The Gray Soldier

Images of battle played in my mind and the shouts of the men. The red, white, and blue Confederate flag waved. Musket shots and the clash of swords rang in my ears. The sun's rays burned againts my skin. Sweat drenched me as the lines of battle broke. Cannon fire blasted gray soldiers...

 

"John." A soft voice broke through the sounds of the battle. "John."

I open my eyes and a woman became clearer. She was dressed in a green dress that went to the floor. Her golden hair was flowing down her back. Her blue eyes were satphires in the morning sun light that shown through the window.

 

"Jennifer?" I asked weakly. She smiled and her white teeth became visible.

"Nightmares?" Jennifer asked sitting on the end of the bed. I nodded, keeping my eyes on her. She took my hand with her soft, delicate hands.

"It's getting worse." I admitted to her.

"Tell me." Jennifer urged. She always wondered what it was like in battle.

 

I let out a sigh and stared into her blue eyes. The color of her eyes turned into the uniforms of the Union and I was taken back to the front lines.

"Cannon fire pounded at our lines." I began to say looking around at the hundreds of men in gray standing beside me. "We were ordered to march straight into it..."

"Go on." Jennifer's voice urged.

"We charged and they charged back at us. Bayonnets pierced into the soldiers beside me. Screams came from both sides of the field."

 

"Pain flew into my gut." I said feeling the pain once again. "I looked down, staring at my hand that had blood smeared on it. The Yankees advanced as I fell to my knees. Their bayonnets reflected the sun above..."

 

Jennifer leaned closer to me like a little kid wanting to know more. I closed my eyes and lowered my head. Her hand touched my face and I opened my eyes. I could feel them become watery. Jennifer pulled me close to her and she wrapped her arms around me. Her warm body gave comfort that I haven't felt in a long time.

 

"It's alright." Jennifer said as she held me. "I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

I was speachless. No words had come, none were needed. I felt like a baby in my mother's arms again. I felt safe and all the memories of the war just a couple of months ago faded...

 

Author's Note

Pic at
http://a2.mzstatic.com/us/r1000/069/Purple/0e/96/9c/mzl.wbvmidkz.png

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Take a lot of love and time to get over war. I saw old men fall to the ground and take cove 40 years after a war. I believe hardest part for a man to forget. When he had to kill with gun or hands. It become a part of you. I like the story. Need a strong woman to lead you to good places and healing. Thank you for the outstanding story.
Coyote

[∠( ᐛ 」..]

I enjoyed the story ^_^
100/100

[Heather Maria]

Very nicely written. I've always wanted to write a story about a soldier (present) with PTSD but I don't have the experience with it. Anyways, this is a good plot for an actually short story.

[Dean Kuch®]

Ah yes, the love of a good, strong woman can ease the most horrific of ailments.
I really liked this short, well written story, coupled with the era of which it was written. The Civil war is such a blight on our nations otherwise glorious history, and the horrors that those men who were a part of it can only be imagined by us today. Nothing was known about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as it is now. Those brave soldiers fighting on both sides could only hope and pray that the nightmares would end and the memories diminish.
Great write...

[J. F. Charleston]

Thanks. Didn't really expect this to get a review on the first view.

[Dean Kuch®]

I watch the writers who post the kinds of stories I like to read closely.
And, you are welcome...