place. You’re dream walking. Come back to bed with me and stop it.

He shows a shocking expression and answers, What? We don’t have a dog.

Kate mutters like a mother attending her newborn exhausted, Exactly, stop this rubbish nonsense… and go back to bed. Jim shakes his head at Kate’s ridiculous response. Jim walks over to his dresser and opens his drawers one by one. Kate’s ears pick up her husband making all kinds of ruckus. She firmly grasps her pillow, ready to throw it at him.

Kate mutters like a mother attending her newborn exhausted, Exactly, stop this rubbish nonsense… and go back to bed. Jim shakes his head at Kate’s ridiculous response. Jim walks over to his dresser and opens his drawers one by one. Kate’s ears pick up her husband making all kinds of ruckus. She firmly grasps her pillow, ready to throw it at him.

He turns around expressing, Where is my watch? His face is greeted with her pillow whacking into him.

She falls to their mattress face-down, expressing, Stop it! Go to bed! Jim rolls his eyes around from his wife’s reaction. He glances at his angry wife trying to sleep and lets her be. His eyes discover a letter sticking halfway out of an envelope. It is at the end of the dresser’s edge.

He whispers to himself, What is this? He slowly reaches for the envelope. Lightly grabbing the envelope, both his hands begin to tremble. His hands react like tracks from a locomotive darting along the top. Turning the envelope to the back, he pulls out the letter. Jim unfolds it and starts to read:

Dear father,

I hope you are proud of me. I love you so dearly. It saddens me to tell you in this manner, but there is little time. I hope you still see me as your loving daughter for what I must do. From this point on, I’ll be embarking on a long, dangerous journey. I don’t know how long it will be, or if I will come home alive for that matter.

I want you to know that I’m doing this to be with Pete. I love him so much poppa. I’m following him into combat. My heart cries out for Pete. This war is tearing his soul apart. He worries about his brother Robert. Pete believes he’ll be able to change his brother’s fate, if he can join under his unit. Don’t worry about me. I’ve disguised myself as a man. Not even Pete will know it’s me. I’m falsely going to inform him; I couldn’t meet. I’ll convince Pete that I’m a cousin of our family sent to follow him.

Please father; don’t come after us, because we both know what the penalty is if my identity is revealed. Tell mom something else. Her gentle heart couldn’t take this news. The same goes for my brother. Poppa, you’re my bright burning star. Pray for us to make it back alive so we all could live long happy lives. I love you always.

From your loving daughter,

Michelle

Jim immediately starts shedding tears. He takes the letter and puts it deep into his pocket. He treats it as though it became a part of a shrine. He falls to his knees and begins to pray for the both of them to return home safe…

Part 3: Reverend goes on a holy quest

A bell sways like a pendulum on top of its white wooden church. The bell’s outer iron cast shell is painted gold. The enormous bell bashes a tiny iron ball inside. Bong sprang throughout the church as the bell acts like a signalman to the crowd in the near distance. The vast number of civilians approach the church for Sunday mass.

The red burgundy doors of the church swung open with a loud bang from a young man helping with Sunday services. He wears what a priest would wear, a pure white robe that covered his body from his neck to his polished shoes. His bright smile cheered up Michelle’s family as he escorted them to the pew. People slowly began to enter the church.

A reverend discovers a young girl sobbing alongside her mother within the line of people. He notices the child’s mother is upset, staring straight in a daze. Poor family, he thinks to himself, must be a loved one fighting in the war. The reverend shows a concerned expression toward the girl.

She stops and looks at him for a moment. Tears drip out her left eye and down her cheek. Her mother tugs her along.

She expresses to her daughter, Come Sheila. Let’s not have our emotions get the better of us.

Sheila follows alongside her mother and adds, Yes mama. The reverend gives off a friendly smile toward Sheila, tipping his black hat. Sheila forms a fake happy expression while walking past him.

Sheila bravely walks down the aisle. A young man touches her shoulder lightly and states, There, there, you’re in God’s house now. He’s always with you and is watching over us all from above.

Inside the church, there are over a dozen pews on both sides. People are entering silently. Each person went to his or her assigned seat. Some of the people bend down to their knees and make a prayer before continuing to their seats.

Sheila follows her younger brother, Daniel, and her mother to the front pew. Sheila pats her tears with a handkerchief. They sit down in the fourth row of pews to the left of Michelle’s family. Each family glances upon the other in silent sorrow. They faced toward an enormous wooden cross, which is behind the podium. A wooden figure of Christ is hanging on the cross, like the sorrow of those sacrificed in war.

Music from the organ fills the church with a hopeful refrain. The sound seems to lift the mood of the faithful.

Sheila and Daniel glance over to see the reverend walking into the church. He ascends to the podium. Conchetta, the two children’s mother, glances at her little ones. She places her arms around their small shoulders. They look at her and smile.

The reverend lifts his hands and glances upon the people in the pews. He notices and feels the heavy sadness that is shadowing the hearts of his flock. He begins the service and everyone stands.

They sit down and the reverend begins his sermon, On this beautiful Sunday that God has given us, I welcome all of you to mass. I’m here to perform a special speech, and, your priest is in the back relaxing today. My name is Neal. He stops hearing Sheila cry out sobbing. His eyes witness the child putting her head up against her mother’s chest. Daniel tries to hold in his emotions and turns away from Neal.

Neal expresses toward Sheila sobbing, Why? What’s wrong my dear child? Everyone turns to Conchetta and her children. Sheila could not hold in her tears. She turns to the reverend all upset. The child glances upon his heart-warming face.

Reverend Neal, it is my brother Pete… Unable to continue, she quickly turns barreling her head to her mother’s chest. Conchetta puts her hand upon her back, grasping hold of the child. Neal strolls toward the child from the podium.

He stops in the center and lifts his hands up in the air expressing, What about this brother of yours? Daniel feels such sadness remembering his brother’s last words before he rode out of sight upon a horse. He begins to shed tears slowly, with his eyes filling up with tears. He glances toward Michelle’s family as they also try holding in their emotions.

Daniel’s sadness overpowers him as he cries out, Pete ran away to help Robert, our oldest brother, fight in the war reverend. We miss him very much so.

Reverend puts his hands down, strolling to the sad heartbroken children. Neal leans closer to the children as Michelle’s family watches Neal. The reverend puts his hands upon Conchetta. She too starts to flow out tears as she just stares into Neal’s eyes. Everyone in the room feels for them, as there is dead silence.

Neal replies to Sheila, Oh! There, there, my children. For God is watching from the heavens. He’ll make sure Pete, your brother, comes home.

Sheila cries out, Really?

Neal answers, Yes, you must have faith my child. God is stronger than this war will ever be. For God watches all his children.

Daniel and Sheila reply, Oh reverend! Can you bring my brother back to me?

Neal replies, There, there, children. Here, I want you to have this with you to help. Ok. She glances up to Neal. He puts his hand within his pocket and pulls out a rosary. She sees the black pearl rosary within his hands.

She turns to him puzzled as he explains, Oh my child, it will help with the pain and worrying. You see, this rosary has been blessed by the Pope himself. She grasps the rosary and puts it into her small pocket. Neal stands up and returns to the podium.

He replies to the crowd, I ask you all to pray for this child, Pete, to return home to his family, safe and untouched by this horrid war. I ask you also to pray over all those who are off fighting within the war.

All the people within the church cry out, Amen.

Neal ends the sermon an hour later with lifting up the bible over his head, expressing, May almighty God bless you, in the name of the father, the son and Holy Spirit.

Everyone answers, Amen.

Neal begins to stroll toward the front pews, lowering the bible to his waist. He glances to over Sheila while making the sign of the cross.

He expresses, The mass has ended. Go in peace to love and serve the lord.

Everyone in the room replies, Thanks be to God.

Neal begins to stroll past Conchetta and glances over to them smiling. Each of Conchetta’s children try to smile best they could. Conchetta is feeling like she has lost her puppy and sobs a bit. Michelle’s family does the same. They all sight Neal and the boy standing outside the doors. Each of them stand up and start heading out of the church.

Kate stops in front of Neal, no longer able to hold in her emotions. She starts blasting out tears.

Neal feels her tears upon his face and puts his arms around her back expressing, Why madam, what is troubling you on such a beautiful morning? Kate falls to her knees, reacting like a policewoman unable to aid a victim in distress. Her hands shook with fear overtaking her. She envisions her daughter dying upon some distant battlefield.

Kate whimpers out as Neal tries to comfort her, It’s my poor baby. Neal responses like an angel to a fallen human. He wraps his left arm around her and pats her back.

Feeling Kate’s tears soaking through his fabric, Neal answers almost like if he’s her father, You will get through this my child.

Kate whimpers like a heartbroken wife that’s been cheated on, Michelle, my baby, cut her hair and dressed up as a man. She went to go fight alongside her love, Pete, as a soldier for the confederacy. She snuck out sometime during the night. Oh reverend, she could get hurt or worse…

Neal puts both his hands upon her checks. Kate’s husband and son watch on the sidelines. Neal’s mind explains, This is worse than I thought. I understand why I had a strong feeling to come here and give today’s sermon. Neal quickly stands to his feet.

He replies getting on top of his horse, Don’t you worry madam, I’ll go off to get your daughter and her love Pete.

Sheila rushes toward him smiling and replies, You will?

Neal expresses, Of course, fear not little one, I shall return with both Michelle and Pete.

Jim interrupts his wife’s response shouting, You can’t do that! If they discover my little girl’s real identity… She’ll be killed! Kate falls to the ground, completely in disarray upon hearing her husband. She lands on the ground face up. Michelle’s brother helps his mother to her feet.

Neal expresses, Not if I have anything to do with it. No one would dare touch her going against the church. She’ll be safe with me.

Jim answers, holding onto his wife’s right side, Bless you, Father. We all express our deepest gratitude.

Both families watch Neal ride off into the woods and out of sight. Sheila takes out the rosary. She glances to the sky as her mind expresses, thank you God for bringing this reverend to us. Thank you so much, God…

Part A:

1862 Virginia

A brief historical background of where the epic tale takes place:

By the end of August, the union army was at an all-time low for moral. Lincoln swapped generals back and forth to lead the Army of The Potomac.

Pope, in commanded of the Potomac, chased and pursued Jackson. They finally met returning to Bull Run. Jackson’s army dug in as Pope attacked his army continuously. By battle’s end, Pope was crushed from a surprise attack by Robert E. Lee, who had come to Jackson’s aid on the morning of the second day. The result ended with thousands left dead.

Washington DC was in an all-out panic after receiving news of Pope’s devastating defeat. A witness claims to have seen people throwing their home possessions out their apartment windows.

A witness watched panicked people throwing their belongings upon the streets of Washington. A photographer captured pictures of the event with the use of the magic lantern. Random people screamed for McClellan to take charge of the situation. Lincoln heard these random cries while he decided to replace Pope with McClellan once more.

Lee’s hope of an invasion on northern soil finally came to light in early September. The south had their chance to turn the tides of the war. The prayers and hopes of hundreds of thousands went with Lee and Jackson’s armies.

Meanwhile, McClellan prepared for Lee in the north. The events to follow would later be known as the long road toward Sharpsburg, Antietam…

Chapter 1:

A familiar face

R obert! Over here! Harry cries, standing in the center of the field similar to a detective overlooking a crime scene. He is surrounded by dead Irish soldiers at Manassas Junction. Harry spots at a young Irish drummer boy motionless. The boy’s eyes at stuck staring up at the sky. Each are wide open. Harry leans closer to the dead boy noticing a picture of four people in it.

Robert sobs and desperately shoves aside the dead. Harry screams louder, Robert! I think I found him! Robert wipes off his tears using his blood stained hands. Not hearing Harry he pushes over another died soldier. A puny, tiny green clover fell off the soldier’s hat.

He hears coughing behind him and discovers a confederate sergeant. The sergeant hovers over a wounded Irish soldier. Tears of sadness fell from the sergeant’s eyes while the dying soldier cried for his children.

Moments later he discovers the 28th’s regimental flag. There are several bullet holes scattered upon the fabric. Its fabric has holes similar to a pen poking through a sheet of paper. A golden harp is in its center. The designs are hand sworn within its greenish background.

Robert grasps the flag putting his fingers through each of the tiny holes. He feels blood stains upon its soft surface. Releasing the flag, he watches it fall on the ground. It covers the tips of his shoes acting like a blanket. Robert lowers his head staring at the once beautiful flag now in ruins.

Tears begin leaking out of his eyes while visions of his cousins came into view. He raises his head. Robert has a vision of Conor standing over a young dead soldier.

Conor, with a saddened expression, folds his arms over one another. The transparent vision of Conor ends up suddenly pointing at him.

He cries out to Robert like a victim toward the captor, Why did you shoot me Robert? I was scared and terrified seeing you pulling the trigger.

Robert cries out, falling to his knees, Oh God Conor! I swear I didn’t know it was you until it was too late! His vision of Conor dashes into a tree. Robert’s cousin vanishes traveling through it. It’s almost as if the transparent vision is Conor’s spirit.

God no! Please, do not let that soldier be Conor. Robert’s mind screams. He spots a soldier lying face down behind the tree. He races over toward the corpse and rolls over the body.

The corpse’s eyes are a dark hazelnut color. Its skin has pale look almost like a ghost. Touching the cold lifeless face, Robert feels its skin turn hard. Its skin acts as if it turned into ice cubes.

Robert realizes the body isn’t Conor. He moves his head from the horrid stench of the corpse. His eyes catch a gold rusty chain. It sparkles similar to gold dust. The round object sticks out from under the soldier’s shoes. He pulls the shoes out of the way and discovers a gold pocket watch. What is this? His mind thought as he heard a click. It popped open like popcorn springing from its hardened shell.

A tiny picture is seen within the watch. The picture is of Patrick standing in the center. His son and nephew are on each side of him smiling. Uncle Patrick and my cousins. Robert’s mind shouts as his eyes became watery like a vessel sinking to a watery grave.

He raises up his head crying out, Oh God! Why did I pull the trigger? Why?

Robert’s reaction is like a peacock on a tree branch observing the field. He puts the watch into his pocket sobbing in a hysteric way. Robert slowly stands to his feet like a policeman after a shootout with villains. Why did I join the southern cause, God? Why? his mind cries. Robert continues to search for his relatives not hearing Harry shouting at him in the background.

Robert falls to his knees reacting like a man in prayer. Each of his hands are placed against his face. The palms of his hands fill with salt watery tears.

He begins to cry, Oh Conor! I hope you are ok. I’m sorry my cousin. Please forgive me.

Feeling a tagging on his uniform, he twists around, reacting like a child to a mother’s touch. Harry is at his side. Half of a picture is within Harry hands. He replies, Is this your family relative?

Robert takes the picture and shakes his head adding, No, but, this young boy in the photo is familiar. I recognize his face; although, I can’t quite figure out who this child is. Where did you get this Harry?

Harry points toward the dead Irish drummer boy adding, Over there.

Robert stands up and walks over to the dead drummer boy. Standing over the corpse, he leans closer to get a better look. Robert scratches his forehead puzzled for a while. That’s it. His mind replies.

He stares at the photo once more. Robert explains to Harry, lowering the photo, I thought this boy looked familiar.

Harry shouts, What?

Robert spots the familiar boy wounded under two dead soldiers and answers, Look! It’s Conor’s closest friend Dan.

Harry turns his head confused in both directions and expresses, Who, where?

Robert points to Dan spitting out blood and coughing. He watches Dan try and free himself from being stuck under two bodies. The boy, half awake, faintly glances up toward him.

Harry replies, Where damn it? Can’t see anything alive except us!

Robert expresses rushing over to him, He is under those two dead soldiers.

Robert immediately turns and rushes back over to Dan. Harry starts running to catch up as if they were kids playing tag. He stops, out of breath. Both