April 3rd, 1865 [early evening]

As the day progressed spirits weren’t as high. George Pennon heard grumblings and oaths muttered under soldier's breaths. Everyone was hungry, and only the lucky ones had shoes and suitable clothes.

There was no order in the column either. Soldiers marched at their own pace.

Pennon groaned with every step. His feet had become excruciatingly sore after only one day of marching. Because everyone had been so many months besieged in Petersburg, not marching, their feet had become tender.

"Auugh!"George cried out when he stubbed his unfortunate foot on a small stone. His friend, Matt came up, and he turned to him. “How are you holding up, George?"

"I've never been this miserable in my life."

"I hear that."

George noticed a man ahead of them leave the ranks and sit down on the grass beside the road to eat his rations.

"Matt, you see that man up ahead?"

"I see him. Watch, he'll get caught."

They trudged onward, but no officer came to reprimand the man. Pennon and Sandler passed the worn, middle aged confederate, and no one seemed to bother with him.

 

" A little rest seems mighty good right now, Matt." Pennon said slowly

 

"So it does." Matt paused. "Why not, George? Let's eat!"

 

Slowly.they made their way to the edge of the column, broke away and sat down. They took out their meager ration of vittles and began to devour them. Neither spoke a word, it seemed too tiring. They scanned the army, realizing just how ragged they looked. uniforms were muddy and torn. There we even stolen union overcoats speckled throughout. Men stumbled wearily. They noticed a couple soldiers slink into the woods.

"Deserters." George muttered.

"I guess they realize this war is just about over, and don't want to give their lives for a lost cause."

 "Maybe, but they're deserters all the same."

 

Pennon rose, and Sandler did the same.

"I wonder if the rest of us will come to the same conclusion, though, when the march gets harder, and the hunger more painful?" George said softly as he and Mattew joined the ranks again.

The men were losing hope. Everything depended on provisions. Food gave strength to men. Food gave courage. Food gave hope. Without victuals ,they might as well have surrendered at Petersburg.

 

They must get to Amelia Court House.