Chapter Twenty-One

 

 

Anna woke at daybreak and walked down the driveway to the road. After a few minutes, she saw him approach.

“Hello, my dea’ Anna,” Mr. Meyers greeted. He climbed down from the wagon and assisted her.

“Remember what we discussed. You mustn’t tell anyone about this,” she said. “Not even Patrick.”

Mr. Meyers climbed up beside her and took the reins. “My lips ah sealed.” He grinned at her.

They drove to Dover, exchanging small talk along the way. Once they arrived at the train station, he helped her down.

“I’ll be back in six days’ time,” she said.

He retrieved her carpetbag from the wagon bed and handed it to her. “Ant I’ll be hea’ to collect you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Meyers.” She gave him a soft peck on the cheek.

“Good luck, Fräulein,” he said. “I hope you find vat you ah lookink fo’.”

He drove off, leaving her standing on the platform with her carpetbag in hand.

She turned and walked into the depot. Purchasing a ticket, she took her seat and waited patiently. She knew she was being impulsive, but her heart dictated her actions. It also betrayed her, for it raced unbearably. Recalling the note she had left on the kitchen table informing her family of her intentions, she felt a burst of guilt sweep over her. She knew they would understand, but a severe scolding awaited her when she returned. It didn’t matter. She was willing to jeopardize her own safety because she had to find him, and she would stop at nothing to do so.

Keeping her feelings well hidden, she smiled cordially at all who acknowledged her. The locomotive pulled away from the station. She stared out the window and watched her world fade into the distance. Convincing herself to be strong, she withdrew her wedding portrait from her bag and stared down at it. David’s image gazed back. She smiled.

The train refueled in Harrisburg and continued on to Williamsport, where it stopped for the night. Anna disembarked with the other passengers and paid for a boarding room nearby. She was so weary from traveling that, after she ate an apple she’d brought along, she immediately fell asleep. Before dawn, she was back at the station, where she boarded the train. After several hours of weary travelling, the conductor announced their arrival.

“Next stop, Elmira, New York!”

Anna’s heart leaped. Minutes later, the train pulled to a stop. At long last, she had reached her destination. With only one goal in mind, she stepped down from the passenger car and stood awkwardly on the sidewalk. People passed in a flurry. The crowd made her light-headed. She had never been in such a busy place before. Looking around through the hubbub, she noticed several young women her age soliciting men. Nearby, a group of boys dodged in and out of passersby, daring each other to pick pockets. She clutched her bag tighter. Making her way into town, she entered a quaint little jewelry store.

“Pardon me, sir,” she said to the jeweler, “but could you please tell me how to get to the prison?”

The elderly man looked at her over the rim of his spectacles. “The prison? You mean the P.O.W. camp?”

“Yessir.”

“It’s out on the edge of town,” he said. “But no civilians are allowed inside.”

“I need to talk to someone about a prisoner. Would you know who I might speak with?”

“Commander Tracy is in charge of the camp, but you’d have better luck trying in the morning, since it’s nearly five o’clock now.”

“Oh, my goodness.” Anna had lost track of time. “I’ll need a room for three nights. Could you recommend one?”

“There’s a hotel right down the street,” the shopkeeper said. “I’m sure they’ll be happy to accommodate you.”

“Thank you, sir,” she said and turned to leave.

“Good luck, miss,” he called out before she closed the door behind her.

Following his directions, she made her way to the hotel a block away and entered the two-story, brick building. A mustachioed clerk at the front desk greeted her.

“I’d like a room, please,” she informed him, withdrawing cash from her vestibule.

“For one person?”

“Yes. For three nights.”

“Sign this ledger,” he said and pointed to an empty line before handing her the quill pen.

She scribbled her name and handed the pen back to him.

The clerk glanced over the edge of the counter. “No bags?”

“No. Just the one I’m carrying.”

He handed her a key. “Room 212. Would you like help up?”

“No thank you. But could you tell me where I might be able to purchase a meal?”

“We have a dining room right down that hall,” he replied. “They should begin serving in about half an hour.”

“Thank you, sir.” She started for her room.

“You’re quite welcome, miss. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance. And I’ll let the staff know that you’re here by yourself, so they can keep an eye out for you.”

His remark stunned her, but she brushed it off. Was Elmira so dangerous that she needed to be guarded? She hoped not. But after what she’d witnessed at the railway station, she imagined it might be. Finding her room number, she inserted the key and went inside. The room was small but clean. It contained a single bed with a white bedcover and a blue-and-white-striped pillow, a tiny dresser with a white porcelain water pitcher, bowl, and towel set on top of it, and a white curtained window. She walked across the wooden floor, set her floral bag on the bed, and looked out. People passed on the street below as if they didn’t have a care in the world.

They don’t seem to notice that a war is going on, she thought.

Gazing out across the city, she thought she detected a large structure on the far side. Could that be where her husband was being held captive? The thought of seeing him again made her heart flutter. She took a deep breath and said a quick prayer. Dear Lord, please help me find him. Even if I can’t persuade his captors to release him, please help me find him, so that I know he’s all right.

She unpacked and set her wedding portrait on top of the dresser before placing her clothing in the dresser drawers. Sitting on the bed, she looked around the room and glanced across at the dresser. A deep sigh escaped her as she gazed at the tintype. She noticed an oval mirror hanging above it on the wall. Glaring at herself, she observed how exhausted she looked. It had been a long day, she admitted to herself; but she felt fortunate no unseen obstacles had occurred to impede her travels. She poured some water from the pitcher into the bowl, dipped a corner of the towel, and dabbed her face with it. Collecting her purse, she headed downstairs.

Hotel guests populated the dining room. Most were chatting and enjoying their meals. Some of the men puffed on fat cigars.

Anna took a seat at an empty table. A waiter brought her a glass of water and promised to return shortly for her order. With her eyes downturned, she sat at her table, feeling self-conscious and alone.

“What can I get you, miss?”

She looked up to see the waiter standing over her with pad and pencil poised.

“Oh.” She quickly glanced over the menu. “I’ll have the chicken and mashed potatoes.”

The waiter nodded and walked off.

She glanced around the room at the other hotel patrons. Some laughed and sipped champagne. Trying to look busy, Anna withdrew a small Bible from her vestibule and opened it to Psalms.

 

Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die.

 

She slightly gasped.

“Here’s your food, miss.” The waiter set her plate on the table, filled her water glass, and departed.

Anna forced herself to eat, even though she had no appetite. She quickly devoured the bland meal and returned to her room. At a loss, she decided to go back down to the front desk.

“Kind sir, do you have a newspaper I could borrow?” she asked.

The desk clerk handed her a recent edition of the Elmira Daily Advertiser.

Returning to her room, she scanned over the pages, but none of the articles mentioned the prisoners dwelling a short distance away. Deciding she should rest, she disrobed, climbed into bed, and lay there. Her heart filled with hope.

She drifted in and out of sleep, and awoke to see the sun peering over the horizon. Rain clouds threatened to possess the sky. She dressed and went downstairs.

“Good morning, Mrs. Summers,” a different desk clerk greeted her.

Apparently, he’s done his homework and learned all the guests’ names, she thought.

“How may I assist you?”

“Good morning,” she replied. “How do I get to the prison? I mean—the P.O.W. camp?”

The clerk skeptically looked at her. “I can arrange to have someone take you.”

“That would be very kind.”

Anna waited in the lobby until a driver arrived. He briefly conversed with the desk clerk before walking over to her.

“I’ll take you over there, miss,” he said, tipping his cap.

“Thank you.” She followed him outside to his surrey carriage and stepped up. The driver climbed into the front seat and tapped his gray dapple horse on the withers with a riding stick. After traveling through town, the surrey reached the outskirts. An enormous barricade loomed ahead. When the surrey reached the wooden front gate, Anna’s driver pulled to a stop.

A guard, dressed in Union blue and carrying a rifle, approached. “State your business.”

Mustering her courage, Anna said, “I’d like to speak to Commander Tracy.”

“He’s out of town,” said the guard.

“Oh. Is there someone else I could talk to?” she asked.

With a scowl, the guard grumbled, “What’s this in reference to?”

“One of your prisoners,” she replied.

The guard frowned.

Another guard walked over. “What’s going on here?” he inquired.

“This young lady wishes to speak to someone about a prisoner,” said Anna’s driver. “Who is in charge?”

“That would be Lieutenant McConnell.”

“Could I speak to him?” Anna implored, gazing at the two guards with soulful eyes.

The first guard grunted. “Wait here.” He threw a glance at his comrade and marched off toward a row of buildings aligned alongside the tall wooden fence line.

Anna sat impatiently, wishing to jump out and chase after him. She detected voices coming from behind the barricade’s walls and wondered if David was on the other side. Struggling to contain her anxiety, she withdrew a handkerchief from her purse and clutched it tightly. She glanced up. Several sentries paroled the top of the fence with rifles in hand. The sight terrified her. She bit her lower lip to prevent it from quivering.

Several minutes passed until the guard returned. “Lieutenant McConnell isn’t receiving visitors right now,” he said. Placing his rifle on his shoulder, he turned and walked away.

“Wait!” Anna shouted after him, but the soldier ignored her and strode off. She looked at the other guard.

“Sorry, miss,” he said and returned to his post.

“I don’t believe this,” she angrily snarled. “I have travelled over one hundred and ninety miles to get here, and I demand answers!” She felt as though she would explode but knew if she caused a disturbance, she would immediately be accosted.

“I’ll take you to the hotel,” the driver said. He turned his horse, and the surrey started down the road.

Anna looked back over her shoulder. She couldn’t give up yet, but finding David was becoming insurmountable. She fought back tears of rage while they rode into town.

Stopping in front of the hotel, the driver stepped down and assisted her. “Don’t fret, Mrs. Summers,” he said assuredly. “I have a friend who is a friend with the mayor. Let me speak with him, and perhaps he can arrange a meeting with you and the lieutenant.”

She nodded. “Thank you, Mr.—”

“Alexander. I’ll let you know as soon as I find anything out.”

Anna tipped him. Struggling to hold back angry tears, she entered the hotel, walked into the dining room, and requested a cup of tea.

A middle-aged woman noticed her from across the room and approached her.

“Hello, dear,” she said. “Mind if I join you for a moment?”

Anna’s self-consciousness surfaced. “All right.”

“I’m Emily Brookes,” the slender woman introduced as she seated herself next to her.” I saw you last night. You must be new in town.”

Anna nodded. “I’m here in search of my, um, relation. He’s in the prison camp. But I haven’t heard from him in months, and I’m afraid he might be—”

“Oh, dear, I’m so sorry.”

Anna looked down at her cup. A sob escaped her.

Emily glanced over her shoulder and leaned in closer. “I might be able to help,” she said softly.

“What do you mean?”

“I know one of the guards. He might be able to assist.”

Anna saw a flicker of hope. “You do? Could he?”

“I believe so. What’s your name?”

“Anna Summers.”

“What’s the prisoner’s name?”

“David—Summers.”

“I’ll see what I can do. It’s difficult to contact the Rebels, but there are ways. I assume you’re staying here?”

“Yes, but only through tomorrow.”

Emily smiled. “I’ll leave a message with the desk clerk if I discover anything.” She stood.

“Thank you,” Anna said. Watching her leave, she took a sip from her cup and faintly smiled.

After returning to her room, she looked over the newspaper again. She considered going for a walk, but observed that it had started raining, so she decided against it. The day dragged on. Raindrops thumped against the windowpane. Still, she received no word. At a loss, she decided to go down to the lobby.

“Do I have any messages?” she asked the desk clerk.

“No, Mrs. Summers.”

She scowled.

“Is there anything I can help you with?”

“I’m trying to get into the P.O.W. camp, but it seems to be an impossible task.”

“You might try bribing one of the guards,” he said with a chuckle.

Anna didn’t find his comment amusing. She looked outside to see that it was still raining. I hope he has shelter from the rain, she thought. Her heart ached for her husband. “Would you by chance have a piece of paper and an ink pen I might borrow?”

“Yes, of course.” He extracted the requested items from behind the counter and handed them to her.

Mr. Alexander entered.

“Mrs. Summers,” he greeted. “The mayor has agreed to see you. Would tomorrow morning at nine be all right?”

“That would be splendid,” she replied.

“Good. I’ll be here to collect you at half past eight.”

“That would be fine, Mr. Alexander. Thank you very much.” She turned back toward the desk clerk.

“Or, you could speak to the mayor,” he said with a grin.

Anna smiled and ascended the stairs. Positioning herself in front of the tiny bedside table, she scribbled a letter to her husband in hopes that she might be able to get it to him somehow. Tears ran down her cheeks as she described her frustration and undying love for him. Upon finishing, she blew on the ink to dry it, folded the letter, kissed it, and placed it in her reticule.

At dusk, she returned to the restaurant for supper, and then went back to her room. Loneliness crept in, nearly smothering her. She climbed into bed and lay shivering beneath the covers. The night seemed to never end. She tossed and turned, trying to chase terrible thoughts of prison, guards, guns, and death from her mind.

 

 

 

When daybreak finally arrived, she dressed, went downstairs, grabbed a quick bite in the restaurant, and waited patiently for Mr. Alexander. As promised, he arrived on time and escorted her to his surrey. They rode through town to the courthouse. Thankfully, it had stopped raining, and the sun peeked out between floating clouds. The surrey came to a halt in front of a large, two-story, white brick building with long windows and a cupola on one side of it. At the top of the building was a plaque that stated the date it was built: 1861. Mr. Alexander helped Anna down.

“Tell him a friend of John MacIntosh sent you,” he said. “I’ll wait for you here.”

“Thank you, Mr. Alexander.” She entered the building. After receiving directions from a clerk, she found the mayor’s office and went inside.

“May I help you?” a young man seated at a desk asked.

“I’m here to see the mayor,” Anna replied. “I have an appointment.”

“Your name?”

“Mrs. Summers. A friend of John MacIntosh sent me.”

“Very good. Wait here.”

He vanished into another room. Momentarily, he returned.

“The mayor will see you now.”

“Thank you.” She walked past him into the room, where an older man sat behind a large oak desk.

“Good morning,” he greeted. “Please have a seat.”

Anna did as he requested.

“What can I do for you today, young lady?”

She noticed a name plaque on his desk: Mayor Steven Arnot. “Mayor Arnot, I’m here to request a meeting with one of the officers at the P.O.W. camp. I’ve travelled from Dover, Pennsylvania, to find out what has become of my relative, who is in the prison camp. Is there any way you can help me?”

He glared at her for a moment. “My dear, I appreciate your coming to see me, but I don’t have the ability to authorize such a visit. You would have to speak to the prison authorities directly.”

“I tried, but they won’t agree to meet with me.”

“Then it’s out of my hands. I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do.”

“Nothing?”

“The prison is run by the government. If it were run by the state or city, I might have more influence.”

“Oh. I see.” She knew she was getting nowhere. “I’m sorry to have wasted your time.”

“And I’m sorry I couldn’t be of further assistance. Good day, miss.”

She glared at him. “Good day.” Rising to her feet, she walked out the door and hurried onto the street.

“How did it go?” asked Mr. Alexander.

“Not well. He said there is nothing he can do. That it’s out of his hands.”

“I was afraid of that. I’ll take you back to the hotel.”

Anna’s mind raced as they rode through town. What can I do to influence the prison commanders? Who else might I talk to? “Would you mind driving me back over to the prison camp?” she asked.

“Of course not.”

Mr. Alexander turned down a side street and started toward the ominous, barricaded camp. Once they arrived, Anna climbed down.

“Please wait for me here,” she said and walked over to a guard.

“Sir, I insist that you allow me to speak with one of your commanding officers,” she told him. “It’s a matter of life and death.”

The guard snickered. “Is it truly that dire?”

“Yes. Yes, it is. I need to see one of the prisoners right away.”

“We have strict orders not to let anyone in. It wouldn’t be safe for you.”

“Is there someone else who will see me besides Lieutenant McConnell?”

“No, miss.”

“When will Commander Tracy return?”

“In two days.”

Anna sighed. “I just need to know if he’s alive, that’s all.” Her weariness consumed her. She started to cry.

The guard appeared stunned. “There is an observatory nearby,” he said. “You can go up and maybe see him from there. But that’s all I can suggest.”

“All right. Thank you.” She withdrew the letter she had written and handed it to him. “Sir, if you would be so kind, could you please see to it that this letter finds its way to Mr. David Summers?”

Taking the letter from her, he glared at her for a moment before shoving it into his uniform pocket. “I’ll see what I can do, miss,” he responded with a nod.

She gave him a gracious smile and walked over to the surrey.

“He says there’s an observatory, and perhaps I can catch a glimpse of him from there. It’s worth a try. Anything is worth a try.”

Glancing back at the guard, her heart fluttered. She hoped her letter would reach her beloved, and yet, she knew it was likely never to be.

She climbed back in. Mr. Alexander turned the surrey, and they rode to their destination. A short line had formed at the base of the viewing tower. Anna climbed out and took her place in line. After a few minutes, she reached the front.

“Fifteen cents,” said a short, stocky man.

Digging in her vestibule, she found the correct change and handed it to him. She grasped the railing and started climbing. Once she reached the top, an appalling sight beheld her. The stench was terrible. Confined men milled about, clad in gray tatters. Some of them appeared to be selling or trading items.

“Here. Try looking at them with these,” a woman standing beside her said and handed her a pair of binoculars.

Anna graciously accepted them. She scanned the entire panorama, searching out her beloved, but couldn’t distinguish him amongst the others. After a few minutes of futile searching, she handed them back.

“Filthy creatures, aren’t they,” the woman remarked and descended the steps.

Anna shivered. The cool mid-afternoon wind, along with the townspeople’s cool attitude toward the prisoners, chilled her to the bone. She climbed down.

“Any luck?” asked Mr. Alexander.

She sadly shook her head.

“There is one other place you could look,” said a man standing nearby. “Woodlawn Cemetery.”

His words stunned her. “Yes,” she said and climbed in.

Mr. Alexander drove the surrey around to another side of the prison. Before them stretched rows of well-marked graves, their headstones aligned in rows across a wide field.

Pulling to a halt, he said, “I’ll help you look.”

They walked across the dead grass. In the distance, several men were hard at work digging graves.

Anna’s breath caught in her throat. What if they were digging a grave for David? The thought brought tears to her eyes.

“There must be over two thousand graves out here,” Mr. Alexander remarked. “Who are we looking for?”

“David Summers,” she said.

They split up and started looking. Row after row, Anna made her way along, but failed to find him. After an hour and a half, the headstones became difficult to read. Her hands and feet grew numb with cold. She looked up to see it was nearly twilight.

Mr. Alexander approached her. “We’d better head back.” he said.

She didn’t respond, but followed him to the surrey. They drove to the hotel, and he assisted her out.

“Thank you for all of your help today,” she said, handing him three dollars for his effort.

“It’s been my pleasure, miss. If you’d like, I can drive you back over tomorrow.”

“My train leaves in the morning,” she said.

“Well, I’ll go have a talk with John Jones. He’s the sexton at Woodlawn. I’ll see if he has any record of a David Summers being deceased. Leave your information with the hotel. If I learn anything, I’ll contact you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Alexander. You are too kind.” She walked into the hotel and made her way into the restaurant, where she ordered roast beef. Still without any appetite, she made herself eat, but couldn’t finish her plate, so she retreated to her room. She gazed down at her wedding portrait. Picking it up, she gently kissed his likeness. Loneliness, defeat, and despair overwhelmed her. She longingly looked at David’s face before setting the tintype back on the dresser. Collapsing onto the bed, she broke down and sobbed. Her trip had all been in vain.

 

 

In the morning, she packed her bag and went downstairs.

“Do I have any messages?” she asked the mustached desk clerk, the same one whom she had first met.

“No, Mrs. Summers. Checking out?”

“Yes.” She handed him her room key and paid her bill. “Mr. Alexander might need to contact me later, so here is my address.” She handed him a piece of paper.

“Thank you. We certainly hope you enjoyed your stay, Mrs. Summers.”

She nodded and picked up her carpetbag.

“Come back again soon,” he called out as she turned to leave.

I hope I never have to, she thought to herself.

Disappointed that she hadn’t heard from Emily, she walked to the train depot and boarded her train. She wanted to go home, but she didn’t want to leave. More than anything, she wanted to see David again.

At least I didn’t find his grave, she thought. He must still be alive.

She knew it would be a long ride home and she would return empty handed, for she had obtained no more answers than she had arrived with. But now she had seen the prison, repulsive as it was.

How could Stephen send him to a place like that?

The thought occurred to her that his actions had been intentional. Perhaps he wanted to send David to such a horrible place in hopes that he would die there. The dreadful thought made her shudder. Her heart ached terribly as the train left the station.