Captain Haley

Theodore Roosevelt needs men to enlist for his Rough Riders. When the love of her life goes off to war, Jenny Haley finds herself enlisting as well. "Jensen Haley" must now fight the Spaniards.

There was the thumping of little feet. Giggling could be heard all throughout the house.

“I’m gonna get you!” Little Vincent yelled out, as he chased Jenny Haley down the staircase. Her father’s house was very spacious; one of the biggest in all of New York City. It was the winter of 1885, and little Jenny was only five years of age; Vincent was six. Their fathers did business together, so they often spent their time together.

Jenny was very young when her mother died, so her father was left with raising her on his own. Being a veteran of the Civil War and a very busy man of stature, he did not have the time nor the mind to raise a daughter. He had always wanted a son, so he often treated Jenny as such. Her housemaid, Linda, did not approve of this, and insisted on dressing her up for company.

RIP!

Jenny came tumbling down the staircase, her hem torn beyond repair.

“Young Weaver, will you please act like a respectable gentleman?” Linda nagged, as she scooped up Jenny and fussed over her dress. “I believe it is time for you to leave, now.”

As Linda carried Jenny away, Vincent waved and smiled. She smiled back. They couldn’t wait until the next business meeting.

Thirteen years later…

Jenny was now a budding young lady of eighteen. Her father, having always wanted a son, had taught her how to box and hunt with a rifle. Linda, however, worried that she would not be a proper lady, so she often tore Jenny away from her activities to learn etiquette and manners.

She ran down the same stairs she had played on all those years ago. He was coming over again, for she had received the telegram. Right as she jumped off of the final stair, a knock could be heard at the door. She opened it.

“Vincent!” she jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug. Surprised, he hugged her back. He breathed in the scent of her dark brown hair. He looked down at the dress she was wearing and let out a nostalgic chuckle.

“What is it that you find so amusing?” she asked.

“Your dress looks exactly like the one I ripped when we were children.”

“Linda is a great taylor, isn’t she?”

“I guess so. It fits you beautifully.” She blushed.

“Thank you. Now, come inside. The tea is ready.”

“Actually, Jenny, I’m not here for recreational reasons.” He stated in a rather serious tone. He had a certain childish glimmer in his eyes.

“Really? Then why are you here?”

“I’m coming here to say goodbye. I’m going to be a hero.” he smiled and the childish glimmer grew brighter.

“What do you mean? You’re already a hero: you’re my hero.”

“I am volunteering for Roosevelt’s Rough Riders. I’m enlisting in the Spanish-American War.” Looking up, he saw the worried look in Jenny’s eyes. His smile faded, as well as that glimmer.

“Oh. Well, I hope that goes well for you. Just be careful, all right?” she was now holding back tears. She had read the papers and knew how brutal the Spanish were to their own colonists, let alone soldiers who were against them.

“I’ll be careful. Don’t you worry. And when I get back, I’ll have a surprise for you, I swe-” An exclaimed look crossed his face, and he pulled out his pocket watch. “Oh! Look at the time, my train leaves in ten minutes!” He ran out the door, then turned back partway down the drive. “I will be back, Jenny! I swear my life on it!”

She waved as he left, then felt empty when he was no longer in sight. She sadly and slowly closed the door and traversed back up those stairs, shuffling this time in a defeated march.

She came upon her father’s study. A faint cloud of cigar smoke billowed up into the room. Without turning, he questioned, “Where is young Mr. Weaver?”

“He left. He just stopped by for a short time to talk to me about something.”

“Hm, must have been important.”

“He’s enlisting in the war.” Hearing this, her father ceased smoking and turned around slowly.

“I would have never pinned Vincent as a patriot. He is the son of a high-society businessman.”

“So were you father, and you now are twice as respected as you had been in our community.”

“That was when I was young, naive, and trying to make a name for myself.”

Jenny took in air to speak, but Linda interrupted her, insisting that she return to her room and work on her arithmetic. Blowing her breath and rolling her eyes, Jenny returned to her room.

While sitting at her desk, an idea came to her. She knew that her father would probably disapprove, but it would not be the first time for that to happen. She looked up at her reflection in the mirror. She was too pretty to pull it off, but she had to at least try. She grabbed her rifle. Then, she went into her father’s room and found some of his old clothes. Walking quickly down the stairs, she swung her rifle over her shoulder. Her boots thumped in a steady marching rhythm on the stairs.

“Jenny.” She stopped and turned to face her father.

“Yes, Daddy?”

“Where do you think you’re going? What are you doing in my old hunting clothes? Go put your rifle back in your room, we’re not going out today.”

“Daddy, I’m not going hunting. I’m enlisting as well.” At this remark, his boisterous laughter echoed throughout the great foyer.

“You are a woman! Jenny, I know I raised you differently than a man would raise a daughter, but this is ridiculous.”

“No, it isn’t. This is what I want to do.” Then the realization hit him. His face grew red with anger, and he took a deep breath.

“Jenny, I don’t think that you should do this!” Her father yelled. She stopped at the door. They stood for a second in silence, her rifle slowly sliding down her shoulder.

“I have to do this, Father. For Vincent and for the people in Cuba.”

“I thought I raised someone smarter than this. You’re acting foolish!”

“You raised a boxer and a sharpshooter!”

“If you walk through that door-”

“You’ll what?” She stepped outside. The door slammed behind her with a thump.

Now she was truly free. She couldn’t let Vincent do this alone. Jenny said goodbye to Leatherback, her trusted horse, who she had broke herself. He was sad to see her go, and he nipped her hair as she walked off. Before long, she made it to the train station and hopped on the car for the volunteer camp.

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Jenny walked up to the table where she saw the other men enlisting. She took a deep breath, made sure that her breast wrap was tight, and walked up in the most masculine manner she could.

“State your name, son,” the man at the table said, not looking up from his list. She froze up because she had not thought of a name.

“Haley, sir. Jensen Haley,” she blurted out. She then prayed to herself because she had spoken in her normal voice. The man finally looked up, astonished.

“How old are you, boy?”

“Eighteen, sir.”

“You look younger. And you sound younger.”

“I’m just a late bloomer, sir. Developing my masculinity and all.” After saying this, the man gave her a strange look, but then he let her board the train car. She saw Vincent, and it took all of her strength not to run up to him. She merely just tipped her hat and smiled when he looked over. She did it just like her father had before to his constituents when they would find him on his hunting trips, and it worked perfectly because he smiled back. The train left the station for them to meet up with the other volunteers.

They got off the train and started meeting the other volunteers at the outing. Jenny walked up to Vincent. He was sitting in the corner, looking at a picture in a locket. She cleared her throat.

“Whatcha lookin’ at?” She asked, in a now lower voice. Startled, he looked up. He then smiled and replied.

“Oh, just reminiscing.”

“She’s mighty pretty.”

“Her name is Jenny. She’s been a good friend of mine for years. We grew up together.” He said, looking down at the picture again.

“Were you neighbors?” Jenny asked him, now sitting.

“No, her father was a business partner with mine. We used to play in her foyer all the time. Those are the best memories I think I have.”

“Sounds like fun times. By the way, I’m Jensen Haley.” Jenny extended her hand.

“Vincent. Vincent Weaver.” Vincent replied, shaking her hand.

“Well, Vincent, it’s good to know such a generous and kind fellow like yourself. Now, tell me more about Jenny.”

“I just said goodbye to her yesterday. She seemed so worried and sad that I was enlisting, but she always worries.” Jenny laughed at this, and they talked the rest of the evening. She looked at him while he spoke of his memories of them together. She loved listening to him talk. After a while, she decided that it would be best if she limited her exposure to him, so she said goodnight and went to bed.

The next day, they were to break wild horses. Jenny excelled in this area because she had already broken her own horse, and it was now one of her closest companions. The men were then supposed to practice shooting. She was one of the few men who actually hit the dummies. Vincent also hit one of them. After this drill, they were all called to attention. Their marshall paced back and forth in front of them with his hands behind his back.

“Alright, you failures and rich boys! If this is how poorly you do at basic training with stationary targets, it makes me want to vomit when I think about you serving in actual combat!” His eyes panned the line of the men as he barked these harsh words.

“Haley!” Jenny jumped.

“Sir, yes sir!” She shouted, saluting him.

“I want to speak with you in the command tent. Now.”

In response to this, she nodded and waited to be dismissed. When she was, she nervously went to the command tent.

This is it. She thought to herself. He knows, and he is going to send me back to my father and he will see what a failure and woman I really am.

Walking up to the tent, she saw the marshall waiting for her.

“Haley, have a seat.” He grunted, chewing on a cigar. She sat down. “Haley, I’m going to say it, and I am going to say it to you as honestly as I can.”

“Look, sir, I can explain every-”

“Where in the hell did you learn to shoot like that?” He said, interrupting her, exhaling his tobacco smoke into her face.

“Oh, um, my-uh-father taught me.” She replied, surprised and relieved. He nodded, then rifled through some papers.

“Because of your obvious experience with shooting and the like, and the fact that we are in dire need of higher officers, how would you like to be a captain among the Rough Riders?”

“But sir, I have no experience whatsoever when it comes to being an officer.”

“Well, this would be a good time to learn, now, wouldn’t it?” He asked with a knowing grin. At this, Jenny smiled and signed the paperwork. She was wished a good day, and turned to leave. She met with Vincent on her way out.

“Oh, hello Haley. Mighty fine job in training today.”

“Thanks. Guess it just comes naturally to me.”

“I see someone got promoted on their second day. Major? Sergeant?”

Blushing, Jenny replied, “Captain.”

Vincent’s jaw dropped. “Really?” Jenny nodded, then excused herself. She was quite tired from the day’s events and needed to recharge.

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It had been weeks since that first day of basic, and Vincent was now a sergeant serving under Jenny. Roosevelt had arrived in camp and made it his business to become acquainted with the young captain. As they prepared for the battle, he patted her on the back.

“Show up out there as much as you do here, sonny, and you’ll do just fine.”

Jenny thanked him for the reassurance. It was all she needed to not run for her life. The men mounted their horses. It was time.

The Battle of Las Guasimas was essentially a suicide mission. The American troops were not prepared for such an ambush, but they still fought with the strength and will of survivors. Jenny rode her horse fiercely and made sure that her men did what they needed. She jumped down off of her horse and ran to the front. Bullets whizzed by her head as she made her way across the battlefield.

A shot rang out. The sickening sound of bone and flesh being impacted by the forty-five round reverberated in Jenny’s ears. Turning, she saw Vincent fall to the ground. Everything slowed down. The realization that he had been the one who was hit flooded from her gut into her chest. Eyes widening, she ran to him.

“Sergeant Weaver!” she slid and caught his falling body. His breathing became shallow, and dark red blood spread across his navy blue shirt. She supported his head in her hand and pressed on the wound to stop the bleeding.

“Haley? Bless you, lad, but I fear you are too late. I am having trouble breathing,” Vincent Weaver choked out.

“Hang on, sir. You’ll be fine. Just keep your talking to a minimum. I’ll find help as soon as the gunfire backs down.”

“Captain, can you do something for me? Can you tell Jenny that I love her? Can you tell her how sorry I am, and could she ever forgive me?” Vincent asked, his words becoming even harder to get out.

“Vincent…” she whispered, allowing her voice to return to its normal tone. Hearing the familiar voice, he gasped. He tried to sit up, but winced in pain.

“Jenny? Is that really you?” he reached up to stroke her hair. “Wha...what are you doing here? I thought you were still in New York. Wh...why would you come here?”

“I had to fight with you. I couldn’t allow you to go alone. I wanted to be with you if you were to-” she cut off her sentence. “Oh God, Vincent. You’re dying.” She began to sob heavily. He wiped a tear from her cheek.

“I want you to promise me that you’ll love again.”

“Vincent, I ca-”

“I’m not asking you to fall in love with someone else; I am asking you to be happy if you do love someone else.” He smiled up at her and slowly squeezed her hand.

She leaned down and kissed him passionately, for she knew that this was goodbye. When she pulled away, he wasn’t breathing.

“Captain Haley, are you wounded, sir?” one of Roosevelt’s orderlies came to seek out the young captain. She turned, tears still running down her cheeks. Her hair fell around her face, and the orderly realized that all this time, one of the best of the Rough Riders had been a woman. She slowly got up from the ground.

“Will you help me carry him? Please, I don’t want to leave him here.” She whimpered to the orderly. He stood for a moment, then ran over to help the young woman carry her deceased love. The battle had ceased as they walked back to their camp.

As they carried him between the tents, men removed their hats in grief. After bowing their heads, they saw Jenny’s hair and tears. Their eyes followed her all the way to the medical tent. They laid him down gently on one of the bed wraps, and the orderly went back to tell Roosevelt the news.

Jenny sat by Vincent’s side, mourning over him. One of her men, by the name of Charles, handed her a letter. It was from Roosevelt. She opened it apprehensively, and read that he wished to see her immediately.

“Thank you, Charles. Will you watch him for me? Make sure that he’s seen to properly.” She said in a tired tone. She knew why Roosevelt had summoned her. She had already lost the one person she was fighting for, so she was willing to go home and face the music. She entered the tent.

“Captain Haley, please, take a seat.”

“I’d rather stand, thank you.”

“Haley, as the leader of the Rough Riders, I have to abide by a, uh, certain set of rules. Strict rules. One of the most important of those rules is to not allow a civilian to become involved in the war, especially a woman.”

“Sir, I would see no error in being discharged. I have overstepped my boundaries as a woman and a human being.”

“You have tricked every man on my staff and men in other divisions. But I have never seen someone with such drive to succeed. You are one of the best damn soldiers I have ever been in the presence of, and, by golly, I would be honored to have you with us until this blasted war is over.” Having said this, Roosevelt stood and waited for Jenny’s response.

“Sir, I would be more than honored to be a part of this army until my services are no longer needed.”

“Splendid! And Haley, I’m sorry for your loss. I know how dear Sergeant Weaver was to you.” She shook his hand and thanked him for the condolence.

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It was the night before the Battle at San Juan Hill, and the men sat in a circle, talking about what they would do if they survived this battle.

“I swear, I’d buy me the most beautiful hooker I ever laid eyes on. I’d buy her dinner and treat her like a princess the entire evening, maybe even pay her to marry me.” Charles stated, looking up at the stars. The other men laughed at this, and exchanged a few other wishes.

“What about you, Captain? Got any plans for the years after?” One of the men asked her.

“I don’t quite know yet. I will probably go back to my father so that he can see that I am capable of something more. I’ll tell my maid, Linda, how wonderful she was to me, raising me up and all. I miss New York, but I want to see the world some day.” She replied, whittling with her pocket knife. Her charm and beauty entranced the men, and her pure statements brought them to tears.

“Were you going to travel the world with Sergeant Weaver?” Another asked.

She sadly smiled and said, “I would have loved to do that. He was going to propose to me after the war, I think. He said that he had a surprise for me when he returned, and I found a ring in his belongings before we sent them to his father.” Having said this, her troops teared up. Charles patted her shoulder. Andy Joseph, the orderly who had found out her secret, took her by the hand.

“We have all felt a great loss these past few weeks. Whether we live or not, we must push onward with great drive and passion for our cause. Captain Haley, you are one of the most courageous human beings I have ever met, and I am genuinely inspired by you and your will to be better than what you were.” Smiling, Jenny hugged him, and the others gathered in a group hug.

“I promise: if we survive this, I’ll take you all to the best restaurant in New York City.” She said, laughing with them. Roosevelt stood on the outskirts of the camp, observing the little pow-wow by the fire. He smiled at Jenny’s ability to keep the men in such high spirits.

“You’re one hell of a captain, Haley.”

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San Juan Hill loomed ahead of the Rough Riders and Buffalo Troops. They eventually had to storm it, but they were outnumbered by the Spanish machine guns. It became a massacre. Men fell as they helped other men who had already fallen. Charles set up the machine guns at the back of the field. He had to keep tilting the gun up to make sure that he had the right range. Their marshall was hit fatally. Blood spilled and brains showered all around the young men and woman. Finally, with a loud war cry and a raising of their rifles, they charged to the top of the hill. Using their bayonets, they sliced into the Spaniards’ stomachs.

After a long and sweaty battle, Roosevelt removes his glasses and cleans the lenses. The war is over, and they have won. The American Empire can now expand its colonies. Jenny walked up to Roosevelt, shook his hand, and thanked him for the honor of fighting alongside him. She dismissed herself. It is time for Jensen Haley to be retired.

On the train ride home, she cried. She realized all that she has lost. She has seen men die, she killed men herself, and she lost her dearest friend. But, in the end, she proved who she could be.

“Station for New York City!”

She got off the train and goes back home.

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Her father watches her walk up the path to the house. Her hair is in tangles and her face is tear-stained.

“She made it, Linda. By God, our little girl survived!” Lighting a cigar, he rushes to the front door to welcome her. Opening the door, he looks down at her. Jenny stands and looks at her father, then she slowly hugs him.

“Daddy, Vincent is dead.” She says it in a cold tone, as if she has finally accepted the fact. He feels sadness sweep over him, and he rubs her back.

“Well, I’m sure he fought valiantly.”

“He was going to ask me to marry him.”

“I figured as much. I believe I knew how you felt before you two did.” Releasing Jenny from his hug, he looks her over. Linda then embraces her as if she were her own child. They sit on the sofa, have tea, and discuss Jenny’s experience. She tells them of how she became captain on her first day and the friends she made. She met Theodore Roosevelt. Her father definitely had some words to say about that.

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It has been three years since the war. Jenny is now assistant clerk at her father’s business, in secret of course. She had been called upon by a few men, but she never loved anyone as much as she loved Vincent. She was now on a train to discuss a merger with a representative somewhere in Illinois. Just before she had boarded the train, she fulfilled her promise to her men and took them to the fanciest, most delicious restaurant she knew of in New York.

“Excuse me, miss. A letter for you.” Taking it, she saw that the handwriting was vaguely familiar. She opened it and read it. Smirking, she was now anxious to get to Illinois. She had to book another train for Washington, D.C.

Reviews

[Marmar]

Reading this, I could feel the emotions of the main charachter. At the scene where Vincent dies, I could feel tears in my eyes. It was a good read, but the ending makes it feel like there is more to come.