by Unknown
I saw Warrenton in the distance. If the Union soldiers kept on firing it would alert the citizens of the town. We were clearly Rebs and they would fire on us as soon as they realised we were being pursued. It couldn’t be helped. We had to pass through the town to reach our destination. Once we had passed Warrenton we would be just fifteen miles from our camp. Sergeant James was obviously of the same mind as I was and he headed for the road through Warrenton. When we hit the road we kicked on. We reached half way down Main Street before they realised who we were. Suddenly guns began to pop at us. I was not sure they would hit anything for we were moving quickly but it was nerve wracking to have to endure the heated fire from both sides of the street.
We erupted out of the town and flooded down the road. We had begun to leave the Union cavalry behind. I glanced over my shoulder and saw that their horses were now labouring. I heard a volley ahead. To my horror, as I turned I saw ten Union soldiers with rifles levelled and the smoke clearing. Two of Dago’s men lay cut to pieces. This was no place for the faint hearted.
“Fire!”
Unlike the soldiers who had fired we had fought almost every day for the past two years and when we fired we shot to kill. They were busy reloading as our pistols barked. Four of us poured over twenty shots at them and the troopers with the rifles added their fire. The blue coated men soon lay on the ground or cowered behind whatever shelter they could but our delay had given our pursuers heart.
“Ride.”
It hurt me to leave the two bodies on the ground but if we stayed we would have died or been made prisoner. I knew that we had to do something dramatic or they would catch us. Away to the east there were fields beyond the stone wall. The fields were divided by wooden fences.
“Sergeant James, let’s see if these Yankees can ride.” He turned in his saddle and I said as I mimed with my hand, “Jump the wall!”
He nodded his understanding and suddenly wheeled Apples, his horse, towards the wall. The Appaloosa soared over. The rest all followed. Dago and I jumped together. Copper cleared it easily. “Keep a steady pace.”
The sergeant headed south east and we had lost our column formation. We rode now more like an arrow. I risked a glance over my shoulder. Half a dozen had cleared the wall but some of the others had to retry and coax their horses. I saw that some of them had ridden down to a gate. They would not have to jump but they would have a longer journey. We were all able to clear the first wooden fence easily as we were in a line. Behind us the northern cavalry were still trying to retain a column formation. It was a mistake.
By the time we had cleared five of the fences the Union cavalry were strung out in a long ragged line almost half a mile in length. There were gaps of between twenty and thirty yards between some whilst the last twenty were a few hundred yards behind the leaders. Ahead of us I saw some trees next to a gap in the wall. I galloped Copper and overtook the sergeant.
“Follow me and have your guns ready!”
As we thundered through the gap I wheeled Copper to the left so that we were hidden by the trees. I took out two pistols.
“I want us in a line here. When they come through I want the leaders blasting. When we ride we ride along the road.”
A few moments later the leading ten riders rode through the gap. We opened fire as soon as we saw them. Every gun blazed. They had no chance to fire back as they had not drawn their weapons. The last four wheeled around and rode back through the gap.
“Let’s ride!” It hurt me to leave those weapons lying with their dead and wounded riders but we had given ourselves a chance. I could see that the rest had slowed up to draw their guns. They were also impeded by their casualties. Our gap lengthened. We were bone tired but home was less than five miles away. We slowed to a trot. Our horses needed a rest. I kept looking behind us and saw that they had not given up the pursuit. We had hurt their pride and I had noticed that the Union cavalry were getting better; they had toughened up.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the Rappahannock ahead and the Confederate flags flying. We were almost home. We crossed our own lines with little fuss other than a salute from the sentry but when we rode into our camp we were cheered and acclaimed as heroes. Troopers ran from their tents and their food to slap us on the back. I couldn’t help grinning. After I had dismounted I threw my arms around Dago. “We made it!”
“Thanks Jack. I owe you for this.”
“You would have done the same.”
When the colonel and the major strode over I knew that we were in trouble. The colonel’s face was as black as thunder. He shook Dago by the hand. “Welcome back Lieutenant Spinelli. Major Murphy arrest Captain Hogan, Sergeant James and Trooper Ritchie. Confine them to their tents until I can arrange a court martial for Captain Hogan.”
“Sir the sergeant and the trooper were obeying orders. My orders.”
His eyes narrowed. “I think you are lying. Major, carry out my orders and disarm them too!” He stormed off.
Danny looked apologetic, “You are a mad bugger, Jack and I admire what you did but you have really annoyed him. Your guns if you please.”
“I did order them, Danny. Tell him.”
He nodded, “When he has had a chance to calm down I will.”
I lay down in my tent feeling remarkably relaxed. The trooper sent to guard me, Trooper Smith, was embarrassed about the whole thing. “Sorry about this, Captain Hogan. The boys all think it was a fine thing that you did. You should get a medal and not be treated like a criminal.”
“Kind of you to say so, Trooper Smith, but I knew what the consequences would be when I lit out.”
I took off my boots and uniform for what seemed the first time in months. I lay on my bed and within minutes was asleep. I was awoken by Trooper Smith. “Captain Hogan, the major is here to see you.”
It was dark and Danny brought in an oil lamp when he entered. He had a bottle of whiskey and Smith handed him a plate with some food on it. “You have been asleep for four hours. We thought you might like some food.”
“Won’t you get in trouble for this Danny?”
He shrugged, “He’s changed, has the colonel, but he will soon be his old self again and he will realise what a mistake he has made.” He poured some whiskey into my mug. “Dago told me how you managed to rescue them.” He shook his head. “I am certain that no one else could have managed that.” He laughed, “You even got some fine remounts and weapons.”
“How about James and Ritchie?”
“I think he will let them go in the morning. He will probably reduce the sergeant to corporal.”
I felt awful about that. I should have gone alone but then I wouldn’t have been able to rescue my friend. I was learning that you needed your friends around you.
“Of course the one you really annoyed was Irish.”
I was puzzled, “Why?”
“He wanted to go with you.”
“But he is Sergeant Major.”
“I think he sees you as being more important than the rank. He has been begging the colonel to reconsider. We had to send him back to his tent. He was in danger of being reduced to the ranks himself.”
“And the court martial?”
“He has asked for a panel of officers in the morning. I will be defending you.”
“Thanks Danny.”
“You might lose your rank you know? I don’t think he will go for a firing squad. That is a little extreme even for the colonel.”
“Tell me Danny, if it was me and you had rescued me would you mind being reduced to the ranks?”
He laughed, “Of course not. What has annoyed the boys is that you have done so much; the trains, the intelligence, and the prisoners. Even if this was what the colonel says they think that he should have taken the other things into consideration.”
“He is old school remember.”
As he rose to leave Danny shook his head, “Colonel Cartwright would not have done this and we both know it.”
As the light was taken
away and I was left in the dark I reflected that he was right. Colonel Cartwright had been old school but he was old school with a heart.
Chapter 8
After breakfast I was escorted by my new guard, Trooper McKay and Sergeant Major Mulrooney to the latrine.
“You could have taken me sir.”
Cecil sounded indignant. “I didn’t plan on taking anyone. Those two were waiting for me. What else could I do? Come and wake you?”
“That wouldn’t have been a bad idea sir.”
“Anyway this will soon be over one way or another.”
“By this afternoon sir. The general himself is coming with some senior officers to sit on the court martial himself.”
“Stuart or Jackson?”
He looked sad, “Didn’t you know sir? General Jackson died of pneumonia. He never recovered. It will be General Stuart.”
That news saddened me more than anything else. Stonewall Jackson had been more than Lee’s right hand man; he had been the reason for all our victories. He had always taken on superior numbers and won. Every soldier who fought for him would have gladly died for him and yet he was the sternest disciplinarian. It was a shame and made even worse by the fact that it had been our own side which had shot him.
When I returned to my tent Cecil insisted on cleaning my best uniform and polishing my sword. “Those officers need to see how smart you are sir. It might help your case.” Poor Sergeant Major Mulrooney was almost in tears.
He fussed over me like an old woman and polished my boots until they shone. He waited with me until Danny arrived just after noon. “The general is here Jack. Let’s go.”
As we walked over he said, “It’s as I thought, he just demoted Sergeant James to corporal. He’ll soon get his stripe back.” I felt relieved at that. I could face whatever they threw at me now.
I was marched into the tent and saw General Stuart, Colonel Boswell and a major I didn’t recognise. General Stuart frowned when he saw me and turned to say something to Colonel Boswell. The colonel stood. “Lieutenant Smith, will you read the charges.”
Jed looked uncomfortable as he stood in his best uniform and read from the sheet. “Captain Jack Hogan is charged with desertion and disobeying an order from his commanding officer. He recklessly endangered the lives of two other soldiers when he went to Leesburg to rescue Lieutenant Spinelli and his men from a Union prison.”
Jed sat down and looked assiduously at the ground. Colonel Boswell stood, “How do you plead?”
I had never experienced anything like this before and I just answered honestly. “I suppose I must be guilty because I did go to Leesburg and I did rescue Lieutenant Spinelli.”
He beamed, “There you have it members of this court martial. The accused admits his guilt. Now we will decide your….”
General Stuart stood, “Now before we get to that can we just sit down and think about this.” Colonel Boswell reluctantly sat down. “Now I did not know that the officer in question was Captain Hogan. This puts a different complexion on things. Nor did I know the charges. When you said desertion it sounded more serious than it is.”
“But it was desertion!”
“No colonel, at worst it was being absent without leave but his motives were laudable. Besides which he has had two Unionregiments searching for him for the past two days.” He beckoned me over, “Captain Hogan, tell me why you went to Leesburg.”
“Lieutenant Spinelli is a good officer and I did not want him or the others to rot in a Yankee prison. I have done this before sir.” I was reminding the general of the time that Dago and I had rescued his nephew from the prison at Gettysburg.
“I know and I will always be grateful for that but why did you sneak away? You should have known it would put you in a bad light.”
“I asked the colonel’s permission and he refused.” I shrugged. “I would do it again sir.”
Colonel Boswell’s face was as black as thunder but General Stuart smiled. “As the senior officer here I have decided to squash the charges. Captain Hogan’s motives were of the highest order. You are returned to duty.” Colonel Boswell began to rise and General Stuart said, sternly, “If you gentlemen would leave us I think I need to have a word with the colonel here.”
As we left I was slapped on the back by Jed and Danny, “Lucky Jack again. Sure and someone is looking after you, Jackie boy.”
“I want Carlton making up to sergeant again.”
“You don’t want much do you?”
“Come on Danny, you can do it and you know it. Is it fair that I get off and he gets punished?”
“No.” He shook his head. “You had better keep out of the colonel’s way for the next day or so.”
Dago was waiting for me outside. “Well I guess we aren’t in the colonel’s good books.”
I shrugged, “There was a time when that would have upset me but I am no longer one of Boswell’s Wildcats. I am part of the 1st Virginia Scouts. I think Colonel Cartwright would have approved.”
“Let’s go and celebrate.”
“No, I had better change. I have a feeling that I am going to be given some fairly unpleasant duties soon.”
“The colonel? Sure he is mad now but he’ll get over it. You watch, within a week or so, it will be the same as it always was.”
“You said it yourself; Dago, he has changed since he was wounded and went home. He has lost so much already in Charleston. I never had anything before so I am not worried about losing my house but the colonel was brought up a gentleman with a good life. He has lost far more than I ever had. That is bound to change a man; even the colonel.”
I was, sadly, proved right. I had just finished changing when Sergeant Major Mulrooney arrived at my tent. He did not look happy. “We have been sent on patrol sir.”
I gave a rueful smile, “I take it the colonel chewed you out?”
“He told me to watch my step or I could lose my stripes.”
I shook my head, the colonel was becoming vindictive; the Sergeant Major had only shown sympathy and yet he was being punished too.
“Where to?”
“The major will meet us at the horse lines and tell us there.”
Sergeant James was there although he had only two stripes. “Sorry about that, Carlton.”
“It doesn’t matter sir. I’m still the same man with or without the extra stripe.”
It was a small patrol. There were just fifteen of us. Trooper Ritchie was also amongst them. Danny strode over, looking unhappy. “You are to check out Warrenton and Upperville. The colonel wants to know what activity there is in that area.”
I bit my tongue. We had escaped through that region and he knew that there were at least two regiments of cavalry there. Instead I just smiled, “Right major. Sergeant James, bring a spare horse and some supplies.” Danny looked puzzled, “We can’t do both in one day sir. We will be out at least one night.”
“Of course.” He leaned in to me. “You take care, Jack. The colonel will soon be back to his old ways soon enough.”
“I hope so Danny because this new one is a little too much like Colonel Beauregard for my liking.”
He nodded, “It’s the wound I think.”
There was no way I would risk the road once we had crossed the Rappahannock. The Union cavalry would be swarming all over it. The colonel had done us a favour by giving me so few men. It was easier to hide and to move swiftly. We headed for Warrenton using tracks and woods whenever possible. When we did have to ride across open fields we kept a watch on the farms to see if we were being observed. We managed to reach our destination just before noon and we hid in the woods which were closest to the town.
There was now a camp just south of the town. From the number of horses it looked to be cavalry. I took out my pencil and paper and drew a map and marked the camp. We moved north of the town and there was a second camp there. “They can’t be there just to look for us sir, can they?”
“A flattering thought, Sergeant James,“ I continued to use
his defunct title. I would make sure he got his stripe back. “No, I think they are up to something. Look at the uniforms; they are bright blue. These are new boys. Let’s head to Marshall.”
Marshall was a one horse town between Upperville and Warrenton. I did not expect anything to be there; in fact I was contemplating trying to buy some food. We had learned that civilians appreciated money and could turn a blind eye to the colour of the uniform. We were not proud of it but we all had Yankee dollars relieved from dead soldiers. We halted half way between the two settlements and ate some of our rations. Thanks to the raid on the train we still ate well.
One of the younger and newer troopers, Brock, plucked up the courage to speak with me as we ate. “Sir, is it true that you met the colonel when you were a sailor?”
“Yes trooper. He rescued me from a life at sea. I owe my life to the colonel. If he hadn’t taken me from the Rose then I would be at the bottom of the sea.”
He looked puzzled, “Then why did he have you court-martialled sir?”
“That’s enough!” snapped Sergeant James. The boy recoiled at his tone. Carlton rarely shouted.
“No that’s alright sergeant. I daresay the rest are all wondering that and he had the courage to ask.” I turned to the young man. “The colonel believes in rules. I broke a rule and I accepted the consequences. That is what life is about son. If you do something then see it through and accept the consequences. There is no point moaning about life being unfair. A one armed sailor taught me that. Anyway let’s get on now and see what the Yankees have done to Marshall.”
Marshall told us the same story; Union camps and many horses. Sergeant James rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Now why do you think the Yankees have so many cavalry so close to Brandy Station and Culpeper?”
“I think they are planning something. Remember when they attacked at Chancellorsville? We saw them gathering the soldiers for days and weeks before they actually did attack. I reckon the northerners are building up and they will hit us again.”
“And we haven’t replaced those men we lost in the last battle yet.”
“There is no point moping. Let’s get up to Upperville and then head on back.”