Free Spring Will Come by Ginny Dye Page B

over Bloody Run Creek, and then she hurried back to her ward.  There were only a few empty beds – vacated by men who had not made it through the night.  She was sure they would be filled soon. 
                  “Did we whip ‘em again, Miss Cromwell?”  Johnny Whiteside called as soon as she entered the building. 
                  “I don’t know, Johnny.  But I didn’t see any Union troops escorting the wagons  up the hill.”
                  “Ah!  You mean more of our soldiers are coming to join in the wonderful hospitality and care we’re being blessed with?”
                  Carrie smiled down at Alexander.  “Do I detect sarcasm in your voice, Mr. Bedford?  Are we not treating you well enough?” she teased.
                  “On the contrary, Miss Cromwell.  It’s just that I can think of other places I would rather be right now.”
                  “You got that right, Bedford,” a man a few beds down cried out.  “About now my fields are exploding with new growth.  I reckon my mama and sisters are having a rough time trying to do all the work on our farm.    My daddy and two brothers are fighting here with me.  Mama was real brave when we all left, but there just ain’t no way her and my little sisters can take care of all that work.  We have to end this war soon so they can have some help.”
                  “Your mama would feel a lot better about her men fighting this war if she knew all of them was really fighting!”  a defiant voice cried out. 
                  Carrie turned around to stare at the heavyset man with hanging jowls.  Why did he sound so angry?
                  “Why don’t you just shut up, Wiggins!” the young man who had been talking called out.
                  “Shut up yourself, Green.  I’m tired of hearing you talk about your mama and sisters.  You still got a daddy and brothers who are out their fighting.  They’re out there fighting your battle ‘cause you couldn’t stay away from the ladies.”  Wiggins scowled with disgust and then looked up to see Carrie watching him.  “I’m sorry, ma’am.  I know you shouldn’t be having to hear things like this, but I’ve had my fill of listening to this young pup.”  He hesitated then evidently decided to explain.  “Green here never actually got to the battlefield.  He couldn’t seem to make his way past the ladies offering their services in fair Richmond.  He done caught a disease from one of them.  He’s been lying in this hospital for two days because of something they call venereal disease!”  He snorted his disgust again.  “If that don’t beat all!”
                  Carrie nodded briskly then busied herself pouring and dispensing more water.  She knew, of course, about the prostitutes who had flocked to the city when it filled with soldiers.  And she had heard of the awful number of men who were being stricken with venereal disease.   This war seemed to have no end to the ways it could strike down young men.   A quick glance revealed Green staring down at his blanket with a forlorn, beaten look on his face. 
                  Quickly she filled a glass with fresh water and carried it to him.  “Have some water,” she said kindly.  Green stared up at her, searching for condemnation in her face.  Carrie held the water out to him.  “We all make mistakes, soldier.  You’re paying for yours already.”
                  Green stared deeply into her eyes and swallowed hard.  “Thank you, ma’am.”
                  Carrie smiled down at him then moved away as a new stretcher was carried in the door.  She smiled easily at their newest patient as he was put on the only bed still available.  Experience was giving her the ability to look beyond the grime, blood, and black gunpowder.  A quick perusal