Complications of War

William Tavington had been out on patrol for three days straight and was now more than ready for some rest and relaxation. He had some administrative duties to take care of that afternoon, but was now in search of Jane Thompson to set up an assignation with her for later that evening.

Tavington smiled to himself as he spied Jane heading in his direction from the tent encampment. Obviously, she’d gotten the same idea after getting news that the dragoons had returned to the fort. He’d noticed that their thoughts of late had become increasingly more congruent, which both pleased and amused him to no end. He’d come to greatly enjoy her company and did not look forward to the day when he’d leave South Carolina forever and she’d be out of his life.

Jane Thompson noticed Tavington heading in her direction at about the same time he’d seen her. She was both nervous and elated at the sight of her lover, as she had a matter of great importance to discuss with him. Nearly a month before, she’d realized that she was with child, but had not been able to summon the courage to tell him of her pregnancy. She knew that the child was Tavington’s, as no other officer had lain with her in nearly six months. The young woman grinned tightly as she thought of how the other whores teasingly referred to her as “Mrs Tavington” when they chatted among themselves. “If this could only be true!” she thought to herself with a loud sigh.

In the three days that the Green Dragoons had been away from the fort, Jane had gathered the courage to tell Tavington of his impending fatherhood. She had prayed that maybe some miracle would occur and he’d want to do right by her, but didn’t hold out much hope for that. Jane would be satisfied if he would simply acknowledge the child and give it his name.

“Ah, Jane, just the person I was looking for,” he said as they came within earshot of one another.

“I’d heard you were back, so I decided to come up here to save you the trip down to my tent,” she said, blushing like a young girl. “I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss you. I’ve got something I need to discuss with you.”

“What is it?” Tavington asked. “It sounds important.”

“Let’s wait until we get back to my tent,” she said. “It will take awhile.”

“I have some work to do for a few hours,” he told her. “I won’t be able to come down there until this evening.” Taking her into his arms, he said, “Can’t you just tell me now?”

“I’d rather wait until we’re in private.” She looked around at the busy courtyard as she spoke.

“All right,” he said, sighing loudly. Leaning his head forward so that it touched hers, he gave her a quick kiss, then continued, “I’ll be at your tent as quickly as I finish my work. With any luck, I’ll get there in time to eat with you.”

“And hopefully do more than share a meal with me, I hope.”

“Of course, my dear,” he said with a lopsided grin.

As the couple stood talking they did not notice the Martin wagon slowly enter the fort by the front gate. Benjamin Martin had come up to the fort holding a white flag to indicate his peaceful intentions. After he’d driven the wagon inside and the gate had closed behind him, a soldier approached him.

“State your business, sir, “ the soldier said briskly.

“I have business with General Cornwallis of a personal nature,” Ben told him.

“If you and your passengers would kindly step out of the wagon, I’ll have word sent to him that you wish to speak with him,” the soldsaidsaid. Indicating a shaded area near a tree, he told them, “You may wait there until we have the General’s response.”

As her father took her hand to help her down from the wagon, Caroline spotted William Tavington on the other side of the compound, standing facing away from them. His arms were around an auburn-haired woman and as Caroline watched, he bent to give her a kiss.

Caroline felt strangely disgusted and relieved all at once. She was disgusted to see what a libertine he apparently was, but relieved in that it seemed as if her father’s words were true about Tavington not wanting a wife. Averting her eyes from the dragoon commander, she did not alert her father to Tavington’s presence.

The young woman knew that there would be an ugly confrontation if her father was aware of her rapist’s close proximity, which was the last thing Caroline wanted. She felt humiliated enough that they were there in the firsace;ace; she certainly didn’t want anyone calling attention to the purpose of their visit in public. As they stood under the tree waiting to be escorted to Cornwallis’ office, Caroline prayed that Tavington did not notice them and that he’d go away.

A short time later, General Cornwallis’ aide, Thomas Miller, came across the compound to greet the Martins. “General Cornwallis will see you now,” he said. Looking down at the cloth satchel that Ben carried, he asked, “What do you have there?"

“I have something I need to return to the General,” he explained briefly.

“I’ll just need to have a look at that,” Miller said, “Security and all.”

“Of course,” he said, handing the bag to the aide.

After taking a brief look at the contents, Miller was satisfied that Ben Martin was not carrying any concealed weapons. He handed the bag back to Martin without a word.

“This way, please,” he said with a sweeping gesture.

A short time later, Miller escorted Benjamin Martin and Reverend Oliver into General Cornwallis’ office. Charlotte Selton and Caroline were ushered to seats in a waiting area in the outer office.

General Cornwallis was seated at his desk and looked up expectantly at the two men as they came in. After Miller had left his superior’s office and shut the door behind him, Cornwallis looked at Martin and asked, “Mr. Martin, I presume?

“Yes. And this is Reverend Oliver,” he said indicating the other man.

“How may I help you?”

“Well, I don’t know of any diplomatic way to say this, so I’ll get straight to the point.” Exhaling loudly, he continued, “About two months ago, my seventeen year old daughter was brutally raped by one of your officers and she is now with child.”

“I’m very sorry for your misfortune,” Cornwallis said formally, his tone neutral. “Does she have any idea what unit this officer was in and, perhaps, be able to describe him?”

“Yes,” Martin replied, his tone cold. “It was the commander of the Green Dragoons, Colonel Tavington.”

“Colonel Tavington? Surely you must be mistaken.” Neither Cornwallis’ tone nor his facial expression betrayed his previous knowledge of this incident.

Carefully opening the satchel he carried, Martin slowly drew out the blanket Tavington had covered Caroline with after raping her. Holding it up and extending it toward Cornwallis, he asked, “This is a British regulation issue dragoon blanket, is it not?”

Cornwallis glanced at the blanket, still stained with Tavington’s semen, which bore silent witness to the vicious attack on Caroline Martin.

Shortly after the Martin family had arrived at Charlotte Selton’s home two months before, Charlotte had taken the blanket from Caroline and had stuffed it into a storage chest just to get it out of their sight. When they’d left Charlotte’s farm that morning, she’d retrieved it from the chest, saying that it might be useful to strengthen their claim, if General Cornwallis proved to be skeptical.

“Yes, that is a dragoon blanket,” Cornwallis admitted. “Might I speak with your daughter and have her describe the man who assaulted her? I want to make sure we have the right man before proceeding any further.”

“That will be acceptable,” Martin replied in a clipped voice. Although Martin was certain of the rapist’s identity, he saw no need to antagonize Cornwallis at this point. “She’s waiting right outside.”

“I’ll get her,” Reverend Oliver said. A moment later, he escorted Caroline into the office, with Charlotte trailing close behind.

“Hello, I’m General Cornwallis,” he said to Caroline in a gentle tone of voice. Indicating a chair near his desk, he continued, “Why don’t you have a seat? I just need to ask you a few questions, if you don’t mind.”

She looked at her father, who nodded encouragingly. “Yes, sir,” she said.

“I’m sorry to have to ask these questions, but I mustsuresure we have the right officer.”

“I understand.”

“Can you describe the man who attacked you?” Cornwallis asked.

“He was a Green Dragoon,” she said firmly. “He was about six feet tall with a strong build. Dark brown hair in a queue. Blue eyes the color of a cold winter’s day. Haughty voice of about medium pitch. He looked like he was about thirty-five or so.”

Cornwallis held up his hand. “That will be sufficient.” The young woman had provided an accurate description of William Tavington.

“Caroline, please go back to the waiting room with your Aunt Charlotte,” Martin said. “The General and I have some things to discuss.”

“Yes, Father.” The young woman followed her aunt gratefully, glad to be through with the questions.

Turning back to the British general after the women left, Martin said quietly, “I want Colonel Tavington to do the right thing and take responsibility for what he did to my daughter. I want my grandchild to have a name and for my daughter to retain her dignity and respect in the community.”

“I would expect the same if I were in your shoes,” Cornwallis conceded. “I will have Colonel Tavington called to my office immediately and I will make sure he is married to your daughter before the day is over. Will this be satisfactory to you?”

“Yes, sir,” Martin said. “My concern, first and foremost is with my daughter’s welfare.”

Walking to the outer office, Cornwallis opened the door to speak to Miller. “Please find Colonel Tavington and tell him to report to my office immediately.”

“Right away, sir,” Miller replied.

Cornwallis turned back to Martin. “I have a conference room near my office where you and your family can wait until I’ve spoken first with Colonel Tavington,” he said. “It will give your daughter a chance to prepare herself to see him again.”

“Thank you,” Martin said. “That is very kind of you.”

Thomas Miller found Tavington a few minutes later on the other side of the building in the map room conferring with Colonel Tarleton, Captain Bordon, and Captain Wilkins.

Sticking his head inside the room, he said, “Colonel Tavington? General Cornwallis wishes to see you in his office immediately.”

“What about?” Tavington snapped in irritation.

“I do not know, sir,” Miller replied. “He just said that it was of the utmost urgency.”

“All right, Miller,” the dragoon commander said, sighing loudly. “You have delivered your message. You may go.”

“Well, we were about done here, in any case,” Colonel Banastre Tarleton noted. “Come on, Tav, I’ll walk with you. I needed to see the general about something, anyway.” Turning to the two junior officers, he continued, “Why don’t you both come along. We can have those drinks we talked about earlier, after we’re done with the general. Perhaps we can even get a card game going and make a few friendly wagers.”

“I’ll take you up on the drinks, Ban,” Tavington said. “But I’ll have to pass on the card game. I have other things to do this evening.”

“Could those ‘other things’ involve a certain comely auburn-haired wench ?” Tarleton asked in feigned ignorance.

“What do you think, Ban?” Tavington said with a lopsided grin.

Tarleton chuckled knowingly. “Ah, William the Conqueror strikes again!”

Looking sideways at his fellow officer, Tavington said in jest, “I haven’t seenn thn the Man’ miss too many nights down among the camp followers.”

“And I don’t plan to miss tonight, either,” Tarleton said. “But it will be business before pleasure.” Looking back at the two subordinate officers, he continued, “Today was pay day and I feel it’s my duty to relieve these two fine gentlemen of some of their burdensome funds.”

“I’d watch Bordon if I were you,” Tavington noted. “He’s quite good with card games. I’d imagine that it just might be you, Ban, who is relieved of your excess cash tonight, and not Captain Bordon here.”

“We shall see,” Tarleton said as they came to the door to Cornwallis’ office.

Miller was waiting for them by the door as they arrived. “General Cornwallis said you were to go right in, Colonel Tavington.” As Banastre Tarleton moved to follow Tavington, Miller said, “I’m sorry, Colonel Tarleton, the general specified that this was to be a private meeting.

Turning to Tarleton, Tavington said, “I shouldn’t be more than just a few minutes, Ban.”

Cornwallis stood as Tavington walked into his office. “Shut the door behind you, Colonel”

After Tavington had complied, Cornwallis said, “Well, Colonel, it seems as if your misdeeds have come back to haunt you.”

“General?” Tavington was baffled.

“I have Benjamin Martin and his daughter waiting in the conference room,” Cornwallis explained. “Miss Martin is with child and she has named you as the father. Her father is demanding satisfaction and I have promised him that you will do the right thing and marry his daughter.”

“Marry her?” Tavington snorted in derision. “For all I know, that little wench could have been spreading her legs for every rebel militiaman in the countryside! I have no way of knowing if that child is mine.”

“Colonel Tavington, my patience is wearing thin,” Cornwallis growled. “I have been quite lenient with you concerning this incident and you would do well not to antagonize me any further. Mr Martin will be satisfied if you simply marry his daughter and give his grandchild a name. He has agreed not to pursue the matter any further if you do so.

Exhaling loudly, he continued, “Sometimes, there are unforeseen complications when fighting a war, and this just happens to be one of them. If it were not for the fact that I need your assistance in winning this war, I’d just as soon turn you over to Mr Martin and allow him to take his revenge on you in whatever way he saw fit.” Glaring at the younger man, he concluded, “You will be married to Caroline Martin before sundown. That is an order.”

Tavington pressed his lips together tightly, knowing there was no way to avoid this marriage if he wanted to remain in command of the Green Dras. s. “Yes, sir,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Fine, we’ll do it right here, right away, then, “ Cornwallis decided. “Mr Martin kindly brought along a minister to perform the ceremony.” Moving to open the door to the conference room, he beckoned the Martin party into the office.

“Colonel Tavington has wisely agreed to marry your daughter,” he said as Benjamin Martin entered the room, with Caroline clutching his arm fearfully.

Martin turned to see Colonel William Tavington regarding him with a scornful sneer. The older man gazed at the cavalryman with open contempt, sorely tempted to tell him just what he thought about him. He kept silent, however, not wanting to upset Caroline any more than she already was.

The dragoon commander sighed loudly, not believing that a few moments of amusement had turned into this.

“We’ll need a few witnesses,” Cornwallis said “I believe that Colonel Tarleton is waiting outside?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” Cornwallis opened the door to the outer office and motioned to the three officers waiting outside. “Come in, gentlemen, you’re just in time to witness Colonel Tavington’s wedding.”

The three men looked at one another in amazement. “Wedding?” Tarleton asked. “What haven’t you told us, Tav?”

Captain Wilkins caught sight of the Martins waiting inside the office and suddenly understood everything. He kept his face carefully neutral, however, pretending to be as confused as Tarleton and Bordon.

Captain Bordon caught the aggrieved expression on his commander’s face and he immediately realized that this was no happy occasion. Moving to stand by Tavington, he asked in a low voice, “Is there anything I can do for you, Colonel?”

Sighing loudly, Tavington said, “You might as well stand up for me as my best man, as it seems there is no way for me to avoid this charade.”

“I’d be honored, sir.”

“I appreciate that, Bordon.”

“All right, everyone,” Cornwallis said. “Please take your places. I have an engagement this evening, so let’s get this over with as quickly as possible.” Turning to Reverend Oliver, he said, “Reverend, if you please?”

Reverend Oliver stood in front of Cornwallis’ desk, gesturing for Caroline and her family to stand on one side, and Tavington and his fellow officers on the other.

Caroline shivered as she moved to stand by Tavington, who stood half a head taller than her. She did not dare to look directly at him, instead, she was half turned toward her father, who stood close by on her left. Charlotte also stood on her left side, as her matron of honor.

Tavington rolled his eyes heavenward and sighed again as he noted how terrified Caroline was of him. He had little sympathy for her; after all, she wouldn’t be stuck here about to enter into a loveless marriage if she hadn’t stupidly identified him to her father as her attacker.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join two people in holy matrimony…” Tavington tuned out and let his mind wander as the minister began reciting the marriage ceremony. As the clergyman droned on, his eyes traveled around the room, finally coming to rest on Charlotte Selton, whom Tavington estimated to be close to his own age. “Hmm, too bad I didn’t ravish that one,” he thought as he gazed upon her The dragoon visualized the older woman lying beneath him, calling out his name as she writhed in passion. A sly smile played about his lips as he continued to fantasize about taking her to his bed.

Charlotte Selton sensed she was being observed and suddenly noticed Tavington staring at her with a frank look of desire on his face. Though she’d not recently seen a man who was as handsome as this British cavalryman, she looked away in revulsion. She was heartsick that her beloved niece was obliged to marry such a vain, arrogant man.

“Do you, William Jeremiah Tavington take Caroline Amelia Martin to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor, and protect her……”

Tavington’s mind was still wandering and he missed his cue to respond.

“Colonel Tavington!” Reverend Oliver had raised his voice.

“Hmm?” Tavington said distractedly. “Oh, ah, yes, I do.”

“Do you, Caroline Amelia Martin, take William Jeremiah Tavington to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor, and obey him, for as long as you both shall live?”

After a short pause, she took a deep breath and replied, “I do.”

Charlotte suddenly remembered that there hadn’t been time to get a wedding ring for Caroline. Quickly slipping off her wedding band, she handed it to Reverend Oliver. “Here. Caroline can have my wedding band until she gets one of her own. I’ve been in mourning long enough and it’s time for me to take it off, anyway.”

Looking at her aunt with love, Caroline whispered, “Thank you, Aunt Charlotte.”

Oliver handed the ring to Tavington. “Take her hand and repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed.”

Tavington took Caroline’s hand and could feel her fighting her urge to pull her hand away “With this ring, I thee wed,” he recited without emotion.

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” Oliver said, repressing a sigh.

“Well, that’s over with,” Ben Martin said to Caroline, taking her hand. “Let’s go home.” They turned and began walking toward the door.

“I beg your pardon.” Tavington had moved to block their path. “Just where do you think you’re going with my wife?”

“I’m taking her home, if it’s any of your business,” Ben Martin said coldly.

“Her home is here at the fort,” Tavington said. “A wife’s place is with her husband.”

Caroline looked at Tavington and then back at her father with alarm. She didn’t expect this.

“Why are you doing this?” Ben asked, almost desperately. “You don’t love her; you don’t want her.” Raising his voice a degree, his said, “ After what you did to her, you don’t have any right…”

“Right?” Tavington shot back, his temper barely under control. “I have every right. This was a legal marriage ceremony and I am now her legal husband. I would say that gives me the right to do exactly as I please with her. My wife is no longer your responsibility, nor your concern.”

Martin turned frantically to Cornwallis. “Can’t you do something?” he asked. “Order him to release her back to her family? This was to be a marriage in name only.”

“I’m sorry,” Cornwallis said. “The law is on Colonel Tavington’s side. There is nothing I can do.”

Tavington reached down and took Caroline’s hand possessively. With a derisive smirk, he said, “Come along, Mrs Tavington.. The marriage bed awaits.” Without another word, he half led, half dragged the unwilling young woman to the door.

“Father!” Caroline pleaded, wrenching herself away from him. “Don’t let him take me!”

Without a second’s hesitation, Tavington reached up and slapped her across the face. “Hold your tongue!” he hissed “I will not have my wife carrying on like an infant in public.”

“You bastard!” Ben Martin lunged at Tavington. “Why don’t you try hitting someone who can fight back?”

Colonel Tarleton and Captain Bordon instantly appeared at Martin’s side, dragging him away from Tavington. “You’re just making it worse for your daughter,” Bordon told him in a low voice.

Regarding Benjamin Martin with a contemptuous expression, Tavington spun on his heel, and herded Caroline out the door with no further ado.

“What have I done?” Ben Martin said, leaning his head against the closed door after Tavington had taken his daughter away. “I cannot believe I just gave my daughter in marriage to that despicable man.”

Charlotte Selton came up beside him and put a gentle hand on his arm. “You did what you thought was best for her,” she said. “You can’t blame yourself.”

“Who else can I blame?” he asked bitterly. “She trusted me to do the right thing for her and look what happened!”

“Excuse me,” General Cornwallis interrupted. “I’m sorry to rush you, but I have other matters to attend to now.”

“May we stay overnight at the fort,” Martin asked. “It’s nearly sundown and it’s a long ride back to my home. I’d also like to say goodbye to my daughter in the morning and make sure she’s all right.”

“Permission granted,” Cornwallis said, now growing impatient. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…..”

Captain Wilkins caught up to the Martin party as they filed out of the general’s office, with Banastre Tarleton and Captain Bordon trailing behind.

“Ben?” Wilkins said as Martin turned to face him. “Might Deborah and I offer you a place to stay for the night? For old times’ sake?”

Benjamin Martin looked at his old neighbor with a weary expression. It amazed him how much their once similar paths in life had so radically diverged over the last few years.

“Thank you, Jim, we’d appreciate it.” Martin accepted the offer out of consideration for Charlotte, knowing that they would have had to sleep outside in the wagon if they’d not been offered indoor lodgings.

As they walked toward Wilkins’ quarters, Ben turned to him and said, “Although we don’t share the same ideas about this war, I do respect you for the courage of your convictions.” Taking a deep breath, he asked, “But I must ask how can you in good conscience serve under the command of such a contemptible man as Tavington?”

Regarding his old friend with a pained expression, Wilkins knew he had to answer carefully. Though he shared Martin’s opinion of Tavington, he also knew he could not openly criticize his commanding officer. “I had to serve where I was assigned, Ben,” he finally said. “You should know that.”

“I know,” he said. Clenching his hands in frustrated rage, he continued, “It was all I could do to keep from beating him to death in there.”

“Just what happened, Ben?” Wilkins asked, carefully affecting a blank facial expression.

“The son of a bitch raped my daughter!” Martin stated baldly “That’s what happened!” Exhaling loudly, he said, “And now she’s with child.”

“I’m so sorry,” the dragoon replied. “I had no idea.”

“Can I ask you to see after Caroline for me?” Martin asked, desperate. “She knows you and it would help for her to see a familiar face now and then.”

“I’ll do what I can,” he said vaguely, clearly unwilling to get involved. “There’s not much I can do to interfere in her marriage, though.”

“I understand,” Martin said. “Nevertheless, anything you could do would be appreciated.”

“Ah, here we are now,” Wilkins said as they arrived at his quarters, glad to change the subject. “Deborah will be pleased to see you.”

“I want to thank you again for having us,” Martin said. “I’ll feel better once I’ve had a chance to say goodbye to Caroline in the morning.”