A week later, Patrick received yet another letter from Emmeline, enclosing a cutting from a New Orleans newspaper, the Picayune. First, he read the letter.
Le Petit Versailles
Confederate State of Louisiana
1st July 1862
Dear Mr O’Malley,
I am in receipt of your disturbing news regarding Mr Moran. The true circumstances were reported in New Orleans (enclosed) with details of another sad case – a woman from the French Quarter, of Mr Moran’s acquaintance it seems. It is all such a regrettable affair, Mother says. That some should so dishonour us all, while others make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Poor Cordelia no longer speaks of him. Not to dwell on such disagreeable matters, I am happy to relate that Father has already returned to the front and Mother once again amazes us all. She is ever occupied from morning to night cutting patterns for shirts and dresses for the domestic slaves. She regularly visits the fields and the Sugar House and consults (when necessary only) with Mr Clinch on the state of the crop. Mr Clinch, it seems, resents Mother’s growing knowledge.
Permissions for marriages among the slaves and new names for their many offspring take up more time. Cupid, the troublesome one, has recently produced a fine strong son. He will do well in the fields one day when this distasteful business is over and the Yankees skedaddle homewards to think again about setting foot where they do not belong, or are not welcome. Cupid, being unhusbanded, as they often are, Mother had then to find her a likely candidate, none of the blacks claiming responsibility for the girl’s predicament. These domestic matters Mother keeps until evening time when the fieldwork is done. By midnight she is exhausted.
It is hard work being a man.
The Yankee officers, who are unlike the bulk of their race, have again visited and comfort us greatly in our continuing grief. One, a Captain Garnett, is from New England, the other is of higher rank, a Lieutenant Frothingham. For Yankees they are pleasant company and make only solicitous remarks of our well-being … and, indeed of Father’s.
Mother often enquires as to Captain Joyce when I am writing to you. Please do make mention to him.
Finally, a solitary white glove here enquires as to the state of her sister glove – and if she will be returning soon?
As ever,
Emmy
With mounting apprehension at what he would find within it, Patrick then took hold of the newspaper article.
A Sad Case
The body of a young female not of high colour, was taken by boatmen from the waters of Lake Pontchartrain on Tuesday last. She is believed to be one Kizzie Toucoutou missing from the French Quarter of the town. The girl, a femme de couleur libre, was seen by observers to walk out from the shores of the lake into its deepest waters – and singing. Further intelligence reports her to have conducted a friendship with a Sgt O. Moran of the Louisiana infantry. A native of the Old Country, the same recently faced the ultimate judgement, for deserting his fellow countrymen in the hour of battle.
Patrick stared at the paper. He was desolate, fearing his letter had been the pre-emptor of Kizzie’s death. She would have been heartbroken at the news of Oxy … but to … Patrick couldn’t comprehend. He re-read the article, searching out any veiled reference to Oxy’s true identity. There was none that he could fathom. At least Oxy was spared that. Patrick hoped beyond hope that the Picayune, or its reportage, would not find its way across the ocean to a struggling townland in Roscommon. Devastate it yet further with the news of Oxy’s desertion … and his love for a dark-skinned woman of New Orleans.
He then read Emmeline’s letter again. This time he observed her concerns, or lack of, for the tragedy of Oxy’s and Kizzie’s lives more evidently on the page.
As quickly, he forgave her. She, still grieving so over her beloved brothers.