Post by Madame Red on Jun 1, 2011 12:42:48 GMT -8
August 25, 1776
I have cut my hair and dressed myself as a man. We are at war with Britain and this is the only way I can think of to help. My twin and I are disguising ourselves so we may join the battle.
I record my experiences so that future generations in my beloved country may read of them. Cecile and I will defend the lives and freedom of our people at all costs. Even if we must pay with our lives.
Days ago, we left our home to serve in the Continental Army under George Washington himself! In just a few days time we will meet the British in battle in Brooklyn, New York.
It grows late and I must rest for the night.
-Diana Penne
August 27, 1776
Oh, maybe this was not the best of our schemes. In just one day we have suffered heavy losses. I saw an old, close friend, Tomas Greene, just in time to see him shot through the head. I was on the verge of tears, but knew that I had to stay strong. We fought valiantly, but made barely a dent in their forces.
Cecile and I, amazingly, are unscathed. While the others sleep, three others and I are standing watch. I do not know how long we have for our shift, but Christopher, a tall man with black hair and blue eyes, is keeping time.
Later
Christopher told me our watch was over an hour ago, but my head is too full of images from today's events I cannot sleep. I write to empty it.
Cecile and I stood side by side in the third row of men. We were one of the lucky ones armed with muskets. I rested mine on my shoulder, awaiting our commander's orders.
"Ready!"
I loaded my musket and raised it to my eye.
"Fire!"
To the best of my ability, I aimed and fired at the closest redcoat. To my great surprise, the bullet soared straight and true. The man fell to the ground, holding his chest.
His comrades ignored the dying man and rushed past him into battle. Our men fell fast, but we managed to kill a few of the redcoats. I only managed one other, but injured a few others.
The shock and tremendous sorrow from taking my first life remains. I think it will remain all my life. I felt terrible for killing that man. He could have a wife, kids, and friends back home that he will never see again. Because of me.
My candle burns low. Tomorrow we rise early and I must rest for our second day's battle and I can no longer bear to write of today.
-Diana Penne
August 28, 1776
Many more of my fellow Patriots lie dead today. The British have stayed their attack. I believe that they expect us to surrender. However, we will never, never surrender.
We must do something, though, else we all will lay dead upon the ground. If we continue to fight this battle, our war will surely be lost.
Later
Washington refuses to surrender, though he did not want to retreat. Retreating is our only hope, that, even I can clearly see.
One of our officers, Thomas Mifflin, saved Washington, saved us all, from his pride. He managed to convince him to order a retreat. I was able to overhear the conversation.
"What is your strength?" came the gruff voice of Mifflin.
"Nine thousand," Washington replied.
"Not enough. We must retreat."
Not much later, Washington announced our retreat. We are now leaving, nay, being chased out of New York by the British.
-Diana Penne
September 19, 1776
We made it back to Pennsylvania. By the time we did, however, only a few thousand of us remained. Barely any of us were clothed, and those of us who were, including Cecile and I, are very thinly clothed.
Many of us have grown weak from hunger and the cold. Even more of us only enlisted for a short time and those whose are up have left for home. We need more troops, and need them now; else, we will surely lose this war.
-Diana Penne
December 26, 1776
Late last evening we made our way across the Delaware River, which was filled with ice. When we reached the New Jersey shore Washington gave us all a password for our long night's march: "Victory or Death."
As we made our way toward Trenton the rocks and ice on the ground cut through the bottoms of our worn shoes. We could have been followed by the trails of blood made by our feet. To make matters worse, all of our guns were too wet to use. Washington's answer:
"Use the bayonets. The town must be taken."
I thought that he was mad, surely, but things only got better. When we arrived, all the mercenaries were sleeping off their Christmas Feast. They immediately surrendered. We captured 868 prisoners without losing a single man!
Besides these happy things, I am somewhat sad. I think I will go mad if I have to keep Cecile's and my secret. I will talk to her about confiding our secret in two men, just two. No more, no less. Just to ease my conscience.
-Diana Penne
December 29, 1776
We now make our way toward Princeton. During our long walk yesterday I spoke with Cecile about telling two people. This is how it went, to the best that I can remember.
I walked by her side, but then pulled her away from the group we walked with. She looked at me questioningly, but I raised a finger to my lips, silencing any questions she was about to ask.
"Cecile," I whispered. "I am going to go mad if we don't tell someone of our secret. Just two people, one of your choosing and one of mine."
She frowned and shook her head. "Are you sure that's a good idea, Diana? I mean, what if they tell? What will we do then?"
I was slightly taken aback by that idea. I had not thought of that.
"We will make them swear that they will not tell, then." I thought that that would work. A good soldier would never betray a promise he made to someone.
Cecile thought about this a moment. Then she shook her head.
"I will think about it and tell you later. This is not something to be taken lightly."
I nodded and made my way back to the group I was walking with before. Among the men I marched with was Christopher. He was the one I would tell.
Not until we stopped for the night did Cecile approach me. She told me that she agreed with my idea. The guilt had been eating away at her soul as well.
Last night I went to Christopher, but only after all others were asleep. I asked him to walk with me. He agreed to and I led him away from the camp. He saw the troubled look upon my face and asked me what was on my mind, other than the war.
"I need to tell you something," I said. "But you need to swear on your life that you will not tell a living soul what I am about to tell you."
He frowned, but nodded. "What is it, Robert?" I enlisted under that name.
"My name isn't Robert," I said, dropping the heaviness I had adopted to my voice to mask that I am a girl. "My name is Diana and my sister, whom you know as Tristan, disguised ourselves so that we may fight for our country, rather than stay home, useless."
I shocked look crossed his face, but was soon replaced by one of anger.
"So, you lied to all of us this entire time? You should have just stayed home, you and your sister." His face was flushed with anger. I was thinking, why is he angry? It was Cecile and I that were putting ourselves in danger.
"We just wanted to defend our freedom," I snapped. "What's wrong with that?"
The angry look left Christopher's face and was replaced by one of worry.
"I'm sorry," he said, almost sheepishly. "It's just a surprise. With all that is going on, though we have won our last battle, if you can call it a battle, I am a bit stressed."
"Just don't tell, will you? If I didn't tell someone I would have gone mad."
"Don't worry, I won't."
With that, we walked back and I went back to Cecile who was sitting, her face pale.
"What's the matter?" I asked her.
She swallowed hard and spoke quietly.
"John, the one I told, he said that he would keep no secrets for me and he was going to tell Washington right away." She put her hands in her face, and I could tell that she was crying silent tears. I sat next to her and patted her shoulder. She glared at me and moved away from my touch.
"This is your fault," she accused. "If you hadn't convinced me to let you tell and me tell, we wouldn't be in this mess." She shook her head. "If it weren't for you we would be back at home. It was your idea to get involved in the war in the first place. I can't believe I let you enlist us for the entire war!"
She walked off, leaving me with a guilt that was so heavy that I thought I would be crushed beneath it. Shakily, I stood and went to where John was. He glanced up at me, but tried to ignore me. I asked him if I could talk to him, not bothering to use my fake voice. He silently stood and walked off and I followed.
"Did you tell Washington?" I asked once we were out of earshot of any others that may be listening.
"Not yet," he said. "Why did you enlist in the first place?"
"It was my idea. I felt useless at home and convinced Cecile to come with me into war. I knew that I could never do it on my own. We only wish to defend our freedom. Please, don't tell."
I looked into his eyes, pleading with them. He just stared at me for a moment and then sighed.
"I guess I will keep your secret," he said. I breathed a sigh of relief.
"But," he said. I winced at the venom in the word. "You step out of line, he finds out." John walked away, leaving my thoughts and me. I went back to where Cecil and I had bed down. She was back and I whispered to her that our secret was safe. She didn't look at me but whispered her thanks.
We did not talk much today. Christopher gave me a reassuring wink while nobody was looking. John just glared at Cecile and I whenever he saw us.
-Diana Penne
January 1, 1777
We have yet another reason to rejoice! We are at Princeton and successfully captured 300 more British troops! Despite our past losses, we are coming back and we are coming strong.
-Diana Penne
October 17, 1777
A few days ago, we arrived at Saratoga Springs. We waited quite some time for Burgoyne and his army to arrive. After attacking them several times, they surrendered to us today. We have finally shown the British that we can stand up for ourselves.
-Diana Penne
October 20, 1777
The French have joined us in our battle against Britain. They have sent us much needed supplies and troops. I guess our cause isn't so hopeless now.
-Diana Penne
November 27, 1777
For two or three days now, I can't remember, we have been without food. We are on our way to Valley Forge, and Congress has declared a day of thanksgiving. We were each given a gill of rice and a tablespoon of vinegar. This is what Congress called "lavish." I gave my food to Cecile, who was always weaker than I and needed the food more than me.
Our army is starved. Not only that, most of us are without most clothes. Cecil and I only have shirts because Christopher generously gave us his as to make sure our secret was kept safe.
-Diana Penne
November 30, 1777
Washington has put a man from Prussia, Baron Friedrich von Steuben, in charge of our training, here at Valley Forge. He uses a drill, which is making the army stronger every day.
-Diana Penne
December 3, 1777
A Frenchman by the name of Marquis de Lafayette has helped us amazingly. He has joined us in the cold, though he is one of the richest men in France. He even used his own money to buy us warm clothes!
-Diana Penne
March 17, 1778
Spring has finally arrived, and from what I have heard, Washington has received news that the British are about to abandon Philadelphia. In my opinion, and surely his, it's time to put our newly trained army to the test.
-Diana Penne
June 28, 1778
We have caught up with the British army! They were, are, retreating. In the battle that followed our meeting, Washington was rallying us and cheering us on, encouraging us to fight. And that we did.
It was an amazing battle. But with all good comes bad. My sister, my poor dear sister, lays dead, one of the few that were killed. I will fight for my country, for her. All that die by my hand, they will be for her.
-Diana Penne
Here the journal entries end of the major battles and only consist of Diana Penne traveling with the army and minor battles along the way. It is assumed that she died in the battle at Yorktown. Her last wish, in her last entry was that she was to be buried next to her sister should she die before returning home.
I have cut my hair and dressed myself as a man. We are at war with Britain and this is the only way I can think of to help. My twin and I are disguising ourselves so we may join the battle.
I record my experiences so that future generations in my beloved country may read of them. Cecile and I will defend the lives and freedom of our people at all costs. Even if we must pay with our lives.
Days ago, we left our home to serve in the Continental Army under George Washington himself! In just a few days time we will meet the British in battle in Brooklyn, New York.
It grows late and I must rest for the night.
-Diana Penne
August 27, 1776
Oh, maybe this was not the best of our schemes. In just one day we have suffered heavy losses. I saw an old, close friend, Tomas Greene, just in time to see him shot through the head. I was on the verge of tears, but knew that I had to stay strong. We fought valiantly, but made barely a dent in their forces.
Cecile and I, amazingly, are unscathed. While the others sleep, three others and I are standing watch. I do not know how long we have for our shift, but Christopher, a tall man with black hair and blue eyes, is keeping time.
Later
Christopher told me our watch was over an hour ago, but my head is too full of images from today's events I cannot sleep. I write to empty it.
Cecile and I stood side by side in the third row of men. We were one of the lucky ones armed with muskets. I rested mine on my shoulder, awaiting our commander's orders.
"Ready!"
I loaded my musket and raised it to my eye.
"Fire!"
To the best of my ability, I aimed and fired at the closest redcoat. To my great surprise, the bullet soared straight and true. The man fell to the ground, holding his chest.
His comrades ignored the dying man and rushed past him into battle. Our men fell fast, but we managed to kill a few of the redcoats. I only managed one other, but injured a few others.
The shock and tremendous sorrow from taking my first life remains. I think it will remain all my life. I felt terrible for killing that man. He could have a wife, kids, and friends back home that he will never see again. Because of me.
My candle burns low. Tomorrow we rise early and I must rest for our second day's battle and I can no longer bear to write of today.
-Diana Penne
August 28, 1776
Many more of my fellow Patriots lie dead today. The British have stayed their attack. I believe that they expect us to surrender. However, we will never, never surrender.
We must do something, though, else we all will lay dead upon the ground. If we continue to fight this battle, our war will surely be lost.
Later
Washington refuses to surrender, though he did not want to retreat. Retreating is our only hope, that, even I can clearly see.
One of our officers, Thomas Mifflin, saved Washington, saved us all, from his pride. He managed to convince him to order a retreat. I was able to overhear the conversation.
"What is your strength?" came the gruff voice of Mifflin.
"Nine thousand," Washington replied.
"Not enough. We must retreat."
Not much later, Washington announced our retreat. We are now leaving, nay, being chased out of New York by the British.
-Diana Penne
September 19, 1776
We made it back to Pennsylvania. By the time we did, however, only a few thousand of us remained. Barely any of us were clothed, and those of us who were, including Cecile and I, are very thinly clothed.
Many of us have grown weak from hunger and the cold. Even more of us only enlisted for a short time and those whose are up have left for home. We need more troops, and need them now; else, we will surely lose this war.
-Diana Penne
December 26, 1776
Late last evening we made our way across the Delaware River, which was filled with ice. When we reached the New Jersey shore Washington gave us all a password for our long night's march: "Victory or Death."
As we made our way toward Trenton the rocks and ice on the ground cut through the bottoms of our worn shoes. We could have been followed by the trails of blood made by our feet. To make matters worse, all of our guns were too wet to use. Washington's answer:
"Use the bayonets. The town must be taken."
I thought that he was mad, surely, but things only got better. When we arrived, all the mercenaries were sleeping off their Christmas Feast. They immediately surrendered. We captured 868 prisoners without losing a single man!
Besides these happy things, I am somewhat sad. I think I will go mad if I have to keep Cecile's and my secret. I will talk to her about confiding our secret in two men, just two. No more, no less. Just to ease my conscience.
-Diana Penne
December 29, 1776
We now make our way toward Princeton. During our long walk yesterday I spoke with Cecile about telling two people. This is how it went, to the best that I can remember.
I walked by her side, but then pulled her away from the group we walked with. She looked at me questioningly, but I raised a finger to my lips, silencing any questions she was about to ask.
"Cecile," I whispered. "I am going to go mad if we don't tell someone of our secret. Just two people, one of your choosing and one of mine."
She frowned and shook her head. "Are you sure that's a good idea, Diana? I mean, what if they tell? What will we do then?"
I was slightly taken aback by that idea. I had not thought of that.
"We will make them swear that they will not tell, then." I thought that that would work. A good soldier would never betray a promise he made to someone.
Cecile thought about this a moment. Then she shook her head.
"I will think about it and tell you later. This is not something to be taken lightly."
I nodded and made my way back to the group I was walking with before. Among the men I marched with was Christopher. He was the one I would tell.
Not until we stopped for the night did Cecile approach me. She told me that she agreed with my idea. The guilt had been eating away at her soul as well.
Last night I went to Christopher, but only after all others were asleep. I asked him to walk with me. He agreed to and I led him away from the camp. He saw the troubled look upon my face and asked me what was on my mind, other than the war.
"I need to tell you something," I said. "But you need to swear on your life that you will not tell a living soul what I am about to tell you."
He frowned, but nodded. "What is it, Robert?" I enlisted under that name.
"My name isn't Robert," I said, dropping the heaviness I had adopted to my voice to mask that I am a girl. "My name is Diana and my sister, whom you know as Tristan, disguised ourselves so that we may fight for our country, rather than stay home, useless."
I shocked look crossed his face, but was soon replaced by one of anger.
"So, you lied to all of us this entire time? You should have just stayed home, you and your sister." His face was flushed with anger. I was thinking, why is he angry? It was Cecile and I that were putting ourselves in danger.
"We just wanted to defend our freedom," I snapped. "What's wrong with that?"
The angry look left Christopher's face and was replaced by one of worry.
"I'm sorry," he said, almost sheepishly. "It's just a surprise. With all that is going on, though we have won our last battle, if you can call it a battle, I am a bit stressed."
"Just don't tell, will you? If I didn't tell someone I would have gone mad."
"Don't worry, I won't."
With that, we walked back and I went back to Cecile who was sitting, her face pale.
"What's the matter?" I asked her.
She swallowed hard and spoke quietly.
"John, the one I told, he said that he would keep no secrets for me and he was going to tell Washington right away." She put her hands in her face, and I could tell that she was crying silent tears. I sat next to her and patted her shoulder. She glared at me and moved away from my touch.
"This is your fault," she accused. "If you hadn't convinced me to let you tell and me tell, we wouldn't be in this mess." She shook her head. "If it weren't for you we would be back at home. It was your idea to get involved in the war in the first place. I can't believe I let you enlist us for the entire war!"
She walked off, leaving me with a guilt that was so heavy that I thought I would be crushed beneath it. Shakily, I stood and went to where John was. He glanced up at me, but tried to ignore me. I asked him if I could talk to him, not bothering to use my fake voice. He silently stood and walked off and I followed.
"Did you tell Washington?" I asked once we were out of earshot of any others that may be listening.
"Not yet," he said. "Why did you enlist in the first place?"
"It was my idea. I felt useless at home and convinced Cecile to come with me into war. I knew that I could never do it on my own. We only wish to defend our freedom. Please, don't tell."
I looked into his eyes, pleading with them. He just stared at me for a moment and then sighed.
"I guess I will keep your secret," he said. I breathed a sigh of relief.
"But," he said. I winced at the venom in the word. "You step out of line, he finds out." John walked away, leaving my thoughts and me. I went back to where Cecil and I had bed down. She was back and I whispered to her that our secret was safe. She didn't look at me but whispered her thanks.
We did not talk much today. Christopher gave me a reassuring wink while nobody was looking. John just glared at Cecile and I whenever he saw us.
-Diana Penne
January 1, 1777
We have yet another reason to rejoice! We are at Princeton and successfully captured 300 more British troops! Despite our past losses, we are coming back and we are coming strong.
-Diana Penne
October 17, 1777
A few days ago, we arrived at Saratoga Springs. We waited quite some time for Burgoyne and his army to arrive. After attacking them several times, they surrendered to us today. We have finally shown the British that we can stand up for ourselves.
-Diana Penne
October 20, 1777
The French have joined us in our battle against Britain. They have sent us much needed supplies and troops. I guess our cause isn't so hopeless now.
-Diana Penne
November 27, 1777
For two or three days now, I can't remember, we have been without food. We are on our way to Valley Forge, and Congress has declared a day of thanksgiving. We were each given a gill of rice and a tablespoon of vinegar. This is what Congress called "lavish." I gave my food to Cecile, who was always weaker than I and needed the food more than me.
Our army is starved. Not only that, most of us are without most clothes. Cecil and I only have shirts because Christopher generously gave us his as to make sure our secret was kept safe.
-Diana Penne
November 30, 1777
Washington has put a man from Prussia, Baron Friedrich von Steuben, in charge of our training, here at Valley Forge. He uses a drill, which is making the army stronger every day.
-Diana Penne
December 3, 1777
A Frenchman by the name of Marquis de Lafayette has helped us amazingly. He has joined us in the cold, though he is one of the richest men in France. He even used his own money to buy us warm clothes!
-Diana Penne
March 17, 1778
Spring has finally arrived, and from what I have heard, Washington has received news that the British are about to abandon Philadelphia. In my opinion, and surely his, it's time to put our newly trained army to the test.
-Diana Penne
June 28, 1778
We have caught up with the British army! They were, are, retreating. In the battle that followed our meeting, Washington was rallying us and cheering us on, encouraging us to fight. And that we did.
It was an amazing battle. But with all good comes bad. My sister, my poor dear sister, lays dead, one of the few that were killed. I will fight for my country, for her. All that die by my hand, they will be for her.
-Diana Penne
Here the journal entries end of the major battles and only consist of Diana Penne traveling with the army and minor battles along the way. It is assumed that she died in the battle at Yorktown. Her last wish, in her last entry was that she was to be buried next to her sister should she die before returning home.