Hold The Line(NC, SC, USA)

[Texas]

[/size][/b]
I am a Rebel Soldier and far from my home[/center]


May 18, 1863
Vicksburg, Mississippi


The war was starting to take its toll upon them all. Christine could see the men around her, their morale sinking slowly each time the days continued to drag on. Everyone had thought this war would only last for a few days, that the other side wouldn't fight as fiercely as they did, though Christine wondered if deep down she had known the truth. Deep down, Christine had known that even if the northern states had not wanted to fight Alfred would fight no matter what, he was not going to allow them to just walk away, she had seen how their leaving had affected him and she hated it. However a resolve had formed within Christine's heart as the war had continued, she fought along side her men, in a cavalry regiment, to keep the north from controlling her country and her people. It wasn't for slavery that she fought, the north had always tried to have a stronger central government, to have it so that very little power was given to the states, that was something that Texas did not agree with.

It was with this resolve that Christine was able to continue on, taking the lives of countless union solider's and pointing her gun into the faces of the Northern States.

Early morning was met with barely any noise. The men moved in their tents, awakening for the next day. The sounds of cooking pots and pans could be heard as the campfires were started. Keeping her attention upon the large black steed before her, Christine allowed her hands to move down his body, stroking and coaxing him. She was dressed in the Confederate breeches and boots, but she did not have her jacket on, instead she just wore a white button down shirt, her blond hair pulled back into a pony-tail.

The sounds from the various campfires were that of chatter and singing. A small smile formed upon her features, glad that the men were able to at least try to have fun with one another during this trying time. It was hard for her to do the same, there were aches inside of her body, aches of the Texan men dying, it caused her to be sick, but she had grown up since her first battle, since the Alamo.

As quick the wind, a shot rang through the air causing all of the men to jump up. There was a commotion of movement, all of the men scrambling for their weapons. Texas quickly pulled on her jacket, leaving it unbuttoned as she strapped on her belt with her guns, ammo as well as cavalry sword. Pulling herself up onto the horses back, riding without a saddle, she kicked him into action, rushing through the gathered men and towards the front lines.

She was not surprised to see the union troops advancing towards them, it seemed that Grant was determined to push them back, determined to finish this all, but the men around Christine were not going to allow that to happen. With the sound of thundering hooves, the rest of the 9th Texas Cavalry rode up alongside Texas, nodding to her before their leader let out a whoop and took off. Christine could not help but be amazed at her boys, glad to see them fighting for what they believed in, but was that such a strange thing to see? Many of the men she served with had fought in the Mexican-American war, some had even fought in the Texas Revolution with her as well.

Pulling her rifle from in front of her, Texas easily brought it up, kicking the horse into a gallop before starting to shoot. A union solider fell before her, some of her shots missed but the majority hit, even with all of this, the Confederate soldiers were being pushed back towards the city of Vicksburg, they were losing ground to the Union and even though there was an urge to rush the lines once more, Texas knew there was no use, they would make a stand on the border of the city, and fight another day.

Letting out a call, Texas turned the steed back with the rest of the troops, moving them towards the city. She urged the stallion into gallop, rushing ahead of the troops to enter the city. Once inside the city, she sprang off the horse, placing her rifle over her shoulder and moving into the building that was being used as the headquarters. She moved past many of the leaders, the men who weren't fighting alongside their troops, and moved to another room, entering in before knocking and looking at the two who were in the room already.

"Grant's pushed the line back ta the borders of the city. We need a plan ta use against 'em if we aim ta win." She paused, turning her gaze from the two blonde haired beings and glancing out the window, her eyes seeming distant, those bright blues darkened and hardened from battles. "I didn't see 'im, but I know Al's with Grant." She stopped talking them, waiting for either Joshua or Caroline to say something, anything that would put them into motion. They had to hold this line, to keep control of this city and strike a blow against the union.

If the Yankee's don't kill me, I'll live until I die
I'm a Rebel Soldier and far from my home

[/ul]

[North Carolina]

Humans can't be satisfied with things

What do you hope for and what will you obtain?
________________

She'd been leaning against the windowsill, staring disinterestedly outside ; of course Grant would want to drive their boys back, of course. Northern aggression was what was bringing all this on, wasn't it? The thought made her stomach turn, knots pitting there. Of course, they would put up a fight. There was no doubt that the Yanks were willing to fight, tooth and nail, to take ground from them. It was just as certain as the fact that they, the stubborn CSA, would fight back. An inevitability, if you will. Out of the corner of her eye she glanced at her brother, one who she supposed could be pinned as the start of all this.

To be completely honest, secession hadn't been an easy thing for her -- it was part of why she had waited so long to join them. She and her people were conflicted. A house divided against itself could not stand. The final straw of sticking with the Union had come when their boss had called upon Caroline's people to attack her brother, to invade their sister state of South Carolina. Without hesitation, then, she'd made for Richmond -- the new capitol of the CSA. She had been infuriated with everything shortly after her arrival, but that, like most flames do, cooled over time. (Secretly, she hoped that she would never have to point a gun in the Northern States' faces, but another part of her looked eagerly toward that moment.)

She had foregone the dresses she wore in the peace of Antebellum for things much more practical in such times of warfare.

It was just a matter of necessity, more than anything else. They needed every last man they could get. No exceptions, especially with Vicksburg losing ground to the Union.

"Grant's pushed the line back ta the borders of the city. We need a plan ta use against 'em if we aim ta win."

The State turned her head toward Christine's voice, nodding in silent acknowledgement. They needed a plan before anything else. Most important priority was to keep as many of their cities as they could, Vicksburg being at the forefront at that exact moment.
Tapping her fingers against the sill, Caroline frowned in thought. The line had to stay strong, no matter what it took.

Still contemplating, she cast a meaningful glance at her twin.

"If nothin' else, we need t'find the weak point in his line an' strike there." She remarked quietly, having turned to fully face the elder State. " 'Fore he drives ours too far back."

Carrying the sin known as desire
Now you will keep dreaming
________________

A/N: ...sorry that took so long. It's kind of short. .__.

[South Carolina]

They're locking up the sun, they have their chosen one,
You know this time they'll make him play along
________________________

The war had begun to take it's toll on all of them, that much was clear as day. Two, almost three years they had spent on the battlefield each with guns in their hands, having to stare their brothers and sisters in the faces and attempt to take them down to bring victory for the Confederacy. He had started all of this, he knew that. Did he have any regrets on doing this? Turning back on the man that he and his brothers and sisters had fought beside to win their freedom?

No, he didn't. Joshua had followed his own gut even though he had planted the seeds for war because of it, he was fighting for what he believed in. That's all there was to it. And now, the damn Yanks were pressing into their territory. Pushing their men back to Vicksburg, leaving them to be cornered like cattle left in small stables and cornered by growling dogs. The carpet baggers were going to fight tooth and nail for this victory, but they would have to take them down for it. They weren't going down without a fight and a barrage of bullets from their end. He didn't care if the odds were against them, or that they were against their Northern siblings, all that mattered was keeping their land. They couldn't lose their ground to the Yanks. They just couldn't.

"Grant's pushed the line back ta the borders of the city. We need a plan ta use against 'em if we aim ta win."

The boy gave a quick glance toward his sister when Christine spoke, eyes flickering only slightly. He hated to see that his little sister got involved in this mess, he didn't want to ever see her like this. It was one thing for him to strip himself of the suits and high life of the Antebellum to go to war, but for his sister to have to do the same...The mere thought caused a tightening in his chest. Taking in a breath and turning to look out the window as well, his brows furrowing in contemplation. She was right, what they needed was a plan.

"Yer right, we do but the problem is findin' that weak point. Our best line of action is to take down tha' ol' man an' Grant 'fore the Yanks can drive our men to far back. Take 'em down, they won' have a leader, an' we'll win this one."

They're taking to the arms, the fathers and their sons,
There's nowhere left to run and hide
________________________

[Texas]

I left my dear mother to weep and to mourn
I'm a Rebel Soldier and far from my home

[/b] She slowly rounded upon Joshua, looking down at him, her arms hanging at her sides. "His line is bound ta be the strongest, the men there, fightin' harder than the others ta protect a man they all look up ta. It'll be suicide ta try and take 'em on head on." Through all of her words, an idea did form in the back of her mind. They could make a diversion of sorts. If Joshua and Caroline had their men at the front, Texas could take part of her cavalry and charge from the back. Then, maybe she'd have a chance to get rid of Grant and just make sure Alfred was captured instead of killed or hurt.

"I've gotta plan. " She moved to the map of the city and its surrounding land that hung upon the wall. She took a piece of string and fashioned it to show where all the lines were coming from, that she had been able to see at least. The one in the front, she pointed at. "This'll be Grant's line and we know Al is bound ta be there. If y'all take yer troops, which will hopefully double the men against the line and go against them, I can take some of the men from my cavalry, leave the rest with you, and take them from surprise from behind."

With this plan out in the air, Texas waited, watching both the Carolina's waiting for what they would say. She hoped they would agree, but she was a bit worried about what Joshua would do on the field if they did manage to get Alfred captured. She knew she would not allow him to shot Alfred, that much was certain.[/ul]

It's grape-shot and muskets and cannon lumber loud
There's many a mangled body, with dew for it's shroud