Destination Hope - Book 5 - Reconciliation - Chapter 2

Since I uploaded Chapter 1, 47 people have viewed it. I don’t know if they all read it because I received 1 comment. As I said in my first post, I give this work to the LORD, Jesus and to you my readers. My consistent prayer is, “Jesus, please use this work for Your glory and give readers a great appreciation for why You chose to make The United States of America exceptional, a nation where Your gift of Liberty is protected and preserved for all mankind." Enjoy Chapter 2 - New Questions.

Destination Hope

Book 5 - Reconciliation

A Novel By:

Charles J. Patricoff

Copyright © 2014 by Charles J. Patricoff. All rights reserved. 

Chapter 2

New Questions

The next morning after roll call, Colonel Hill summoned Nathaniel to his office. As so many other times since Nathaniel landed on Johnson’s Island fifteen months prior, Private Jacob Hakey, and three other guards, escorted Nathaniel through the prisoner housing gates. Protocol required silence as the five men advanced on the colonel’s headquarters. Nathaniel entered the outer office controlled by Sergeant Sean O’Brien and stood as a silent lamb, awaiting its fate.

Sergeant O’Brien glared at Nathaniel, his message of hate clear, and rose from his chair. He sidestepped from behind his desk, and almost snarled like a dog protecting a meaty bone as he passed the Rebel who, of all three thousand prisoners, had caused him the most trouble. Sergeant O’Brien knocked twice on Colonel Hill’s office door.

Nathaniel heard a muffled, “Enter.”

Sergeant O’Brien opened the door, stepped inside, and shut it partway. He said, “The prisoner you requested to see is here, sir.”

“Send him in, Sergeant.”

Sergeant O’Brien swung the entrance to its full width, exited Colonel Hill’s workplace, and directed Nathaniel to enter.

Nathaniel wanted to thank Sergeant O’Brien but decided it would be in his best interest to hold his tongue. After he crossed the threshold, Sergeant O’Brien pulled the door shut.

“Come in, Graham,” Colonel Hill offered.

Nathaniel noticed a different tone to Colonel Hill’s voice. With three simple words, he sounded more inviting, almost friendly. Nathaniel remained suspicious.

As Nathaniel limped toward the commandant’s desk, Colonel Hill stated, “Have a seat.”

This is new.“Thank you, sir.”

 “I received your request for a meeting.” Colonel Hill placed his folded hands on his desk. “What can I do for you?”

Nathaniel suspected this moment resulted from his petition. Knowing Colonel Hill’s short and sharp-temper tendencies, Nathaniel decided to get straight to the point. “Sir, I am interested in reading the oath of allegiance. Some prisoners have sought my counsel, whether or not they should accept the Federal government’s offer of freedom. I’m afraid I do not know how to advise them. I believe that if I could study the words, I would be able to form a sound position. My request, sir is this—may I have a copy?”

Colonel Hill’s eyes widened and a smile surfaced. “Well, for the first time since I took command, you and I agree on something.”

His desire for full honesty at all times prompted Nathaniel’s guarded response. “We were enemies, sir. I believe we are fellow countrymen now.”

Colonel Hill’s chin rose. His eyes pinched a bit. “I think I understand your point.” He rubbed his mustache and beard. “Request granted.” He shouted, “Sergeant!”

A chair scraped the wooden floor. Heavy boot steps thudded toward the colonel’s office. The door swung open, and Sergeant O’Brien entered.

Nathaniel started to stand, a demonstration of understanding his station in life, but Colonel Hill said, “Stay seated, Graham.”

Sergeant O’Brien crossed the room and came to a perfect statuesque attention. Saluting he announced, “Sergeant O’Brien, reporting as ordered, sir.”

Colonel Hill kept his focus on Sergeant O’Brien and returned his salute. “At ease, Sergeant.  Provide Major Graham, here, a copy of the oath of allegiance.”

With the fixed expression of a stone idol, Sergeant O’Brien assumed a parade rest stance. “Yes, sir.”

Colonel Hill shifted his attention to Nathaniel, “Will that be all, Major?”

Nathaniel, still somewhat uncertain by the change of behavior he witnessed, simply said, “Yes sir, Colonel Hill.”

“Then, Major,” Colonel Hill gazed upward at Sergeant O’Brien, “Sergeant.”

Recognizing the command sequence, Nathaniel rose from his chair. Both Nathaniel and Sergeant O’Brien came to attention and offered Colonel Hill a proper salute as if they were members of the same outfit.

Colonel Hill pushed away from his desk, stood to attention, exchanged the salute, and ordered, “Dismissed.”

Minutes later, Sergeant O’Brien extracted a hand-scribed copy of the oath of allegiance and handed it to Nathaniel. “Here you go.”

Nathaniel accepted the sheet of paper thinking, “Here you go, sir.”Instead, he said, “Thank you, Sergeant O’Brien.”

Stone cold, Sergeant O’Brien released the document and gestured toward the exit.

Nathaniel understood the unspoken command and left.

After Nathaniel departed, Colonel Hill exited his office and stood next to Sergeant O’Brien as Nathaniel and his escorts headed back to the prison compound. Colonel Hill asked, “What do you think, Sergeant?”

“Do you really believe he’ll sign it, sir?”

“Even if he does, I still don’t trust him.”

“Neither do I, sir. Neither do I.”

Colonel Hill came about, but before he took a step back to his office, he ordered, “Keep a close eye on him, Sergeant.”

Sergeant O’Brien let a slight grin surface on his clean-shaven face, and then suppressed it. “I always do, sir.”

“Carry on, Sergeant.”

Nathaniel entered the chapel and propped open the door to let light and fresh, spring air flow into the building. He unfolded the paper and read it as if his future depended on it. In one sense, it did. He studied the words and reached a conclusion. Sitting in silence, he prayed for wisdom.

An hour passed. Nathaniel heard many footsteps ascending the chapel’s stairs, crossing the wooden floorboards and entering the sanctuary behind him. Nathaniel twisted his torso. Private Hakey watched four prisoners pass. He yanked his musket from his shoulder.

Nathaniel rose to his feet and wiped his hands on his thin, torn trousers. He expected one, not four, and the fourth shocked him to his core. “Captain Boyd. I am surprised to see you today.”

Captain Richard Boyd said, “The word around camp is you had a chat with the commandant.”

Nathaniel looked past his approaching fellow prisoners and made eye contact with Private Hakey, who looked just as startled.

Nathaniel shifted his gaze back to Boyd. “What else are they talking about?”

Former Confederate Captain Richard Boyd said, “That’s why I followed your friends. I want to find out what’s going on around here. Nobody tells me anything anymore.”

The red-headed gentle giant, Lieutenant King rebutted, “Do you blame us?”

Lieutenant Charles Pierce declared, “I don’t know what he’s talking about, Nate.”

“Yeah, Major,” Lieutenant King folded his thigh-thick arms, stood next to Nathaniel, and glared at the unwelcomed captain.

Lieutenant William Harris said, “He’s here on account of me, sir. I told him you went to see the Colonel.”

Nathaniel shifted his attention to Boyd but asked Harris. “Did he ask for any information?”

“Not in so many words, sir. He asked me concerning your whereabouts.”

“I see.” Nathaniel shot Boyd an accusing glare. “Is this true, Richard?”

“Yeah, so what?”

Nathaniel sensed a gentle poke. Yes Lord, I remember.“Forgive me for my lack of trust, but the last time I saw you in this room, I woke up with a large bump on my head and my knee swollen so I couldn’t walk without help for a day or two.”

Captain Richard Boyd grinned. “Okay, I give you that. But now, I hope you know none of the things that happened to you were my ideas.”

Nathaniel nodded. How could I prove or disprove your claim? The others are dead and the truth died with them.Nathaniel sidestepped his way into the aisle and shuffled toward the front of the chapel. He assumed his normal position behind the podium, reached into his pocket, and retrieved the paper, which he believed would generate more controversy.

Later that afternoon, news arrived.  President Jefferson Davis had met with fourteen Confederate Cabinet officials for the last time on May 5, 1865, in Washington, Georgia. The meeting took place at a Georgia Branch Bank Building called the Heard House. The Confederate government had made one last official decision—it dissolved. The War Between the States concluded. Another celebration erupted, yet subdued by a fear that bad news might follow as it did the previous month. Fortunately for two men, the jubilant atmosphere provided a helpful distraction.

Union Sergeant O’Brien asked, “What did you learn?”

“Sergeant, I can’t say there is much there other than a concern that the oath goes beyond swearing allegiance to the Constitution. None of them have a problem with the Constitution.” Lines etched on Boyd’s forehead. His informant said, “Many made the argument they fought against you boys to defend it, but I confess I don’t like the idea of swearing allegiance to the Federal government.”

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