The train jolted to a stop, causing Thomas to lunge forward. He sat up and stared out the window, unsure what he was watching unfold before him. Once again, he questioned the benefits of fighting in this Civil War. Men in tattered gray uniforms were everywhere. Some were injured, and barely able to stand. Tempers appeared short and he could see some pushing and shoving in the distance. As he stepped off the train, all he wanted was to find the Office of the Adjutant and Inspector General, verify his identity and hopefully find something to eat.
He was immediately directed to the back of a long line that seemed to go on forever. Men in officer uniforms were riding on horseback, going back and forth to make sure no one tried to jump in line. The man in front of him, looked back, clearly wanting to start a conversation. “Hey, you don’t by any chance have a smoke?”
Thomas almost laughed. He hadn’t enjoyed the flavor of tobacco since he left Roanoke Island. He tried to keep his words short and to the point. “No. I haven’t smoked since I was captured.”
The man turned his back to ask the soldier in front of him. Thomas looked around at all the somber expressions and couldn’t help but ask why. Why was there a Civil War? Why were all these men here instead of home taking care of their families? His thoughts drifted back to Mary and wondered how she must be doing without the help needed to plant the fields and keep the homestead running. He knew it must be difficult for her and hated that he wasn’t there instead of this God forsaken place.
After what seemed like hours, Thomas finally made his way to the front of the line. “Name?”
“Thomas, Thomas Jones.”
The man sitting behind the table didn’t look up. “Rank?”
“Corporal.”
“Regiment?”
“23rd North Carolina infantry.”
“Seems like everything is in order.” The officer looked up and pointed. “There’s a mess hall around the back and barracks you can sleep in tonight. Tomorrow, you’ll need to leave and find your way home or to your regiment.”
Thomas didn’t want to think about the miles in front of him. All he wanted was a little food and a place to lie down. “Thank you, sir.”
Thomas turned and made his way toward the mess hall. By the smell in the air, he knew the food wouldn’t be to his liking, but it didn’t matter. At this point, he was weak and knew he needed something on his stomach. So, when he arrived, he was pleasantly surprised to be served some salted meat, cornbread, and a cup of coffee. He found a seat in the corner of the room and slowly began to eat. A man with curly hair and a scruffy beard sat down next to him. After the man ate his cornbread, he asked. “Where are you headed?”
“North Carolina.” Once again, Thomas tried to keep the discussion to a minimum, taking in his food and eating methodically slow.
“I’m from Virginia. Danville to be more specific. Our regiment was captured in May in the battle of Williamsburg. We were cut off from the other units and brought here. I’m going to try and find my regiment as soon as I leave. How about you? Are you going to try and locate your regiment?”
“Most of us were captured and taken to New York. I’m going to head back down toward North Carolina and see what happens.” Thomas didn’t know how this man or others would feel if he told them that he didn’t plan on trying to find a regiment to fight with.
“Well, your more than welcome to join me.”
“Thanks, but I think I’ll head back toward North Carolina.” Thomas got up, took his plate and cup over to the sink, cleaned it, and left the building. He saw a stream of men entering a building that appeared to be the barrack. Once inside, he saw hundreds of men lying on a dirt floor with nothing but a blanket for covering. After he went outside and relieved himself, he took his blanket and found an empty space up against a wall. The smell of unwashed bodies, waste and food remnants filled the air. Exhaustion took over and he fell into a deep sleep.
Once again, he dreamed of Mary. But this dream was disturbing. Mary appeared sick and the children were crying. He awoke to the sound of a man lying beside him coughing. It was dust and men were beginning to stir. Thomas sat up, reached for his blanket and stood. An intense feeling of panic overcame him. He had to get back to Durham. He had to make sure Mary was okay.