My heart felt like it stopped. Colonel Ellsworth had been so young and so full of life and promise. He’d come to Washington with the Lincolns and had been like a surrogate son to them. This would devastate the Lincolns—the entire Union army.
The others in the room had stopped their conversations to listen. No one said a word as we waited for the doorman to continue.
“He led seven soldiers from his regiment into the Marshall House Inn while taking over Alexandria today,” the doorman said. “The inn’s owner, Mr. Jackson, had been flying a Confederate flag from the roof. Mr. Lincoln could see it with fieldglasses from the White House, and Colonel Ellsworth wanted the honor of removing it for his president.” The doorman stopped to swallow hard. “After Ellsworth cut it free, he was leading his men back down the stairs when Mr. Jackson stepped out of a dark passage and leveled a shotgun at Colonel Ellsworth’s chest. The colonel died instantly, and one of his men, Private Brownell, returned fire on Mr. Jackson, killing him. The colonel is the first officer to die for the Union’s cause.”
The room remained quiet as the guests absorbed the news.
“I must go,” Gray said, turning to me. “Please excuse me.” He sought out Rose and made his apologies and then left the house with the doorman.
Several of the men also excused themselves, leaving the party in a somber mood.
“Well,” Rose said, letting out a deep breath. “How inconvenient that Colonel Ellsworth has ruined my party.” Her forced laughter felt strange and out of place. “I suppose there will be plenty of food to go around now.”
Papa would be shocked by the news and would want to console Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln. I wanted to join him to pay my respects.
“I’m afraid I must leave, as well,” I said to Rose. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
“What a disappointment this day has turned into.” Rose sighed. “If you must go, you must go.”
“I think I should. Good-bye.” I nodded at her and a few others, then lifted the hem of my skirt to make my way across Lafayette Square.
It would be somber at the White House.
The day had worn on in a dark cloud of grief. After leaving the White House, where I stood by awkwardly as Mrs. Lincolnwept over the death of her dear Colonel Ellsworth, I had returned home to change.
Gray had said that Clara was planning to leave her boardinghouse at four that afternoon to drive the supplies over the Long Bridge to Arlington House. She had been storing and distributing the supplies from her personal living quarters and often borrowed a horse and wagon from a friend to transport the cargo. I wanted to be early so I could make it look like I had planned to go all along—that was, if Gray was still planning to go.
It occurred to me that he was probably needed at the War Department after Colonel Ellsworth’s death. I tried to ignore my disappointment and focus on helping Clara.
Joseph drove me to Clara’s boardinghouse. I had brought food and medical supplies in case anyone needed assistance, and Joseph helped me load them into the waiting wagon. The fighting had not yet begun, but where there were men, there were usually illnesses, accidents, and fisticuffs.
When we were done, I said to Joseph, “I will stay with Miss Barton this afternoon, so you may go home.”
He stared at me, his dark brown eyes filled with uncertainty.
“And please do not tell Papa where I am.”
“What if he comes home early?”
“He will work late tonight, but if he does come home, tell him I’m with a friend and not to expect me for supper.”
I could tell Joseph didn’t like the secrecy—I would not admit it was lying—but I told myself I was doing thisforPapa. I was helping the Union.
“Margaret,” Clara said as she stepped out of her boardinghouse, placing a hat upon her head. “This is a pleasant surprise.”
I motioned to Joseph that he could leave, noticing him frown at Clara’s greeting.
“I hope you won’t mind a little company. I’ve come to help you bring the supplies to Arlington.”
“Oh dear.” Clara pushed a hatpin into place. “I’m so sorry to tell you this, but I’ve been called to a meeting of the Ladies’ Aid Society. They want me to speak to them about the work we’ve been doing. They could be helpful in gathering more supplies. It was a last-minute invitation, but I don’t want to pass it up.”
“You won’t be going to Arlington?”
Clara shook her head, obviously in a hurry as she pulled on her gloves. “No, but—”
The door to the boardinghouse opened again, and Clara’s smiling landlady held it as Gray exited, carrying a wooden crate full of items wrapped in dishcloths—bread, most likely.
My heart leapt at his unexpected appearance.
