Across the Great Divide

by Michael Ross

  ✳ ✳ ✳

  July 1861, Lexington

  Will marched with new determination in the hot July sun. The Rifles were back in order and drilling in earnest, now that the war had begun. Basil Duke had returned to Lexington. Will attended the wedding between Basil and Henrietta in June. Captain Morgan’s wife was dying and he still spent most of his time with her, delegating the Rifles to his new brother-in-law. Duke showed Will how to train his horse using Nolan’s system. He told Will, “Of all bad tempers in horses, that which is occasioned by harsh treatment and ignorant riders is the worst.” Will, with guidance, taught the Percheron to respond to legs and seat, and to stand firm when guns fired or flags waved.

  Dismounting, Will saw Archie Moody approach. They had gotten to be better friends, spending more time together, now that Will and Joe barely spoke to each other.

  “Hey, Archie! Good drill today. Thought I was going to drop in the heat!”

  “ Yes, it’s good to be working again. Though we won’t need much practice to beat them Yanks. One Rifle’s worth ten of ‘em. You’re lookin’ pretty good on that horse.”

  “Yeah, too bad I won’t get to keep him. My pa would never allow it.”

  “Nice of your Yank brother-in-law to help us out, though,” said Archie, grinning.

  “It is at that. How ‘bout your family? Any Yanks?”

  “Oh, my ma has relations up North, but all my family here is Southern through and through. You should meet my sisters. They like men in uniform.”

  Will laughed. “No, sir. I’m staying clear of women. I’ve had enough of that for a while. Just fuddles up the brain.”

  “But worth thinkin’ on and fightin’ for. Sure hope Kentucky joins the CSA. Then them Yanks will think twice about botherin’ our land.”

  “True. I just wish Captain Morgan….”

  “Yes, I know. But only God can save his wife now. Mr. Duke, though, he’s a good ‘un. He and West will see us through. You know, Duke organized the Minute Men militia. Branch of the ones that gave those Massachusetts Yankees what for in Baltimore.”

  Will was stunned. “No, I didn’t know. I mean, I knew he’d organized a militia in Missouri, but….” He thought about Albinia and wondered if she knew that Duke was partially responsible for David’s death. He was to pick her up at the train station today, returning from the North.

  “Yes, sir, those Yanks got more than they bargained for. Thought they could waltz right through Maryland, and no one the wiser. The Minute Men showed ‘em! More fightin’ in Virginia and Missouri. Some say the reason we lost in Missouri was Duke wasn’t there. Well, see you tomorrow! I gotta get home and feed the livestock. My pa’s feelin’ poorly.”

  “Sorry about your pa. See you tomorrow.” He watched Archie walk away in the direction of Broadway. Will unsaddled the horse and harnessed him to the buggy, giving him a nosebag of grain. After the animal had a long drink, Will drove him to the train station. They waited, flies buzzing, with the din of the station around them, until Will saw Albinia at the top of the platform, eyes searching everywhere for him.

  ✳ ✳ ✳

  Albinia was exhausted. In the two months since David’s death, there had been little time to grieve. On the train trip back to Lexington, she finally had time to think, cry, and pray. After eloping, what would her family think of her? Would they be angry? She especially worried about her father.

  “Binia! Over here!” Will waved and shouted. When he reached her, she gave him a big hug.

  “Will! It’s good to see you. I … I’m sorry about everything.” She smiled at him at first, then noticed the uniform and pulled away. “Still drilling with the Rifles, I see.”

  “Yes, I am. But I’m glad to see you home. I’m sorry about David. I didn’t know him, but….”

  “It’s all right, you couldn’t have known. We kept it secret from everyone. Now I wonder if we did the right thing. But he died defending what he believed: that slavery is wrong, that secession is wrong.”

  Will loaded her trunk. She accepted his help into the buggy. They rode in silence. A tear escaped Albinia’s eyes and she turned quickly away, wiping her face with a handkerchief. When they arrived at the Crump’s farm, Will helped her down, unloaded her trunk. He put the Springfield behind the door and disappeared to the back. He came out in farm clothes.

  As soon as Albinia was down, Lydia ran from the house and jumped into her sister’s arms. Albinia’s heart melted at her sister’s girlish enthusiasm for having her home. Soon Sara joined them. The women were laughing and crying at the same time. Will left, saying he would get Pa. When they returned, Robert gathered Albinia in his arms, like she was Lydia’s age. They looked at one another for a long moment. She wondered if he would forgive her.

  “Pa, I’m so sorry. I know I must have caused you great pain, but….”

  “Shush, don’t worry about that now. You are my precious daughter, and you are always welcome here. I know you were doing what you thought was right. I respect that.”

  Once the family was in the cabin and Sara served a noon meal, Albinia spoke again. “I need to tell you all I know. I’m tired of secrets. David and I worked together for months before I left helping slaves escape. Freedom for slaves and abolition of slavery was his life’s work, and he was devoted to Mr. Garrison.”

  Her father bristled. “He sure put you in harm’s way.”

  Albinia glared at him. “That’s not true. I would have done it whether David helped or not. In fact, I mean to continue doing it. I discovered that David had quite a sum of money. With that, and his contacts in the abolition movement in Boston, I’ve purchased my own farm. In Trumble County, on the river. Liberty Road, near Milton. I’m going to start a school there for free blacks and help as many slaves as I can to freedom. So I won’t be here long. I’m trusting you as my family to keep silent about what I’m doing. War has started. I cannot fight with guns, so I will fight with help and ideas.”

  Robert stood and paced. “You can’t mean it, Binia. Why, you’re just a girl! How would you ever manage a farm on your own?”

  “I’m a widow. I’m not just your daughter anymore. I’m old enough to inherit, and I know this is what David would have wanted. Mr. Garrison gave me his blessing and helped me arrange the purchase. I hope to have your blessing as well, but I’m doing it whether I get it or not. I did want to see you all before I begin. I will probably go see Julia as well. After that, I cannot be sure of anything.”

  “We thought you’d be staying. Actually, Julia will visit here soon. But you’ll be risking jail and ruin.”

  “I am quite aware. Jesus said, ‘What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, if he loses his soul?’ And also, ‘But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?’ Aren’t you risking everything, being in the Home Guard, now that the war has started?”

  “But the state is still officially neutral, and so is the Guard. And I’m a man, the head of this family. I have responsibility. “

  “We all have responsibility before God. Isn’t that what you taught me?”

  Robert threw up his hands, exasperated.

  Albinia softened. “Let’s don’t spoil the visit with arguments. I came because I love you all, and I hoped you’d forgive me for the way I left.”

  “We do,” said Sara, with a glance at Robert. “And we’re ever so glad you came. Especially Lydia here. She’s been hopping on one foot ever since we got your letter.”

  Lydia rushed to Albinia from the corner. “See my new dolly? Will got it for me. She has a face and everything.”

  Everyone laughed, breaking the tension.

  ✳ ✳ ✳

  Albinia looked down at the wharf in Cincinnati, scanning the crowd for Julia. At last she spotted her. She gave a coin to one of the stewards, having him take her luggage to her hotel as soon as the gangway was lowered. She rushed down to her sister. A few stared at her quick movements and her black dr
ess.

  “Julia! I’m so glad to see you.”

  “I’m so sorry about your husband … I didn’t know….”

  “No one did. We wanted it that way. But the time for secrets is past. I’d love to just relax but I really don’t have a lot of time, just a day or two. I’m starved—shall we get dinner at the hotel or your house?”

  “Let’s go to the hotel, but have them set up an area just for us. I want to catch up without Mama Kirsten interfering.”

  Albinia followed Julia to a waiting carriage. Julia gave the driver an address, and they laughed about helping each other into their seats for the short ride.

  The hotel was a grand affair, with a crystal chandelier in the main lobby and a dining room off to the right, with musicians playing chamber music even in the late afternoon.

  “Who would have thought we’d be in a place like this, after the way we grew up?” marveled Albinia. “How has it been adjusting to your new life?”

  “Good and bad. The good is mostly Hiram. He’s sweet and attentive, whenever he’s here. The bad is how much he’s gone, and the war. He’ll be off in the army soon. Would you believe it? I am to run the company in his absence.”

  “That’s amazing! But I know you’ll do well—just put some of that natural bossiness to work!” Albinia teased, then grew serious. “Now that the war is started … how do you and Hiram feel about slavery?”

  “We both feel it is wrong, despicable. He used to see it as just business, but I’ve managed to influence him. We no longer take slave shipments on our boats.”

  “You know by now I’ve been working to free slaves, to help them escape.”

  “Yes. I confess it amazed me—my little sister. I never would have thought it of you. I know you have strong convictions, and you can be stubborn. But to take such risks….”

  Albinia hesitated. Maybe it wasn’t fair of her to ask Julia for help. The risks were great. Then she saw some of the faces of slaves she’d helped in her mind, both joyful and terror stricken. She had to ask.

  “I know it’s a big risk. I’ve dealt with patrols in the middle of the night. I know the penalties. But Julia … if you could see the faces of the slaves when they reach freedom, when they really know that they’re free. Knowing that no one will sell them, or their children, that no one will torture, starve, or whip them, ever again…. What I want to ask is: will you help me?”

  “Help you? How could I possibly?”

  “By hiding slaves on steamboats, when needed, and letting them off in Ohio and Indiana. I’ve bought a farm on the river, on the Kentucky side. It has a steamboat landing, a dock. If your boats stopped at times to pick up cargo, they could transport my slave ‘packages’ as well.” Albinia tensely watched her sister’s face, the furrowed brow. So much could depend on this decision.

  “I’ll have to consult Hiram. But yes, I think we can help. It will be risky, but I suppose if even one soul makes it to freedom, it is worth the risk.”

  Albinia was ecstatic. She almost knocked a glass of water out of the incoming waiter’s hand as she stood and rushed around the table to hug her sister. She didn’t care who saw. When the waiter withdrew, she sat down again.

  “Thank you! Thank you, Julia. You have no idea how much this will mean to so many.”

  ✳ ✳ ✳

  July 1861, Lexington

  The news spread rapidly among the Rifles. Morgan’s wife died. Will went to pay his respects, then to the funeral. As it ended, he walked over to Morgan and Duke.

  “I just wanted to say, sir, how very sorry I am. I … I’ve never lost anyone like that, except my brother. But I know she must have been a wonderful woman. Please accept my prayers and sympathy. You’ve been ever so kind to me.”

  “Thank you, Will. It means a lot. I haven’t given much time to the Rifles of late, and I never got back to you after you called. I’m sure you understand. It’s been difficult for me. But now with God’s help and my brother-in-law Duke here, we will fight for what is ours. I’m glad to have you with us.”

  “Thank you, sir!”

  Morgan’s approval made Will’s heart soar, and he determined to be the best soldier he could manage.

  ✳ ✳ ✳

  August 1861

  Will worked on harvest. He and his father worked out a system where Will did the morning chores and harvested corn in the north fields, while his father did evening chores and harvested in the south and west of the farm. They worked together only when one of them could not accomplish a task on his own.

  Julia was due in town today, and Will planned to meet her at the depot. Albinia was gone to her farm on the river. Will thought she must be crazy to buy a farm after planting season. He knew she planned to hire workers, using her inheritance, but he wondered how long it would last. And what if her true purpose were discovered?

  Commotion and excitement surrounded Will as he drove into town. Newsboys were running to and fro. “Federals invade Kentucky!” yelled one of them. Will tied the horse to a rail at the depot and bought a paper. He sat down to read, waiting for Julia. She came often now, acting for Hiram, who had joined the Third Ohio Cavalry at Camp Dennison. Julia hinted to Will that her company’s steamboats sometimes landed at Albinia’s farm, picking up runaway slaves. As he read, he discovered a Federal Army camp was established in Kentucky, Camp Dick Robinson. When the governor protested neutrality, Lincoln just said that a bunch of fellow Kentuckians protecting their country was none of his concern.

  He looked up as Julia waved from the platform. Just as he mounted the steps, he heard shouting and horses’ hooves. He turned to look, and a large group of Federal cavalry approached the station. Will guessed there were hundreds of horses filling the street for blocks. Will felt shock and apprehension. What would so many Federals be doing in Lexington?

  “Hello, Julia! Good to see you.”

  “Will, what’s going on? Do you know?”

  “No, I….”

  “Hey, Blue belly! Did your mama forget to wash your uniform so it’d be gray this morning? Or did you just slither here through the mud?” yelled a man at the side of the station. Will watched in horror. One of the cavalry pointed his carbine at the citizen, threatening to shoot. Several women screamed. Just then, a bugle blew. Will knew that call—it was the signal for the Rifles to assemble, an emergency call.

  “I’m sorry, Julia! I have to go!” Without taking further time for explanation, he ran back to the buggy, grabbed his rifle, and reported to the assembly point. Will heard the courthouse bell ringing, more scrambling, and the Home Guard, including Joe, faced off against the Rifles on the other side of the street, just to the rear of the Federal troops. Will was scared and nervous. What if the command came to fire? Could he fire on his friends and neighbors? His father? Will watched as Captain Morgan came at a gallop on his black mare, taking command of the Rifles.

  “Rifles! Hold your fire. Do not fire unless fired upon,” commanded Morgan.

  Emerging from the Phoenix Hotel, Senator John Breckinridge, Joe’s cousin, a Southern sympathizer, called for quiet.

  “Gentlemen, gentlemen. Let us not be hasty, and so shed blood that we will all regret. Sir,” he said, addressing the Federals commander, “what are your intentions? The state of Kentucky has no quarrel with you.”

  The commander answered, “My orders are to guard the cargo on that train and see that it does not fall into the wrong hands.”

  Morgan asked, “And what might that cargo be?”

  “You know well enough,” said the commander, “since it is you I was ordered to keep them from. Rifles, new ones.”

  “And to whom are they to be delivered?” asked the senator mildly.

  “To the men at Camp Dick Robinson, so that they may adequately defend your fair state from an invasion by the Confederates.”

  Morgan said, “Indeed. And why should the Confederates invade a sister state? Unless to protect her from an invasion by Federals. In which case we should not allow these guns into enemy hands.�
��

  In answer, the Home Guard commander shouted, “Load! Shoulder arms! Aim!”

  The Federal commander countered the order. “Stand down! We only want to peaceably take what is ours. Stand aside and do not interfere. We have no wish to make this a slaughter.” Turning to Morgan, he said, “You are greatly outnumbered.”

  Morgan and Duke just smiled. Duke answered, “It’s not the first time I’ve heard that. It likely won’t be the last.”

  “Gentlemen!” pleaded the senator. “This is not the day. Captain Morgan, I appeal to you as a Southerner and a friend, let these men pass. If you do them no harm, then perhaps I can prevail upon the Federal commander to harm no one and contain any overeager Home Guards?”

  “Agreed, sir,” said the commander. The senator turned to Morgan. Will saw the conflicting emotions go across Morgan’s face. He could tell that he hated to back down.

  Finally, Morgan agreed. “Company, about face!” “Shoulder arms!” “Company, forward march!”

  Will obeyed. After returning to the assembly point, he went back to the station and got Julia. He shook at the thought of what had nearly happened.

  ✳ ✳ ✳

  Julia visited her family for a few days and was about to go back to Cincinnati. She was in town at the freight office when a man named Lewis came to her with a sealed note. She recognized the writing as Albinia’s and tore it open.

  Dearest Julia,

  I am coming to Lexington, but probably won’t see you if you’re there. I need your help. The man who gave you this note, Lewis, is a trusted friend. He will have a package for you in a barrel marked salt pork, delivered to my dock. Please take care of the package well and see it delivered to Cincinnati. My friend Franklin will have some other barrels for you to pick up as well, to ship north. He can help you load. Trust Franklin as you would me.