A side battle of the Civil War......

[Merelan]

OOC This is an open thread, the soldier who is wounded, and the Captain are taken, but any other chacters are welcome. Play, have fun. Enjoy....




It was late. I was tired, filthy, and disgusted with the world around me. It wasn't suppose to be like this. Battle wasn't blood and guts, and screaming. It wasn't the whine and splat of a bullet that removes half a face and leaves the rest to scream it's way to death.
It was suppose to be heroic, brave and clean. Full of chances to save my country and ideals.

Slogging through the mud I feel pain, only a graze, but one I would have to tend myself. Getting back to camp too late for dinner, and too late to hide in the comon tent. Slipping into the Captain's to tend my wound, and maybe wash a bit. He was at a Staff meeting. Probably discussing another way to get us killed, without actually accomplishing anything.
Sssssssssssss... as I tore away the shirt from where the blood had dried. Damn. The pull had started the bleeding again. Checking around and then swiftly pulling the inner shirt off, but keeping it close. In the dark I fumbled and felt till I got to the bedside. The water pitcher where I had placed it earlier, for him, and me if I needed it.
In the dark I cleansed it as best I could, but somehow, missed the table putting the pitcher back. Spilling it a bit on the floor.

"Damn." Hoping it had missed his boots.

"It better have." As a hand snaked out and grabbed my wrist pulling me close. It was the Captain. Lying in the dark quietly, I hadn't even realized he was back. I had to get my shirt back on before he saw me. But his hand was strong and held me in a vice grip.

Me? I am nobody, a soldier like any other. Or am I? Has he figured it out?

 

[Claymore]

Intresting so far. You say this is open, with the exception of the captain and the wounded soldier. How open do you mean? I mean, there were many captains and such involved, though not all were the same person. If someone else were to play a captain, they'd have to be in charge of an entirely different company from the one it sounds the captain and wounded soldier are in.

 

[poohlive]

I'd love to join as well. Always been a huge fan of the Civil War.
But a few more questions are needed to be answered before I join.
These go along with Claymore's thoughts. What side of the war are you on, north/south? It does make a difference in role playing. The north had more money, and better supplies, while the south usually scrounged for basic things like food and clothing.
Also, where are we, geographically? and when for that matter? Through most of the war, muskets were used, but by the end actual rifles replaced them. Just wondering where exactly to put everything.

 

[Merelan]

Oops, sorry guys. I normally start with so much information given I scare off people.

Yes, you can be anyone you want. We are on the Southern side. how about we place it in Virginia. Close enough if we need to have spies and such we can.

This could be excitng, and informative for me. Any other ideas pop in. You all know me. I don't mind what you do nd play, and am very open to suggestions. As long as that is what they are. That means ... please, no character controlling without their owner's permission. Please.

now, where was I?

 

[cgraven]

Capt. Michael Sheeran

Fate plays strange tricks with your life. It certainly had with mine. An Irish mercenary, come to theses shores as an adventure to “Americay”. The Art of war lifting me from the gutters of Dublin to serve as an officer in “Her Majesties Army of India”, an officer of lancers. Then “The Mutiny”, the “Black hold of Calcutta”, a small pension in pounds sterling and Sheeran nothing personal but your services are no longer required, so much for honor.

Now here I am a Capt. of cavalry, in the “Army of Northern Virginia”. These poor fools, as they trained full of the bravado, of the “Cavalier” spirit, war a lark for a summer's day, now they where blooded. It was a sharp engagement at the stone bridge at “Manassas Run”, two ill trained Armies stumbling in to each other, canister shot ripping man and mount apart, mini balls gouging horrific wounds in flesh, saber slashes, ending innocent youth, in a lightening slash, yes the bloody business of war.

We won the field, the picnickers from “The Federal Capital”, from Richmond, their day’s outing at an end, the horror of war seared into their minds, and some joining the soldiers on the field in the common sleep of death, run for home.

I lay staring at the canvas of my wedge tent in the dark, the single candle back lighting my orderly as he comes in, no need to disturbed the lad. A blood soaked patch high on his cavalry shell jacket, he strips his blouse, to tend the wound. My eyes widen in disbelief, the fair callow youth is no lad, but a calmly lass. My hand shoots out capturing her wrist.

“Lass what game are you playing at here?”

 

[Merelan]

“Lass what game are you playing at here?”

I gasp, and again twist, trying to release myself.

"I am no lass, and am only tending a slight wound."

But then realize he has seen my body, outlined by the candle light. Drawing myself up, as haughty as I can, I pull at his fingers. But his grip is iron.

 

[cgraven]

“Lass play no games with me, what name do you go by here in the Army, tell me not your real name less I should inadvertently use it.”

I watch as she tries to lose my grip from her wrist. I bend her arm back painfully.

“Lass make no mistake, if you are discovered they will make an example of you………… The best you can hope for is to be sent home in disgrace,…….. the worst, rape, or a bullet at dawn.”

 

[Merelan]

“Lass play no games with me, what name do you go by here in the Army, tell me
not your real name less I should inadvertently use it.”

I twist, but he hurts me, making me cry out.
“Lass make no mistake, if you are discovered they will make an example of
you………… The best you can hope for is to be sent home in disgrace,…….. the
worst, rape, or a bullet at dawn.”

Suddenly I stand still. Rape? Bullet? Disgrace? My family would be ruined.

"Matt call me Matt. Just let me go, I won't hurt anyone."

 

[cgraven]

‘I call you Mattie and you’ll be going no where but where I tell you.”

I watch her eyes widen in shock. My voice low, a whisper, tinged with the authority of one only to use to wheedling it, my hazel eyes holding hers trapped in the flickering candle light.

“You are a private solider, I am your company Capitan trooper, and I literally hold the power of life and death over you.”

I let my words sink in, hopping to scare the life out of this lass.

“You’ll do what ever I tell you, when ever I tell you Mattie, or pay the ultimate price for your foolishness.”.

 

[Merelan]

‘I call you Mattie and you’ll be going no where but where I tell you.”

How dare he!


“You are a private solider, I am your company Capitan trooper, and I literally hold the power of life and death over you.”

Trembling now, I feel like collapsing, but will myself to stay up, not wanting to let him know my fear.

“You’ll do what ever I tell you, when ever I tell you Mattie, or pay the ultimate price for your foolishness.”.

Shaking myhead no, mouthing it also.

"No, I will leave. Tongight." There is no way I can stay here now, with him holding this over my head.

 

[cgraven]

‘Leave is Mattie me lass, do you know what the penalty is for desertion in the face of the enemy is.?”

I let the impact of my words strike home like a slap across her face.

“Simply put it is death by firing squad….. The Provost Marshall would have you before you could clear the picket lines.”

Again I pause to let the reality of her situation, of her noble foolish act strike home.

“Do I make myself perfectly clear?.............If not it is this you have no choice my dear.”

 

[Merelan]

"What do you want? I will stay here then." Believing, knowing his words were right. Desertion brought death, and disgrace to the family when they found out my secret.

"May I leave then. To return to my tent."

 

[cgraven]

“Trooper Mattie of course you may leave now that we understand each other.”

I watched the light of hope brighten in her eyes, the false belief that she was free of a threat that she feared more than death itself. I watched as Mattie struggled back into her uniform, she was just about to leave my tent;

“Yes you are free to leave trooper, to get your bed roll & kit, you are now my personal orderly and will be sleeping in my tent from now on………..10 minutes no more, that what you have till you’re back here…….Dismissed trooper Mattie.

 

[Claymore]

What year and what time of year? I mean, the Captain is mentioned as being a part of the calvary arm of the Army of Northern Virginia, which would suggest that his commanding General in probably Stuart. Unless the point in the War were Stuart has been killed has been reached.

 

[poohlive]

Ooc: I don't know about the civil war that much. C.G. did mention the picnickers that ran or were killed. If I can recall my history, in the first real battle lots of people had picnics and thought there would just be a couple of shots and then people would all go home. I don't remember any other battle where there were any observers, especially ones with picnic baskets. I could be wrong though.

I'll post my character tomorrow. Can't wait to join.

 

[Merelan]

Mattie: Left quickly, rushing back to the tent. Ignoring the mumbles and cries of her comrades as she quickly gathered her bedroll and the few things she had with her.
"Hell and Damnation." One of them rolling over, asking what the hell he was doing.

"Deserting Matt? It won't make it better. Always knew you were a weak one."

Whirling, the anger I was feeling blazing out, a sharp thump in his gut sent him back to his roll.

"I am honoured to be the Captain's new orderly. His last was killed today. Ain't I the lucky bastard." Slinging it over my shoulder.

"Better watch out for him, he has had an eye on you a couple days now. Better cover your arse when you bend over. You know what they say about the officers." The words stopped me dead in my tracks.

Sweet Mother, was that what the man had in mind? To use me, like that? I knew the basic facts of life, having seen the animals in the yard, and having peeked in the shanties as my elder brothers bothered the slave girls. But.. me? No, he just wanted someone to boss around and wait on him. Damn him.

Leaving now was impossible, as they were watching me. But the time would come, and then, I would escape to my freedom. Since he didn't know my real name, I would be home free.

I entered his tent, with a slight noise, so he knew I had returned. he was writing something, his back to me. Could I kill him now? No. I wasn't cold blooded. Standing still, waiting. The bastard knew I was there waiting. My anger growing with every passing second.



OOC: I guess early war. does it have to be precise? if so cgraven will have to help. I feel bad now, as we are showing our ignorance in our own history. I am sure by his postwe should be able to narrow the field, yet, all I can say is...

help.

 

[cgraven]

I glance at my watch that lay open on the writing desk; Mattie was a “Good Little Trooper” and was back in six minutes flat, as I wrote the letter that was my insurance policy. I let her stand there at attention for ten minutes. Mattie obviously came from a family of quality, and that meant that they where slave holders.

I abhorred slavery, my own people had been no better than slave to the landed gentry back in Ireland. We where of noble blood, but hell most Irish where, we had been proud but penniless. My parents had scraped to put me through university in Dublin, then the “famine” of the 40’s, we starved as the Gentry exported grin to the English markets, the crown had no pity on its Irish subjects, Hard service in India for “Her Majesty” could not save my parents, yet Kayte, bright gay little Kayte had made it, she was now safe in France, married to a man of quality, a happy mother and wife.

I finished my letter to her, she knew all that I planed and the revenge I interned to take on this haughty “Southern Belle”. If I should die she would make sure I was avenged.

“Sergeant McKenna.”

Terry came running at my call a devil-make-care glint in his eyes.

“Sir, yes Sir.”

Terry snapped back in the finest traditions of the “Queens Army”, as I sealed Kayte’s letter with my signet ring. I handed him two letters the 1st Kayte’ the second he would know what to do with.

“Post these.”

Alone I blew out the candle the tent bathed in bright moon light. I turned to Mattie and without ceremony gave the simple order.


“Mattie drop your kit and strip down butt naked …. Now.”

 

[Merelan]

My mouth dropped at his command. Naked?

"Sir? No." unable to form any other words. Did he want to be sure of me? to know who I was? or , oh. He wanted to be sure I was clean and free of the lice and fleas that plagued some of the men.

"I am clean and free of bugs. Where do you want me to sleep?"

 

[cgraven]

"Tropper Mattie did you noit under stand the order?"

" Shall I have Sergeant McKenna assist you?'

 

[Merelan]

"NO." Backign away. he can't really mean it? Then remember what the boys had said. But, knowign the one crucial thing. I was not the young boy they thought.
"Captain, I can't. I can't." How can I tell him, never had any man seen me naked, not even in my family. not even the docter. Already I felt naked, under his gaze.

"I won't run, if that's what you think. Honor, Sir."

 

[cgraven]

“Trooper, are you refusing to obey and order of your Captain in time of war?”

I pause as I lean back in my chair my hands tented in front of my face so Mattie could not see the little smirk that creases my face as this haughty Lady of the landed gentry is about to find out what her family’s “Property” feels like as a result of the south “Peculiar” little business.

“Mattie I am sure you are aware of the penalties of such an action under the “Articles of War” you signed when you enlisted.”

 

[Merelan]

"But, you know, I can't. What if." Waving towards the door.
"Please. Anything." using my wiles to get my way. I have pretty eyes, and even in this filthy uniform, I know I can charm him. Can't I? Doubt fills me. He is strong and in power. I feel, helpless.

 

[cgraven]

I wonder at the color of her hair, her form what I had earlier glimpsed was enticing, young gentle curves, her actions shy and virginal, but she was about to find out this was no “Catillian”

“Trooper you have till the count of three to comply with my order.”

There was the cutting edge of authority, which booked no disobedience, not the slightest hint of compassion.

“One……..Two…….Th……”

 

[Merelan]

He means it. I start shedding my clothes, almost ripping them off. Not able to take the chance that McKenna will be called in. No one can know I am not a boy. I stop at my drawers and undershirt. But his eyes, tell me, he means nude. Turnign away, so i cannot see hyim, I pull off the drawers, my fingers trembling at the laces. Then drop them, stepping from them. Normally thrilled to leave such filth off, but tonight. I am frightened. Unlacign the top of the shirt, i start to drop it, my back still to him.

"Please Captain. You can't mean..." Already knowing he can see my legs.

 

[cgraven]

“Mattie, turn around and face me,………. Come here”

I point to a spot in the dirt, inches from where I sit.

“Stand at attention Tropper.”