Page 52 of Under the Tulip Tree
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Chaos.
Pure chaos erupted after the messenger delivered the news to the commander. Like a beehive that’d been split open, folks swarmed about camp, shouting, crying, arguing.
Should we run? Should we stay put? Would the Yankees protect us from the Confederates? No one knew the answers to any of the questions, leaving people terrified and on edge.
“What’s gonna happen, Frankie? I don’t want to go back to my massa.”
Nell’s eyes were wide with panic as we sat in our tent, wrapped in blankets, more to ward off the chill of fear than the mild November weather. Voices full of anger and uncertainty ebbed and flowed past our canvas home as folks sorted out their options, but we’d retreated to the tent after searching in vain for Sam or Illa Crandle among the crowds. I hopedSam would seek me out soon and that he’d have the answers we all sought.
A tear slid down Nell’s smooth cheek. It occurred to me I’d never thought to ask the girl what her life was like during slavery. From the look of terror in her eyes at the prospect of going back, I guessed it was as bad as mine had been.
“Ain’t no way to know what’s gonna happen, girl,” I said, giving her a stern look. “But I’ll tell you one thing. We ain’t going back to our masters. The Yankees and Miz Illa won’t let that happen.”
I prayed my words held truth. In the midst of the bedlam, I’d heard some folks say they’d rather die fighting the Rebs than go back into slavery, and I suppose somewhere inside me I felt the same way. A number of men decided they’d join the army right then and there. While I hadn’t been mistreated by Mr. Waters, I had no desire to go back to being his slave, living in a shack behind his warehouse. I’d tasted freedom, and I had no intention of giving it up.
Things eventually grew quiet outside. Tangible fear had a way of silencing a soul, and I imagined folks had hid themselves away like Nell and me. There wasn’t anything to do but wait. Wait for the Army of Tennessee to arrive. Wait for the Yankees to keep us safe... if they could.
When I heard Sam’s voice sometime later, my body sagged with relief. Nell had fallen into a fretful sleep, so I walked with Sam to the edge of the contraband camp. Up the hill, Fort Negley buzzed with activity. Soldiers ran hither and yon,moving cannons into position, carrying supplies, and watching the southern horizon for the Confederate Army.
“Are they really coming, Sam?”
I didn’t have to explain who I meant. His grave nod indicated he knew. “Hood’s army is camped down near Spring Hill. He chased Schofield’s men out of Columbia and now they’re headed north.”
“They’re coming to Nashville then.”
“It appears so.”
We stood in silence, watching the soldiers prepare for battle. I didn’t know why I’d thought the war would never reach us. Maybe because life had fallen into a comfortable routine. It wasn’t perfect, but I was content here in the contraband camp, waiting for freedom. Yet with the Confederate Army practically on our doorstep, freedom seemed farther away than ever.
“What will happen now?” I sounded like Nell. Sam wouldn’t have all the answers, but he might have some.
“Miz Illa is preparing for the wounded we’ll receive. Even though there are already military hospitals around the city, it’s feared they won’t be enough. Makeshift hospitals need to be stocked with supplies and bandages made. She’d like your help.”
Guilt washed over me. I hadn’t considered the men who might die or be wounded in the fighting. I’d only been concerned for myself. “I’ll come.”
He took hold of my poor hand and kissed the back of it,seeming not to care that my fingers were deformed. “I’m going to help the officers in whatever way I can.”
Worry filled me at the thought of Sam anywhere near thebattle.
“You get to the fort as soon as the shooting starts, you hear me?” He gave me a hard look, meant to keep me from arguing. “You get up there and stay until it’s done.”
I nodded. Fear clogged my throat.
We walked back to my tent. Before leaving, Sam sent me that special smile he reserved only for me. “When this is over, Frankie, you and me is getting married. I won’t take no for an answer.”
My eyes followed him as he walked toward the limestone walls of the fort, and I marveled that God had brought such a good man into my life. “Take care of him,” I whispered.
Two evenings later we heard distant cannon fire echo in the south just as the sun set.
A shout went up. “Franklin is under attack.” Fear shone in every eye when Nell and I hurried out of our tent. We all stood around, listening. The battle lasted five long hours, and then all was silent.
It was still dark when Illa came to wake me the next morning. “There’s been a terrible battle in Franklin. Thousands are dead and thousands more wounded. I’m going to help. I need you to continue our preparations here. I fear Nashville will not escape the hand of death.”
I roused Nell and we made our way to town without trouble. The soldiers were far too busy preparing for Rebsto worry about us women. Schofield’s army had hightailed it to Nashville during the night, and the streets were crawling with more Federal soldiers than I could count, crowding the camps, forts, and city.
Over the past two days I’d joined Illa and dozens of other volunteers at several hospitals that had been set up throughout the city in office buildings, factories, hotels, and even churches, taking inventory of supplies needed to care for the large number of wounded we expected to receive. Walking through the city, I recalled how Mr. Waters had feared the Yankees would take over his warehouse, and I imagined it now filled with rows of cots instead of groceries.
