Prisoner in Time (Time travel) (54 page)

“Hard to say. Gen. Hood has been in pursuit of Gen. Schofield now for weeks. Fortunately, Schofield has stayed one step ahead of him each time. He’s done a remarkable job at slowing Hood’s advance while staying just outside of heavy conflict, but it’s anyone’s guess if that situation will change.”

“Meaning?” David asked with apprehension.

“Meaning, I’m expecting to hear any time now from Gen. Schofield that he’s engaged in heavy fighting with Hood… in other words David, the fighting could be right on your doorstep,” the general said in an ominous tone.

David shifted nervously, then replied, “Maybe before I leave, I should requisition an extra pair of underwear?”

The general thought about David’s statement. “An insightful plan,” he said with a grin.

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

The small detachment of doctors stood at the edge of the narrow Harpeth River and waited their turn in crossing over to the small town of Franklin. Riding atop a hastily thrown raft, the ferry was barely large enough to hold a single horse and rider. Crossing the fifty foot wide span of water, the bedraggled ferryman, drove a long pole into the muddy riverbed and pushed the raft to the other side. Within an hour, the detail of men had mounted their horses and were heading south into the town.

On the west side of Franklin, in a large open field, an old farmhouse sat abandoned. War torn and in disrepair, David stared at it with apprehension.

“I don’t know Doc. The place looks like it’ll blow down in a wind storm,” he said.

“Nonsense lad, I’ve operated in far worse conditions. The exterior may be ravaged by shrapnel and bullet holes, but I believe the structure is suitably strong. As long as it doesn’t rain, we’ll be dry and warm… a far better arrangement than operating out in the cold,” Doc assured.

“I’m with Doc. It’s friggin’ cold out here. Must be forty-five degrees,” Geoff added.

David turned to the private assigned to them as a courier.

“Private, take a message to Gen. Schofield. Inform him that this will be an interim hospital for his wounded. Make sure he knows exactly where we’re located so his ambulances don’t spend time searching for us,” David ordered.

“Yes Sir Gen. Warner,” the private responded respectfully.

Without a moment’s delay, he pulled on the reigns of his horse and galloped off south toward the town of Columbia.

Turning to Geoff, he continued, “Ok Lieutenant, let’s get the show on the road. You organize the rest of the men and search the woods for anything that’ll burn, while Doc and I set up the gurneys inside the house.”

Geoff stared blankly. As David smiled at him, he looked around in confusion.

“You mean me?”

“You’re the only lieutenant I’m looking at,” David joked. “How’s the new title sound to you?”

“Really cool,” he responded proudly.

“Wait until you have men saluting you. That’ll really inflate your ego,” David joked, then added, “Just a little tip for you: with the higher rank comes power. Never abuse it. Lead through respect. If you respect them, they’ll respect you and therefore will trust and follow you.”

“He’s right Geoffrey. Many an officer has failed in his mission, simply because he failed to inspire trust.”

Geoff nodded in understanding. “Got it. Don’t be a bully right?”

“Sort of, but that’s only part of it. You must lead by example: be confident, but humble; you must demonstrate good judgment yet take responsibility for your mistakes. You must manage, but not over manage causing resentment in your leadership. A good leader knows his own limitations,” Doc explained.

Geoff thought about Doc’s words. Once again, he nodded in understanding.

“Guess I have a lot to learn, huh?” He said in humble tone.

“I’d say that’s one of the smartest things I’ve heard you say Geoffrey,” Doc responded proudly.

Geoff smiled in thanks, then turned to the three privates standing nearby.

“Ok guys, let’s find some firewood before we freeze our butts off, shall we?” Geoff said, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with his first order.

Doc glanced to David and nodded in approval.

“On that note, I think we better do the same. I’m sure that house is a mess inside and with Gen. Schofield so close, I’m betting we’ll be seeing wounded in a couple hours,” David said.

“I concur Lad, there’s not a lot of time to prepare and with limited supplies, we’re going to have to take extra precaution with sterilization,” Doc replied.

“It’s a real shame Gen. Thomas couldn’t receive the alcohol I requested in time. Without it, infections will probably run rampant.”

“How’s that affect our surgical strategies?” Doc asked grimly, already knowing the answer.

“More amputations,” David responded sadly. “There’s just no use in performing the more delicate operations to save a limb if they’ll lose it anyway due to infection.”

“Hmm, I was afraid you were going to say that… save the patient the agony of two operations then,” Doc replied.

“I’m afraid so.”

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

November 29
th
, 1864 

As Gen. Hood pursued Gen. Schofield to the north through Tennessee, the two engaged in battles at Johnsonville and Columbia producing hundreds more wounded, and the team of three and their surgical assistants worked tirelessly to save them. Located so close to the battle front, their close proximity to the action allowed them to receive the wounded quicker, ultimately saving a greater number of lives.

Sensing opportunity, Confederate Gen. Hood rushed his men after the retreating northern army. At Spring Hill, Tennessee, Union Gen. Schofield positioned his men for battle. Within hours, the southern generals advanced on the northern army’s position. Although light skirmishing ensued, miscommunication between the field and command prevented heavier fighting from beginning. By evening, as the southern commanders reorganized their strategies, darkness had fallen, preventing Rebel forces from engaging the enemy further. Choosing to wait until the following morning, Gen. Hood ordered his men to hold their positions until daybreak where they planned to resume their attack.

With daylight fading and the sounds of battle now silent, Gen. Schofield waited nervously on reports from his commanders. Just before dusk, good news was delivered: Gen. Hood’s army now lay in wait of the morning. Seizing opportunity, Gen. Schofield ordered his men to march quickly past the town of Spring Hill under the cloak of darkness. While the Rebel soldiers slept, the Union army hurried north toward Franklin. By four-thirty the following morning, the Union army amassed at the outskirts of town and waited their orders. No sooner than they arrived, the men began to erect defenses around the small town.

As Gen. Hood woke at dawn, his commanders delivered the difficult news: the enemy had escaped during the night. Frantic for victory, Gen. Hood ordered his men to march to Franklin.

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

November 30
th
, 1864 

FRANKLIN 

4:30 am
 

Doc woke to the sound of approaching horse and wagon. As his mind pushed through his early morning lethargy, he realized the sound of one wagon became many. Quickly, he jumped to his feet and sprang for the window at the opposite side of the bedroom. In the faint light of the lanterns, he watched in surprise as the left flank of Gen. Schofield’s left flank poured into the medical camp.

Instantly, he spun on his heels and rushed down the narrow hallway of the second floor, sounding the alarm to those sleeping.

“Wake up lads, we’ve got company!” he shouted.

“Who is it?” David shouted back instinctively as he woke from his deep sleep.

“I don’t know whose command they’re from, but they’re definitely our boys,” he responded. As David stood and made his way through the doorway, Doc continued, “They’re flooding in in an awful hurry too. I don’t like the looks of this.”

“You think we’re being overrun like we were back at Antietam?”

Doc glanced back at David as the two hurried down the hall. His face carried the look of worry even before he spoke. “I hope not. We narrowly escaped that tussle.”

Shouting to the others as they rushed down the stairs, they hurried out the front door to the arriving troops. Trotting up on horseback, a short overweight long-bearded officer rode his horse to the waiting men at the front of the house. Pulling back on his reins, he brought his horse to a quick stop.

“Morning gentleman,” he said as he dismounted his horse.

“Good morning, General Schofield. Lovely morning, isn’t it?” Doc responded in light sarcasm. “By the way you filed in here, I take it this isn’t a Sunday after-church affair.”

“I should say it’s not,” Gen. Schofield shot back in serious tone. “We just narrowly slipped past Hood’s armies and I’m quite certain he’ll be here straight away.”

“Straight away? Like as in
now
?” Geoff asked, his voice showing his fear.

Gen. Schofield glanced at Geoff’s applets and noticed his rank.

“We’re on borrowed time Lieutenant. I’m expecting to hear General Hood’s guns any minute now. I only hope we can set up our defenses before he arrives.”

“You’re setting up here… in the medical camp?” he asked, in surprise.

“It’s no longer a medical camp Lieutenant. You’re now standing at headquarters,” Gen. Schofield responded.

“But where will we treat the wounded?” he pressed further.

“You won’t. We need every hand in this fight. We’re outnumbered and our backs are against the Harpeth River,” Gen. Schofield responded, bluntly.

“We’ll be fighting too?” David asked incredulously.

“I’m sorry Gen. Warner, I know you all are doctors but we’re not left with much choice. The main bridges across the river are badly damaged from previous battles and my engineers are working frantically to repair them. Until that time when I can send men and supplies across, I’ll be employing every available hand.”

David stared at the general, then looked around at the men working desperately to erect defenses. At that moment, he realized how grave their situation was.

“Gen. Schofield, we’re not just doctors. We do have battle experience also. Where do you need us?” David shot back, his tone tense, yet confident.

General Schofield nodded in approval, then spoke.

“I’m aware of your time at Gettysburg fighting with General Custer, as well as your recent activities fighting with the Rebs, so I’ll be counting on you to lead a small column of men under Gen. Jacob Cox’ command. He’s positioning as we speak on the east side of town along the Harpeth. As soon as the bridge is operational, we’ll be sending supply wagons across, the doctors and then the infantry, in that order,” he said. Reaching into his heavy woolen coat, he pulled out a folded paper. “Here’s your orders. Gather your men here and proceed to the general’s location at once.”

“Yes Sir,” David responded simply, taking the paper and slipping it into his pocket.

General Schofield smiled cordially, then turned and rushed off to prepare for battle.

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

Within minutes of receiving his orders, David and the others raced on horseback through the narrow path leading across town. As they rushed past the endless line of laboring soldiers, they watched them toil in their work. Swinging axes and shovels, thousands of men dug long shallow ditches and cut timbers for makeshift breastworks. No man stood and rested. Their frantic pace demonstrated the extent of their worry.