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“Thought that was you. I’d recognize that laugh anywhere. Haven’t seen you since Murfreesboro.”
Sam stood and clasped arms with the young man. He had a few years on Sam, but barely enough to reach the age of enlistment.
“I received a reassignment after my furlough. How’s James?”
The man shook his mop of dark curls. “Lost him in the fight the first night.”
Sam put a strong hand on the man’s shoulder, and the man clasped Sam’s forearm. “He was a good friend.”
“Sure to speak.” The men held a moment of silence for their lost friend.
I glanced over at Caiyan. He stared down into the cup of coffee resting on his lap.
Sam turned toward us, moving into the light of our camp. The man’s eyes widened when he saw our ranks and slapped to a salute.
“At ease private,” Caiyan said. I frowned at him because I outranked him. I should have given the command.
“This here’s Dr. Seuss, I’m travelin’ with him to meet up with General Longstreet, and Sergeant McGregor has been separated from his company.” Sam patted the man on the back. “My good friend, Will. He’s from my hometown in Tennessee.”
We stood and the soldier greeted us.
“Have you word about the battle tomorrow?” The young soldier asked me. “I’ve heard tale we’re going to take them on their right flank.”
“No,” I said to him, but Sam looked my way.
Caiyan didn’t miss the concerned look Sam sent me, and I fidgeted as I averted my eyes from Caiyan.
“Is the regiment bivouacked here?” Sam asked the soldier.
Will eyed Caiyan and me, then pulled Sam aside.
“No, we’re a few miles south. Since tonight might be my last night,” the soldier blushed, “I visited the tent of the Soiled Doves.”
Sam’s mouth dropped open. “You didn’t?”
I glanced over at Caiyan and his head was lowered, but I caught the corner of a smile.
“Yep. If’n it’s God’s will I’m gonna be dead tomorrow, I wanted to lay with a woman just once. She was beautiful, smelled like oranges. You should go, Sam.”
Sam’s face paled under the moonlight.
“It don’t cost too much, and I feel better about the battle tomorrow. She said I did real good for my first time, and now that I was an experienced man, I’d be stronger on the battlefield.”
“What about your sweetheart back home?” Sam asked Will.
“Miss Maggie, that’s the Madam’s name, I asked her if’n I was being unfaithful in God’s eyes. She told me war was different. Ida Belle, that’s my girl back home, shouldn’t have to know the hardships a man endures during wartime. We’re to be married when I get my next leave.”
“Married, landsakes Will! I’m proud for you.” Sam clapped his friend on the back.
Will beamed the crooked smile of man in love who had recently been laid. Even though it wasn’t with the same woman. Technicalities. Will showed Sam the heart adorned to his jacket.
“I had a rip in my sleeve and her darkie fixed it for me. Did a real good job too. Even sewed on a red heart for luck tomorrow.”
Caiyan’s head shot up. “Where can I find this Soiled Dove’s tent?” he asked Will.
“That’s the spirit,” the soldier grinned wide, showing a few missing teeth. “Yonder them wagons.” He pointed toward a group of supply wagons.
He shook hands with each of us and wished Sam the best, then left us whistling a happy tune.
