The cavalry streamed up Washington in acolumn of three horses abreast. Their hooves clattered on thecobblestones, necks arched and tails held high. The men sat theirmounts ramrod straight. They stared straight ahead and did notacknowledge the onlookers. They wore dark-blue woolen uniforms andblack felt hats. The Black Hat Brigade. Tillie read all about them.Their fighting skills were renowned. The Rebs feared the BlackHats.
“Aren’t they dashing?” A woman standing onthe cub grasped her companion’s arm.
“So brave and noble.” Her friend waved awhite handkerchief.
“I heard six thousand boys all told aremarching.” A portly man puffed out his chest and gave an emphaticnod.
His companion dismissed his information witha wave of his cigar clenched between his fingers. “Well, I hearBuford’s in charge of this lot.”
A waft of the foul smelling smoke hit theback of Tillie’s throat. Coughing, she waved the smoke away andtried not to gag. Her eyes met Maggie’s, and she mouthed the wordssix thousand. How many males over fifteen and under fifty escapedthe army?
Her sister’s hand clamped down on hershoulder. Alarmed by the stricken expression in her sister’s eyes,Tillie let her grin slide away.
“What’s wrong?” she shouted above theclamor.
“Where’s Sam?” Maggie hollered in her ear asthe noise rose. “Do you see him anywhere?”
Clattering hooves, mixed with cheering andhollering, as well as martial tunes played in the back of the line.Tillie barely heard her sister. She tilted her head, puzzled.
Maggie shouted the question again. Theyscanned the crowd. Sam huddled further down the road with hisfriends, Gates Fahenstock and Albertus McCreary.
Pointing him out, Tillie turned her attentionback to the soldiers. She stepped near the curb and leaned out.Down Washington Street flowed an endless river of blue and brown,and in the distance where the road dipped, a haze of dust revealedmore men and horses riding toward town. In the other direction,those marching past her turned west on Chambersburg Street. Wouldthey meet the Rebs or did they arrive too late?
Tillie grabbed Maggie’s arm and hopped up anddown, giggling. Caught up in the general mood of the occasion, shestarted singing “Our Union Forever,” challenging Maggie with hereyes to join in. The others picked up the tune and sang along.
“A song for our Banner? The watchwordrecall
Which gave the Republic her station;”
The soldiers marched with more verve. Someraised their hats in salute while others smiled and waved. Many ofthem joined in the singing.
“United we stand, divided we fall!
It made and preserves us a nation!
The union of lakes, the union of lands, theunion of States none can sever.
The union of hearts, the union of hands andthe flag of the Union
Forever and ever! The flag of our Unionforever!”
The crowd repeated the chorus as the soldiersraised their hats.
Across the road, Abigail Hicks and JennieMcCreary handed out flowers. What a wonderful idea. Why didn’t shethink of having bouquets on hand? Instead, Tillie sang at the topof her lungs, laughed and cheered and waved and thrilled to thespectacle of these gallant soldiers. Her heart and spiritlightened. If someone asked her, she might fly to Baltimore andback.
In the increasing heat of the day, sweattrickled from her hair down her neck. Her throat was parched. Shetapped Maggie on the shoulder and pointed toward home. They bumpedinto Salome Myers, a pretty, twenty-one-year-old woman, whom Jamescourted for a brief time before leaving for the Army.
“Hello, Sally.” Maggie used her hand to shadeher eyes. “What do you think of these soldiers? Isn’t thisexciting?” She sounded breathless, her eyes sparkling. “To think,they came at last. For George’s sake, I hope they give those filthyRebs the what-for.” Her eyes slid to the parade of men.
Salome adjusted her parasol to shade thegirls. “We’ve had no preaching.” She sent the sisters an accusatoryglance. “Reverend Isenberg skedaddled. Did you know that?” Sheskewered them with her eyes.
What did that have to do with the soldiers’arrival? Tillie spoke up. “Uh, we go to Middle Street Methodist.Reverend Bergstrasser.”
“Well…” Salome leaned forward as thoughspeaking of something confidential. When Tillie and Maggie moved inclose, Salome continued, “Did you hear the Rebs stole some of thedarkies and took them south with them? Can you imagine? Stealingpeople and forcing them into slavery? How cruel, just cruel.” Sallydrew her brows together. She straightened up. The lines on her facesmoothed, and she pulled her shoulders back. “Mama and Papa hid ourmaid in the basement. She stayed hidden for a day and a half beforethey would let her out, but she’s safe thank heaven. How would weget along without her?”
“We know,” Tillie croaked. She longed for aglass of water. “Not about your maid. I’m pleased she’s safe, butMother and I saw what happened.”
Salome’s eyes went to the soldiers. Tilliefollowed her gaze.
The men rode by, smiling and waving to thecrowds while the citizens continued singing.
“I hate all this excitement. I despise thereason for it. War only brings sadness.” Salome faced the marchingmen for another moment more. She turned to Maggie and Tillie withsuch an abrupt motion, Tillie jumped.
“Well, I must go.” Sally’s bright tonesignified another shift. “Good day to you both. Give my regards toyour parents.” She pushed past Tillie and disappeared into thecrowd.
“I must say…” Maggie stared at the directionshe’d gone, shaking her head. “I always feel one step behind her ina conversation. I can never determine when the turns arecoming.”
“It was all I could do, not to tell her whatMother did at the Diamond.” Tillie shrugged. “Something about heralways makes me want to go one better. I don’t know why, but it’strue.” Tillie put her hand on Maggie’s arm. “Come on, let’s gohome.”
They walked for a few paces in silence,intent on working through the crowd. Maggie picked up theconversation. “Thank heaven James left off with her before he wentaway. I don’t mean to sound unchristian, but I
