The final competition was the sharp shooters’ demonstration. Here, a number of the troopers from Bucks County, men who had grown up hunting for their primary meat supply, excelled. Duncan led the Ohio boys. Of the Pennsylvanians, Raiford, the young man from Company D was far and away the leader.
As the marksmanship competition ended, Hoffstader, Polk and McCauley all huddled over the scoring table. The winning company was clear. Company D had placed in every single event. They would be the vanguard company for the coming campaign, under Charlie’s personal command. The position of flag bearer was more problematic. There were three men who had demonstrated consistent personal excellence; their scores were very close. The career trooper from Company B, Raiford from Company D and Duncan from Company H, were all in the running.
Charlie joined the scorekeepers and looked over the results. He then faced the waiting troopers, drawn up into formation to hear the results.
"Gentlemen, as we have all seen, Company D has outdone itself and the rest of you in performance over the last two days. As promised, Company D will have the honor of riding as the Vanguard of the 13th Pennsylvania for the spring campaign. In addition, gentlemen, I offer you the services of Sergeant Jamison for your dinner this evening. Enjoy the feast."
He then called the three individual winners forward. "These three men have distinguished themselves in all aspects of this contest. Their scores are so close that it is very difficult to distinguish among them. I award each of you a three-week pass, with access to the rail system, so that you can go and visit your families. I ask that you be back in camp no later than February first. In addition, since I cannot clearly declare one man the overall winner, I have decided to name Raiford of Company D the flag bearer, while Nailer will serve as my personal aide and Thomson will serve as Colonel Polk’s personal aide. Congratulations to all of you. And now, gentlemen and guests, please avail yourselves of the refreshments that we have prepared. I wish all of you a very merry Christmas."
Charlie stepped down, escorting the three winners back into the crowd of their fellow troopers. It pleased him that he had seen a combination of both Ohio and Pennsylvania troops working together. It seemed his plan for creating a cohesive team was working.
--*--
Saturday, December 24, 1864
Charlie rose early the next morning to see several ambassadors of good will off on their rounds. Some of the men who had been on the various work details around the county had seen the plight of the women and children living in this barren war zone. In their spare time, a number of the men had made small toys for the children and various housewares for the women. Several groups set off in high spirits to deliver their gifts.
Charlie and Jocko joined one of these groups for the first few miles of their Christmas journey. Charlie wanted one thing more for the Christmas decorations –– a sprig of mistletoe to enliven the festivities. As the men rode, they searched the treetops, barren with winter, for that bright flash of green that signified the parasitic plant’s presence. Finally, in an old oak, gnarled by time and wind, they saw the ball of green, speckled with white berries.
The ball of greenery was far too high in the old tree for even the lightest and most nimble of the men to climb to it. Charlie pulled his pistol, took careful aim and fired. The foliage exploded, with sprigs of green falling like rain. Jocko scrambled off his horse, gathered the mistletoe and carefully wrapped the best sprigs in his handkerchief. Charlie was thrilled. His men were amused.
"Yup, General, sir. Just look at what happens to a fella when a pretty lady falls into their lives."
"Yeah. He goes out and starts shooting at trees."
"Well, boys, it certainly gives me a good excuse to kiss the lady."
The men rode on their way, laughing and joking at the General’s expense. Charlie and Jocko headed back to the house, grinning and planning where they would plant their little green bits of Christmas cheer.
--*--
Corporal Nailer and Reg were covered in a fine powder of snow. Duncan’s face was red and a fine mist of sweat had turned to frost in his blond eyebrows. Reg was just as flushed, his dark skin almost plum colored with the combination of cold and exertion. Jeremiah danced around both men as they struggled to bring the huge, long leafed pine tree they had cut and hauled across half the paddocks in Gaines Cove farm. Unfortunately, Duncan had promised Jeremiah he could pick the Christmas tree. The boy wanted it to be perfect, so the two men had trudged several miles, hauling a sledge and trying to keep warm.
The two men struggled to set the tree in the stand that Duncan had built and set it up in the great hall. Jeremiah’s excited voice brought the entire household to the hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it would seem these fine men have found a beautiful tree for our first Christmas celebration," Rebecca paused briefly, giving Em a kiss on the temple as the baby clung to her. "The first of many happy celebrations at Redmond Stables." She waited, hiding the grin and wondering when people would make the connection. It had been quite a week for Charlie.
Elizabeth, standing with Polk and admiring the beautiful tree, looked at Rebecca with a gentle smile. Charlie had his hands full; several of his troopers had followed Duncan and Reg into the hall, bearing great boughs of holly and greenery. One small, agile fellow quietly handed Charlie a sprig of gray green leaves with fine white berries, tied with a small red ribbon. The two men grinned at one another. The Christmas mistletoe had been retrieved and Charlie had plans for this sprig.
Sheridan and McCauley did hear Rebecca’s comment. "Yes, indeed, Miss Rebecca. I look forward to spending many happy days here at Redmond Stables when the war is over. That is, of course, if I am still welcome here, Charlie."
Charlie and Jocko were preoccupied with stringing a rope of long leaf pine over the entrance of the front parlor. Absentmindedly, Charlie agreed. "Of course, General. You and McCauley and the rest of the men will always be welcome, will they not, Miss Rebecca?"
Rebecca decided Charlie was truly hopeless and smiled at her love. "Absolutely, General." She hugged Em close to her and smiled at Elizabeth, who was nearly on the verge of full-fledged laughter at her friend’s predicament.
Charlie very carefully tied his little sprig of mistletoe into the rope of evergreen. "Indeed. I have always hoped to have a home that was open and welcoming to my friends. I am very grateful Miss Rebecca shares my sentiments." He moved to one side. "Say, Polk, would you and Elizabeth step over here and tell me if you think the tree is straight? I think it may be leaning somewhat."
Polk joined his commander. He looked at the tree with his fists resting on his hips. "Looks fine to me Charlie. Are you blind as well as deaf?"
Charlie looked at Polk with a bit of confusion? "Deaf? No, I am not deaf. What makes you say that?"
Polk was laughing so hard now he had to take a step back and lean against the wall to keep from falling down. Elizabeth stepped up and looped her arm through Charlie's. "My dear friend, where do you intend to live after the war?"
Charlie flushed a bit. "Well, I was planning to make this my home. You know that."
"Difficult to do from the frontier, would you not think, General?" Sheridan was quick to bring a glass to his lips to hide his grin. Charlie Redmond was a good man, even if he was a little slow on the uptake sometimes.
Charlie flushed a deep red. "Um. Well, you know, General, I will have spent twenty years in the army by next summer. I was thinking when the conflict is over, I might serve better helping this community recover from the effects of the war. After Buena Vista, the west just does not hold much appeal to me."