A Daughter of the Union Part 41
"It's all over. The white flag floats from our forts. Vicksburg has surrendered!"
With a cry that Jeanne never forgot Bob turned and pa.s.sed into the cave.
A feeling of gladness and thankfulness welled up into Jeanne's heart, succeeded by a great wave of pity for these people who had fought so long and well.
"Bob," she called, softly, following after the girl and putting her arms about her, "Bob, don't grieve so."
"Don't," cried Bob, throwing her off pa.s.sionately. "You're glad! You know you are."
"Yes, Bob. Just as you would be if your side had won, but dear, dear Bob, I am sorry for you and for your brave people who have fought so well."
"If they cheer, I'll hate them," said Bob fiercely. "Oh, Jeanne, Jeanne, my heart is broken!"
Jeanne's own tears were falling fast, and Bob seeing that she did not triumph over her let her head fall upon her shoulder and thus Colonel Peyton found them.
His face was very pale and he seemed bent and broken. He took his daughter into his arms but he was more in need of comfort than capable of giving it.
"It is the beginning of the end," he said brokenly. "When Vicksburg falls it is but the beginning of the end of the Confederacy. Our cause is doomed. We are fighting for a forlorn hope. Oh, my country, my country!"
He bowed his head upon his daughter's and the great tears fell fast.
Jeanne stole from the cave and met d.i.c.k coming for her.
"See!" he exclaimed excitedly. "Those are Federal soldiers, Jeanne. We are in the United States once more. Look at the Court House Hill! What do you see?"
"The Stars and Stripes," cried Jeanne, tears of gladness rolling down her cheeks. "Oh, d.i.c.k, how good it is to see our own flag once more!"
"Isn't it? I could shout and sing for joy if it were not for these poor fellows who have fought and starved so long. It is a hard thing to be on the losing side."
"True, for you, my boy," said Colonel Peyton joining them with Bob on his arm. "We are fortunate in having so chivalrous a foe. There have been but few cheers and no exultation over our poor unsuccessful fellows. Not a jeer, nor a taunt from a Federal soldier."
"And the river flows on as calmly as ever, and the sun still shines, yet Vicksburg has fallen," said Bob bitterly.
"Bear up, daughter. A soldier must learn to accept defeat as heroically as victory," said her father. "Look, what a grand sight it is to see those transports round the bend. See how serenely they draw up in the very teeth of those grim batteries that were dealing death but yesterday. Now they are silent, and their Conqueror comes boldly to their very sides."
"What are all those people running down there for?" asked Bob. "Surely they are not welcoming their victors!"
"Bread, daughter. The Federal transports are full of supplies which are brought for the starving people. It is a magnanimous foe!"
"Transports," cried Jeanne eagerly. "I wonder--where is s...o...b..ll?'"
"Hyar, missy," cried the girl, running forward. "Oh, missy, Ma.s.sa Link.u.m's men done say we all's free. Dat Fader Abe done set us n.i.g.g.as free way long las' Jan'wry."
"It may be so," cried Jeanne delightedly. "I don't know, but come and let us see if the transport that your mother is on is down there."
With a howl of delight s...o...b..ll went scampering down the hill toward the boats, Jeanne following after her. The Gem City lay at anchor close to the sh.o.r.e. Captain Leathers was dealing out supplies to the starving people that surrounded the boat.
"Captain Leathers," cried Jeanne breathlessly as they reached his side.
"Why, bless my heart, if it isn't my little friend," cried the Captain in surprise. "What are you doing here? Yes; Tenny's right there on deck."
"I'll tell you all about it just as soon as I see Tenny," said Jeanne smiling at him brightly. "Come, s...o...b..ll."
She ran quickly to where old Tenny stood. "Tenny," she cried, "look here!"
The old woman turned and catching sight of s...o...b..ll gave a shriek of joy.
"It's my babby," she screamed. "k.u.m hyar ter yer mammy, yer bressed chile!
k.u.m dis bery minnit!"
Laughing and crying she caught the girl to her capacious bosom.
"It's the lill' missy dat bringed me," cried s...o...b..ll. "Oh, mammy, dey says we's free!"
"'Course we is, honey chile. Whar you been dat you didn't know dat? Ma.s.sa Link.u.m done say dat long ago. Whar you been?"
"Hyar in Vicksburg. Whar you bin, mammy?"
"Eberywhar, chile. Ef I hadn't er cooked fer de sojers dey couldn't a tuk de city. Cap'n Leathers say so. But hyar we is. Not mindin' our manners an' a thankin' de lill' missy fer brungin' yer ter me."
But with the first word of thanks Jeanne darted away. She stopped for a moment to talk to the Captain and explain her presence in the city, and then went back to the cave where d.i.c.k awaited her.
"Come," said the boy. "General Grant is expected in the city soon. The Confederates are coming from the camp to be registered and paroled."
"When can we go home, d.i.c.k?" asked the girl as they pa.s.sed into the streets again.
"Any time now, Jeanne. I want to see the General about sending a message to father. How quiet it seems after the bombardment! Restful, isn't it?"
"It's heavenly," sighed Jeanne contentedly. "I am so happy, d.i.c.k, and the silence enfolds me like a garment. To think that I will really see father and mother once more! It has been a year lacking a few days since I saw them. How little I thought that so much would happen before I should see them again. How anxious they must be! But now! a few more days and I shall be with them."
"There comes General Grant," said d.i.c.k suddenly.
A glittering cavalcade of Federals and rebel officers at full gallop came down the Jackson road from the camp without. In the midst of the throng there appeared a man, small in stature, heavily set, a broad face covered with sandy beard, habited in a plain blue uniform of flannel with two stars of a major-general upon his shoulders. His face was impa.s.sive but there was the faintest gleam of satisfaction in his cold gray eyes.
"'Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord, He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on!'"
sang a low voice beside them. "Children, this is a glorious day." Mr.
Huntsworth's voice was tremulous with emotion and his eyes were misty. "It is a sad spectacle to see brave men humiliated and humbled, but aside from my sympathy for the Southerners it makes my old heart beat with joy to be under the Stars and Stripes once more. Let us greet the General."
He stepped forward briskly. General Grant stopped his horse as they approached.
"We want to give you welcome, sir," said Mr. Huntsworth extending his hand. "We are Unionists released only by your successful siege from 'durance vile.' Welcome, sir, welcome!"
"You must have found our sh.e.l.ls pretty warm," said Grant shaking his hands. "How did you live?"
"Sir," replied the old gentleman whimsically, "you made us like the Southerners' favorite bread: dodgers."
Grant smiled, and then asked. "And are these Federals too?"
"One is a soldier, the other a--what shall I call you, Jeanne? A blockade runner or what?"