When the men arrived in Augusta they found Elijah Clarke’s wife, Hannah, in charge of the women and children. With the town almost completely destroyed by the repetitive battles and with only six houses still standing, most of the men’s families were living in tents or other temporary shelters. Some of them had already been united with their husbands and had returned to their former homes, but there were still almost fifty women waiting, with their children. When Ethan asked about Epsey, Hannah replied that she had not chosen to come with the group and had sent him a letter that would presumably explain her absence. Ethan walked off by himself and began to read the brief letter.

Dear Ethan: With a heavy heart and after much prayer, I have decided not to return to Georgia. I have learned that my father has passed away and that my mother is ill and needs my help. I presume that you know Mavis Morris birthed a boy a few months ago. I have no condemnation in my heart, but do not believe we should be together in the future. I wish you well. Epsey

A cold chill shook him, and his hands trembled as he read her words once more. He had an overwhelming sense of embarrassment, guilt, and remorse. As Ethan walked along a path beside the river and looked down into the water, he was in a quandary about what he should do. His mind was flooded with conflicting images—of his wife back in Philadelphia, Mavis somewhere attempting to care for a baby that was his son, a homestead where he would be tilling the land alone. He had no one with whom he could share his uncertainty or obtain advice. Eventually, he realized that he needed more time to make any binding decision, and that he was still needed among the small group of men who were responsible for the protection of the newly liberated land. Although released by Colonel Jackson from his military duties and realizing that it was late afternoon, he mounted his horse and headed back toward Savannah.

When Ethan reached Briar Creek near its junction with the Savannah River, he turned upstream on the well-worn trail that led to a place shallow enough to cross on horseback. Approaching the site of General Ashe’s catastrophic battle, he was flooded with memories of his last day with Kindred, when the water level was at least six feet higher than today and the presently dry pathway through the woods was covered by a muddy torrent. At the turnoff to the crossing, he realized that he could proceed to his homestead without approaching Wrightsborough or likely seeing any other person. He knew that his cabin was gone, but having no urgent need to return to Savannah, he decided to make a brief visit, just to see how his fields and fences had survived the war.