Winterborn

This is another departure from my normal type of story. I hope the readers will receive this tale as well as they did my prior story in this vein, The Trail West.

As always, constructive comments, critiques, and emails are hoped for and appreciated.

This story is loosely based and greatly inspired by the song Winterborn by the Cruxshadows. I'm not usually into Grunge Rock but I've been haunted by their song for over a year. I just had to write a story incorporating the ideas told in this song.

You can see the video and hear the song on YouTube.

And in the fury of this darkest hour

We will be your light

You've asked me for my sacrifice

And I am Winterborn

(by the Cruxshadows)

*********************

Dillon Gallagher had been a 20 year old junior at Virginia Military Institute planning a career with the United States Army when Confederate troops attacked Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. Virginia's secession from the Union followed on April 17

th

and he knew that his plans were dead. He left school and returned home. Two months later he heard that the First Virginia Cavalry was being formed in Winchester; so he equipped himself and rode north to join up.

Before he left his father made it clear that he thought Dillon was being foolish. "You've always said that slavery was morally wrong and a financially inefficient way to farm. How can you go fight for something you think is wrong?" Samuel asked.

"I did say those things and I still believe them. You'll notice that I hired immigrants, mostly Irish, to work the place that Grandpa left me. It costs less than running slaves and it also lets me sleep at night," Dillon said.

"Why would you fight to preserve owning slaves if you're so set against it?"

Dillon looked at his father for a few seconds before he answered. He knew his father wouldn't understand or approve his reasoning. Sighing he replied, "I'm going to fight to preserve state's rights, Father. I don't believe that the Federal government has the right to dictate to each state how we should live. It's as simple as that."

Samuel thought about what Dillon had said for a minute or so. "You know if you fight for the Confederacy you'll hurt the bank."

"What?" Dillon asked not believing his father's main concern.

"You've said yourself over these last few weeks that the South can't win the war against the Union. Right?"

"That's what I said. The Union can put a superior number of soldiers in the field and they have the industrial machine to better supply them. The Confederacy can't overcome that with bravery," Dillon replied.

"If you're right, and I think you are, when the Union wins there'll be hell to pay for Southern sympathizers. If my son fought for the south, I could be thought of as a Southern sympathizer and lose the bank." Samuel paused for a bit and asked, "Why can't you stay home? Run your farm or help me here at the bank or take a trip to California."

"Don't you understand Father, I have to go. If I stay home, I'll be branded a coward and couldn't live here after the war anyway. And I won't fight against my friends here in Virginia, even if I don't believe completely in their cause. That leaves joining the army of the Confederate States of America. Besides, Virginia is my home and I can't stand by and see her destroyed."

Dillon thought for a minute and then muttered in a low voice, "Winterborn."

"What's that you said? Winterborn?" Samuel asked puzzled.

"It's a very old poem I read while at school. It pretty much sums up our situation here," Dillon answered. He hesitated a few seconds and then quoted:

"

So bury fear, for fate draws near

And hide the signs of pain

With noble acts, the bravest souls

Endure the heart's remains

And in the fury of this darkest hour

We will be your light

You've asked me for my sacrifice

And I am Winterborn"

"What the hell does that mean Dillon?"

"Winterborn is a religious legend from the Middle Ages that says that people born during December are sort of a lost breed. Those people or groups were often asked to sacrifice themselves for a cause; similar to what Jesus did." Dillon paused with his head down, "Even if it's a lost cause." Lifting his head he added, "That's what the soldiers of the CSA are being asked to do; Sacrifice themselves, they can't win this war."

"I don't understand. All I see my son being a young fool."

Dillon smiled for the first time and said, "You know Grandpa Flynn always said that a man has to believe in something; even if it wasn't smart to do so he has to believe in something. I guess you believe in this bank and money; a sorry thing to base your life on."

The young man stood and gave his father a sad look. "Good bye Father. Tell Mother I'll write when I can." Dillon turned, left the office, and started his journey to join the First Virginia Cavalry.

******************

For the next four years, Dillon rode through hell. The First took part in several large battles and Dillon was at all of them. The First, commanded by J.E.B. Stuart, helped General Thomas Jackson earn his nickname of 'Stonewall' at First Manassas in July of '61.

Dillon was wounded at Second Manassas in August of '62. He was shot through the meaty part of his leg but missed the bone and he recovered quickly. The First were continuously in battle with little down time for the entire war. Dillon had at least five horses shot out from under him, but was never wounded again.

The only good thing that's come out of all this is my new pistol, Dillon thought. The First had conducted an early morning raid on the Union Army's flank and over ran them. Dillon saw a Yankee Lieutenant riding hard to escape and followed slowly behind him. The Lieutenant came to an abandoned barn and rode his horse into the structure. Dillon found him hiding in a stall, tending to a gunshot wound in his leg.

Slowly entering the barn, Dillon with his LeMat pistol drawn, was able to capture the Lieutenant. The Yankee weapons, a repeating rifle and a sidearm were confiscated. Standing orders stated that captured weapons were to be turned over to the company commander for distribution to the company; supplies, especially weapons were getting harder to supply.

Dillon saw that the young Lieutenant's sidearm was a Remington New Model Army .44, an extremely fine pistol. One advantage of the Remington was that you could load extra six shot cylinders and change them out quickly when you emptied one. In addition, the bullets and caps for the Remington were easier to come by than supplies for his LeMat so Dillon decided that he would keep the pistol.

If I turn it in, it will probably end up being carried by some real echelon office, Dillon rationalized. He'll strut around Richmond or Savanna telling stories about how he took the weapon from some Yankee officer. I think I can put it to better use right here.

The First took part in their last battle of the war at the town of Appomattox Court House in April, '65. When General Lee went to the home of Wilmer McLean to surrender to General Grant, Dillon didn't stay around. He had an idea of what would happen after the surrender; the Union would run rough shod over the southern states to punish them. Dillon didn't want to witness the coming punitive actions. He rode west, out of the war zone and away from his beloved Virginia.

*******************

Dillon had left Appomattox making his way from Virginia southwest through the war torn southern states to New Orleans. He dodged both Union patrols and the remnants of the Confederate Army along the way. The Confederate States of America may have surrendered, Dillon said to himself but I haven't.

It took him most of six weeks of drifting to get to DeWitt county Texas in. He met and worked for Creed Taylor, a former Texas Ranger, for a while. Taylor was the one that showed Dillon how to really handle a pistol. Dillon had worked for Taylor for about a year and then move on further west. Leaving Dewitt he made his way to nearby San Antonio.

There he met several fellow "Johnny Rebs" who had stayed in the west rather than going home; several skirmishes between the North and South had been fought in the area. Most of the gray coats were just trying to make a living and get on with their lives but some had become petty thieves, road agents, and bandits.

Two of these thieves tried to steal Dillon's horse late one evening. He'd been sleeping in the hay loft of the stable when he heard the men talking as they attempted to steal his horse and gear. Dillon climbed down from the loft, pulled his pistol, and approached the two men.

"I think you fellers made a mistake. That's my horse and gear you're takin. I suggest you put them back," Dillon said.

One of the men turned pulling his gun but before he could bring it to bear, Dillon shot him in the chest. He heard another gunshot and felt the impact of a bullet as it grazed his left arm. Dillon fired and hit the second man in the belly. Walking over to the pair lying on the floor he kicked their guns away. Dillon examined one man and saw he was dead. He turned back to the wounded man, but there was nothing he could do for him; the man was gut shot. Before Dillon could go for help, the second man died.

Bill Swanson the middle aged stable owner rushed into the area carrying a double barreled shot gun. He saw Dillon standing over the dead men and asked, "What happened?"

As Dillon explained Swanson inspected the two men. Turning to Dillon he said, "Son you better ride out. That's Sam Wade and Jerry Carter you shot. Their friends of Jake Stewart, the town marshal."

"Why should I run? It was self defense."

"Don't make no difference. Stewart will hang you as sure as your standing there. You better ride boy." Seeing the blood on Dillon's shirt he continued, "Let's take a look at your wound and then you need to get on the trail."

The gunshot had sliced a furrow through the muscle of Dillon's upper arm. Swanson cleaned and bandaged the wound; it would be painful but not life threatening. He handed Dillon some trail supplies and helped him saddle his horse. "You need to go and go fast. I'll wait for a bit before I go find Stewart."

"Thanks Mr. Swanson, I'll not forget your kindness," Dillon said as he mounted and headed out of San Antonio. He headed south deciding that Mexico would be a good place to head for. Dillon made it to Laredo and then across the Rio Grande to Nuevo Laredo. At least there weren't any Union troops on the Mexican side of the river.

Dillon spent several months in Mexico, learning the language and hiring out as a payroll guard from time to time for the mines in the area. He'd been shot at several times but his skill with his pistol saved his hide and the payrolls he guarded. Sitting in a cantina one evening two days after his latest run in with bandits, three rough looking men approached him looking for trouble.

The men had the look of former soldiers; two wore the yellow striped grey pants of the Confederate Cavalry and the other wore a Union jacket and cap. The leader of the pack reached across the table and took Dillon's drink. Knocking back the tequila; his look dared the young man to say anything. Dillon didn't react which made the man angry.

"You're the one that rode guard for the mine payroll a couple of days ago, are ya?" Dillon didn't speak and just nodded. "You shot up my cousin in that gun fight."

For the first time Dillon spoke. "He got what he deserved mister. If he hadn't tried to rob me I wouldn't have shot him." Under the table he loosened his Remington .44 in its holster; he was expecting trouble with from this group.

The large man roared and went for the pistol stuck in his belt. Before he could get it out Dillon stood, drew his own gun and fired. The two other men went for their guns at the same time but Dillon was much faster and fired two more shots in quick succession.

When the noise and smoke cleared there were three dead men lying on the floor of the cantina. Dillon holstered his pistol, walked to the bar and tossed a few coins to the bartender. "Sorry about the mess senor," he said. Turning he left the cantina, mounted his horse, picked up his gear from his cabin, and rode out of Nuevo Laredo.

Dillon thought about his life and travels since the end of the war. Has it really been over three years now? Maybe I ought to head home, he thought. Seems all I'm doing out here is getting shot at or shooting people.

After three years away from home, Dillon headed back to Richmond. Maybe I can make peace with Father, he thought.

****************

Samuel Gallagher looked at his son; Dillon as he sat across the desk from him. The two hadn't seen each other since Dillon left home to join the 1

st

Regiment Virginia Cavalry in July of 1861. The elder Gallagher still owned the largest bank in Richmond, Virginia; the former capitol of the Confederate States of America. He and Dillon were in Samuel's plush office on this early morning in September '68.

Dillon's been gone for 7 years Samuel thought as he appraised his son. He found the change in Dillon remarkable; the boy's matured during his long absence, Samuel said to himself. Maybe now he'll understand my position.

Dillon had left Richmond a little soft; he had been 6 feet tall and weighed 225, with a pale complexion. Dillon took after his mother with blue eyes and very dark hair which he wore unfashionably long. He returned whip cord slim and strong; now weighing no more than 190. His face was sun burned to a deep tan which made his blue eyes seemed to jump out at you.

The older Gallagher also saw a change in Dillon's personality. He was no longer the almost naïve, argumentative, angry young man that had left home. Now he was quietly confident and seemed older than his 27 years.

"Where have you been?" Samuel asked. "Lee surrendered in April of '65. It's been better than three years since then."

"I decided I didn't want to be around for the aftermath of the surrender, so I headed west for a while," Dillon replied.

"No matter, you're here now. We'll get you cleaned up and tomorrow I'll take you to the Capitol building. You can take the Oath to the Union and we'll get on with our lives," Samuel said. "Of course your farm was confiscated, what with you being a Confederate officer. I tried to stop it but couldn't do anything." Then almost to himself, "I hope you're service doesn't have an adverse effect on the bank."

"Wouldn't mind cleaning up a bit, but I can't take that oath." Dillon stared at his father and said, "Also I don't believe you tried very hard to keep them from taking the farm; it might have put you in a bad light with your Northern friends."

Samuel stopped and looked at his son. He saw the conviction in the boy's eyes and the set of his chin. "Can't or won't take the oath?" He didn't address Dillon's comment about his efforts to save the farm.

"Take your pick, either way I'm not swearing an oath to the Union," Dillon replied returning his father's hard stare.

"Why in the world not? If you're going to live here you have to take that oath."

"I already took an oath; to the Confederacy. Reckon a man's only good for one oath at a time," Dillon said with a grim smile.

"But the wars over; Lee surrendered," Samuel almost pleaded.

"Lee surrendered, I didn't."

"If you don't swear that oath, it could cause me and the bank a lot of trouble. I've managed to hold on by helping the Union representatives down here. Do you want me to lose it all?"

"You haven't changed, have you Father? Our views haven't changed since our last talk either. The only thing you believe in is money and profit. The only difference is now you're a toady for Northern Reconstruction," Dillon said sadly.

Samuel angrily responded "I think you're just afraid to admit you were wrong to join the Confederacy. I never thought I'd see my son be too much of a coward to do what's good for the family."

Dillon stared at Samuel with a cold anger; his eyes blazing. "A coward! If you weren't my father I'd shoot you where you sit," Dillon said, his voice quivering with rage. His hand had moved to the butt of the pistol at his hip. "I won't be staying; I'll drop by and say good bye to Mother before I go."

"You and your mother are two of a kind. She moved to her sister's in Boston two years ago," Samuel said.

"Good for her. I'm glad that at least one of my parents shows some sense. Good bye Father, I doubt that I'll ever see you again." Dillon stood, looked at his father one last time and left the office.

Outside the bank, he mounted the big buckskin stallion that had carried him for hundreds of miles and rode to his father's house; there was a room over the carriage house where Dillon lived before the war. Hidden behind a false panel were several of his things that he wanted to take with him.

He pushed open the panel covering his treasure trove and sorted through the contents. One of the things he wanted was gold and silver Hunter cased pocket watch with a heavy gold chain and fob. The watch had belonged to his maternal grandfather James Dillon Flynn. He was a crusty old man that had never been impressed by Samuel Gallagher and his wealth. In spite of Samuel's objections, Dillon's mother, Sarah, had named her son after her father. It was the first but not the last act of independence and rebellion by Sarah.

Inside the case of the watch was a picture of Dillon's mother; taken just before Dillon left for college. The watch had been left to Dillon when his grandfather Flynn has passed away. Along with the farm and watch he received sixty $20 double eagle gold coins worth $1200 dollars from the old man's estate.

There were several other items that Dillon wanted to take with him. One was a Bowie knife and sheath, also left to him by Grandpa Flynn. It had been made by the same blacksmith, James Black that had made the original knife for the famous Jim Bowie. Flynn and Bowie were friends and cohorts in the early 1830s and after covering each others back in saloon fight in a small Texas town, Bowie made a gift of the knife to his friend.

The other items Dillon took were two books of poetry. While attending Virginia Military he became interested in certain poets and poems; these were two of his favorites. One was a collection of the works of Shelley and the other the works of Lord Byron. Some people will think I'm a dandy from the east if they see these, Dillon thought. It doesn't matter what they think, I want them with me.

Riding to his old room and now as he was leaving he could still see the aftermath of the devastating fires that ran through Richmond in April of '65. The fires had been set by the retreating Confederate troops trying to destroy any supplies that the invading Union army could use.

The fires had gotten out of hand and burned over 25 percent of the buildings in the city. The Union soldiers put out most of the fires as they advanced and captured the city. In spite of what many of the city's residents thought it was the Union army that saved Richmond from even greater destruction.

Dillon looked at the burned out areas of the city that even three years later hadn't been cleaned up or restored. This is why I didn't come home he thought. This and the overbearing attitude of many of the managers, officials and representatives of the Union government. If I stay, I'll end up killing some carpet bagger. Time to leave; for good this time.

Taking one last look, Dillon didn't replace the panel to cover the hiding place. Doesn't much matter now, he said to himself. He took his 'treasures' down to his horse and placed everything in the saddlebags. Mounting the big animal and turning its head west he said, "Time to go West Buck, this isn't my home anymore."