A Step Back in Time

   A Step Back in Time

Suzanne Marsh

“I wish I could step back in time, I’d whup those Yankee’s but good. I’d be General Lee’s

advisor just like Great Great Grandpa Taylor.” Fred Taylor, began to admonish his son:

“Son, be careful what you wish for, you have no idea how those men lived or died other

what you have learned in American History. We’ll talk about this later.”

Fred Taylor; was a professor of American History and a time traveler. The boy needed to realize that the Civil War or the Second Rebellion was one bloody battle after the next. He had his Great -Grandfather’s journals, Major Walter Taylor was General Robert E. Lee’s aide de camp. Fred decided he would take Dennis back in time, a trublant time, then Dennis could see for himself the horrors of life back then. Yes, that was his plan, since it was the fourth of July weekend it would be a perfect time. Fred would transport them back to Gettysburg, considered to be the high water mark of the Confederacy.

30 May 1863

Fred waited patiently for Dennis to arrive, he had no idea how he was going to explain the time machine other than the truth. He had built the time machine over several years, this was going to be the first time he was going to use it. Dennis arrived at Fred’s office, ready for the surprise that he was to receive. Once inside, Fred had Dennis sit down:

“Dennis, we are going to take a trip back in time to the Civil War. I built a time machine

and we are going to use it.” Dennis gaped at his father:

“Dad, a time machine? I saw a program about a time machine, the guy traveled to any time

in history. Are we going to dress like they did back then? Can I carry a musket?”

Fred smiled:

“Yes, son I have changes of clothes for us, a musket, well we’ll see, a drum would be safer.”

Dennis followed Fred into what looked like a closet, then down steps to a machine built from brass. Dennis eyed the thing as Fred handed him a drummer boy’s uniform, Fred changed into Major Walter Taylor’s uniform. They stepped into the machine, Fred set the date 1 July 1863, and pushed the button. It was just past midnight.

1 July 1863 Day one of the Battle at Gettysburg

Canons boomed and shook Gettysburg, on the first morning of battle. Fred, became Major Water Taylor, Dennis, Lee’s drummer boy. Dennis. The early morning mist was burning off quickly, as Lee called for Traveler and Taylor. Lee was becoming concerned with the roar of the canons, there should not have been any canons fired until all the corps were up. Lee decided to investigate, much to his chagrin General Henry (Harry) Heth. Earlier in the morning, Heth had gotten permission from General Ambrose P. Hill to seek shoes and other necessary supplies in Gettysburg. Lee, finally came upon Heth, his head wrapped in a bandage. Lee sat tall in the saddle, Taylor by his side:

“General Heth there was to be no firing until all troops were concentrated, we were not

prepared. Tell me General why did this happen?”

Heth could tell by the tone of Lee’s voice he was in trouble, just how much he wasn’t sure.

“General Lee, we were looking for shoes and other supplies, we came on some dismounted

calvary, which could be John Buford. The boys were looking to fight.”

Lee, was not pleased:

“General Heth you will get your men under control immediately.” Lee turned Traveler back toward his headquarters with Taylor trotting behind. Once back at his headquarters, Lee dismounted, striding toward a chair. He sent for General James P. Longstreet, his second in command. Dennis stood in awe as he saw General Robert E. Lee and General James P. Longstreet conversing under a tent. He could not hear what was being said but he knew and understood what was going to happen. Lee and Longstreet began to lay out plans for a battle they could not win.

2^nd July 1863

On the second day of battle, Fred and Dennis walk up toward Herr Ridge, where Dennis sees firsthand the death and destruction. Head wounds, stomach wounds, limbs missing, horses dead. They turned around heading toward Lee’s headquarters.

Predawn was Lee’s favorite time of day, he stood outside his headquarters awaiting General Longstreet. Fred told Dennis to get some breakfast and bring some to him, he also suggested that Deninis bring some for General Lee. Dennis headed toward the mess area just as Longstreet rode up on his black campaign horse, Blackie. Longstreet dismounted and saluted Lee, and glowered at Jubal Early. The plan of attack was formulated, Longstreet was to take the small rocky mountains, one smaller than the other. The plan was to get behind the Union Army, General George Meade now had the Army of the Potomac. It would take time for him to get online, ergo the objective of those two mountains. Neither mountain was occupied so if they hurried they would have good ground. That was not meant to be, General G. Warren noticed that the little mountain was not occupied nor was the large one. He immediately sent for reinforcements up into the mountains.

The canons began to fire, and General John Bell Hood rode over to Longstreet:

“Pete, we can’t take that little hill, let me take a canon up into the bigger one, you know

go around. They keep shooting at us when they really have to do is throw stones. Can’t

you talk General Lee into waiting.”

Longstreet saw red:

“Look, Sam, I have argued this fight since we got here, and he won’t budge, now go take

that hill.”

General Hood knew he was beaten:

“I do this under protest.” He stated as he rode off.

Dennis and Fred waited back at Lee’s headquarters, momentarily Fred would leave to find Lee. Fred warned Dennis:

“You get out of here son, at the first sign of trouble. The battle today will just be the prelude

to defeat tomorrow.” Fred rode off on Fleetfoot, galloping, hoping to find Lee.

3 July 1863

Just before dawn on the third day of battle, Longstreet rode over to Lee’s headquarters. Fred and Dennis could see the fatigue and sadness on his face. Longstreet had tried more than once to convince Lee that this was not good ground, to no avail. Lee had already formulated a plan, he had Longstreet and Taylor ride with him:

“Pete, you see that clump of trees over yonder? That is the objective for today.” Longstreet, felt as if this was going to be the gravest error they could make:

“General Lee no 15,000 men can take that. They will have to march at least a mile before

they can even fire a shot. It can’t be done.” This Lee did not expect from Longstreet:

“General, we must take that clump of trees, Pickett is up correct?” I wish you to begin the

attack at 1pm, I leave it to God’s grace and your capable hands.” General Longstreet gave

Taylor had a look that scared Fred, it was so dark and ominous. Fred had no idea what to say

but he knew that Longstreet was correct. Pickett’s Charge began at 3:30pm and ended at 3:45pm. This marked the beginning of the end of the Confederacy.

Before Fred and Dennis left Lee’s headquarters, Fred took Fleetfoot and helped Dennis up so he could ride behind him. They rode to where the charge had been. The fatalities were still undetermined but there had to be at least 30,000. Dennis was sorry he had ever wanted to fight in the Civil War. He was sickened by the death and destruction. They rode back across the fields toward the house where they could change into their normal clothing. The time machine was set for 3 July 2023, after returning home Dennis turned to Fred:

“Next time Dad I will be more careful about what I wish for.”