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To most soldiers in 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the fight was just a byproduct of their desire to fight for the Union and defeat the confederacy so that themselves, and their loved ones, could live a life of freedom. For TJ it was more than that.
Of course, he had the same goals and desires as his comrades, but he thinks that even if he were from a time where there was equality (as fabricated as that seems) he’d still join the military. There was a certain thrill of battle, and having a challenge as brutal and crucial as the one he was currently undertaking.
“TJ?”
TJ sat up on his cot and saw a few others sitting up. “Yes?”
“You got a girl you're fighting for?”
TJ frowned, drumming his fingers on the old military pajamas that he was given. A girl?
“Just my mama,” he said softly, and, to his surprise, the rest of the regime laughed.
“We’ll make sure to get you a girl if we leave,” one of the other soldiers said, and TJ’s nose involuntarily scrunched. “You’re still young.”
“We should focus on defeating the confederacy,” TJ said, “Not on romance.”
“My girl inspires me to fight,” a soldier said, and multiple people hummed in agreement.
“If I did not have her portrait on me, I am not sure what I would do.” Even in the dark, TJ could see the small portrait, painted with such precision. It was a nice portrait; clearly a lot of work had been put into it.
“Mine reminds me why I keep fighting.” Another man echoed.
A soldier stood up and marched over to TJ, patting his back. “We’ll survive long enough to get you a wife.”
TJ didn’t know how to respond to that, so he just nodded.