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Post by Elizabeth Harlow on Jul 8, 2014 3:51:28 GMT
Briar Oak Plantation Charlestowne, South Carolina
My dear Aedan,
If you are reading this letter, then I thank God that you still have life in you. It means that you have not fallen on some distant battlefield, or been taken prisoner by the Red Coats. The winters in the north can be harsh, so stay warm by the fire and read this for comfort. Be honorable, and a just and wise leader to your men, and don't give them a false hope. Give them a reason and be an inspiration to march onward and take back the freedom that they so long to have.
The months to come will be lonely here without our brave men to keep us safe, you will not be here to cheer me up and try to steal kisses under my father's oak tree, so I will hold on to the promise that you told me that night at Mrs. Rutledge's party. The promise that you will return, though time is a cruel and fickle thing, we can never know how many months or years it will be till we will see each other.
If you should get homesick, try to think of the fondest memories you have of home. The harvest during the fall, and the brisk chill of impending winter. The sound of the horse and carts riding over the cobblestones of Charlestowne, or the sound the water makes as it runs over the shores of the beaches. The touch of your lips to mine that last night before you left. See, home is never far away.
Return to us, Aedan. Be brave.
E
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Post by Aedan Cepero on Jul 8, 2014 4:32:31 GMT
My Fair E,
We have begun our march northwards, and already I miss the lazy spring days by your side in Charles Towne where we could simply mosey by the waterfront on Bay Street, watching from the walls the sea laping against the shore. The sweet smell of your perfume still lingers on your note, and I can't help but imagine your rosey red lips smiling the first time I brought you sunflowers. I also miss them pressed against my own lips, and I long for the day I can return to your embrace.
General Howard has us at a rather quick pace, so I have very little time to actually right. As of right now, we've just reached the North Carolina border, but any more than that and I'm afraid I could inadvertently jeopardize our entire endeavor. The flow of letters from camp is being limited, only officers and a few select men are allowed to send letters. It's times like this I'm thankful for my position, though my heart goes out to my boys who are hungry for any word from home....
With each day these boys are trained, their confidence grows. You should see the transformation some of these boys had once they put on the uniform. But Lord, is it a conglomeration of odd individuals. Farmboys, tavern dwellers, city boys who never left town before... I swear, there's even a preacher more interested in booze and women than in the Good Book in my ranks! But I have faith, in time, these boys will form a cohesive unit. And when the Red Coats come marching towards us, we'll be ready to send them back across the Atlantic!
I remain, loyally yours,
Captain Aedan Cepero,
2nd South Carolina Infantry
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Post by Elizabeth Harlow on Jul 9, 2014 0:44:22 GMT
Briar Oak Plantation Charlestowne, South Carolina
My dear Aedan,
I am more than certain that our boys are in good hands. With your help, how could we lose. Every victory is not without a few failed attempts, but let us hope that it the first and not the later. Those men will be ready, I am sure of it, you will see. You have an eclectic assortment of men, each has his use, and will serve you well.
This morning as I rode Shakespeare over the hills of the plantation, I felt at peace. A herd of deer ran across my path as I rode through the orchards, and into the corn field. Seeing how free they were running without limitations, that's how I see this young country. A country of democracy, and not tyranny ruled by a king that is thousand of miles off. Sitting on his throne and sending his henchmen to do his dirty work. The sooner this war ends, and there is a victor, the better. How many men must die to bring us freedom? Though I support the cause to get what we want, but at what cost are we willing to go.
In a few days I am traveling to England to attend a ball being hosted by my grandmother. I have not seen her since...since my mother died. I am already imagine the burdens she will try to place on me. I am glad to be seeing my mother's side of the family, but I know I will not be able to escape her watching eye. The journey will be a few months, but do not worry. I am strong willed and stubborn like my mother. I will spend a month there, and then make my way to New York to visit with my eldest brother and his wife. She is due in a few months, and I an overjoyed to be an aunt again. I will try and write when I am able. Take care, and be safe and return to me.
Faithfully,
E
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Post by Aedan Cepero on Jul 11, 2014 1:25:00 GMT
My fair E,
Your confidence in me and my men is reassuring though I cannot lie, I find it difficult to maintain that confidence myself. It is not that I do not believe in the cause, nor do I think the men will not rise to the occasion, I simply wonder how many of the men I'm leading will still be standing at the end of it all. I regret to say that firey, revolutionary spirit that wants to make men independent of the English is the same spirit that makes them a bit unruly. It often takes explaining a command two or three times to get them to actually conduct the maneuver, and I've had to explain "why" we do something more times than I can count. Once explained the men usually conduct themselves accordingly, and with a sort of resolve I never witnessed with Spanish soldiers, but it is a tiring and laborious process.
I will pray for your safety on the voyage to England, and your time there. Somehow, I feel Charles Towne would be a little less bright without your smile lighting people's day there. Despite my fervor for this cause, I must admit whenever I close my eyes it's your smiling face I see looking at me, and when I awake I find myself a bit saddened by the reality. If you are on your way to England, I will write when I can to your plantation, and hope that the letters will find you.
I remain, loyally yours,
Captain Aedan Cepero,
2nd South Carolina Infantry
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Post by Elizabeth Harlow on Jul 14, 2014 2:03:23 GMT
London, England
Dear Aedan,
Your letter has found me in London safe and unharmed. You can lower your gun and call off the hounds. Just teasing, no harm came to us on our journey. The ball was a sensation, and I danced the night away, and kept the spirits of the soldiers and the guests alive. Now I am staying here for another month, and will continue my journey back home, first to New York to see my older brother and then I shall be home back on my horse and attending to the house work. The joys of being a woman.
We all need someone in our lives to keep our spirits up, and to write to. I fear that you have put me on a pedestal dear Aedan. I'm no saint, you must know that. I can tend to the sick, run a home to the best of my abilities, but I'm not the saint you make me out to be. I speak my mind, I speak out of turn and I am willful. Some lady like manners I have. I have the spirit of a rebel, enough to make my Granny grab her smelling salts. I am flattered that you think so highly of me. Don't you worry, once this god awful war is over all our boys shall be back, and you will be back to stealing kisses and riding your horse around and being a home hero. Charles Towne was gloomy, and less bright even when I was there. I could not take all the credit. Just fight bravely, and keep the morale high with your men. Keep in high spirits.
Faithfully,
E
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