Color Doesn't Matter-Ch. 14

Chapter 14: My Old Best Friend

We continued marching on till about mid-afternoon. We saw a farm in the distance. Both Gen. Reily and Col. Hisslinger decided to check if the family there was Loyalists so that we could stay there for a couple days. So the Sergeant went up to the house door and asked if they would house the Kings soldiers. They answered that they would. Then the Sergeant told two of the soldiers that were closest to him to kill the pigs; which they did right away. We set up camp close to the field. We helped the wounded soldiers into the hospital tent. Then I went to the barn to wash up. I went to a barrel of water beside the barn and splashed water onto my face, when I looked up to blink I saw a soldier glance behind him at me. There was something familiar and comforting about seeing him that I can’t recognize. Then it suddenly came to me. It was Nathaniel!

I couldn’t believe it. We just fought our first battle together and we didn’t even know it. I walked up behind him and tapped him on his shoulder. He turned to me and his eyes went wide with surprise. We didn’t say a thing for a few seconds. Then we both hugged each other and laughed. When we stopped I noticed that his arm was bleeding all over it. I told him that he needed a doctor to take care of the wound. But he just said that it would be worse to wait in line then to take care of it himself. So we both went into his tent and I helped wrap it up.

After I finished wrapping up Nathaniel’s arm we went to a fire pit that was build close by the tent. We heated up our dinner; which was stale bread and slices of ham. While the ham was cooking Nathaniel started talking about his life with his regiment. “When I was back in Great Britain the physical labor during boot camp was nothing compared to the physical labor here. I have build more muscle mass on me than ever.” He then flexed his arm to show me his muscles. I started chuckling at him. He had a portion of the muscles that I had. But I had to admit he did have muscles.

“I came to Virginia a few months ago. It wasn’t this bad at the town than it was now. I guess that they can’t stand us redcoats. We have been to me is a decent meal.” I then took a fork and stuck it into a piece of ham and started chewing it down while eating the last bite of bread.

“So John, have you found Anna yet?” I bit the bottom of my lip and shock my head.

“Not yet I haven't, Nathaniel. Not yet. But I will though.” He then continued eating.

It was sunset when we cleaned up and finished talking I then suggested to him that we should go to the doctor to check his arm out.

“There are plenty of men out there John that needs him more than me right now.”

“But what if your arm keeps on bleeding? He might have to cut it off.” We kept on arguing on and on. But after a while he decided that he would go only if I would go with him. So I went with to the hospital tent.       

When we entered the tent the operation table was a wooden table with a white blood stained cloth on top of it. And behind the top of the operation table was a man standing with his back to us. When I ‘coughed’ the man turned around to face us.

“What can I do for you gentlemen?” Nathaniel answered to him. “I got shot this afternoon in the arm during battle.” He came over and took off the bandage and examined the wound. He then went to another table that was beside the operation table and unraveled a cloth that held the operation tools. “Take off your jacket and shirt; I then want you to lie on top of the table.” Nathaniel laid down on the table as the doctor turned to me.

“Do you know any of the surgical tools?” I shake my head. He sighs and his shoulders slump over.

“I’ll be right back. I need to get someone to help me.” He then walked out of the tent. I sure hope that this is not that serious of a wound. At least I get to stay here with my old friend.