Chapter 19
Another Miracle of Sorts
March, 1865
We managed to use some small tree trunks to build a sort of rampart. It was nothing like the ones we had built earlier, but we hoped it would do that job. We had just finished when Hiram stood up and said, “Listen! Do you hear that?”
Adolphus and I stopped and stood quietly. “I don’t hear anything,” Adolphus said.
“There’s something there,” I answered. “I know that Hiram has exceptionally keen hearing.”
Just then, Hiram said, “Look! Here comes a horseman! And he has packs on his saddle.”
“Well, that sounds like a mail delivery,” Adolphus added, “but we already said that would be impossible.”
I recognized the insignia of the group that delivered mail. “Well, then, look upon another miracle! The mail has come!”
The rider came up to us. “Any one of you Caleb Dillard?”
I stepped forward. “That would be me. We were surprised to see you.”
He handed me a letter and said, “Don’t get used to it. This will probably be the last delivery of the war.”
“Nonetheless, I thank you.”
He touched his finger to the brim of his hat by way of saying thank you and went off.
I looked at the letter and saw it was from Laurel. I tore it open and read.
My dear Caleb,
It has been so long since I have written you. I trust you and the others are well, and that you can look forward to the war soon being over. I need you and I miss you so much. Come home to me!
I have been preparing the garden for planting. I do not have any help except little Caleb, so I will have to work doubly hard to have all the seeds in on time.
Otherwise, there is little news. Perhaps I will find some when I have time to go to town. And I hope the news is good, although with the war, perhaps not.
I must go back to my hoeing.
I love you, my sweet, dear husband.
I am your wife,
Laurel
When I finished reading, there were tears in my eyes. Poor Laurel worked so hard and now had so little help. I should have been there for her. My only consolation would be that soon I would be with her, and soon.
Adolphus and Hiram watched me as I read, and mistook my tears.
“Is all well? You look so distressed,” Adolphus said.
“As well as it can be,” I answered. “She is preparing the garden. My tears were those of frustration at not being there to help her.”
“And because you miss her, I assume.”
“You assume correctly.”
We then turned to stowing what we would need beyond the rampart, a task which took us little time. We then saw that we would have a chance to rest before the battle, and so made ourselves as comfortable as possible and, leaving Hiram to watch, we fell asleep.
Biscuit City 