Charlie turned to the rest of the men. "Nailer fought with Davison. Davison called Miss Rebecca a whore and called me a southern sympathizer. I will entertain suggestions for what should be done to Mr. Nailer for this infraction of the rules."
"He should be forced to eat Sergeant Jackson’s rabbit stew." Someone piped up from the back, causing a roar of laughter from the rest of the group.
"Now that is punishment. Other suggestions?"
None of the men seemed to keen on naming a punishment of one of their own. They shifted back and forth.
"Well, since Mr. Nailer got into trouble for defending Miss Rebecca, I think that assigning him as her permanent bodyguard seems appropriate. Of course, that means he is always on duty one way or another. What do you think, Colonel Polk?"
Polk cleared his throat and hid the smile behind his hand. "I think that is a good idea, Sir. He can accompany Miss Rebecca into town and the likes when you are unavailable.
Charlie turned to the troops. "Gentlemen, what do you think of that idea?"
"I have seen Miss Rebecca when she is riled up about something. I feel sort of sorry for Nailer, sir." One man at the end of the row offered. "Nothing worse than a southern lady having a full blown conniption."
"All right, men. Unless one of you still has a problem with President Lincoln's orders or with my command?"
They answered all at once as a proper unit. "No, Sir!"
"Then, gentlemen, our orders are to find a way to get the citizens of Culpeper County through this winter in one piece –– and along the way, maybe make the reconstruction of the Union we have fought for so long and hard a little easier.
The men shifted a bit, expecting to be dismissed. Instead, Charlie talked quietly with Polk for a moment, and then turned back to the troops. "While I have you all here, I have another announcement."
They formed back up, waiting to hear what else their commander had to drop on them.
"As part of our holiday celebrations, I hereby announce a formal Gymkhana, to be held on the 22nd and 23rd of this month. The winning company will serve this spring as my personal guard and the vanguard of the Regiment. The man with the most points within that company will serve as the color bearer. There will be appropriate prizes for the winners of each event. Gentlemen, it is an opportunity to hone your skills as soldiers, horsemen, and members of a crack fighting team. Events will include the traditional and cross-country endurance races, horsemanship, and demonstrations of skill with saber, lance, rifle and side arms. We will invite the civilians of the community to observe our games. You have a fortnight to practice. I expect every one of you to participate in some event."
A cheer went up from the men. Such events were usually fun and they enjoyed the challenge. Anyway, showing off to the locals sounded like a good idea.
Charlie smiled. The men were distracted from their latest crisis and there seemed to be universal approval for the gymkhana. "Dismissed."
The men disbanded and returned to their various duties with a buzz of excited chatter.
--*--
Rebecca stripped the linens from the bed. Part of her wanted to be mad and upset over what had been said about her but she could not. The fact of the matter was, she could understand why Charlie’s men would think such things. What did make her mad, were the nasty things said about Charlie.
She put the old linens in the basket and placed new ones on the bed, remaking it quickly. "Fools, can they not see how hard Charlie is working to make things better." She grumbled as she continued puttering around the room.
"Papa?"
Rebecca looked up to find Em standing in the doorway. She went over and scooped the little girl up. "What are you doing here sweetheart and where is your Mama?"
"Mama sweep. Em want Papa."
"Oh, honey, I do not think right now is a good time to disturb Papa. Let us go down and have some apple slices."
"Apple!" Em bounced around in Rebecca’s arms.
"Yes, ma’am."
She carried the baby down stairs, meeting Elizabeth at the bottom. "Good afternoon, Rebecca."
"Good afternoon. Care to join Em and I for some tea and apples?"
"I would love to. I have finished my rounds. Tell me what happened just a little bit ago."
"One of the troopers got into a fight with Duncan. Apparently he had some unkind things to say about Charlie and I and Duncan took him to task over it."
"Oh dear," Elizabeth looked down the hall at Charlie’s office. "Give me a few minutes and then you and Em come join me in Charlie’s office."
"Do you think that is all right?"
"It will be more than all right. And very necessary." Elizabeth turned on her heel and went to Charlie’s office, knocking on the door.
"Come."
Elizabeth entered the office and closed the door behind her. "I knew it," she said as she crossed the room and settled into a chair.
Charlie was sitting at his desk with his head in his hands. He looked up sourly, "What?"
"That you would be in here brooding."
"Well, what would you have done? I had rebellion in the ranks. I tried the nice way. It did not work. How many more men believe what those do and do not have the guts to say so?"
"I know, Charlie, trust me. This must be very difficult, but sitting here brooding over it is not going to help. You and Richard are very good commanders. You will handle it, I am sure."
"And to have them use Rebecca as the excuse. I made her a target and they took the shot. So how much of this really is my fault?"
"You made her a target? Did she not ask for your protection?"
"Damn it, Elizabeth. I could have offered her my protection without sleeping in her bed."
She smirked at her friend. "No you could not. Charlie, I love you. We have been friends a long time and I am very fond of Rebecca. I think she suites you, but Charlie she did this to herself by inviting you into her bed."
"Are you saying that little……" Charlie bit back what he was going to say "was justified in calling Rebecca a whore?"
"No, I am not saying that at all. No one has that right. But the simple fact is, people think you two are carrying on a torrid affair and as a result people have formed opinions about a widowed woman who is apparently giving her body to the Yankee Colonel."
"So which one of us is worse - the traitorous southern woman or the devil Yankee colonel? And God help me, I am more than eager to make her an honest woman. You know that, Elizabeth."
She chuckled again. "Charlie, Rebecca is an honest woman, a good woman. And you are no more a devil than Mr. Whitman," She paused and rethought that with a smile. "All right, you are no more a devil than I am. This war has caused many hard feelings, Charlie, and you have to know your men are tired and are going to lash out. I think the plans you have for the winter festival are wonderful and will go a long way to boosting morale. Remember, Charlie, these men miss their wives and children and sweethearts and they see you up here with Rebecca and you seem so happy. They must resent that."
Charlie closed his eyes and then buried his head in his hands again. If they knew. If they only knew what I go through to keep them clothed and fed, to get them the care they need when they are sick. They are like my children. When they face the enemy and die, cut down like cattle. When I have to write their parents, their wives. When I see them lying in the infirmary missing an arm or leg.
"Elizabeth. I cannot do this any more. When the cease fire is declared, I will muster out as quickly as I can."
"Charlie, I know this has been hard on you. I know you are happy here with Rebecca and looking forward to coming back and starting a life with her. I want that for you both, I want you both to be happy, but you must know that there are people in the community who feel exactly as some of those men. They are not going away and chances are they are going to be more verbal about it. You cannot come to your office and brood every time. You will sink into despair and I assure you Rebecca will grow tired of it. You have to be prepared to be strong and make a stand."