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paladin
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 2001-08-05
Posts 930
Pensacola,Fl.

0 posted 2001-09-05 10:03 AM


    I am in the highest spirts today. We have been victorious in a daring mission. Our army has advanced very well and the Union army has withdrawn northward. They have left a supply train in their haste to retreat. It is at a depot garrisoned with a large amount of calvary. We had to guide the army around the main body of the retreating army. We were sent to destroy a train bridge north of the depot. It kept the train from escaping to the north.
We made contact with a Yankee calvary unit positioned to protect the bridge. I reined in my horse at a tree line and scanned the tree line on the other side of a meadow. I caught the glare of sun light on bright metal. A Union calvary officier had rode out from the tree line and was using his glasses to look in my direction. We both pouched our glasses and rode back to uor units. The Union horsemen rode out into the meadow. I rised my saber and swept it forward. I saw him do the same and heard his bugler sound charge. Time seemed to slow down. I singled out the leader of the opposing troopers. Our forces slammed together. He swung his saber at me swiftly and with skill. I was barely able to block it. Metal sang against metal. I reined in my horse causing it to wheel about to meet him again. Our horses pranced as we exchanged blows. One of his swings missed and my blade sliced deeply where his neck met his head. The blood gushed as he slumped in his saddle and fell from his mount. I only had time to see him on the ground. I was immediatly engaged with other horsemen. The battle continied around me. Grey and blue on the green grass of the meadow.

    Sunddenly I had no foe to fight. I heard their bugler sound the retreat. Like a summer storm that rages then is gone the encounter was over. Only a small number of them escaped into the trees. I ordered my men to dismount. There was about fifty of the Union men lieing dead or wounded. We had about twenty five wounded or dead. My men begain binding the wounds of the injured on both sides. I walked over to the body of the fallen Union officer. He was about my age. His coat was soaked in blood. I knelt and noticed a buldge under his jacket. I unbuttoned it and pulled out a silver case. I opened it and saw a picture of a young woman. Her face was proud and her hair was fair. I slid the case back inside his jacket. I touched the silver case over my heart. I took it out and opened it. When I saw your face tears came to my eyes. I cried for the fallen man and for the fair haired woman in the picture. I thought if his sword had found it's mark would he have seen your picture and cried for us? We blew up the bridge and our army seized the supply train. We continued to move north. I will write you when I can. Time and distance mean nothing to me when I know you wait for me. Write me soon.

Affectionatly

Robert


paladin

[This message has been edited by paladin (edited 09-05-2001).]

© Copyright 2001 Robert E. Jackson - All Rights Reserved
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
1 posted 2001-09-05 02:32 PM


Sire, I have finally been rendered speechless!!  I waited to reply Paladin until I had read them all in a series...and believe me I was in tears.  This is so beautiful, with great imagery...I couldn't wait to get to the next letter.  Wonderful story.  One a movie could be made from.
         Enjoyed thoroughly my friend!

(Tally-Ho) *S*....Enchantress.

~Time has cast a spell on you
  so you won't ever forget me~

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
2 posted 2001-10-10 10:59 AM


Paladin~

'I walked over to the body of the fallen Union officer. He was about my age. His coat was soaked in blood. I knelt and noticed a buldge under his jacket. I unbuttoned it and pulled out a silver case. I opened it and saw a picture of a young woman. Her face was proud and her hair was fair. I slid the case back inside his jacket. I touched the silver case over my heart. I took it out and opened it. When I saw your face tears came to my eyes. I cried for the fallen man and for the fair haired woman in the picture. I thought if his sword had found it's mark would he have seen your picture and cried for us?'

This touched me so intensely~
Thank you for sharing.
These would make a wonderful publication.
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
   noles1@totcon.com              

MoonShadow
Senior Member
since 2001-08-02
Posts 943
Dark side of the Moon.
3 posted 2007-01-31 02:25 PM


Touching, emotional, vivid imagery, charged with passion and strength.

         MoonShadow

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