Date: Sat, 23 Mar 2019 02:24:36 -0400 From: jim wicks Subject: Memories of Gettysburg C11 Memories of Gettysburg Chapter 11 It was ma's turn to dance now. She was so excited to hear of Ben's survival she literally jumped off the ground. She smothered pa in kisses. "Praise be to God! Hallaluah!" she cried. Joshua joined the celebration by attempting a three person hug. "Yeah! Ben's coming home! Yeahhh!" As anxious as ma was to see Ben, pa had to explain the hospitals were now closed to visitors until morning. She had to be content with gleaning every scrap of information she could about how Pa found him and the state of Ben's health. "He's hurtin some but the doctors told me they expect him to make a full recovery. His hands are wrapped in bandages due to burns he received. His leg is broke and it's in a sling. He can't talk none on account of an injury to his neck and his head is bandaged something fierce too." "Don't matter none." ma reasoned, "The main thing is he's alive. Whatever the doctors can't fix in the hospital I'll fix at home." "Oh, and more good news ma. The doctor said that even if he heals real well the army won't be taking him back. He's done his share. He's coming home!" "Of course he's coming home. If they ever tried to put him back in the army they'd have a fight from me and that's a fact!" Pa went on to explain how Doctor Richards played a part in finding him. Ma then insisted on hearing how Ben reacted when pa walked into his room. Pa told that part of the story so well ma wanted to hear it again and again. Even Andrew was caught up in the spirit of the occasion. It was a grand time. Ma didn't sleep well that night. She got up several times to either check on Andrew or pace the floor. She was too full of nervous excitement. Both parents rose at the crack of dawn. Ma had seen the signs in town begging the townfolks to rise to the occasion in providing whatever relief they could to the cause. She was determined to do her share by making a large donation to the soup kitchen. She had pa load the wagon with a bushel of carrots, two bushels of potatoes, and a bushel of corn. She knew how hard it must be for a town of twenty-four hundred people to feed an extra seven thousand mouths. It goes without saying that she also had Joshua load a pot of stew just for Ben. Joshua begged to go too but pa explained to him that no one under the age of fifteen was allowed into the wards. Jordan had to care for Andrew so in the end only the parents headed to town. Joshua guided Moonbeam to the barn. Jordan had his chores too. He placed a bowl of warm water and a sponge beside Andrews bed. He also gathered a pair of scissors, fresh bandages and a pail of moss. He pulled back Andrew's blanket to expose the injured leg. He did a double take. "Where are your underpants?" "I took em off so you gould get at my hurt leg better," he said with a mischevious grin. Truth was Andrew got a thrill out of Jordan admiring his package. He wanted to make sure Jordan had every opportuniy to admire him some more. Jordan began to cut away the old bandage. He was determined to do the job as well as his mother did. Meanwhile Andrew was quite enjoying his own nakedness. His organ began to grow. Jordan couldn't help but notice even though he continued to concentrate on the job at hand. Reaching its full length, Andrew flexed it, forcing the tip of his penis to rise up a proud four and a half inches above his body. Despite furtive glances, Jordan kept working. Andrew then released it. The penis flopped back down naturally to the right, the glans invading Jordan's work space. Jordan giggled. He gently lifted up Andrew's penis and holding it suspended in mid air declared, "Look I can't get the bandage changed with this in the way." He moved it back to the left. No sooner did Jordan return to the bandage than Andrew flexed it again. This time when he released it it landed on the back of Jordan's hand. Both boys were giggling now. With great difficulty Jordan pushed the organ away and went back to work. Andrew wasn't finished. He did it again. By now the juices were flowing freely in Jordan's body. He was as hot as a firecracker. This time he held on to Andrew's cock. He even gave it a tentative pump or two. "Do you want me to make you squirt?" he whispered. The offer was a bold step for Jordan to take. It was the first time that either boy had mentioned the act to the other. Jordan couldn't help it. He was so damn hot it just came out. Andrew smiled demurely. "I'd love you to do me," he said, "But not today. My side is still hurtin somethin awful." Still gripping Andrew's organ Jordan asked, "Is there anything else you would like me to do?" "I haven't seen your cock yet. Please. Can I see it?" Jordan did not hesitate. He stripped off his clothes and getting on Andrew's good side he knelt getting as close as he could to Andrew's head. His penis was poised inches above him. Andrew gasped, attacking Jordan's organ with his eyes. "It's beautiful. Way better'n mine." "No it ain't." Jordan protested, "It may be bigger but yours is prettier. I really like yours." Andrew continued to drink in the delights poised above him. "You've been a real bad boy Andrew hitting me with your cock like you done so's I couldn't change your bandage. I have to pay you back." With that, leaning forward as far as he dare, Jordan grasped his cock with finger and thunb. Lifting it up he brought it down hard slapping Andrew across the face. "Take that you swine," he giggled. "Oooooh." Andrew laughed. "I liked that. Do it again." Jordan did it three more times striking a different part of Andrew's face each time. The third time Jordan's cock struck Andrew's mouth. Rather than raise it again Jordan let it rest there. Andrew allowed his tongue to slip out and take a tentative lick. Jordan did not recoil. Emboldened, Andrew licked again. "Oh shit!" Jordan gasped, "That feels so damn good!" Jordan closed his eyes to enjoy the moment not realizing that Andrew had wrapped his hand around his cock. Andrew took a couple of pumps. Jordan by now was on such a hair trigger that was all it took to send him over the edge. "Ahhhhh," Jordan cried out. A solid spurt shot up a foot or so before splattering right on Andrew's face. Even as the semen continued to spurt Jordan cried out in horror. "Oh no Andrew. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that." Andrew did not seem upset. In fact he laughed. "That was fun. We gotta do that again!" A new world had just opened up. Jordan had learned Andrew was as randy as he was, perhaps more so. The O'Reilly parents arrived back at the cave in the early afternoon. Ma was beside herself with excitement. She was on a mission! Part of that excitement was seeing Ben of course. Pointing to an empty stew pot she stated, "I'll swear he was as hungry as a bear waking up in the Spring. Look at my pot. It's empty!" It turned out her excitement was due to a lot more than Ben. The small building Ben was in could comfortably house eight patients. It was crammed with twenty-two. They were everywhere including the halls and front vestibule. It was difficult to move about. After a few hours the O'Reillys had politely been asked to leave. The doctors needed their space. Ma, as devious as any O'Reilly when she had to be, arrived at an immediate solution to give her more visiting time. She promptly volunteered her services as a caregiver. As they had only one other woman to help at that point she was accepted into the ranks on the spot. But ma, being ma, decided not just to spend an inordinate time with Ben. Oh no, it was her hospital now, and she was going to make it the finest hospital in all of Gettysburg! In her mind all it would take was her home cooking and a little TLC. Ma began to reorganize the household big time. She insisted that the entire family pitch in and load the wagon with all the essentials she needed back at the house. "Don't forget to load the pots and pans," she cried out, "And pa, I need you to go to the mill tomorrow and pick up two sacks of flour. Oh, I need a lot of yeast too!" Ma was a tornado out of control. The entire family headed for the house leaving Andrew alone for a time. Andrew had kissed an open hand and then pointed it at Jordan. "Hurry back, you hear." Arriving at the house the boys unloaded the wagon while pa lit the cooking fire. Ma got busy preparing the bread dough. The boys were soon preparing all manner of vegetables while pa skinned, gutted, and cut up two plump rabbits Joshua had shot that day. It wasn't long before two large pots , topped with ma's secret herbs, were cooking on the stove. Ma found enough room to shove in a third loaf in a stove built for two. The aroma of fresh baked bread soon filled the room. Jordan eventually rode back to the cave, a fresh baked loaf tucked in his saddle bag. Surprisingly Andrew was still awake. "I've been waiting for you," Andrew said softly. "Please come to bed with me." Jordan felt a rush. It was the kind of rush you got when you really cared for someone. He slipped off his clothes and naked, he lifted the covers and slid in beside Andrew. It felt good. Andrew rolled over the best he could and stared deeply into Jordan's eyes. He smiled and sighed, "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me in my entire life." "How do you figure that?" Jordan replied. "You saved my life!" "Maybe, but if I hadn't done it some Reb soldier would have. That's for sure." "But," Andrew responded, "That Reb soldier wouldn't have done what you done." Jordan was puzzled. "What did I do that was so special?" Still staring into Jordan's eyes Andrew replied, "You kissed me." Andrew paused and began to tear up. "It was the kiss that saved my life. It made me feel like I never never felt before. It made me feel wanted .......... you know?" In the light of the coal oil lamp and despite his tears Andrew never looked so radiant. Jordan's emotions began to overwhelm him. He felt euphoric. "You are wanted Andrew. ............. I want you!" The boys instinctively meshed their lips together. It was the kind of soft passionate kiss that can only evolve when two lovers are totally committed to each other. Being careful where he put his hands Jordan embraced Andrew the best he could. Eventually Andrew snuggled up as close as he could placing his head on Jordan's chest. The last thing Jordan remembered as he began to fall asleep was Andrew whispering, "I love you Jordan O'Reilly." Jordan awoke the next morning to the sound of gunfire. All of the horrors of the recent battle came rushing back filling his head with dread. Had the Rebs returned? Instantly alert, Jordan reached for his gun. The decision had already been made. If they were under attack he was going to protect Andrew with his life if he had to. He knew there was now a well worn path to the cave entrance making it easy to spot. He'd been meaning to add some camouflage to the entrance in the form of cedar boughs. Now he was admonishing himself for failing to carry out the plan. A second shot rang out raising Jordan's discomfort level yet again. Holding the gun up in the firing position Jordan slowly peeked out. All he saw were trees, not a single uniform in sight. He moved slowly into the light. He checked all four corners of the compass. There was nothing except for a single horse grazing at the bottom of the hill. A horse? He did a doubletake checking the horse again. A smile spread across Jordan's face and he put the gun down. The horse was Moonbeam! Everything clicked into place and he relaxed. He had heard shooting all right but the shooter was Joshua and he was out after early morning game. In his haste to protect Andrew, Jordan had not bothered to dress. Now he stood naked annointing the soil with his early morning pee. His mind turned to John once more. He knew his love for John was eternal but he loved Andrew just as much. What would happen when John returned? Sometimes, he thought, life can be so complicated. The O'Reilly parents were up early that morning too. They were happy. Pa was convinced that the war was all but over and that life was already returning to normal. Pa had some catching up to do but that was fine by him. The first hay crop of the season needed reaping. Ma was gung ho to head to her hospital, loaves of bread and pots of stew in hand. But best of all for both parents was the fact that Ben was alive! Ma was in her element that day. She spent ten to fifteen minutes with every single patient. She talked some but she mostly listened. She learned who they were, where they were from and what their family life was like. She listened to more than a few love stories. She left each of them with a small bowl of stew and a third of a loaf of bread. By the end of the day Mary O'Reilly was revered by twenty-one patients plus Ben. Life in the cave had settled into a routine. Jordan began by starting the fire and cooking breakfast. Then there was the dishes to do, water to fetch, clothes to clean, the oil lamps to fill, the woodpile to replenish and on and on it went. Jordan began to wonder how ma managed to cope with it all. No wonder she is always busy he thought. Joshua always arrived in the late afternoon to replenish the egg and milk supply as well as stocking up on ma's home cooking and fresh baked goods. Jordan had quite enough to do without being pestered by Andrew. Yet pestered he was. Not that Jordan minded. In fact Jordan soon learned that he enjoyed being dominated by the younger boy. In between every chore Andrew would demand some attention. Often he sought no more than an opportunity to talk quietly together ending invariably with a demand for a kiss or a hug. Other times he wanted a lot more. "Give me your hand" he would begin. Taking it gently he would guide the hand under the blanket on to his naked boyhood. Often he rolled the blanket back knowing how much Jordan enjoyed looking at his nakedness. "Feel me up," he would grin. Jordan enjoyed running his fingers over the silky smooth hardness of Andrew's penis. Then slipping downwards he would gently knead the soft globes below. He usually finished by running the skin back and forth over the glans until Andrew moaned at least once or twice. He could hardly wait until Andrew was well enough to be fully serviced. On other occasions Andrew would gently grope Jordan's package. "Let me see it." Jordan would strip and then kneel beside Andrew's head. "Bend forward," Andrew added. That was the signal for Jordan to lean over Andrew so that his cock grazed Andrew's mouth. Andrew would open his mouth massaging the tip of Jordan's cock with his tongue. Although Andrew knew his action was enough to send shivers up and down Jordan's spine he knew it wasn't enough to make him erupt so he added, "Pump it and tell me when you are cumming". Keeping the tip of his organ in Andrew's mouth, Jordan began a series of long hard strokes. With his cock staring at that beautiful face Jordan never lasted long. Half a dozen, perhaps eight strokes is all it took before Jordan cried out a warning. "Let me." Andrew insisted. That was the signal for Jordan to allow Andrew to grasp his cock and finish the job. Andrew lifted his head just an inch or so allowing him to take in most of Jordan's helmet. Jordan sent blast after blast down Andrews throat! On other occasions he would finish by pointing Jordan's cock at his own face allowing the gism to cover him. He loved cum facials! Andrew demanded he service Jordan at least two or three times a day. It go so that Jordan never had to seek privacy anymore to satisfy his needs. Andrew was always there, ever willing to bring him to a climax. Joshua came close to catching them in the act a couple of times. Allbeit ever so slowly the hospitals began to empty. Unfortunately a few patients died adding to the tragically huge number of graves on Cemetary Ridge. Some were well enough to be transferred by train to larger cities. Most however were able to return to their units or were permitted to go home. On the other hand ma's hospital never emptied. Oh there were patient successes all right, lots of them. But no sooner had a bed emptied than a doctor in another hospital found an excuse to transfer a patient to ma's care! Ma's remedies were working and her reputation was growing! Thanks in part to Doctor Richard's endorsement ma was soon entrusted with changing bandages too. She was even permitted to add an occasional poultice to one patient or another. In Doctor Richard's words, "Ma you are a God send. I really don't know what we would do without you now!" One of the first hospitals to completely empty was the Reverend Mason's church. Pa noted a notice in the weekly newspaper announcing a service of celebration to be held that Sunday. "Land sakes,"ma said, "We need to get there plenty early so's we can get us a good pew." Sure enough the church was packed to overflowing. It would have been impossible to jam in another parrishioner even with a shoe horn. The Reverend Mason was in fine form comparing the great Union victory to the parable of David and Goliath. While the sermon was relatively short the following announcements were not. The church had become a repositoire of events and needs within the community and the Reverend Mason was prepared to do his duty to the fullest. He began with a list of the soldiers from Gettysburg who lay recovering in one hospital or another. When he reached Ben he announced, "I have it on good authority that Mr. Benjamin O'Reilly of our congregation was reported missing in action. I am happy to say he has been found and is now recovering in hospital." A chorus of 'Praise be to God' and 'Thank heavens' rippled through the assemblage. The good reverend continued by reading a list of the help that was still needed. They required more grave diggers on Cemetary Ridge, more cooks for the soup kitchen, additional care givers and so on and so on. Reverend Mason turned the spotlight on the O'Reilly family once more, "The O'Reillys are a shining beacon for all of us to follow. Not only do they donate food on a daily basis Mrs. O'Reilly has donated countless wonderful hours caring for our wounded." A round of applause followed as the O'Reilly parents hugged each other in gratitude for the recognition. Unfortunately for the O'Reillys the announcements ended on an onimous note. "Major Ingram, head of the Union forces here in Gettysburg, has reported the capture yesterday of two rebel soldiers just south of town. He reminds us that these are dangerous times and that there could still be the odd rebel lurking in the area. If you see or hear of any rebels you are ordered to report your findings to Major Ingram forthwith." What had been a joyous celebration for the O'Reillys turned in an instant to stark fear! It was a quiet return to the O'Reilly farm. Although no one said anything each member of the family knew what the other was thinking. Reaching home, they sat in the living room staring at each other. "Well," pa announced, "What are we going to do?" Ma jumped in with both feet. "We ain't giving him up and that's a fact!" "I don't know if that's such a good idea ma." "I could go to Doctor Richards and ask for help," Jordan suggested. "No son, I think its best we keep Doctor Richards out of this problem." Ma came to the rescue. "If we handed him over they can still say we helped him some. We'd be in trouble something fierce. So we can't be in any more trouble if we keep him here. Right?" "I know Andrew real well now," Jordan added, "If he had to go to prison he'd die there. He'd never make it. Besides, what would Ben want us to do?" "Hmmmm," pa murmured, "You both have made some good arguments. Let's put it to a vote. Who would like to see us keep Andrew?' Three hands shot up. Pa hesitated just for a moment and then raised his too. Jordan raced back to the cave. It was if Union forces were at his heels searching for Andrew. He couldn't help it. The sense of fear wouldn't leave the pit of his stomach. Jumping into the cave he didn't wait for Andrew to say hello. "I got work to do Andrew. I'll explain when I've finished." He grabbed an axe and a shovel and jumped back outside. Thirty minutes later the cave entrance was completely hidden by a mesh of cedar and pine boughs. Taking his shovel he proceeded to cover the entrance path with fresh dirt. As an afterthought he placed a couple of large boulders in the middle of the path. He stepped back to examine his handiwork. Satisfied, he crawled back in. The cave was a little darker now but it was a fair trade off for the added security. "Well, what was that all about?" Andrew queried. Jordan cut no corners. He felt he had to tell Andrew everything. When he finished Andrew sat there looking shell shocked. Tears streaming down his face Andrew remarked, "Nobody never done anything for me like this before. But it ain't fair. I shouldn't be making so much trouble for you all. Maybe I should just turn myself in." "No!" Jordan shouted. "Don't you see? I love you too much. I've probably already lost John. I can't lose you too! I couldn't go on living without you!" At that point both boys were in dire need of a hug and a long passionate kiss. They didn't hesitate. They spent the rest of the day just talking and expressing their love for each other. Neither felt like eating and sex wasn't on the menu either. They fell asleep in each other's arms. The next morning Jordan awoke determined that this was the day he would examine the Rose property. He felt he owed it to John and the rest of his family. He wasn't too sure what he would be looking for. A memento of some kind from John perhaps, a marked trail maybe, or if he was really fortunate a message explaining their whereabouts. He wasn't optimistic. As he turned Cloud into the Rose caraigeway he heard voices. They were happy voices, sounds of laughter and general merriment. He shook his head for he knew it was an illusion. The voices were in his head. There was no one there. The small white fence around the house had been pushed down. The flowers were trampled. He stopped, his mouth agape, when he reached the house. Gone was the stately farmhouse that had stood so proudly for so many years. In its place was a shell. Only the four outer stone walls remained. The doors and windows were now mere holes in the walls. There was no roof. In a trance he forced himself to look inside. Everything had been incinerated right down to and including the wooden floor. The only recognizable object was the cast iron stove. He felt more tears as he turned away. As much as Jordan felt like leaving he also felt he owed it to John to look further. The farm had been stripped bare. Every chicken, pig, cow and horse was gone. He checked the food cellar. Every vegetable that he and John had worked so hard to store, was gone. He remounted Cloud and headed out into the wheatfield for what he knew not. The wheatfield was flattened and it was clear there would be no crop this year. Cloud stepped gingerly around many a shell hole. The bodies had all been removed by now but the carcasses of several dead horses remained. The remnants of the great battle were everywhere. A shattered amunition wagon lay on its side. A shredded rebel flag stood planted in the soil still flapping in the breeze. A broken musket lay nearby. The smell of death permeated his nostrils. Jordan swung Cloud around. He had seen enough. There was nothing to find. Jordan entered the cave in a sombre mood. Andrew knew immediately that Jordan's mission had failed. Feeling Jordan's anguish he began to cry. Andrew was such a sensitive and caring boy and Jordan loved him for it. "I have to accept facts," Jordan said, "John ain't never coming back. I've lost him." "You never know," Andrew encouraged. "Maybe they ran away before the battle." "No," Jordan concluded, "The very last thing the family told me was they planned to stay put in their home. Besides, had they run away they would have returned by now." The roles were reversed that evening for it was Jordan who aggressively sought Andrew's love and affection. After absorbing several editions of the Gettsburg Compiler pa gave a summary on the war's status. He explained that somehow the South was able to reorganize and set up a strong defensive position many miles south of Gettysburg. After absorbing more losses than the South could afford they strategically retreated south to set up yet another defensive position. It was becoming a war of attrition as both armies got closer and closer the cotton centre of the South, Atlanta. Once again pa's prediction of a quick ending failed to materialize. The war dragged on. Ben got his voice back and most of the bandages were removed from his head. Ben had no idea how he ended up in a hospital in Gettysburg. In fact he could remember nothing about the war at all! Ma figured his lack of memory was a good thing. "I reckon if he can't remember all the bad stuff he saw then he should feel a lot better'n most soldiers about the way things are now." Sometimes ma could make a lot of sense. The last thing Ben remembered was writing a letter while waiting on the bank of the Potomac River. Ben felt it was important to recall his experiences and asked to see all the letters he had written. Ma was tentative to hand them over afraid they might stir up bad memories. The letters failed to assist his lost memory but it did galvanize his beliefs. As Ben said, "I was obviously serious when I said them things in my letters so I have to believe that way now. War is not the best way to settle disputes. Southerners are just like us and after this war is over I'll be proud to have one as a neighbour!" "Praise the Lord!" ma crowed. Ben's life changed dramatically in another direction too. A certain young lady, the same one that kissed him goodbye that day in Gettysburg, came calling. Her name was Mary Ann. It was obvious to ma the pair was smitten with each other. Ma recognized before anyone else that there would soon be a daughter in law to add to the family tree. Andrew's life changed for the better too. With the aid of a cane that pa lent him, Andrew was able to take his first steps on his own. Within a few more days he took his first steps outside. Jordan was careful to check out the terrain first before Andrew ventured out. About this time too Andrew added a new demand to his sexual desires. "Do me," he said simply. Jordan needed no further coaxing. Pushing the blanket back he quickly devoured his entire cock right down to the pubes. He explored it thoroughly with his tongue and rolled it around in his mouth. Andrew moaned and thrashed about a little demonstrating obvious pleasure yet he did not explode in a few short minutes like most boys his age. So Jordan continued to savor the experience, sucking, licking, twisting and slurping his way around Andrews boyhood. He pushed the foreskin down as far as it would go and explored the flared helmet with his lips. He kneaded the gonads as he sucked. He bobbed up and down for a while, then twisted his mouth about the corona. Finally with a free hand Jordan reached under Andrews gonads and pushed. Reaching his ass cheeks he pushed upwards and found his love chute. Another push and he was able to bury two fingers. H e wiggled them about massaging Andrew's prostate. Andrew let go with a shriek of pure pleasure and Jordan felt the blast of hot cum striking the back of his throat. Both boys collapsed totally spent and totally satisfied. "Wow!" Andrew whispered. That said it all! A few days later Andrew had his thirteenth birthday. Ma, not one to cut corners, decided a birthday party was in order. The whole family met in the cave. Ma had baked a cake. Andrew, as sensitive as ever, began to cry claiming it was the first birthday celebration he had ever had. They all sang happy birthday while Andrew continued to weep. Pa then handed Andrew a gift in the form of a card in a sealed envelope. Andrew took the envelope and stared at it without opening it. He continued to cry. "What's wrong?" pa inquired. Keeping his eyes downcast Andrew replied, "I......I..... I can't read." Pa didn't miss a beat. "Well then ain't you the lucky one Andrew. Just so happens we have the number one reading teacher in all of Gettysburg right here in this cave." Andrew lifted his head, "Really? Who?" Ma had to butt in at this point, "Why Jordan of course, we're right proud of him." Pa gently retrieved the envelope from Andrew. "Let's in the meantime read this card for you." Removing the card he read, "Welcome to our family Master Andrew O'Reilly". Understandibly that brought on a fresh bout of Andrew tears. "Oh wow, you would all really do that for me?" It was a great birthday party! There wasn'y a dry eye in the cave at this point but no one was happier than Andrew! Just two days later ma and pa were spending a quiet evening together. Joshua had already gone to bed. The quiet was interrupted by very loud rapping at their door. "What in tarnation!" ma exclaimed. She opend the door to find a gentleman dressed to the nines in a smart Union officers uniform. "Are you Mrs. Mary O'Reilly?" he barked. "I am," ma agreed. Looking over ma's shoulder he added, "And you sir, are you Mr. John O'Reilly?" "I am," pa replied. "I am authorized to arrest both of you on a charge of treason against the United States Government for housing a member of the enemy in a time of war!" Please send your comments and suggestions to wildwing4160@gmail.com.