A/N: All characters belong to me, as they are all original creations; the premise that the story is based on does not. Any and all accounts of war have been fictionalized to fit in with the characters. The wars and main battles fought, any generals mentioned therein, or anyone else in connection to the actual conflicts are true to the original history, unless otherwise noted.
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14 March 1847
Today we were able to weaken another point in the Mexican line. The general led us around their carefully placed line and we were able to ambush them from behind, with great success. My only hope is that all of this fighting is for something…worthwhile.
I know the land known as Texas may be ours soon, but I often wonder why there needs to be so much bloodshed to gain land.
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21 April 1847
Another good day, if I can truly call it that, in this war we fight for the States. I know this is for my country, yet there are times I wish that I could return to Poplarville and to Caroline. God, I miss her. She is my light and life. Without her, I am nothing.
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Laurel – 10 June 1859
"My heart, like the ivy still clings unto thee, oh, beautiful, beautiful land of the free!" sang the young woman, while brushing her long honey-colored hair.
"Miss Adele, if you don't be hurryin' up now, yo's gonna miss the picnic!" The older black woman scolded, laying a dress down on the bed and turning toward the girl.
Adele looked at the reflection in the mirror. "Hattie, I'll be there on time. I always want to have my hair to look good. You know that."
Hattie sighed. "Yessum, I do, a' dat."
Putting the hairbrush down on her dressing table, Adele patted her hair and walked over to the bed. A petite girl of seventeen, Adele Harrison was a beauty and one of the most desirable young women in the small southern river town of Laurel, sixty miles south of everywhere. She had everything a girl of her status could ever dream of, yet she always dreamed of more things in life, things – she said – that were more important than anything her father's money could buy. Most people naturally assumed that she would be a typical child of wealth, but there was nothing typical about Adele Harrison.
Her personality was a thing of beauty…most young men had noticed her years before. Now she was of the marrying age but being an independent spirit, she had managed to put off the idea of marriage for a few years. Her father had wanted her to marry at sixteen and Adele had managed to stall long enough to discourage her suitor.
She knew that with her eighteenth birthday approaching the following year, her father would once again bring up the subject of marriage. Father is going to say somethin' about it before I leave. He'll want me to be kind to Charles at the picnic.
Charles Raeford, an eligible bachelor in his own right, was a hero of the Mexican War, occurring just a decade earlier. A healthy thirty-two years old, Raeford had returned to Laurel and became quite successful by opening his own law office, Raeford and Simmons, located next to the telegraph/post office on the main thoroughfare. Now wealthy, both in success and monetarily speaking, he desired to marry and settle down; being who he was, only the most prominent woman would do. That person…was Adele Harrison.
"Hattie…oh! Not so tight!" Adele yelped, as her corset was being tightened around her tiny frame. "What do you think about Mr. Raeford?"
"Miss Adele, dat ain't fo' me to say," Hattie said. "Not my place."
"If I asked you, as a friend, would you say?"
Sighing, Hattie tied off the corset. "I am yo' hired help. I can't be no friend. Mr. Harrison wouldn't like it."
"Please, Hattie? You've known me since I was three." Adele craned her head around to meet the older woman's eyes with her own. "All I'm asking is what you think. I trust you."
"Ah'ight, Miss Adele. You talked me into this, remember dat," Hattie replied, unbuttoning the summer dress. "I think Mr. Raeford is a good man. He's good fo' you."
"Yes, but I don't think I love him. At times, he's so…cold," she said, placing her arms through the sleeves and shrugging the dress onto her shoulders. "I know Father wants me to marry him since he's so respected around here. Sometimes I think Father would be happy if I just married someone."
"Most girls yo' age is already married. He's worried about yo' future." Hattie fluidly buttoned all of the tiny buttons lining the back of the dress.
Adele looked at herself in the full-length mirror on her bureau and pulled at the skirt of the dress. Almost ready for the picnic, Adele wore a light blue gingham dress sprinkled with tiny flowers over the ever-present hoop skirt; atop her mane of honey curls, she placed a straw hat and tied the light blue ribbon under her chin, pulling the bow to one side.
Hattie came up behind her. "Miss Adele…yo's a vision. Mr. Raeford's gonna ask you the min'te he sees you. I can feels it in my bones."
"Why, thank you, Hattie. That's very kind of you to say!" smiled Adele, as she picked up a stray fan off the bureau. "Now, I must go see Father before I leave."
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2 September 1847
Today I saved a man's life. We were attacking one of the strongholds in an enemy controlled town and before we knew what was happening, we were the ones on the end of an ambush. A storm of bullets came raining down on us as we tried to break the walls…many were cut down, but I managed to escape any injury. As I made it over one of the walls, I saw one of my comrades being pursued by a Mexican wielding a saber and a pistol. I managed to distract the soldier and let my comrade move out of the danger zone. As I was fighting him, saber to saber, I saw my comrade (whose name I do not know) pull his pistol and shoot the Mexican in the back. I understand that this kind of move is often needed in warfare, but I don't think it is right to shoot a man in the back. I stood there almost shocked, but quickly drawn back into the fighting. He never thanked me or acknowledged what I had done for him. I saved his life. I can only hope that if I am ever in that situation, he would do the same for me.
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"Adele! You are such a beauty!" James Harrison exclaimed when his only daughter entered the study, located off the front hall. "I only hope that others can see you for the prize that you are."
Just for his benefit, Adele gave a small twirl so that he could see all sides. Smiling, she approached her father with a tiny hand outstretched to hold his.
"This is the dress you gave me for my birthday, Father. I love it so much," she said while grasping his hand.
His eyes sparkled with pride. "My little Adie is all grown up…"
Adele blushed. "Oh Father…"
"No, it's true. You're a grown lady now," he replied, guiding her over to one of the couches spread throughout the study. "As one who is now an adult, you must start thinking about choosing a husband."
Inwardly, Adele groaned. She knew that he could not just compliment her without bringing up that infernal subject. I do not want to marry anyone! Why can I not get him to see that! Charles is a nice person, I suppose, but I do not and will not ever love him. As her father droned on about marriage, Adele found herself drifting into a daydream.
"Adele?"
Adele opened an eye and saw her father looking quizzically at her. Oh my goodness! I did not realize I had closed my eyes!
Smiling quickly, Adele stood and brushed out her skirt. "I really need to go, Father. I will be late for the picnic."
Before he could say anything more on the subject, Adele had darted out the door.
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The Oakleigh plantation, located on the bluffs overlooking the Madison River, was a popular place for the season's parties and picnics. Everyone who wanted to be seen could easily be found at one of the numerous functions held at Oakleigh.
One of the largest plantations in Laurel and owned by the McMurran family, Oakleigh was a picture of Southern perfection. Located at the front center of the fifteen acres of land, Oakleigh was made of traditional red brick; the front of the plantation home was enveloped by columns of white, matching the upper portions of the house. On the windows were forest green shutters, pulled back to display the multiple panes of glass.
Surrounding the house were large oak trees oftowering heights; Oakleigh was known for its magnificent oaks as well as the house, which could be seen during the yearly open house every August. Of course, this event was only for Laurel's most elite families, so not just anyone could get in to see the house.
On this day, however, Oakleigh's lawn was covered in people walking around, socializing with others of Laurel's most elite. Dresses of all colors were swishing around, brushing against legs and other skirts, as the women casually flirted and conversed with the men. This event was seen as one of the year's best, but everyone knew that if one attended, one should expect to leave with a potential spouse.
Adele Harrison arrived shortly after the picnic began along with her good friend, Leah Stewart. Leah, a plain blond of sorts, had been friendly with Adele since childhood; in a way they were bosom friends, having told each other secrets, dreams, and all of the other kinds of things young girls talk about.
"Oh Adele…look at ev'ryone! All of the dresses are so beautiful and the men are so handsome," she said grasping her companion's arm. "I wonder if James Bradley is here."
"Of course James Bradley will be here. He's always at these sorts of things and that girl, Lisbeth Johnson, is forever attached to his arm, as if she owns him." Adele absently patted Leah's hand to reassure her.
Leah looked crestfallen. "I was hoping she wouldn't be here. I would like it so much if he'd only notice me."
Adele turned and grabbed Leah by the upper arms. "Don't let Lisbeth win! Go talk to James Bradley! Who knows? He may not like her anymore than we do."
Shrugging off Adele's grasp, Leah looked over her shoulder, peering around the crowds of people in an attempt to find her beloved. "Where could he be?"
Adele spotted him first and quietly pushed her friend in his direction; Lisbeth Johnson was nowhere in sight, so perhaps Leah could finally have a chance to speak to him privately. After Leah left her side, Adele began to wander about in an attempt to mingle, if she saw anyone she wished to speak with.
"Adele!"
Without looking, she knew it was Charles Raeford.
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24 May 1859
A new home. A new beginning. Perhaps this will make all the difference. I can forget once and for all…