November 23, 1863
Chattanooga
Buglers sounded the assembly and men scrambled in every direction. Big Joe and Al fell in beside Eli as the ranks of the 125th Ohio came to attention, Sergeant Hayes bawling orders. Eli had little expectation this was more than noise and drill. There had been rumors for days they were going into action. He was ready. He had been more than ready for weeks now.
“I wonder what’s up this time?” said Mark Larsen behind Eli.
Al glanced back at him. “Well Sherman’s army’s finally come up,” he said. “So now we got Hooker and his Army of the Potomac boys, we got Sherman and his Army of the Tennessee boys, and we got us in the Army of the Cumberland. I don’t know what else Grant could be waiting on.”
“Quiet down,” scolded Hayes. “We’ll fight when the generals say fight. Ain’t none a you girls need worry ‘bout it. Today, tomorrow, it’ll be soon enough.”
A half an hour later the entire Army of the Cumberland was ordered into column, parading past General Thomas on horseback surrounded by his staff. Eli thought he caught a glimpse of General Grant, as well.
“Ain’t nothing but a grand review,” grumbled Blue from in front of Eli. “We ain’t nothing but monkeys on parade for them officers. I hate this foolishness.”
“What do you think, Joe?” asked Eli, glancing at him.
Joe shrugged. “I don’t mind a parade and them rebels look to be enjoying the sight.” He nodded toward the rebel lines about a mile distant on a little hill called Orchard Knob.
Eli followed his gaze to see scores of Confederate soldiers lounging on top of their entrenchments, apparently enjoying the pageantry of the show. The day turned sunny and Eli imagined that the dark blue columns of Union troops marching in formation with battle flags fluttering in the breeze did present an entertaining spectacle. The rebels pointed and laughed.
“I’d sure like to wipe the smiles off their faces,” said Eli. “I didn’t join the Union army to put on shows for rebel amusement.”
“When the rebels catch sight a you, Craft,” said Blue, “I’m sure they’ll be shaking in their boots wishing they was back with their mamas. We should tell Colonel Opdycke to put you up front so you can growl like a dog and jump like a baboon ‘n make all them rebels run for their lives.”
Blue turned to look back at Eli and sneered, “Or maybe you’d hoot at ‘em like a woman.”
“Shut up, Blue,” said Eli, frowning. This was the first time since their encounter at the river Blue said anything about his suspicions. “Be a shame if we got in a fight and you got shot from behind,” said Eli. “By accident, of course.”
Blue glanced back at Eli, scowling.
“The next man talking answers to me,” screamed Hayes.
They marched on in silence, Blue glancing back at Eli from time to time apprehensively, much to Eli’s satisfaction.
They abruptly halted and were ordered to face right toward the rebel lines.
To Eli’s complete astonishment, over on the left he heard a bugler sound the advance. All eyes turned in that direction to watch General Wood’s regiments surge forward.
Eli glanced back at the rebels, his heart racing. They sat frozen a few seconds, and then tumbled like prairie dogs back down into their rifle pits. The battle of Chattanooga, Eli realized, had begun.
Eli glanced back and did see General Grant behind them sitting quietly atop Jeff Davis, a cigar clamped between his teeth and the brim of his slouch hat just over his eyes.
The order came for the 125th to follow in the advance. Finally, thought Eli, he was on the move again to Georgia.