On a cold winter's day in December, Mrs. Pember called Lucinda into her office.
"The last prisoner exchange is happening this afternoon. You need to get to Rocketts landing by 4:00 to board the boat. It will take you back north to Washington D.C. and you will be able to rejoin the Union Army afterwards. I could have let you go in any of the exchanges, as Colonel Taylor instructed, but you were such a valuable nurse that I was selfish and wanted to keep you as long as I could. I rationalized it by knowing that you were also helping those prisoners on Belle Isle. I will miss you, Lucinda Fairchild, or whatever you name really is. Please see me after the war. From what I hear after another battle like Fredricksburg, the North will soon give in and give us our independence."