whispered like old cronies. George continued to believe that his brother had entrenched himself with the radicals out of expediency rather than conviction.
Stout rejoined his friends, and the brothers went outside. 'Going to work now?' Stanley asked. George said no, he planned to walk down three blocks to see whether the
'I've taken to relying on the correspondents for accurate news. You boys in Stanton's office seem to publish what's favorable and quash the rest.'
The insult galled Stanley, but he could think of no retort; unfortunately, his brother was right. He fell in step and accompanied him to the
Latest from the Seat of War
General Lee Surprised
General Stoneman Playing
the Mischief with His Cavalry
in the Rear of the Rebels
-----
Enemy Menaces Fredericksburg;
Our Virginia Correspondents Report
Terrible Fighting Saturday & Sunday
at Chancellorsville
Scowling, George said, 'Old hash. I read it all yesterday, must be going —'
'Wait a moment,' Stanley said. 'They're bringing out a new one.'
The crowd shifted and whispered in anticipation as a man in shirt sleeves appeared with a long sheet trailing from his hand. He moved a ladder, climbed up to the line strung across the building, and attached the hand-printed bulletin.
Thrilling News from the Army!
Hooker All Right!!!
-----
Prodigies of Valor Performed
by Our Men —Thousands of
Enemy Prisoners Taken
-----
General Stonewall Jackson
Said to Be Severely Wounded
Almost instantly, there was reaction. 'We won! Fighting Joe's done it!' 'Bring those prisoners back, and we'll hang 'em.' 'Lookit that — Jackson got what he deserves.' Stanley tapped fingertips against his waistcoat. 'If those reports are true —'
George didn't hear. For the second time that morning, he felt as though he had been hit. Blurry pictures swam in his head. He saw the strange, shy Presbyterian boy from the hills of western Virginia who had become his friend. Even in his youth, and despite his peculiarities, Jackson had seemed to carry a promise of greatness that was indefinable but very real.
George remembered after-hours hashes and Jackson fastidiously avoiding most of the food because he feared to disrupt his digestion. He remembered calling him Tom and sitting with him, and with Orry and Sam Grant, after the capture of Mexico City. He remembered Jackson ordering a glass of wine and tasting it once, while the rest of them swilled beer.
The bulletin rattled in the breeze. It only said
He realized Stanley had spoken. 'What did you say?'
'I remarked that if the rumor about Jackson is true, it will be a blessing for the Union. An even greater one if the wound proves mortal.'
'Shut up, Stanley. Save your stupid remarks for that vengeful crowd you're so chummy with.'
'I'll say anything about a traitor that I damn well —'
'No, you won't. He was my friend.'
Stanley opened his mouth, but just as quickly closed it. Head lowered slightly, George continued to fix him with a baleful stare for another few seconds. Then, stiff-backed, he turned and walked around the corner and out of sight.
Some in the crowd had overheard the exchange. One man thrust his chin toward Stanley. 'What did that officer say? That Stonewall was his friend?'
'Anybody who'd admit that oughta be lynched,' a fat woman said.
'I share that sentiment,' Stanley declared. He regretted his impulse to breakfast with George and again thought of calling him to the attention of Colonel Baker.
78
Virgilia knew she would suffer for going to Washington. When she eventually returned to Aquia Creek, the woman recently installed as head of the hospital nurses would chastise her for leaving when so many wounded were coming in from Chancellorsville. General Hooker's great advance had met with failure there, something not yet widely known in the capital, Virgilia discovered.
Virgilia's conscience had prompted her to stay on duty, and she would have but for several circumstances. She had waited nearly four weeks for an appointment with Miss Dix. Others could pick up her work during an absence of a day and a half. And she had to do something about her situation because it had become intolerable.
The new hospital supervisor, Elvira Neal, was professionally trained. She had, in fact, traveled to Britain before the war to study at one of the Nightingale schools. During her interview on the morning George saw her, Virgilia carefully praised this aspect of Mrs. Neal's background, even though doing so made her gorge rise.
At last she came to the purpose of the appointment. She requested a transfer to another hospital. Choosing words carefully, she said that her personality and that of the widowed Mrs. Neal appeared to clash. She believed each could work more effectively if they worked separately.
'And that is why you left your post at this critical period?' Miss Dix asked. 'To seek a personal accommodation?'
Virgilia's temper boiled up. 'I see nothing wrong with that, so long as it promotes better —'
'There is a great deal wrong with it, given the importance of the current campaign in Virginia. I shall take your petition under advisement, but not with haste, and, I warn you, not with a positive attitude. You have a good record. Miss Hazard. But this has blemished it. Good morning.'
Virgilia left, silently cursing Miss Dix as a damned opinionated cow.
She reboarded the street railway and gradually calmed down. She liked the nursing service. Hence she was glad she hadn't brought up all the accusations she might have made against Mrs. Neal. They were more personal than professional anyway. The woman was a sentimentalist, a peace Democrat who couldn't say enough in praise of McClellan or in criticism of men such as Stevens and Stanton. From the start, the two women had disliked and distrusted each other. Their politics only exacerbated the situation.
