Unsettling Events
Hardships lay a burdensome impression on us all, making it difficult to breathe. I’m Emma, and this is my story.
In the coldest part of January 1861, a blazing inferno swept through our home and stole my parents and baby sister. Dad had paid a man to clean out our chimney, but he never showed. That caused the tragic fire, so my brother and I have heard.
Miss Edwards, the church’s organist, said that the church was in no financial position to keep us, despite how well-behaved we were. I am unsure if that was the actual cause or not, but regardless, the orphanage became our new place to live. It wasn’t until mid-February when a well-dressed man named Michael came and adopted David and me. He stood tall and slender, with a bit of scruff on his face. David and I left, hoping he could offer us a suitable home. Yet, by late April, the Confederate military was formed and called to arms because of the secession. Michael was placed within the Virginia 37th regiment.
Though we had only been in Michael’s care for two months, David and I had grown fond of him. We remained close to Michael upon arriving at Camp Lee at the Richmond Fair Grounds. Here the new soldiers were armed and clothed.
When Michael had to check in, I turned to David. “David, let’s wander around and see if we know anyone.” We toured a part of the camp together, and to my horror, I thought I saw the chimney sweeper. Thankfully, I was mistaken and recalled overhearing he had left the area after the fire.
“Emma… David, come here,” Michael said, catching back up to us. “There is a story I have never shared with you.” David and I hurried alongside Michael as he found a place to sit down. “I met your father and mother once at a revival after losing my wife and child to the fever. With others’ help, we had treated and saved lives in the community, but I failed to save my family’s lives. Despite doing everything in my power, they were too weak to survive. Later, when I met your parents, I was lost and broken. I was bitter and cold, but there was something about God’s word. It softened and comforted my calloused soul. Your father led me to Christ that evening. After praying with me, your father stayed and just talked with me briefly. We discovered we were kin sharing the same last name. Now family in Christ, we had been blood family all along.” David and I stared, amazed at Michael as he continued. “When I got word of your horrific tragedy, I knew in my heart that I had to return an old favor and rescue you both from that makeshift children’s home.”
Our eyes were transfixed entirely on Michael. “Why didn’t you tell us we were family the day you picked David and me up — why now….?”
“Because all things in life worth saying or doing have their proper time and place. I desired for us to grow as an adopted family first. I needed to see if you two wanted me as your family before sharing my secret.” He replied. “We are a family by the blood of Jesus, the law of man, and our lineage. There are no closer ties than those three put together, but foremost I desired for us to start with a meaningful relationship based on neutral respect and friendship.”
David smiled while he watched and listened. However, I got teary-eyed and overwhelmed with emotion. I hugged my — no, our new dad for the longest time. Then David joined in and hugged both of us. Michael and I freed an arm to hug him back.
“Now,” Michael broke the long and tender silence, “we must set up camp with the others.”
“Okay,” we chimed in unison. We’d brought the things for a large tent for David and Michael and a smaller one for me until we could build a better structure or the military provided one. I asked if I could claim the covered wagon at the last minute, convinced I’d prefer those sleeping arrangements to call my own. David could then have my tent. The answer was yes, so we were all set to work on finishing up our quarters. While people continued setting up temporary houses, others continued signing up to volunteer for our growing infantry.
With our belongings put away and shelters tidied, David and I rested. Michael had to meet with a Lieutenant Colonel.
“David, look, Papa is coming back.” While Michael had been away, we had decided to call him Papa instead of Dad.
“I know Emma; he looks bothered.”
“You two ready to eat?” Michael yelled from a distance. As we sat and ate, we learned why he had returned so glum. During any battle, our camp was in danger of being overrun by the Union. The regiment only allowed us to stay because we had nowhere else to go. They especially needed an excellent surgeon. Papa is a majestic cutter and sewer of the thread.
We sunk into our mattresses for some much-needed sleep when our meal was complete. I ended my day with a prayer, “I love you, Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit; good night and amen.”
In the coldest part of January 1861, a blazing inferno swept through our home and stole my parents and baby sister. Dad had paid a man to clean out our chimney, but he never showed. That caused the tragic fire, so my brother and I have heard.
Miss Edwards, the church’s organist, said that the church was in no financial position to keep us, despite how well-behaved we were. I am unsure if that was the actual cause or not, but regardless, the orphanage became our new place to live. It wasn’t until mid-February when a well-dressed man named Michael came and adopted David and me. He stood tall and slender, with a bit of scruff on his face. David and I left, hoping he could offer us a suitable home. Yet, by late April, the Confederate military was formed and called to arms because of the secession. Michael was placed within the Virginia 37th regiment.
Though we had only been in Michael’s care for two months, David and I had grown fond of him. We remained close to Michael upon arriving at Camp Lee at the Richmond Fair Grounds. Here the new soldiers were armed and clothed.
When Michael had to check in, I turned to David. “David, let’s wander around and see if we know anyone.” We toured a part of the camp together, and to my horror, I thought I saw the chimney sweeper. Thankfully, I was mistaken and recalled overhearing he had left the area after the fire.
“Emma… David, come here,” Michael said, catching back up to us. “There is a story I have never shared with you.” David and I hurried alongside Michael as he found a place to sit down. “I met your father and mother once at a revival after losing my wife and child to the fever. With others’ help, we had treated and saved lives in the community, but I failed to save my family’s lives. Despite doing everything in my power, they were too weak to survive. Later, when I met your parents, I was lost and broken. I was bitter and cold, but there was something about God’s word. It softened and comforted my calloused soul. Your father led me to Christ that evening. After praying with me, your father stayed and just talked with me briefly. We discovered we were kin sharing the same last name. Now family in Christ, we had been blood family all along.” David and I stared, amazed at Michael as he continued. “When I got word of your horrific tragedy, I knew in my heart that I had to return an old favor and rescue you both from that makeshift children’s home.”
Our eyes were transfixed entirely on Michael. “Why didn’t you tell us we were family the day you picked David and me up — why now….?”
“Because all things in life worth saying or doing have their proper time and place. I desired for us to grow as an adopted family first. I needed to see if you two wanted me as your family before sharing my secret.” He replied. “We are a family by the blood of Jesus, the law of man, and our lineage. There are no closer ties than those three put together, but foremost I desired for us to start with a meaningful relationship based on neutral respect and friendship.”
David smiled while he watched and listened. However, I got teary-eyed and overwhelmed with emotion. I hugged my — no, our new dad for the longest time. Then David joined in and hugged both of us. Michael and I freed an arm to hug him back.
“Now,” Michael broke the long and tender silence, “we must set up camp with the others.”
“Okay,” we chimed in unison. We’d brought the things for a large tent for David and Michael and a smaller one for me until we could build a better structure or the military provided one. I asked if I could claim the covered wagon at the last minute, convinced I’d prefer those sleeping arrangements to call my own. David could then have my tent. The answer was yes, so we were all set to work on finishing up our quarters. While people continued setting up temporary houses, others continued signing up to volunteer for our growing infantry.
With our belongings put away and shelters tidied, David and I rested. Michael had to meet with a Lieutenant Colonel.
“David, look, Papa is coming back.” While Michael had been away, we had decided to call him Papa instead of Dad.
“I know Emma; he looks bothered.”
“You two ready to eat?” Michael yelled from a distance. As we sat and ate, we learned why he had returned so glum. During any battle, our camp was in danger of being overrun by the Union. The regiment only allowed us to stay because we had nowhere else to go. They especially needed an excellent surgeon. Papa is a majestic cutter and sewer of the thread.
We sunk into our mattresses for some much-needed sleep when our meal was complete. I ended my day with a prayer, “I love you, Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit; good night and amen.”
***
Morning came and brought an air of mixed emotions. At dawn, I overheard Papa witnessing to some men while I remained in my wagon. He told them, “This war will open the floodgates to Heaven and Hell, and folks need to be prepared to meet their Maker.”
An older soldier responded, “Are you a surgeon to the flesh or the spirit and soul?” As he walked away, I heard him snicker, then grumble, “If the time comes and I need a surgeon, I could only be so lucky to have one on a first-name basis with the Creator.” He spoke the truth, but with a snide and smart-aleck tongue.
After overhearing the conversation, I left the warm embrace of my blankets, then began breakfast, where I waited for David to wake and Papa to return.
“Papa,” I quietly said when he returned. “Let us talk while we wait for David.”
“What’s on your mind?”
“The man you were speaking to this morning, why was he rude towards you and God?”
“It’s because of his troubled soul. He and many others don’t have a personal relationship with our Saviour. When men are deniers of the faith, they become enemies to all it pertains to.”
David pushed open the flap on his tent, still rubbing his eyes. “Emma, what’s for breakfast? It smells good.”
“I fixed us some warm toast with jam and some seasoned oats.”
We grabbed our plates and sat to eat breakfast. Only a few people here eat so well. Afterward, I washed our dishes and cleaned up my small living area as I listened to soldiers from all walks of life. They talked about their families, desires, trades, and faith. Some of them appeared to have no faith at all. It made me sad. After listening, I felt somewhat safer among these men but still a tad fearful of the things and days to come.
Then David’s voice interrupted my thoughts as he shouted across the camp with his hands full. “Emma, Emma! A recruit said I have a musical gift for playing the drums. So he made me an honorary drummer boy. I’ll help those who will drum on the battlefield!
“Is that where you received the uniform, drum, and sticks?”
“Yes! Isn’t it nice?” He gleamed while he beat me a quick tempo.
“Oh, very much so. Everything looks and sounds very nice.”
Papa convinced David to wear his new regimental uniform for our picture today. A photographer had made arrangements to photograph the soldiers and personnel within the camp. As David was changing, I went to fetch my package that had been crammed unopened into the wagon the day we left. Michael had ordered me a special dress by mail that barely arrived before coming here. I had not even had a chance to unwrap it. As it unfolded gracefully, it was even more beautiful than I had envisioned.
I was careful not to snag my new gown when I stepped out of the wagon, and Michael met me with his hand out to help me down. Out of his usual surgeon clothes, he looked dapper in his Sunday suit. David appeared on my other side, and we walked hand in hand to the photographer. I held my baby sister’s stuffed animal in the photo David brought me. It was one of the few items salvaged from the fire. So, we decided we would honor her memory while making new ones.
An older soldier responded, “Are you a surgeon to the flesh or the spirit and soul?” As he walked away, I heard him snicker, then grumble, “If the time comes and I need a surgeon, I could only be so lucky to have one on a first-name basis with the Creator.” He spoke the truth, but with a snide and smart-aleck tongue.
After overhearing the conversation, I left the warm embrace of my blankets, then began breakfast, where I waited for David to wake and Papa to return.
“Papa,” I quietly said when he returned. “Let us talk while we wait for David.”
“What’s on your mind?”
“The man you were speaking to this morning, why was he rude towards you and God?”
“It’s because of his troubled soul. He and many others don’t have a personal relationship with our Saviour. When men are deniers of the faith, they become enemies to all it pertains to.”
David pushed open the flap on his tent, still rubbing his eyes. “Emma, what’s for breakfast? It smells good.”
“I fixed us some warm toast with jam and some seasoned oats.”
We grabbed our plates and sat to eat breakfast. Only a few people here eat so well. Afterward, I washed our dishes and cleaned up my small living area as I listened to soldiers from all walks of life. They talked about their families, desires, trades, and faith. Some of them appeared to have no faith at all. It made me sad. After listening, I felt somewhat safer among these men but still a tad fearful of the things and days to come.
Then David’s voice interrupted my thoughts as he shouted across the camp with his hands full. “Emma, Emma! A recruit said I have a musical gift for playing the drums. So he made me an honorary drummer boy. I’ll help those who will drum on the battlefield!
“Is that where you received the uniform, drum, and sticks?”
“Yes! Isn’t it nice?” He gleamed while he beat me a quick tempo.
“Oh, very much so. Everything looks and sounds very nice.”
Papa convinced David to wear his new regimental uniform for our picture today. A photographer had made arrangements to photograph the soldiers and personnel within the camp. As David was changing, I went to fetch my package that had been crammed unopened into the wagon the day we left. Michael had ordered me a special dress by mail that barely arrived before coming here. I had not even had a chance to unwrap it. As it unfolded gracefully, it was even more beautiful than I had envisioned.
I was careful not to snag my new gown when I stepped out of the wagon, and Michael met me with his hand out to help me down. Out of his usual surgeon clothes, he looked dapper in his Sunday suit. David appeared on my other side, and we walked hand in hand to the photographer. I held my baby sister’s stuffed animal in the photo David brought me. It was one of the few items salvaged from the fire. So, we decided we would honor her memory while making new ones.
In the afternoon, Papa and other soldiers worked to prepare for the days to come. The hand of the battle is nearing, and I felt the need to call to the Lord for those who will be under fire. I slipped away this afternoon and met with God on my knees outside of camp until evening. I petitioned God to show favor on the saved and have pity on the lost. By the time I lifted my head, the sun was setting into the hillside. I brushed the grass from my new gown and rushed back to fix a late dinner. War or no war, we all must eat. I was able to turn some preserved meat and dried vegetables into a traveler’s stew.
After dinner, David played a song on his flute that Papa had given him. Judging by the number of wagons and tents in the camp, the evening seemed strangely quiet. While cleaning up the dishes tonight, Papa asked me if I had ever considered becoming a nurse. He has offered to train me if I can stomach the blood and gore. We shall both see soon enough. If so, he has agreed to help me with my chores. I am plum worn out, and everyone else seemed tired tonight too. So, we all hugged and kissed and wished each other sweet dreams, and it was time to slip into our beds.
After dinner, David played a song on his flute that Papa had given him. Judging by the number of wagons and tents in the camp, the evening seemed strangely quiet. While cleaning up the dishes tonight, Papa asked me if I had ever considered becoming a nurse. He has offered to train me if I can stomach the blood and gore. We shall both see soon enough. If so, he has agreed to help me with my chores. I am plum worn out, and everyone else seemed tired tonight too. So, we all hugged and kissed and wished each other sweet dreams, and it was time to slip into our beds.