Prisoner in Time (Time travel) (53 page)

David noticed his mood and asked, “Miss him, huh?”

“Who?” he asked, suspiciously.

“Dell,” David said simply.

Geoff stiffened and only nodded in silence.

Doc smiled across the fire and said, “I’m sure he won’t soon forget you either, Geoffrey.”

-----*-----*-----*-----

September 28, 1864
 

For the next three months, battles raged while Gen. Hood’s Confederate forces defended Atlanta. At its conclusion on September 2, 1864, Gen. Sherman occupied the war torn city. While Hood moved his forces north to Palmetto, GA, Sherman rested his men for the next month in preparation for his siege on Savannah. As the infantry sat and waited on their orders, medical corps continued to operate on the wounded. By September’s end, the last of the injuries were treated, allowing a much needed respite for the overworked surgeons.

Geoff stumbled into camp, exhausted from the last of the surgeries. Seated around the fire, David and Doc sipped their coffee and rested. Seeing the teen approach, the two smiled proudly.

“Well Lad, I calculate the amputation went well?” Doc asked.

“Piece of cake,” he responded casually. “I think that was the last one, at least that’s what the private said.”

“Yeah, he was right. I had a meeting with Gen. Thomas earlier. He said there was only a handful of wounded left,” David added.

“That’s a relief. I think I’ve done over a hundred leg amputations in the last month alone. I’m like the amputation king,” Geoff joked.

“I must say Lad, you do great work. Hard to believe you’ve only been at this for four months.”

“Thanks Doc, you’re not so bad yourself,” Geoff replied, returning the compliment.

“You make an interesting point, Geoff. You’ve done more surgeries in the past month than I did in the whole of my three-year residency after college. It’s amazing the practice and experience one gets during times of war.”

“Agreed David. I first sharpened my skills as a surgeon while fighting in the Creek and Seminole wars back in the thirties… eighteen thirties, that is.” He shook his head and added. “Terrible wars they were.”

“Worse than this one?” Geoff asked.

“Far more barbaric and savage, lad,” Doc responded, shaking his head in disgust.

“You know Geoff, when this is all over, you should really think about a career in the medical field. I really think you’re gifted,” David said.

Suddenly, David’s attention turned to the distant sound of a rider on horseback. As the rider approached in the darkness, the light from the nearby campfires gave momentary glimpses into his identity.

He squinted his eyes, then stiffened his posture as he recognized the approaching officer.

“Don’t look now guys, but I think we’re about to be paid a visit from Gen. Thomas,” David said.

Doc looked over his shoulder quickly and stared. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he too judged the man to be the general. Quickly standing, he waited for the rider to arrive.

“Hmm, this should prove interesting,” he said aloud.

Following Doc’s lead, David and Geoff came to their feet.

“Didn’t you just talk to the dude,” Geoff asked.

“Yeah. Strange he’s riding in here at night,” David wondered aloud.

“Maybe he’s here to give us all medals for all the people we saved,” Geoff joked.

David and Doc didn’t respond.

As Gen. Thomas neared, he shouted, “Evening men. How’s the coffee?”

“Same as always… tastes like acorns,” Doc shouted back.

The general pulled back on his reins as he stopped in front of them. Dismounting his horse, he flashed a regulation salute and a smile.

“Well, if you don’t mind, I could surely use a cup of that right now.”

“Grab your tin… I’ll pour,” Doc said with a return smile.

Gen. Thomas fumbled in his saddle bag. As he turned around, he carried his tin cup in one hand and a small cloth pouch in the other. Holding out his tin, Doc filled his cup. He took a small sip and grimaced.

“Yup, you’re right Jeb… acorns,” he responded.

“What brings you out here so late at night Sir,” David asked.

“Right to the point eh David?” Gen. Thomas asked.

“Sorry Sir but your visit here is highly unusual. Is everything ok?”

“Well, I do have some good news and some bad news,” he responded cryptically. “Which do you prefer?”

“We’ll have the bad news first George, if you please,” Doc shot back quickly.

“Good news it is,” the general teased.

He set his coffee down at his feet and fumbled with the cloth pouch. Reaching in, he looked over to Geoff.

“Geoffrey, after a lengthy discussion with Gen. Warner here,” he said, nodding to David. “I’ve considered his request and have decided to commission you as an assisting surgeon. I’ve approved you for the rank of second lieutenant… congratulations. You deserve it son.”

He stood and extended his hand across the fire. Geoff instantly leaped to his feet, a large grin spread across his face. As he accepted the general’s hand, he grinned to David in appreciation.

“You deserve it Lad. Congratulations,” Doc said, coming to his feet, rubbing Geoff’s shoulder.

“Wow, this is unbelievable. I don’t know what to say,” Geoff responded.

“You’ll be needing these,” Gen. Thomas said, extending his hand.

Geoff held out his palm as the general laid two lieutenant’s bars in it. Mesmerized by the sight, Geoff stared for a moment at the shiny metal.

“Wow, thank you so much,” Geoff said, graciously.

He stood back, came to attention and saluted. Nodding in return, the general quickly saluted then took a seat by the fire.

“Geoffrey, I have your officers uniform in my other saddle bag. I’ll fetch it shortly, but first, a bit of bad news.”

He took another sip of his coffee and continued.

“I just received orders from Gen. Sherman. We’ll be on the move tomorrow. Our destination is Nashville. Once there, I’ll be assuming command of all armies in the Tennessee region while he marches east toward Savannah.”

“Nashville, huh?” Doc responded, flashing Geoff an ominous stare. “I hadn’t heard of any hostilities there as of late.”

“There hasn’t been yet, but from what I gather, there will be,” the general replied, his eyes widening.

“What have you gathered?” Doc asked bluntly.

“According to
President
Jeff Davis,” he started, his tone antagonistic, “He claims Gen. Hood will be disrupting Sherman's line of communication and hopes to be standing on the banks of the Ohio in the near future,” he finished in mocking tone.

“Hmm, I see. So logically, he’ll be shifting his focus to the north,” Doc responded.

“And logically, Chattanooga and Nashville are in the path of the Ohio River,” David added.

“Yes, logically speaking,” Gen. Thomas said, then added, “President Lincoln and Gen. Grant suspect the greater plan between Hood and Gen. Lee, will be to join forces and crush our defenses in the north. It’s imperative we stop Hood in Nashville before this happens.

He took another long slug of coffee, wiped his beard, then waited for comments.

“Just when I started getting comfortable,” David responded sarcastically.

“I’m sorry David. I know you doctors have been under tremendous pressure. If all goes well in Nashville, you’ll get the rest you all deserve.”

David nodded to Gen. Thomas, then glanced knowingly at Doc and Geoff.

As Gen. Thomas rode off, David joked, “Apparently, he didn’t get the memo.”

-----*-----*-----*-----

Over the next five days, Gen. Thomas loaded his army, forty thousand strong, into military boxcars and transported them by rail two-hundred and fifty miles away, from Atlanta GA to Nashville TN. By the end of the day, October 3, the last of his men unloaded from the trains and immediately were put to work amassing a series of breastworks around the outskirts of the city.

As the infantry rushed to assemble their defenses, those in the medical corps set up makeshift hospitals in barns commandeered from local farmers. Within days of their arrival at Nashville, wounded soldiers began to arrive from battles elsewhere.

Once again, with little time to rest, the medical corps worked around the clock to save the wounded as men from the battles of Allatoona, Resaca and Dalton, poured in. Transported by rail, most arrived in time to be saved. Those wounded in battles beyond the reaches of rails, suffered a far worse fate as their conditions deteriorated over time while transported by horse-drawn ambulances. As the death toll began to rise, it soon became obvious other measures would need to be taken.

Gen. Thomas watched as another load of wounded men arrived by wagon. Coming to a stop in front of the makeshift hospital barn, he peered over the edge of the wooden rails and took notice of the injured men. His face suddenly dropped as he saw the lifeless eyes of the now deceased soldiers. Anger welled inside him at the sight of the senseless loss. Quickly, he spun on his heels and entered the barn.

Instantly, the stench of rot and disease stung his nostrils. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a handkerchief and brought it to his nose. Taking a few deep breaths, he realized the cloth rag was little help. Spotting David at the opposite end of the barn, he stowed the cloth and hurried to his position.

“Gen. Warner, a word with you if you please?” he said, staring over David’s patient.

“Gen. Thomas, I’m kind of busy here. I’m in the middle of a delicate procedure. Can it wait?” David asked respectfully.

“I’m afraid not David,” he said, now making his point more personal.

David glanced up at the general. He could see worry in his eyes. He nodded and said to his assistant, “Do you think you can close?”

The assistant surgeon nodded willingly. “Yes Sir. I’ll take good care of him.”

David smiled cordially, then nodded to the general to lead the way out of the barn. As the two men stepped outside, Gen. Thomas turned and spoke.

“David, as you know, Gen. Schofield has been engaging Gen. Hood south of us from Alabama to Tennessee. He’s been sending his wounded up by ambulance and a high proportion of them have been dying along the way. The trip is just too far for the wounded to make. We need to take measures to save them.”

“What do you propose?” he asked with growing concern.

“I need to send a detail of surgeons down to Franklin, about a day’s ride from here. There, they can intercept and treat the wounded. This is a forward position and will be highly dangerous, but I think it’s worth the risk,” the general stated.

“And you want me to go?” David responded matter-of-factly.

“Yes David. You and Doc have seen battle before, as well as the young lad Geoffrey, and will be able to stay composed far greater than any other doctors under my command. If our intent is to save the wounded lads, then let’s make sure we give this our best effort,” he said adamantly.

“So how close to the battle lines will we be?” David asked nervously.