Encampment on their way to Yorktown, Virginia

April 14th, 1862

The mail came to a besieging army the way mercy came to the undeserved: late, and never in the measure one had asked for.

Thomas stood at the edge of the company street and watched the orderly work down the line, handing out the mail. He made himself stand still, even though every part of him wanted to rush over and see if news had finally arrived about Eleanor.

The day was remarkably calm for the men of the 22nd Massachusetts. Yorktown ...