We've Come This Far

September 27, 1781, Yorktown, Virginia

My dearest Susie,

Three weeks have gone by since my last letter. I am full of regrets for not writing to you sooner. I miss you and the children dearly. Not a day goes by that I don't dream of lying next to you and watching Ben, Jon, Patience, Nora, Samuel, and Ruthie playing in our home.

I pray that Benjamin and Nora are better now than your last correspondence. I recall them being ill with Measles. I only wish I could be there to offer assistance. I long until the day I come home a free man to be with you and them.

In my last letter, I gave the news that my dear friend, Thomas Redfern, Red as I called him, was hurt in the Battle of Green Spring. What I did not mention was how he was injured. With the battle of Yorktown only a nightfall away, it is important to me that the children and you know how Red was injured.

July 6th, 1781, under the command of General Lafayette we accompanied General Wayne. Our infantry skirmished with the Redcoats while General Lafayette examined the field. All of a sudden, the General come galloping back screaming in french and a sort of tried English. We could only assume the British set a trap waiting with bayonets drawn for our approach. As Lafayette galloped closer, our fears were confirmed! By that time, it was too late! The Brits were charging us with Bayonets. Metal bayonets clashed, muskets fired, the smell of gunpowder and smoke filled the air.

As we battled them my love, it was as if time slowed to a turtle's pace. In this moment, as time slowed, I watched a British soldier no older than twenty years, tear his powder pouch, prime his weapon, load a lead ball into the barrel of his musket, then his wadding. Pushing his ramrod into the musket was the final step. The Redcoat lifted his barrel aiming straight at me. As time was frozen, I saw you and our children, memories of past years, and even peeking into the future, the day they were wed with their own children, I knew this was my last breath.

It was then when time ceased to stand still with the pull of a trigger. POP! smoke, blood, screams! A piercing pain in my right shoulder, then darkness. Muffled claps and pops, the sound of clashing metal, light came back with blurred vision. A body lay on top of mine limp and motionless, a lethal wound to his head.

Red, who lacked a family of his own, provided me with one more chance to see mine. At the last moment Thomas Redfern, my best mate, my brother in war, charged across pushing me from my right. The musket ball only grazed my shoulder.

Shortly thereafter General Lafayette ordered us to withdraw. We retreated to Richmond, VA to resupply, reload our forces, and recharge. We lost at least 28 brothers in that battle.

I have lost my best friend, who saved me in sacrifice. As we regrouped and recharged, I have done some thinking. What did we think would happen? The British forces are bigger, better trained, and appear to come in an unlimited supply. I am doing this because I believe in a life for my family free from the reach of King George III. I hope you can offer forgiveness for my absense. Knowing that our cause is genuine and pure. We pray that General Washington, Lafayette, Hamilton, and others are leading us to victory.

There are talks of General Cornwallis' troops amassing in Yorktown. Rumors swirl that our leaders have a trick or two left. Soom things are certain, Susie. We will fight this battle. We will give it our best approach. We will fight with conviction. We will fight to wave our American flag as we march home to our families.

All is on the line for the American forces. Tomorrow the sun will rise, muskets will fire, and cannons will explode shooting large balls of iron at incredible speeds. I have never been more terrified, I have never felt prouder. I will go into battle tomorrow chanting the words "Live free or die!" There will be many, too many, casualties tomorrow.

In camp, I hear drums and fifes playing wartime songs. They do their best to keep us ready to fight. We tell jokes, tell stories of our families. I told Captain Tobias Monroe the story of how we met just last eve. I described your beauty to him, and he did the same for his bride. He told me of his children and wife. When he returns home, he will sell his farm and build a new business. I dream of a new life too, a lawyer perhaps?

Me and my troop know that tomorrow could be our last day. We stay headstrong by telling our stories, jokes, and aspirations. Positivity, integrity, grit and grace have gotten us this far. Though the enemy outnumbers us and the tide of war seems against us, we place our faith in Divine Providence, believing that through courage, sacrifice, and righteousness, victory shall yet be ours.

I place my trust in General Washington, that he will lead us to victory. By doing this sending us home to our friends and families who deserve to be with us after our long absence.

My apologies for such a long letter my dear. For you, darling, are my everything. Your letters have kept my persistence alive. As mentioned earlier, this is my last letter. I love you and the children direly. You are my moon and stars at night and the bright sunshine during day. If this is my last sleep, rest assured, I will dream of you. I will dream of our first kiss, our first dance, and the birth of our children. My love, if this is the last you hear from me....I love you with all my being. Tomorrow, we will claim victory over Redcoats and we will be free! 'Til then.

My deepest love,

Elias Mercer