Page 83 of Master of Paradise
"I know it'll come to war," Nicholas saidgrimly.
The reaction Nicholas got at each plantationwas identical and it greatly surprised him. The young men almostlusted for war. They needed only sword and horse, to hear themtalk, to teach the damn Yankees a lesson they'd never forget. Theolder men were not much different. They thought they could stop theNorth from swarming over the South, freeing the slaves.
By the time Nicholas arrived at the Vickers,he expected Duke and King to become instantly intoxicated with theexcitement of war. "It will give them targets to shoot at otherthan themselves," he told Rafe.
Nick was slightly alarmed when Beau Hampden'sfather, Wade, started to draw up plans for a cavalry unit.
"Each man will provide his own horse,equipment, uniform, and body servant," Wade declared. "Arms willconsist of a pair of pistols, a saber, and a Bowie knife."
Back at Paradise, Nicholas told Rafe aboutplans he'd been considering to start up a brick and tile yard. Herealized the time was right. Up river toward Columbia, he'd spottedthe perfect red clay along the riverbank. "I've decided to buy theland and set up Jason and Solange in what should prove to be aprofitable business."
The men made plans to sail their two vesselsup to New York to trade wood and tobacco for guns, woolen goods,leather, and medical supplies. "The North is filled with factories,foundries, mills, and tanneries," Rafe remarked.
"All the South has is cotton and slaves,"Nick declared. "You captain the Hornet, and I'll command theRattlesnake."
The State of Mississippi followed SouthCarolina's lead, and seceded on the ninth day of January, 1861, andFlorida seceded the very next day. Then came Alabama, Georgia,Louisiana, and Texas. Christmas had slipped past almost forgottenin all the hoopla.
When Nicholas returned from New York he founda letter awaiting him from Bernard Jackson. It informed him thatthough Congress in Richmond, Virginia was holding out againstsecession, events were going forward at breakneck speed, and warlooked inevitable.
He wrote that a Confederate ProvisionalCongress had formed in Montgomery, Alabama and they were determinedto name Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States beforeLincoln was inaugurated as President of the United States onFebruary 11th.
Bernard promised he would make a speedyjourney home the moment he knew war was to be declared.
A Confederate flag was raised at Montgomery,Alabama, and the South went wild with patriotism. Wade Hampden'sSouth Carolina Cavalry was attracting young men from the area, allof whom were ripe for adventure.
When the usual group gathered at Paradise fortheir weekly poker game, Wesley Davis and Stuart Beverly were bothwearing their brand new cavalry uniforms. This produced such adegree of envy in the Vickers boys that the very next morning they,along with their friend Ty Caldwell, joined Hampden's Legionwithout even talking it over with their fathers.
Amanda's heart was filled with dread. Just asshe and Nicholas had begun to explore their love for each other,she feared he would recklessly join the army and thrust himself tothe forefront of the danger."
Brandon came to talk with Nicholas, andbefore half-an-hour had gone by, Beau Hampden arrived on the sceneand the talk was all about which regiment they would join. War wasmen's business and they tried to shield their womenfolk from talkof it. Nicholas however realized that whispers and secrets wouldcause more terror than openly discussing things and letting theladies voice an opinion.
All were gathered in the comfortable livingroom at Paradise. Samuel splashed bourbon into glasses for the menand poured sherry for Amanda and Jennifer.
Brandon downed his in one gulp. "I've decidedto join you and your daddy's cavalry troupe, Beau."
Beau swirled the liquor around his glass."I'm not joining the South Carolina Cavalry. With Father incommand, I thought it might be awkward for both of us. I've decidedto serve under my namesake, General Beauregard. I'm goingtomorrow."
Jennifer gasped. "Oh Beau, I'm so proud ofyou, but I'll just die if anything happens to you."
"Jenny, we got the finest horsemen in thecountry. We were all born with guns in our hands. Every plantationin the county has at least one son whose attended West Point, orthe Citadel, or like Brandon, to the Virginia Military Institute.All the North has is immigrants from Europe, fresh off theboats!"
Nicholas cautioned, "They have immigrants bythe thousand, don't forget, and all poor. They'll be willing tofight in return for food and a few dollars."
"God Almighty Nick, you're not afraid of theYankees are you?" Brandon laughed.
"I'm afraid of war. I'm afraid of the North--it's filled with factories that can turn out cannon. The FederalGovernment has a navy that can soon convert to warships. The Northalso controls the wheat supply."
Jennifer looked ashamed that she was relatedto him. She moved over to stand beside Beau. "A Southern gentlemanwould never admit to fear."
Amanda flushed darkly at the implication.Nicholas ignored Jennifer's words, but Beau Hampden's chest swelledas she cast him an admiring glance.
"Have you written to your father aboutjoining the South Carolina Legion?" Nick asked Brandon.
"No, but I know he'd expect it of me. Youintend to join up, don't you Nick?"
Fear caught in Amanda's throat as she lookedat her husband.
"Well, we're not at war yet, and I hope toGod it doesn't come to that. I've two plantations and a shippingbusiness to run." All eyes were on him now, expecting him to commithimself as they had done, but Nicholas cared little for the opinionof two rash boys.
