Authors: Shannon Farrington
"
The wait was agonizing. Mr. Davis had left hours ago and still there was no sign of Lewis. Julia paced about the parlor. More than once she had wished for Edward and his army to sweep into the city.
They would put a stop to this! They would send those Yankees back where they belonged!
In contrast, her mother had spent the time praying. When she had run out of her own words she began reading through the Psalms.
"The Lord is my shepherd'¦ God is our refuge and strength'¦ Hear my prayer, O Lord'¦"
Every carriage that rolled past their home, every horse that galloped by, brought Julia to the window. The carriage that now held her attention was no exception. To her disappointment, however, it was not her father. Shoulders slumping in defeat, she turned toward the chair opposite her mother. She picked up her own Bible, though she knew not where to turn.
Esther was now reading aloud the love chapter from First Corinthians. It was one of her favorite passages. The verses had been read at her wedding.
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind'¦"
Julia bristled at the words. In the work of Christ, she knew she was surely lacking in patience. She always had.
Her mother read on. "It seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked'¦"
Again, another area where I don't measure up.
She sighed.
Now Samuel'¦not easily angered'¦that is his personality.
"Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things'¦"
He trusts,
Julia thought.
After all, the closing of his school did not alarm him in the least. He even called it a blessing. And as for perseverance'¦he continued to show kindness to Elijah and Elisha despite the soldier's warning.
Her emotions swirled. Pain cut deep, bringing tears to her eyes.
But my father has been taken prisoner because of Samuel's choice of action.
"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
Julia went back to the window. The light from the streetlamp cast just enough glow. Her pulse quickened. She recognized the approaching mare.
"Lewis! Mother, it's Lewis!"
Esther joined her daughter at the window. Lewis stopped the mare in front of the house. Another carriage pulled in behind.
"That's William Davis," she said.
Their hearts leapt with hope but they dared not move until they were certain. They held their breath until the carriage door opened. Out stepped Dr. Stanton, unharmed. Both women let out a cry of relief.
"Glory be to God!" said Esther.
"Oh, thank You, Lord!" Julia cried.
The women raced from the parlor to meet him as he came through the front door. He was exhausted. His eyes were droopy but he met them both with a hug and a grateful smile.
"You are home!" Esther cried.
"Yes, my dear and glad for it."
William Davis stepped inside the house. He was carrying his big, black satchel. Julia looked at him. "Oh, sir, I cannot thank you enough!"
He took off his topper and held it to his chest. "It was not me. I am afraid I never made it past the front gate."
The women looked at him, then at Dr. Stanton.
"What happened?" Julia dared ask. "Did the soldiers just decide to release you?"
Her father shook his head. "Sam came."
Julia's heart fluttered.
Samuel was there?
"How? How did he know?"
"Lewis found him. They both came immediately to the fort. Sam convinced the lieutenant colonel that I was not involved with the riot or the bridge burnings."
"They thought you had been involved in the bridge burnings?" Julia asked.
"Yes."
Her spirit soared.
So they don't know about the runaway slave! And Samuel himself went to face the Federal Army! He defended my father!
"Lord bless him," Esther said. "Where is he?"
"Yes," Julia now wanted to know, as well. "Is he with the carriage?"
She looked at him. Her father's expression stole the joy she felt.
"He is at Fort McHenry," he said.
"What do you mean?"
He turned to Mr. Davis.
"It seems the lieutenant colonel was willing to make a trade," Davis said. "The soldiers granted your father's freedom in exchange for Samuel's."
A tingling sensation began at the top of her head then spread all the way to her toes. One of the lamps in
the foyer must have gone out, for the room was getting darker.
"I don't understand," she said, though her own voice sounded strange in her ears. "Wh-where is Samuel?"
"Child," her father said, slowly moving toward her. "Samuel took my place in prison."
Her knees buckled. The last thing she remembered was her father catching her in his arms.
A
fter Dr. Stanton had been escorted from the fort, the guard marched Sam from the interrogation room back to the open air. He breathed it in deeply, fearing it may be his last fresh air for quite a while.
Lieutenant Colonel Morris had told him that he was being held on suspicion of disloyalty to the Union. It seemed Samuel Ward had been at the wrong place too many times and was acquainted with too many questionable sorts of people. He wondered what the Federal officers would say if they knew about Rose, the young runaway. He prayed that by now she had reached Pennsylvania.
Dr. Stanton had promised to send a lawyer. Sam asked Morris if he would be allowed to speak with such a man.
"Of course," the lieutenant colonel had said, "but in the morning."
So Sam would spend at least this night in confinement. Though, from the looks of things around here thus far, he expected the time would be longer.
Lord, I don't know why You have allowed this but I will submit to Your authority. I thank You that Julia's father was able to return home.
Much to his surprise and relief, the guard did not march him to the confinement cells within the Sally Port Prison. It was there Sam knew from his history readings, that the accommodations were less than hospitable. There were no windows and little means of ventilation. The cells were a constant source of mold and mildew, year-round.
Instead, he was taken to the old quarters within the star-shaped fort. A holding room on the second floor had been reserved for political prisoners. He climbed the staircase and walked toward a guard stationed at the far end of the portico. As he did so he looked to his right. Beyond the fort's walls lay the lights of Baltimore. For as much relief as he felt at not being taken to the confinement cells, Sam was still grieved. The city lay like a sparkling jewel, the signs of war unnoticeable except for the fort's guns pointed in her direction.
He wondered what Julia was doing at that moment.
Is she afraid? Does she know what has happened? Is she thinking of me?
The guard at the end of the portico unlocked a door. "Inside," he ordered.
Sam stepped into the room where he was directed. A wall sconce offered a minimal amount of light but it was enough to get a feel for his surroundings. Eight bunks filled the room. Three of them were occupied by men of various ages. There was a chair in one corner, a wash stand and basin in the other.
"Pick a bed," the guard said. "First call is at sunrise."
The door shut and locked behind him. Sam chose an empty bunk, one closest to the window. He had been given a mattress and a wool blanket. There were no linens.
The man in the bunk next to him leaned up on his elbow. "Bridge burner?" he asked.
Sam took off his frock coat and unbuttoned his vest. "They say I am."
The man laughed. "I was following the orders of the police commissioners. Now, here I sit. I suspect the police commissioners will be joining us shortly." He stuck out his hand. "Name's John."
Sam gave it a shake. "Sam Ward."
"Good to know ya, Sam. Although I'd rather be making your acquaintance at the local tavern than here."
The guard rapped on the window. "Lights out," he said.
One of the men blew out the candle. Stillness settled over the room. Sam leaned back on his bunk, arms behind his head. Across the room, someone whistled the first line of the "Star Spangled Banner." John countered with a measure of "Dixie."
Sam lay in the darkness thinking only of Julia.
"
The soldiers took Samuel to the darkest, most inhumane cell in the fort. Mold covered one wall and the only comfort in the room was a dirty mattress on the floor. Samuel stood in a space barely big enough to turn around in.
"You will remain here until your scheduled execution," said the guard.
The iron bars clanged shut. The guard walked away. Samuel was left standing alone in the darkness.
"Samuel! Samuel!" she cried. "Oh, Lord, please! Samuel!"
"It's all right, dear."
Julia heard her mother's soft voice through the nightmare, felt a cool cloth on her forehead.
"Mother?"
"Yes, dear. It's all right. You are safe."
Julia's eyes swept the ceiling and then the room. She was in the shelter of her own home, the comfort of her own bed. The lace-trimmed pillows and brightly colored quilts were soft to the touch.
Her heart wrenched.
Samuel.
Where did he lay his head this night?
Esther sat on the edge of her daughter's bed. She removed the cloth and laid it in the washbasin on the table beside her.
"Are you feeling better?" She asked.
"Yes. I'I suppose so."
She may have recovered from her fainting spell but in truth Julia did not feel better. She thought the agony of fearing for Edward's safety on some unknown battlefield was the most terrible pain she had ever suffered, but knowing Samuel was deep in the confines of Fort McHenry was even worse.
She remembered Samuel saying he would die to protect her. Sally's words echoed through her mind.
If I were you, I would be happy he hasn't proven that yet.
Guilt clawed at her heart.
He is there because of my family. He is there because of me, because I pressed him to show his loyalty.
Her stomach rolled.
I caused this.
She looked at her mother. "Where is Father?" she asked.
"He is in the study. He and Mr. Davis are going through the law materials. They are going back to the fort in the morning."
Julia sat upright. Wrestling with her skirts, she swung her legs over the far side of the bed. "I want to go with them."
"Don't be ridiculous, dear. That fort is no place for you. Besides, you need to rest."
She stood. "I am fine, Mother. Really, I am. I want to go with Father. I have to."
Esther looked her squarely in the eye. "Assuming you could get in to see him, what would you say?"
The question cut her to the core. Julia bit her bottom lip. What would she say to Samuel if given the chance? She had no idea. It wasn't as though she had changed her mind about marriage. All she was certain of at this point was she did not want him to be held as a Federal prisoner. She could not bear the image of his solitary confinement.
He is loyal to the Union. Why can't the soldiers see that?
She realized her mother was still staring at her. "I don't know what I would say," she answered truthfully.
"Then wait for the words to come, dear. They will in time." Esther then said, "Your father is going to Samuel's house at first light to gather a few necessities. Why don't you go with him?"
Julia thought for a moment then took heed of her mother's advice. She didn't know what to say to Samuel but she could still do something.
"There is dough in the kitchen," she remembered. "I have time to make a loaf of bread. I could send it with Father, along with a jar of jam."
Her mother smiled. "I am sure he would appreciate that."
Julia went to the dressing table and peered into the looking glass. Her skin was pale, her hair a mess. She quickly brushed it out, parted it in the middle then crafted a bun. She hurried downstairs.
The lamps were glowing in her father's study. Dr.
Stanton and Mr. Davis were at the desk, poring over the law books. Julia's father looked up, his spectacles dangling from the end of his nose.
"Child," he said with surprise. "I am glad you are feeling better but why are you up at this hour? You should be sleeping."
She moved into the room. Mr. Davis did not even look up. He kept reading, stopping only every now and then to scribble on his pad of paper.
I hope he is preparing a good defense,
she thought.
"I am fine," Julia said to her father. "Mother told me you are going to stop at Samuel's house before going back to the fort."
"Yes. He will need clean shirts and other items."
"I would like to help."
Dr. Stanton pulled off his spectacles. He fingered his mustache. Julia didn't realize that her mother was standing in the doorway behind her. She nodded approval to her husband.
"All right," he said. "We will be leaving about sunrise."
Mrs. Stanton quietly moved to the parlor before her daughter turned for the kitchen.
"Thank you, Father."
"You are welcome, child." And he went back to his books.
Julia took the lamp from the foyer and carried it to the kitchen. The dough she had been saving was warm and ready to be punched down.
She quickly set to work. With her hands covered in flour, she whispered a prayer.
Lord, please watch over Samuel. Please make the soldiers set him free.
"
Sam did not sleep well in his new accommodations. One reason was because of the snoring coming from the
bunks around him, the other was his restless mind. He had promised God that he would submit to His will but here in the darkness, surrounded by armed soldiers he found the promise more difficult to keep.
The Lord has allowed me to be here for some reason but at this moment I would much rather be home in my own bed. I would rather have plans to see Julia in the morning, her face happy and bright at my arrival.
He thought of how things used to be when he and Julia were engaged. She had been so eager to marry, so excited to begin their life together.
Then came war.
He thought of Edward. He wondered where his would-be brother-in-law was at that moment.
Has there been a battle? The newspapers aren't reporting any such events but what if the Federal Army is controlling what goes into print?
He rolled over to his side. The mattress was lumpy.
I can't think like this. It will do no good to speculate. It will do no good to wish I were somewhere else. I am here, for as long as the Lord allows it. I might as well accept it, just like I have had to accept everything else that has happened.
A guard passed by the window. Sam could hear the thump, thump, thump of his brogans on the portico. He rolled to his back, staring at the bunk above him.
Lord, help me to be patient. Help me to trust in You.
"
As planned, Dr. Stanton and Mr. Davis finished their legal work by sunrise. Esther fixed them a quick breakfast of hardboiled eggs and cold ham. Julia sliced the fresh loaf of bread she had baked for Samuel. She wrapped it carefully in a linen cloth then went upstairs to change her dress before leaving with her father.
The streets were beginning to stir as they approached Samuel's house. Men were leaving for work. Women were opening windows, airing out rooms and beating rugs.
Mr. Davis waited in the carriage while Julia and her father went to the door. Samuel had given her father a key when he had left for his first semester of school just in case there would ever be a need. Julia knew Samuel had never imagined they would enter his home to gather items for his prison stay.
Her father popped open the front door. They stepped inside.
The Ward home had always been a quiet one but an unnatural stillness now permeated the place. The only sound was the creaking floorboards beneath her feet. Julia was unprepared for the emotions that met her. Memories stole her breath away. Every harsh word she had ever said to him came flooding back.
"I will gather the clothing," her father said. "Why don't you look about down here and see if there is anything he would like to have."
Julia could only nod in response.
He climbed the staircase. She stepped into the parlor. On the table beside the rocking chair were Samuel's watch and a stack of books. Julius Caesar lay at the top.
He must have been reading this when Lewis came,
she thought.
I should send it with Father. Samuel will want to keep on with his lesson plans so he can be ready for school when he returns.
Doubt rose from deep within.
If he returns'¦
She shook off the thought and reached for the Bible, which was next in the stack. Julia cradled the careworn leather respectfully as she sat down in the chair. She
flipped through the delicate pages. A scrap of paper earmarked First Corinthians: 13.
Charity suffereth long and is kind,
he had copied.
Lord, help me to live out such qualities. Help me to love as You love.
Tears gathered in her eyes as Julia traced the words with her fingertips. Samuel had written them as a prayer. He was struggling to love, to remain full of faith. This war had taken more of a toll on his emotions than she had imagined.
She had been so concerned with her own losses; she had never once stopped to consider what he had lost.
Edward was his closest friend. They were like brothers.
She shut the Bible then picked up the watch. Carefully she opened it. Her photograph was still inside.
Nothing about us has changed from his perspective. Nothing at all.
A door shut. She closed the watch then carried it, the Bible and Julius Caesar to the foyer. Her father was coming down the stairs. His leg must have been bothering him again for his foot was heavy on the boards.
He had wrapped Samuel's shirts in brown paper.
"I have gathered up the clothing."
She held out what was in her hand. "He will want these."
Dr. Stanton took the Bible and the schoolbook. "Not the watch."
"It belonged to his father."
"That is why it should stay here. It's too valuable. Someone may steal it."
She clutched the golden bob in her hand. Memories of his smile, his laughter filled her mind. She tucked the watch into her own pocket.
"We should get going," her father said. "I will take you back to the house."
Julia hesitated. She couldn't explain why but she did not want to leave. "I would like to stay here for a while, if that is all right with you."