by Unknown
The graves had been dug already; the Sergeant Major had seen to that. Dago stood by me as I named each man as he was laid to rest. We buried them with their weapons. It was the right thing to do. David and Cecil had dressed the officers in their best uniforms. They would meet their maker looking like soldiers. We had few troopers left to say goodbye but, after we had all fired our guns we passed by each grave and said goodbye in out own way. It was the most sombre day of my life. I had not buried my mother and father; I felt like I was burying them now for this had been my family since I had come to America.
We left David to leave with the wagons which were being loaded with the wounded. They would be escorted by General Imboden and were taking the Greencastle route. It would be easier on the wagons and the wounded. We would be talking the shorter route to Hagerstown. We said little as we bade farewell to the wounded and David. We had no doubt we would be seeing them again in Williamsport.
As the rain pelted down and the two armies watched each other from their respective ridges we left Pennsylvania. We were like the tide which had reached its high water mark and was now ebbing. We ebbed south.
Our losses meant we had spare horses. We saw others looking enviously at them as we headed south along the rain sodden roads. Each man led two horses. This would be the pay off for men who had received no pay for many months. Most of the men had money we had acquired during our raids and all of the kept it well hidden about them. The horses could be sold for, when they returned to their homes, they would all find such beasts in great demand.
Dago rode next to me while the three remaining sergeants rode with Cecil at the rear. I knew that they would be doing as we were and talking of our dead comrades.
“It doesn’t surprise me that you survived Jack. You were born to survive but I feel lucky too. I never thought I would see the war out and I definitely did not expect to ride away from Gettysburg.”
“It was hell; quite literally.”
“When the colonel ordered us to fall back I felt relief and then when that ball slammed into me I thought my world had ended.” He looked at me, wiping the rain from his face. “You didn’t fall back did you?”
I shook my head. “No. It was just the wrong thing to do. Those gunners weren’t bothered about us. They had over twelve thousand Rebs marching towards them. We were like fleas on a dog. I like to think that when we took those few guns out on the ridge we saved a few men’s lives.”
“No, don’t get me wrong. You were right. More of your men survived than those who fell back.” We rode in silence for a while. We were constantly passing soldiers heading back to the south. Some were patently deserters. We saw the furtive looks they gave us and their hands hovered close to pistols. Others were the ones wounded early in the three day battle. Those too weak to walk would already be heading west in the wagons. We were passing a broken army. I recognised men from the famous Stonewall Brigade, his foot cavalry. They had followed Jackson blindly but now they shuffled home betrayed and broken.
We crossed Monterrey Pass and I could see why the wagons had taken the longer northern route. It would have been a painful and difficult journey for the wagons filled with injured men. I had already decided to stay for the night in Hagerstown. This was largely a selfish move on my part. I wanted to find Mary. However I also wanted my men out of the rain and I knew that there would be shelter there. Unless, of course, the Union held it.
We reached the railroad line in the late afternoon and early evening. I gathered the men around me. “Lieutenant Spinelli, stay here with the men. Sergeant Ritchie and I will scout out the town and make sure there are no nasty surprises.”
“Sir, let me come too.”
I smiled, “No Sergeant Major. Lieutenant Spinelli will need your help here. We have a responsibility to all the wounded. I can promise you that I will be careful.”
Sergeant Ritchie smiled, “Don’t worry, Irish, I want to get home. I’ll keep the captain out of trouble.”
The troop huddled beneath the canopy of trees adjacent to the woods. It kept some of the rain from them. We rode down the railroad tracks. The rain was easing and becoming the misty mizzle that seems to permeate your bones. For July this sure was wet up here in Maryland. I did not expect any trains. They would be coming from Chambersburg and that was too close to Gettysburg to make it safe for engineers. The station was deserted as we clip clopped along the rails.
“Sergeant, cut the telegraph wire to the station. Just in case.”
With that done we rode through the houses just off the main streets. I was looking for signs of occupation. There would be flags or sentries. We saw none. I took us south to the outskirts of the town. I knew that Williamsport was just a few miles to the south. We could have reached it in a few hours but I wanted a day to scout it out. At least that was what I told myself. Besides which I knew that the wagons would not reach it for a couple of days at least. The real reason was I wanted the morning to find Mary.
“Right sergeant, let’s sweep to the east of the town and approach the railroad from that direction.”
“Sir.”
As we rode we talked of our plans after the war. “What will you do when the war is over?”
“Go back to South Carolina. I have a little money saved. I thought I might earn a living teaching guitar.” My surprised look made him smile, “I know it’s as different as can be from what we do now. I’d just like to make something instead of destroying it. I find peace playing the guitar.”
“You could always earn a living playing for folks.”
He shook his head, “No sir. I am too shy. I don’t mind playing for the boys. They are kind enough to like me but strangers? No sir. That’s why I will teach. And you sir?”
“I suppose I will head back to Charleston and see if I still have a home there.” I shrugged. “I owe it to Colonel Boswell to find Jarvis and tell him what happened to his master. And I will look up the lawyer fellow who invested my money for me.”I patted my saddlebags. “Like you I am not poor but I had a whole bunch of money tied up in the house and in investments. The colonel seemed to think it was a good idea.”
“Yes sir, that was back when we thought that we could win.”
I vaguely recognized the track we were taking. It led to the railroad and was the spot where I had had a run in with the Union troopers. I was alert and, thank goodness, so was Copper. The neigh and the whinny told me there were horses nearby. I held up my hand. Sergeant Ritchie halted and drew his Colt. I did the same. We waited. The rain had stopped but droplets still continued to fall from the leaves and branches. I heard what sounded like a shout. I spied a sort of narrow trail leading from the green road we were on.
We dismounted and led our horses down it. I saw a glow ahead which indicated a house of some description. The track twisted and turned until it eventually emerged at a clearing and farm house. It was a well made house and not rustic in any way. There was a stoop and a veranda which ran around the house. At the foot of the steps was a pair of hitching rails; attached to one there were four Yankee horses. We tied our mounts to the other hitching rail and I drew my second Colt. We went to the door where we could hear voices from within.
“Now listen you dumb bitch. We know there is gold in this house. Your husband and your son were too stupid for their own good which is why they are lying there dead. Now stop your blubbering and tell me where it is or so help me I will slit your throat too!”
I heard a woman wailing, “Oh please, I beg of you. We have no gold.”
“You live in this fine house and you have a servant girl and you say you are poor! Do not take me for a fool.”
I then heard a second voice. “Mrs Delancey is speaking the truth you have done enough. Leave us alone. Where is your officer? He would not want you to treat civilians like this.” It was Mary! I recognised her voice. Suddenly everything changed. We had to rescue her.
“Our officer? He was the first one who we killed. We have had enough of this war so don’t think we will wor
ry about killing a couple of women. After we have had some fun with them.”
I heard a wail. We had to move. These were deserters and as such would be unlikely to surrender. I gestured for Ritchie to head around the back. He nodded. I holstered one gun and tried the door. They had not locked it. I moved it ajar so that I could peer inside. There was a large hallway and a central staircase heading to a landing. A massive grandfather clock ticked away. To the left was a door which was slightly open with a shaft of light shining on the hall floor. That had to be the room. I stepped inside and closed the door. I didn’t know how long it would take the sergeant to gain entry but I could not wait forever.
“Strip the girl! That might make the old woman talk.”
I could wait no longer. I had to act. I had no idea where they would be in the room. I could only hear the two voices. I cocked both Colts and kicked the door open. It flew back. I saw a blue uniform standing by the fire and I let him have my right hand Colt. He slumped to the ground. I saw two men holding Mary; I dare not fire at them. Suddenly a knife sliced down from my right. I just reacted and fired both Colts as I fell backwards. The corporal who had tried to knife me was thrown backwards by the force of the shots.
One of the men holding Mary let go of her and drew his Colt. I rolled to my right as his first bullet struck the oak floor recently occupied by me. As I brought my gun up to fire I saw that Mary was biting the hand of the fourth soldier. It seemed to take an age for me to raise the Colt. I saw the deserter’s gun swinging around to shoot me. I fired a second before he did. He fell clutching his arm and I heard a scream from behind me. I fired a second shot and hit him between the eyes. He fell dead.
The last man had thrown Mary to the floor and was drawing his gun. I pulled the trigger of my right Colt and it fell on an empty chamber. I saw the look of joy on his face as he took a bead on me. My left hand was swinging my second Colt up but it would not be able to save me. Lucky Jack’s luck had just run out. Then I heard Ritchie’s two guns boom from behind me and the last man was thrown through the window.
The room was filled with the smell and smoke of gunpowder and the crackling of the fire. All else was silent save the ticking of the hall clock. I saw Mary’s look of horror. I turned and saw the old lady they had been threatening. Her head had been blown almost clean off and her body lay draped over that of her murdered husband and son.
I saw Sergeant Ritchie in the doorway at the far end of the room. “Sorry it took so long, sir. I had to break in.”
“You made it and that is the important thing.”
Suddenly Mary threw her arms around me and began sobbing on my chest. “You came back! I can’t believe it, you came back!”
I holstered my gun and put my arm around her. I did not know what to say. “I said I would. And I am not letting you out of my sight.”
The only sound that could be heard was the regular ticking of the clock. Sergeant Ritchie coughed. “Er sir, Captain Hogan…”
“Yes Sergeant Ritchie. You are quite right. Go and fetch the rest of the troop.” I pulled back from Mary. “Is there anyone else in the house?”
“No, I was the only servant.” She pointed to the three members of the family. “They were all murdered.”
“I know, I heard. Off you go, sergeant.”
After he had gone she kissed me again full on the lips. “Thank you for returning.” She broke off and looked at the bodies.
“You go in the kitchen and put some coffee on. I’ll deal with the bodies.”
She nodded. “You get rid of that scum and when I have made a pot I will look after the Delanceys. They were good people.”
After she had left I searched the four bodies and collected their weapons, their papers and their money. They had a lot and must have been in business for themselves. I dragged the bodies out one by one and laid them in a line well away from the horses. We might bury the family but I would leave these jackals for the other harbingers of death who feasted on corpses.
I had just moved the last one when I heard hooves behind me. I whipped around with my gun in my hand. Dago grinned and held up his hand, “Steady Jack. We are on your side.”
“Sorry Dago.”
Sergeant Ritchie said, “There is a barn around back. We can put the horses there.”
“You do that and then come in the house.”
By the time I returned to the house Mary was trying to move the bodies. “Leave that Mary, I have men. They will dig the graves.”
She shook her head. I can’t leave them like this. Don’t let your men in until I have covered them with a winding sheet.” Her eyes pleaded with me. “Please.”
“Very well.” I went out of the door Ritchie had used earlier. There was a short passage and it emerged in a large kitchen. I could smell the coffee. The back door opened and Sergeant Major Mulrooney and Dago stood there.
“We thought that the men could sleep in the barn sir. Sergeant Ritchie told us….”
I smiled, “I can imagine what Sergeant Ritchie told you Sergeant Major. Get some men to dig three graves out back for the dead family and get some men who can cook in here to prepare food. The coffee is made. Help yourself.”
Dago went and poured three mugs. He gave one to me and left one on the table for the Sergeant Major. “Lucky Jack eh? I take it this is the woman you were talking about?”
I nodded. “For once I agree with you. This must have been luck. I have no intention of losing her. She is coming with us.”
He laughed, “Of course.”
When the men came to the kitchen to prepare food I went to find Mary. She was just finishing sewing the last body into a shroud. “There. I don’t mind your men seeing them now.”
It was at that moment that I realised I had found a jewel. She was both loving and yet practical. “My men are digging graves and I have some others preparing food.”
She suddenly changed, “In my kitchen! They will make a mess.” She hurried off like a miniature tornado. I looked down at the three white sheets. This was a family who thought the war was just passing them by and yet they had been destroyed by their own soldiers. That was what war did to people. There were no bystanders. You were in it even if you tried to hide from it.
Mary supervised Cecil’s cooks. She seemed satisfied with their work and Cecil seemed at ease with her. He caught my eye at one point and gave me a cheery wink.
“I think we should lay the Delanceys to rest before we eat Mary. What do you think?”
She nodded and went to get a coat. Just five of us went to bury the family destroyed in the aftermath of Gettysburg. Having just buried so many of my comrades I hoped that this would be the last burial I had to attend. Mary said a few words and gave her goodbyes. The rain had stopped but tears flooded down her face.
“We came from Virginia to avoid the war. Mr Delancey never thought that this part of Maryland would be in any danger.”
We walked back into the kitchen. “Were there any others in the family?”
“No. This had been Mr Delancey’s brother’s farm and he died of the fever.”
There was a pause and Mary began to lay out dishes. “Seems to me ma’am, like it belongs to you.”
She looked at Dago as though he had sworn in church. “I want to leave this place as soon as possible.”
Dago was always practical. “I’m sorry ma’am. As soon as this is empty someone else will come along; deserters likely or not. They might be Rebs or they might be Yanks. It won’t make any difference. They will tear through this place like pack rats.”
“He’s right Mary. I would just take those things that the family would like caring for. Does that make sense? I didn’t know them.”
“They were good people. And you are right.” She looked at the plates. “We haven’t got enough fine china for all our men I’m afraid.”
Cecil burst out laughing. “The boys’ll not mind eating off the floor they are so hungry. Ma’am if you would serve up the food for you and the officers me and the lads wil
l take this out to the barn.”
“No Sergeant Major, you eat in here with us.”
“That’s kind of you but it will be easier if it is you and the two officers. My boys won’t have to mind their cuss words.”
She laughed, “I’ve heard them before.”
Cecil said, in all seriousness, “That doesn’t mean you should have to hear them again.”
When he had gone the three of us sat around the table with an oil lamp burning in the middle. It was the cosiest meal I had had in a long time.
“I like your men, Jack. They are gentlemen.”
Dago laughed, “I don’t think they have ever been called that before but the colonel taught us well.”
“The colonel?”
We told her, as we ate, of James Boswell and his Wildcats. By the time the tale was finished so was the meal. She rose and went into the dining room. She returned with a decanter and three glasses. “Mr Delancey was very partial to port. He decanted at lunchtime ready for this evening. Let’s drink it and remember a fine man and a lovely family.”
The wine was delicious and we did not spoil it with unnecessary words. She looked at me as I drained my glass. “And now what?”
“Sorry?”
“What happens now?” She looked at her glass and swirled the dregs in the bottom. “To me.”
Dago coughed and began to rise, “No Dago, you can stay. You know my thoughts as well as I do.”
He shrugged and sat down. Pouring himself another glass of port he said, “Besides there is still port to finish.”
“You will come with me… with us. We have been given the task of holding Williamsport until the wagons come through and then we go home. You shall come with me. If you will.”
Her eyes lit up. “Of course I will. That was a proposal was it not?” She giggled and was suddenly a girl again.
Dago laughed, “I believe it was ma’am and I am a witness.”
I felt myself colouring. “Well yes, I mean I would …”