Mary heard Theo coming into the house, apparently, he had heard the news of war. She looked over at her mistress, the woman was asleep, her mouth hanging slack. After the final burp, Mary laid Ida in the cradle. Mary slipped from the room and closed the door so Victoria wouldn’t be disturbed. She made her way downstairs, hearing her master’s voice, it sounded as if he were arguing with Theo. She stood by the study door, listening to the two men, looking through the crack. She saw her friend, Patina, listening as well. Both women stood frozen.
“By God you will not leave, I need you here on the farm. Just because there’s a war, does not mean you have to up and leave. You are to be married soon and I want you here with your bride. You have responsibilities to your family and to this farm.” John told his son, his face turning red.
“I’m not a child father, I am a man, full grown. This is my decision. Todd is going, I know he will, and I know Samuel will as well. I can’t stand by, while others go off to fight. I am not a coward, father.” Theo argued, his face also turning crimson.
“Son, please think of what you are doing? How will I run this place, you have taken over and you’re doing a splendid job son, I can’t manage without you.” John coxed.
“Tall Tom can run this farm without me, he knows what to do and doesn’t need either one of us. I’m sorry father, I must go. I’m going to see Sarah; I have to tell her to postpone our wedding until I come home. I can’t leave her married, alone, I don’t think that would be fair.” It sounded as though Theo had already made up his mind and wasn’t going to listen to reason, Mary thought.
Patina was nearly white; the color having left her face. She had a stunned look and her lips trembled. Mary hurried back upstairs; she didn’t want to be caught eavesdropping. Her mind was all a swirl, Theo was leaving and she knew Todd and Samuel would follow. Who would be here if war came rolling through? Who would protect them from the Yanks? She didn’t know who the Yanks were, but they sounded frightening. A shiver of fear vibrated through her body. What would become of them?
In the days, weeks and months that followed, many young men left their wives and sweethearts. Many young men left home and many never returned. Mr. Anderson had gathered his slaves together; it was late winter. His strong voice rang over the crowd, the wind whipping wildly, blowing the leaves into small tornadoes about the yard.
“I know all of you have been hearing rumors and such about the war. Some terrible fights are being fought as we speak. Mr. Lincoln, that is our president, has said he wants to set the slaves free. I don’t know what will happen at the end of this war, I don’t know who will win. I do know that it is hard out there, I have been getting letters from my boys, who are out there fighting.” He said, his voice catching in his throat at the mention of his sons. John Anderson looked old and frail, as though he had aged twenty years.
“My boys have been telling me that both the Yanks and the Confederates are raiding farms and homesteads, stealing or confiscating food, money, along with women and men. It doesn’t matter who is doing it, it’s wrong. Winter is hard upon us and if anyone comes, they will take what we have here and leave us, black and white, with nothing. You’re my responsibility and if in the end, I must set you free, then I will. But for now, until this war is over, we must take care of each other. Tall Tom will pick several of the strongest among you and you will dig a large vault in the kitchen. I want extra food and valuables, as well as anything you wish to save from the soldier’s thievery, put down into the vault. If we don’t have the supplies, we will starve and your children will die. I also want you men to keep guard for any of these scoundrels.” He said, the wind whipping his thinning hair around his face.
“Gabe will make several bells and place them about the property. If any of you see strangers approaching, ring one of the bells. You women come straight to the main house, Dark Henry and Gabe, along with several other men will stay up here and guard us. Each of you will carry a pitchfork or hoe or club to defend the women. I have several rifles and I’ll teach you how to use them.” It was unheard of, arming slaves, but John knew if he didn’t, his home would be ransacked. Todd had given a grim accounting of countless incidents. John was no fool, war was just an excuse for some men to revel in their own evil.
“You boys take the horses and cows out to the forest. Build several sheds to hold them. I want those sheds separated. Gabe, make sure there’s a bell at each shed. I don’t want animals near the house. The same with the pigs as well.” Gabe grunted acknowledgment and Tall Tom nodded. They were to hide the chickens and goats as well, hiding the animals around the large property. The large group scattered, to begin preparations for the coming hordes.
Many of
