by Unknown
Danny nodded firmly, “In that case, General Jackson, my men will buy you that time.” He stood and tossed off his drink, “Although I am not sure how many of my boys we will be bringing back.”
Stonewall’s face softened, “Please God you bring all of your boys back safely, Major Murphy.”
We left the building and I knew that all three of us were worried in equal measure. We would each be patrolling with less than forty men each. That was a small number when you might run up against a full troop or even regiment of Union cavalry. We rode in silence for a while. Harry was always the pragmatic one. “How do we divide the men up then? The troops have different numbers of recruits and experienced men.”
“I will just divide them up again and the non-coms.”
“And David?” David was our doctor but he could also fight.
“I’ll keep him with me and you, Jack, can have Irish.” He laughed. “I don’t think anyone else will want him in their troop. Take Carlton too. You two seem to understand each other.”
“It’s lucky that you captured those horses Jack. At least we can all have a few remounts.”
“What about food and ammunition? We will have to hit and run. We can’t be trailing around with pack mules.”
Even in the dark I could see Danny’s shoulders sag. “It looks like we revert to being thieves in the night.”
“At least we are good at that.”
Dago and Jed, the other two officers, were both past masters at acquiring Yankee supplies. The problem was it increased the risk of getting caught. Those of us with Union guns would have less of a problem. “And what about Kelly’s Ford? If we are not there then who will guard it?”
“I assume that someone else will have worked that one out.”
I laughed, “Don’t count on it. I have not seen much evidence of intelligence so far in the generals and their thinking. Stonewall Jackson is the only one I would trust.”
When we reached the camp Dago, Jed and David were more than a little interested in what we had been told. Danny surprised all three of them. None were worried but they, like Harry and me, had concerns. David, in particular was worried about injuries and wounds. “If I had known that this would happen then I would have trained up some men to be medical orderlies.”
Danny shrugged, “I guess that will have to be us. We have all watched you work and we know what to do.” He took a map and placed it on the table. “I will take the middle section, as far north as Gainesville. Harry, you take the next section; north to Centreville, Jed, the rest from Manassas Junction to the Potomac. Jack you have the area to the west; as far north as Upperville and Dago, as far as the Blue Ridge.”
That was a tall order. I could see that Dago and I had the largest area and the one with the fewest settlements. I felt like complaining but then I realised that none of us had an easy time. At least it would be Dago who would be guarding my flank. We would have to work something out.
Jed sat back and asked. “When do we start?”
“Tomorrow!”
Chapter 2
As I led my thirty eight troopers across Kelly’s Ford I wondered just how many I would bring back. The Sergeant Major had managed to acquire as much food, ammunition and spares as he could, and we had four remounts laden down with the precious cargo. He made it quite clear to the four men leading the remounts that if anything was lost they would answer to him. He was a force of nature and I could leave that side of it safely in his hands. The other sergeant, Sergeant James, would make sure that all of our horses were in the best possible condition. I think he preferred horses to people.
As soon as we stepped on the northern bank we were in Union territory. It was unlikely that we would see any this close to the ford but we had to be diligent and cautious.
“Corporal Stewart, take three men and scout out the land ahead of us. I want to be as close to Upperville as we can manage by nightfall.”
“Sir!” The four of them took off and headed north.
We knew the area north of us quite well but what we didn’t know was where the Union forces were bivouacked. That was our first job. “Corporal Jones, take Trooper Connor and see if the Yankees are in Warrenton. Head north to Upperville and we’ll meet you there.”
As Davy galloped off it struck me that this was why our small numbers put us in danger. I only had thirty men left now. I hoped that we would not run into another full troop of new cavalry eager to show off their new weapons. I took my Colt out and checked that it was loaded. I knew it was but it showed me how nervous I was. The last time I had been on a patrol like this there had just been Dago and me to worry about; now I responsible for thirty eight men. Their lives depended upon my decisions. We kept on heading deeper into Union territory while my scouts closed with the enemy. They were adept at seeing and not being seen.
All six of my troopers rode in at almost the same time. They reined in and both corporals saluted. Corporal Stewart had arrived first and he spoke hurriedly. “There’s a big Yankee camp yonder sir. Just south of Warrenton. It looks like a regiment of infantry; about twelve guns and some cavalry.”
“Yes sir,” Corporal Jones added the vital information which had been missing from the first account. “There is a regiment of Maryland cavalry and there is a troop heading in this direction.”
Sensibly Corporal Jones had decided to return with the news of the juicy target so close to us. The targets further away could wait. We learned to make decisions fast in the 1st Virginia Scouts. I looked around and saw a small wooded hillock. “Sergeant Major, get everyone in those trees. Dismount and hide the horses.”
I had expected that the road would be patrolled but I had hoped that my famous luck would hold. We made the trees and one man in four took the horses to the rear. We grabbed our carbines and Sergeant Major Mulrooney spread them out in a skirmish line. I risked leaving the woods to look back; I could not see the enemy. Once back in the woods I said, “No one fires until I give the order.” The two sergeants were close by, “I would rather damage the whole camp than just one troop of cavalry. You two take the two ends of the line and make sure no one gets trigger happy.”
We heard the jingle of metal on metal as the troop of cavalry trotted down the road we had so recently vacated. My heart sank when I saw the slightly faded uniforms. This was the 2nd Maryland and we had fought them before. They were good and were not to be underestimated. I made sure my carbine was cocked and took off my hat. I peered through the leaves of the bush behind which I was hiding. They were more spread out than the boys from Connecticut had been. They had more confidence and more skill. I also noticed that they were all checking the land around them. Worryingly a couple of their horses were sniffing the air and neighing. They could smell our strange horses but fortunately the troopers ignored those warnings and they disappeared south towards Kelly’s Ford.
“Get them mounted Sergeant Major. Corporal Jones you and Trooper Connor hang back half a mile and watch for those Yankee boys coming back.” I hoped that they would be on patrol for the rest of the day. We had a chance to scout out their camp and plan an attack.
We left the road a mile or so before Warrenton. We had to cross some open fields first but we eventually found some cover. “Rest the men here Sergeant Major. I want one trooper to come with me.”
Cecil flashed me a look which suggested he would argue with me but thought better of it. “Trooper Cooper comes from these parts.” He whistled, “Ben, get over here.”
Ben was a young trooper. I had not recognised the name which meant he was one of the younger men. He had a slight frame and looked as though a strong wind would blow him over. I had, however, learned that it was a mistake to judge someone on appearances only. I rummaged around in my saddlebags until I found what I was looking for. I slipped my deer hide jacket over my uniform and donned the old black slouch hat I had stolen last year in Fredericksburg. I tossed a union kepi at Trooper Cooper. “Sergeant Major, give him your Yankee greatcoat.”
The veterans
all had Union uniform in our saddlebags. We had found that disguise was a handy thing. The coat was too big but that didn’t matter; he looked like a Yankee.
“Take the men to Upperville and camp in the woods to the north east.” He nodded, we had used them before. We should be back before nightfall.”
“You be careful sir.”
I grinned, “I always am, Irish. The Lucky Jack name is because I am so careful.”
We mounted and trotted off through the woods. “Irish tells me you come from these parts.”
“Yes sir. My folks have a farm the other side of the town.” His face darkened. “Leastways we did until the Yankees come through and accused my pa of being a southern spy. They shot him and my poor ma died of a broken heart. I joined up the day after I buried her.”
I knew what he meant. My parents had both been killed unnecessarily and had prompted me and my sister to make a new start. As soon as this war was over I would find my sister Caitlin. “I am sorry for your loss. Don’t let it make you bitter. You are a young man.” We had reached the road. “Is this the best way into town?”
“It’s the main road but I think there will be a checkpoint just before Main Street.” He pointed to a little track leading off the main pike. “The locals use that road to avoid dumb questions. It brings you out in the middle of Main Street.”
“Then that is the way we will go. If anyone asks we are from the 10th Illinois Volunteers.”
“Is there such a regiment sir?”
“I have no idea but I am guessing they won’t know either. Just have the confidence to bluff. Hopefully no-one will ask us anything.”
We were half way along the track when I saw the Union camp to our right. It looked like it spanned the pike. The artillery and the infantry were camped on the west side and the cavalry to the east. Cooper had done well to bring us this way. We could not risk close scrutiny. I saw that they had used the fences from the farms to make their perimeter. The artillery pieces were neatly parked as were the limbers. The powder looked to have its own guards and was a sensible fifty yards from any other tents. The guards looked to be relaxed. I suspected they felt safe here so far from the Confederate front lines. Major Mosby and his Partisan Rangers were operating well to the north of here.
“There sir, that is Main Street.”
There was a small avenue of apple trees leading into the town. “Right let’s dismount. We want to find out which regiments are here and how many men. Keep your eyes and ears open.”
We walked our horses along the trees. A few people were walking towards us from the town. They had obviously been shopping and were returning to their farms; it was well past noon. We touched our caps and said, “Morning,” as we passed them; our smiles disarming them. When we reached Main Street I could see that it was a busy and bustling little town. We walked to the grocery store and hitched our horses to the rail. We walked along the street identifying the buttons and cap badges of the soldiers we passed. I saluted everyone as though I was just a trooper. We crossed the street and came back the other way. We had just reached our horses when a troop of cavalry came along the street heading for the camp.
“Let’s mount. We’ll follow these boys.”
Cooper shot me a look of fear. “But sir, the Sergeant Major said we ought to be careful.”
“And we will be. The others will think we are part of this troop. No-one will look twice at us.”
We followed ten yards behind the last pair. I had seen that these were the same Connecticut cavalry we had bested a few days earlier. I hoped that we would look like their scouts. The sight of cavalry must have been commonplace for no-one gave us a second glance. When we reached the camp we were waved through by the guards at the end of Main Street. The cavalry headed left to their tents and we just trotted on. The guards had forgotten us and were eyeing up the wagon which was heading their way.
“Slow down, Ben, and count the sentries and locate the horse herd.” I could see that the two guard points were the ones with the most guards; it was to be expected. I glanced over my shoulder and saw that the wagon was being searched. “Stop here.” I dismounted and pretended to examine Copper’s hoof. As the wagon came abreast of us I mounted and we followed. As we reached the next guards we were stopped again. While we waited I saw that the horse herd was close to the tree line where the ground began to rise. They wanted the smell as far away from them as possible.
I heard the driver arguing with the guards. “Goddam! We were stopped and searched by the numbskulls at the other end. Do you think we have picked up contraband in your camp?”
“Just doing my job, mister. Where are you boys headed?”
“Taking some uniforms to Fredericksburg.”
“Carry on then sir. Sorry for the delay.”
In reply the teamster spat over the side of the wagon and flicked his whip. The wagon lurched through and we followed. The two guards looked at us briefly but then went back to their conversation. Half a mile from the camp, we turned off and headed across country.
“Sir? Weren’t you scared?”
“Not really, Trooper. If we had been stopped I would have pulled my Colt, shot them and been away before they could raise the alarm.” I tapped the Army Colt. “Close up, these are much more effective than a rifle. I would bet you that neither of those men had a ball in his musket. As a weapon they would be about as effective as a stick. I would back a Colt against a stick any day of the week. Wouldn’t you?”
We headed across the open fields to get to our rendezvous. We would attract less attention that way. I hoped that Irish had avoided attention. We could both see many blue uniforms travelling up and down the roads. As the afternoon faded into dusk we kicked on. I knew that we would be eating cold rations; we could not risk a fire and I regretted not eating in Warrenton. Then I realised that I would not have enjoyed it because I believed in sharing the hardships of my men.
Copper told me that we were close to our men when her ears pricked and she snorted. The sentry at the edge of the woods silently waved us through. The two sergeants had done well and the troop as well spread out in the woods. Our tents were no longer white but a dirty grey colour. They might not be clean but they kept us hidden better than pristine white new ones. Sergeant James had risked a small fire protected by rocks and we had hot coffee at least. He handed me a cup as he led Copper off.
“Well done Trooper. You did well today.”
Surprised at the compliment he grinned, “Thank you sir. It was a learning experience that is for sure.”
Cecil wandered over, “Any problems, Irish?”
“No sir. We kept off the roads.”
“We’ll raid them tomorrow night. It will give us a day to let the horses recover. You can take a dozen of the boys out first thing to scout Upperville. We might as well hit them the day after.”
Our camp would have to be left unguarded. We had too few men for that. It would be a small price to pay; a few tents against the damage to the Union.
Cecil returned just after noon. “They have a large presence in the town sir. I saw no artillery but they had a few different regiments of cavalry and infantry. I think they are using it to control the area.”
That made sense. It would be where they had the intelligence and planning officers. The cavalry and infantry would be detachments from some of the other regiments. They would be the soldiers delivering orders. A captured courier was as valuable as fifty dead horsemen. We had enough work for the next three or four days. “Well done. You and your men get some shut eye. We will leave after dark.”
We had the most success when we operated after dark. Our grey uniforms made us almost invisible. The Yankees called Mosby and his men the Grey Ghosts and it was appropriate. We use the same idea.
After our frugal meal I gathered the non commissioned officers around me. “We are going to do two things; one, blow up their powder magazine and two, drive off their horses. Sergeant James, you take the two corporals and half the men. You will capture or driv
e off the horse herd. If we can capture any then so much the better. If you think you can capture them then just head on back to Kelly’s Ford. The regiment will need those horses. Irish, you and the rest of the boys will come with me and we will blow up the powder and, hopefully some of the guns and limbers.” Cannon without limbers were useless.
“How do we coordinate the attacks sir?”
“You take Cooper with you. He knows where the herd is. We will wait until we hear the commotion near you and then we will strike.”
I suppose to a regular army unit on either side that would have sounded ridiculous but we had fought together for enough time to build trust. I knew that the sergeant would do his job; he would ensure that he had minimal casualties and he would capture the maximum number of horses. He knew that we would do the same.
We waited until the sun had set before we left. We had plenty of time to reach our destination and we moved slowly, carefully and silently though the fields and woods. We separated well north of the camp and I led my detachment well to the west to approach the hidden lane from the south west.
Leaving five men with the horses, Irish and I led the others towards the artillery park. We had slow fuses with us and flint to make a spark. Before we could even think about destroying the powder we had to eliminate the guards. There were just two sentries and they were standing close by each other, both men were smoking pipes. We all had small leather bags filled with sand. We had found them quite useful for incapacitating sentries. Cutting a throat was riskier and definitely messier. The Sergeant Major assigned two men to each sentry and they crept along the fence line. All that I could see was the shadows and the glow from their pipes as the two Union artillerymen smoked away, oblivious to their danger. When the glow stopped we moved forwards.
The two guards were trussed up by the time we reached them. “Irish keep those pipes going; they will be better than the flint.” He grinned and handed them to two of the troopers who kept them alight. We ran to the barrels. “You two take one of the guard’s pipes and two of the barrels and put them near to the limbers.” The two men raced off and I gestured another two over. “You two take these two barrels to the cannon.”