Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2019 23:25:50 -0400 From: jim wicks Subject: Memories of Gettysburg - Chapter 12 Preface: This is the final chapter of a love story involving gay youth and adults. There is little in the way of sex in this chapter. The story is completely ficticious but is built around the true events of the American Civil War. In that regard I have tried to be as accurate as possible. My sincere thanks to those who have emailed me to date. You have helped to keep my creative juices flowing. Let me know if you would like more stories like this one at wildwing4160@gmail.com. Keep your donations coming too. We need to keep this resource alive. Enjoy! Memories of Gettysburg Chapter 12 Ma staggered backwards and began to collapse. Pa rushed to her aid and guided her to a seat. The major boldly strode into the house quickly followed by four more men in uniform. "Where is the rebel?" the major demanded. Pa gathered himself up and rose to the occasion. Ignoring the major's question he chose instead to go on the attack. "How dare you question our family's loyalty to the Union cause. Are you aware sir that my eldest son volunteered his services to the Union army before the first shot of the war was fired?" "Stop wasting my time," the major replied, "Where are you hiding the rebel?" "My son sir, has been in every battle the Union has fought. He was greviously wounded in the battle at Gettysburg and even now he lies recovering in a Gettysburg hospital!" "You'll get a proper hearing," the major said gruffly, "I'm sure they will take your son's war record into account." Turning his head the major gave orders to his subordinates. "Private Noble, search the house. Seargent Moriss take two men and search the barn along with any other buildings you find on the property." Without a word the men dispersed leaving the major and his aide alone in the parlor. Desperate now pa carried on throwing everything he could think of at the major. "Are you aware sir that we provide food to the town every single day." The major did not seem impressed. The parties were interrupted by a screaming Joshua being dragged into the room by his collar. "Let go of me!" he yelled. "I ain't done nothing!" Joshua wiggled like an eel. He managed to break free and rushed to his mother's side. "What's happening ma?" "Hush son. Come and sit on my lap." "Hold the child," the major bellowed. "If we can't find the rebel we will question the boy later." Then turning back to pa the major asked, "I understand you have another son. Where is he?" The colour was fading from pa's face. He knew if the major found Jordan and Andrew their fates were sealed. Nothing could be gained by answering the major's question so he returned to the attack once more. "Are you aware sir that my wife, Mary O'Reilly has given countless hours in the service of caring for the Union wounded? She feeds them, changes their bandages and gives them solace." The major slowly looked up at pa his eyes now squinting in puzzlement. "O'Reilly?" he said quietly. He then turned his head again and stared at ma for a moment. Then he turned back to pa. "This isn't the O'Reilly woman that everyone in town is talking about, is it?" Pa was confused. "I don't know. What are they saying?" "Everyone is raving about her. She's done wondrous things with dozens of our wounded. My cousin Jeb was under her care for a spell. He called her an angel!" Pa recognized a ray of hope. "Yup, that would be ma. She never stops." The major spun around to ma, clicked his heels and saluted. Then reaching out for ma's hand stated, "It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am." Without waiting for a response the major spun again to his aide. "Private Primwell, call all the men in. We are finished here. There is no cause for alarm." "But major ........." the private protested. "You heard my order private. Move!" The major was more than apologetic now. "I am so sorry for all of the consternation we have caused you. You are clearly one of the most patriotic families we have in Gettysburg. We won't be bothering you again!" Ma promptly fainted. True to his word the major gathered his men and vanished into the evening. Only as the sound of the last horse faded did pa begin to weep. They were tears of relief. Despite the major's promise not to return the O'Reillys thought it best to keep Andrew at the cave for the duration. Jordan would stay with him. After the war Andrew would be introduced as a distant cousin and an orphan of the war. Jordan had a new job now. Andrew had to be schooled. It turned out there had been little in the way of schooling in the backwoods of Tennessee. Andrew in fact had never seen the inside of a classroom. He was however, an even better pupil than Lucas. Jordan quickly realized Andrew was as intelligent as he was, perhaps more so. Andrew learned the phonetic method of reading with ease and soon a whole new world opened up for him. Andrew wasn't satisfied with the two to three hours of study that Jordan prescribed. "This is fun," he would say, "Teach me more. I love it!" When it came to mathematics Andrew proved even more proficient. With the four basic math operations down pat Jordan turned to measurements, then fractions and decimals. Jordan finally threw his hands up. "I've taught you everything I know," he admitted. "Maybe you can get a book on advanced mathematics from the library," Andrew suggested. "I'd love to learn about geometry and algebra." Andrew began to devour novels too. Lots of them. His world continued to expand and he was excited. One day Jordan was feeling particularly aroused. He sought Andrew's attention. He did a seductive strip tease in front of him. Andrew his nose buried in a book, didn't budge. His book happened to be Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel Uncle Toms Cabin. He finally put the book down and staring at Jordan's naked body declared, "I understand now why the North feels the way they do about the negroes. It ain't fittin what the South done to them." He promptly returned to the novel. "What's the matter?" Jordan declared quite put out, "Ain't I handsome enough for ya any more?" Andrew put the novel down once more. "Yeah, you are but ya gotta wait until I finish this chapter. Okay?" Jordan pouted. "I wish I had never taught you how to read." "Yeah, but I'm sure glad you did," he grinned. With ma's able assistance Ben's health continued to improve. There was some scaring on his hands but with a little exercise he regained full use. The neck wound healed well too. His voice, somewhat hoarse at first, returned to normal. His broken leg was removed from the sling and he was encouraged to take a few steps. Ma was about ready to claim another success and send Ben home. Andrew improved too. The pain in his side became negligible. The leg was badly scarred but it was functional. With the aid of his cane the walks in the woods lengthened. He took his first bath in the swimming hole. Jordan leaped at the chance to lather him up some. Andrew never stopped thanking Jordan for bringing him back from the brink of death. The boys pledged their deep devotion to each other and like John before him Andrew indicated he would follow Jordan wherever he chose to go. The idea of attending a school of higher learning in Philadelphia thrilled him. It was ma who decided, "The cave ain't a fiitin place to live for months at a time. I'm prepared to bring the boys here occasionally." It took some convincing but pa finally agreed. A new routine was born. After church each Sunday Jordan would bring Andrew to the house. Ma's Sunday dinner was world famous at least in the eyes of the O'Reilly clan. It also gave Andrew an opportunity to properly bond with his new family and he didn't miss a beat on that account. He quickly grew especially fond of ma. Openly showing his emotions as usual he often gave ma a big hug and a kiss. "Ya better not be stealing my ma on me," Jordan laughed. "You know," Andrew pondered, "I've never had a mother before. I guess I'm trying to make up for lost time." As Andrew's health improved so did his desire to help with the chores. If he wasn't setting the table he was sweeping the floor or doing the dishes. Mind you Andrew also always found an opportunity to raid the O'Reilly library too. His thirst for knowledge was insatiable. One Sunday pa had a momentous announcement to make. "Says here that we have a distinguished visitor coming to town." "Who might that be pa?" Jordan asked. "The president himself, Abe Lincoln, is coming to Gettysburg!" "Why pa? Why would he want to come here?" "Says here he wants to honor the dead from the great battle. He's planning on giving a speech and dedicating the new war cemetary." Jumping in Joshua exclaimed, "Can we go pa? Can we? Can we?" "Of course Joshua. I think it would be only fittin we should all go and pay our respects to a great president." "Excepting me of course," Andrew added. "You never know son. The war could be over by then. If it is you are coming, all right? Besides it will be fun taking a rebel to a Union ceremony." "I'm not a rebel any more sir," Andrew corrected. "I'm an American!" Pa quickly apologized. "Of course you are Andrew. We are all Americans." The following Sunday pa announced another Union victory. The troops had reached Atlanta and they promptly burned the former rebel stronghold to the ground. "I don't understand pa. The Rebs spared Gettysburg yet we burned Atlanta. Why?" "The answer is cotton son. It's the number one resource in the south and their major source of income. Atlanta is the centre of that industry. By destroying Atlanta we destroy the South's ability to fund the war. They have to surrender now!" Pa's prediction fell by the wayside just like all of his other predictions of surrender. It looked like Andrew would have to spend yet another winter in the Ben's Hideaway. Ben arrived home to great fanfare. Jordan was greatly surprised by his brother's appearance. Gone was the exhuberant teenager he remembered from three and a half years ago. In its place stood a young adult with a moustache no less. There was a serious side to Ben's demeanor now too. With so many Union patients and doctors nearby ma dared not mention Andrew in the hospital. Now it was decided to surprise Ben by hiding the secret until Sunday when Ben would meet Andrew in person. Ben had a surprise for the family too. "I have decided to marry Mary Ann and I am seeking your blessing in the matter." The announcement didn't faze ma at all. She knew it was coming. "Mary Ann's last name is Willoughby. Her father is the owner and president of Willoughby Carraige Works, the largest employer here in Gettysburg. He has offerred me a job as an apprentice carraige maker. It's a grand opportunity that I can't turn down. The horse has been our major source of transportation for hundreds of years and I'm sure it will remain so for hundreds more. We will always need carraiges." Pa was taken aback. He had been secretly hoping Ben would inherit the family farm. Still he couldn't disagree with Ben's logic. "You know your mother and I will support you fully," he said. Besides, pa reckoned, I still have Jordan and Joshua to give the farm to. An extraordinary meeting occurred in the O'Reilly farmhouse that Sunday. Andrew strode in, his arm outstreached to shake Ben's hand. "Hi. I'm Andrew O'Reilly. I'm glad to meet you!" "What the......?" Ben started. "Say hello to your new brother," ma chortled. Pa went on to explain how Jordan found him in the Rose Bush and how they brought him home. "We took him in on account of what you said in your letters son. We have to learn to get along with southerners. This war has to end." Grinning, Andrew added, "So you were in charge of them cannons behind the Union lines?" "I can't remember, Ben admitted, "But it's what they tell me." Andrew tugged at his shirt to reveal the ugly scar in his side. "Well I am here to show you, you didn't miss!" Ben stretched out his arms and accepted Andrew in a bear hug. "I'm sorry brother, I was just doing my duty." The two were instant friends and remained so ever since. Ma still made her rounds at the hospital. The patients were much fewer in number now but those who remained seemed to need ma more than ever. Many were down on their luck and doctors began prescribing ma's aid as a moral booster. Ma never flinched. She quite enjoyed moving from building to building telling an anecdote here and listening to a soldiers tale of lament there. A reporter from the Gettysburg Compiler interviewed her one day. They also insisted on taking a picture with a new contraption the paper had just purchased. It was called a camera. They wrote a fine article praising ma's achievemnets to the hilt. Her picture was one of the first to ever appear in the paper. Pa brought home four copies of the paper that week. It was November 19th, 1863 and the president's visit was spectacular. Despite the sombre occasion the town still did itself proud with red white and blue bunting in honour of the president. People came by every transportation means available for hundreds of miles around just for a chance to see the great man in person. Several special trains came in from Philadelphia and Pittsburg each crammed with Abe Lincoln admirers. The town's population grew tenfold that day. Lincoln, resplendant in his top hat arrived by train too. He proceeded by Willoughby carraige to the cemetary. Thousands of citizens encircled a stage that had been set up for the occasion. The O'Reillys dressed in their Sunday clothes were among them. A silver tongued orator had been chosen especially for the day to warm up the crowd so to speak before the president took the stage. Unfortunately he spoke far too long and the throngs became restless. Under any other circumstance he would have been booed off the stage. Mercifully, two hours later, he finally sat down and the president rose to speak. Abe Lincoln was a very tall man so even those far away could at least get a glimpse of him. It was a good thing too, for many years before the advent of the microphone, only a tiny percentage of the throng were close enough to hear him. It seemed the president had hardly begun his speech when he sat down again. His speech was as short as the orators was long. It wasn't until the speech appeared in newspapers across the country that people realized how moving and eloquent his speech had been. The speech took on a life of its own and acquired a moniker. Today it's know as The Gettysburg Address and is recognized as one of the greatest speeches ever given by an American president. The war continued on for another sixteen months before finally ending in a sleepy little hamlet called Appomattox, Virginia on April 9th. 1865. It brought the end to one of the strangest coincidences of the war, or any war for that matter. It's worth telling again even if you've heard it before. A Mr. Wilmer McLean originally owned property near Manassas Virginia. It was a fine piece of land containing a small river called Bull Run. The two great armies chose that property for the first major engagement of the war. The skirmish was called The Battle of Bull Run. Not satisfied the two great armies met again about a year later on the exact same site. Appropriately it became known as The Second Battle of Bull Run. Disgusted, Mr. Mclean pulled up stakes and moved his family to a quiet backwoods hamlet where he felt the war could never reach. Yes he chose Appomattox. The final battle was fought on and around the McLean property. Mr. McLean's house also served as the courthouse for the area. It was there in the courthouse that General Lee and General Ulysses S. Grant signed the surrender documents. Shortly thereafter Lincoln emancipated the slaves and declared all men were created equal. That's all the O'Reillys had to hear. Andrew became a full card carrying member of the family. Good thing too for Ben had already moved away with his new wife to live in a house owned by the Willoughbys. Andrew proved to be as hard working as he had promised he would be. Joshua, now twelve years old, worked as hard as anyone. Pa was happy and the farm thrived. Jordan grew restless for he still had no ambition to make farming his life's work. With the blessing of their parents and a generous allowance Jordan and Andrew, now seventeen and fifteen respectively, set out for Philadelphia. Although young, the university recognized Andrew as a brilliant scholar. Both were enrolled into the programs. Andrew graduated at the top of his class and Jordan wasn't far behind. They established a company called O'Reilly Bros. Accounting and Bookkeeping. Jordan proved to be the grease that kept the company running smoothly. Andrew came up with some new innovations in accounting. The company grew and became renowned. Now wealthy they were not beyond some pleasure in their lives. They often attended private clubs in the evening. Not so strange, these clubs only catered to men. Jordan and Andrew did not ignore the old homestead. They visited at least three times a year, usually more. First travelling by train, then late in life switching to one of the first automobiles to appear in Gettysburg, a Pierce-Arrow. Thankfully for pa Joshua grew into a strapping young man who loved the soil. He married and raised three children in the old homestead. The continuity of the O'Reilly name was assured. Joshua also built a fine cottage on the property for his parents to retire in. Ma could still cook up a storm and any visit by Jordan and Andrew was enough to signal a great feast with all the fixings. Ben thrived too. He and his wife bore one child, a daughter. He rose to the position of production manager for the entire plant. Luckily for him he retired before Henry Ford arrived on the scene. The mystery of the Rose family was never entirely solved. Three theories made the rounds. The first had them murdered and buried secretly on the farm. Jordan rejected this out of hand. The Rebs were under strict orders not to harm the citizens especially where women and chidren were concerned. The second theory had them being killed inadvertently by a stray Union shell. The resultant fire burned so hot it even reduced their bones to ashes. The third theory had the Roses fleeing the area just before the Rebs arrived. On learning their farm was devastated they vowed never to return. For years Jordan had faint hope that the third theory was correct. However he knew that from even hundreds of miles away John would have found his way back to him. He never did. The Rose property was put up for sale. There were no takers. It seemed the property simply contained too many ghosts. The property was eventually purhased by the government and became the cornerstone of the Gettysburg National Military Park. The Rose property was lovingly restored. If you go to Gettysburg today you can see it for yourself. Final notes: For those of you who made it this far I thank you for reading my story. Many of you may be surprised to learn that I am not American. I just hope I did justice to the memory of those who fought and died at Gettysburg. PLEASE keep those emails coming to wildwing4160@gmail.com . Of course I like praise but I like critcisms too. They help me to improve. If you wish to read more of my writing go to the prolific author section. The stories that received the most attention were Jason's Dilemma, I'm Available, and David's Northern Adventures. My next story, What Goes Around, will begin shortly. It's very different from this tale. If you are curious at all about the writer behind the story then you should find it interesting. Lastly remember if there were no donations to Nifty you wouldn't be able to read any of my stories. If you haven't already, please become a donor today.