Blood Brothers

The early morning sun was rising peacefully over the meadow which would soon know anything but peace. The tranquility of the moment was a very tense time for many who faced each other from the east and west. On vantage points on either side were the opposing generals on hills where they could view the sight of the coming battle. The two armies were pretty evenly matched. Though there were about a hundred more soldiers and artillery on the Union side of the field, the Confederate soldiers made up for it with dedication and zeal. The battle would be fierce.

James carefully cleaned and oiled his pistol and sword waiting on the dawn. He was a Lieutenant because he was the son of a plantation owner who had formed a company of men to fight against the Northerners. At stake was independence and state's rights as opposed to a stronger federal government. In Virginia, his father had long ago given their slaves their freedom and that was never really the main issue as James father had explained. They were standing against tyranny.

Michael was donning his uniform as James cleaned his weapon. Michael was a friend since childhood to James and had been given the rank of corporal. His responsibility was to assist James as his orderly. Michael's father had a small house on James' plantation and helped manage the help. The average wage for the coloreds was ten cents a day. Michael's father received fifty cents a day and the house to live in. They all had shelter and food.

James was twenty-two and Michael twenty-three. James was tall, blonde, and solid. Michael's hair was brown, he was some shorter, and they both had blue eyes. Their uniforms were clean, though worn and Michael had some tears in his blouse. They looked good in their gray.

"I feel like I am going to die, today," said James smiling.

"Don't talk that way," said Michael. "You'll be all right. We have made it this far, we will make it all the way."

"We are out numbered and out gunned. We have only one cannon." said James and paused. "I'd really like some of Martha's apple pie."

"James, so would I!" exclaimed Michael. "Now you're talkin'. I can nearly taste it." Martha was a cook and housekeeper in the main house. She was of African descent and formerly a slave. She was the mother of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah was proud of his blue uniform. He was proud to be in the Union army. He was proud to be a free man. He didn't really understand the reasons for the war, but he knew slavery was wrong. He also knew that thirty cents a day was a lot of money. He had learned to shoot a rifle with James when together they went hunting. Jeremiah knew that James was in the Confederacy, but he didn't think he would ever see him again. Jeremiah, James and Michael were blood brothers.

As children they had pricked their fingers with a knife, shared each other's blood, and sworn an undying allegiance to each other. They swore to look after each other until the day they died.

James and Michael did not know that Jeremiah had joined the blue coats. They did know he had gone North for work. They had though nothing of it.

Michael really had no understanding of what the war was about. Although James had tried to explain, the reason Michael fought was that he was a Southerner and he was no coward. Besides, he was loyal to James and James' father.

Death seemed unreal to Jeremiah. Although he had seen many die, he could not see himself dying. Jeremiah's company was black, but had a white lieutenant and sergeant. "We are going to lead the charge on the right flank," the sergeant addressed the company. "Fix bayonettes!" The men in Jeremiah's company were standing at attention. There were twenty-five of the original thirty men left. "Right face! March!" shouted the sergeant.

James and Michael's company had been about the same size as Jeremiah's initially, but was now down to half. Two had deserted, the rest which were missing were wounded or dead.

Had General Lee known that reinforcements were coming from Texas and France was seriously considering allying with the Confederacy, the outcome might have been some different; but so many had died on both sides. James and Michael knew that Lee had surrendered, but their regiment hadn't quit. "Damn it! They would never quit." This would be one of the last battles. General John A. Logan was not aware that Lee had surrendered.

General Samuel Mitchell knew, but he intended to have this victory. If he could, he would march all the way to Washington DC and take the Capitol himself. He hated the North so deeply. He had lost his property, most of his family, and too many friends. The war would never be over for him.

In reality, was war ever really a necessity? Couldn't this have been worked out among the leaders without the sacrifice of so many innocent people on both sides? Slavery would have been abolished over time and states rights could have been better protected. A state should have a say about some things within its borders without federal interference, shouldn't it? Laws regarding marriage, the death penalty, abortion, and such; should these be state issues or federal? Should a state have the right to say "No!" to the federal government?

General Logan was tired of the war. Some many young kids dead, and it was all political. Government out of control! Why did it have to have come to this point? He had many discussions with Lincoln, and with southern leaders in the hope of bringing the war to a close. He would never forgive himself for leading Union soldiers into an unnecessary battle. Had he only received the message an hour earlier!

On his horse, James led his men valiantly into the battle coming up against Jeremiah's company. Artillery peppered the field on the rebel side of the battlefield. Soldiers fell unnecessarily on both sides. The war was over.

Reloading his single shot rifle as quickly as possible Jeremiah was preparing to kill again. Accomplishing the loading, he drew a bead on the head of a rebel coming toward him. Just as he was about to fire, he recognized that it was Michael's face. His weapon discharged and Michael fell. James seeing Michael fall, approached Jeremiah his pistol drawn. Realizing it was Jeremiah on whom he was about to fire, he drew his horse to a halt.
Jeremiah knew it was James and knew he had no hope of reloading and no desire to harm James.

James shouted to Jeremiah, "Lay down!" Jeremiah dropped his rifle and fell to the ground. James dismounted and went to Michael. Michael had been hit in the shoulder, James tried to help stop the bleeding. Union riders with white flags crossed the field of battle and shooting ceased. An eerie silence filled the air. As the silence ended, the riders could be heard saying, "The war is over." The crying and moans of the wounded and dying began to be heard.

James and Jeremiah helped Michael to the medical tent on the Union side. They waited for medical help while they did there best to stop his bleeding. The generals met; friend now greeting foe.