by Unknown
I took out my gun as we walked. I stayed a couple of yards behind her in case we met anyone. She moved well through the woods as though she was familiar with the trail. Suddenly two horses appeared before us and there were two Yankee troopers. I pointed my gun at them. I had to think quickly.
“You two will do better than this woman. Get off your horses and keep your hands in the air.”
“You’ll not get away with this Reb.”
“Up to now I have. Now get off those horses and keep your hands where I can see them.”
“Typical Reb; taking a woman prisoner.”
“Shut your mouth Yank. Now step over there. I kept my gun pointing at them. Had I been in their place I would have gone for the gun as I would have only been able to get one shot off but I think they worried about Mary.
With my spare hand I grabbed both sets of reins. “I nodded to Mary. “I am sorry for frightening you ma’am. But you have to know I would never have harmed you.”
She hid her smile and said, “I was not frightened sir but I am glad that you are going. “ Her back was to the men and she pursed her lips in a kiss.
I mounted the horse and backed it up, keeping my Colt pointed at them. “Do not try to follow me boys for if you do I shall kill you.” I managed to put venom in my voice.
I wheeled the horses around and galloped off down the trail. I hoped that I would not meet any other troopers. The troopers fired their Colts at me. They missed but they would alert any other soldiers hunting me. I saw it becoming lighter and knew that the road would be ahead. I burst out on to the pike and found myself next to a road block. Luckily I was on the open side. I fired my gun three times at the soldiers who guarded it. I wanted to keep their heads down rather than try to kill them. I turned and galloped off down the road. By the time they had recovered enough to aim their rifles I was far enough away to make a hit extremely unlikely. I was just lucky that it had been infantry and not cavalry who had been there. I knew that there would be other troopers searching for us but I hoped that they were closer to the railroad.
I was not sure which road I was on and I looked up at the skies for help. It was cloudy. I took comfort from the fact that I seemed to be going up hill. If I could find South Mountain then I could find the farm. I came to a cross roads and saw the huge mountain ahead of me. I took that road. As soon as I could I left the road and found the shelter of the trees. I changed horses. I had no sooner done that than I heard the hooves of a cavalry patrol. I had left the road none too soon. I made my way up through the trees until I found a path of sorts. It wound its way up the mountain. I took heart from the fact that it widened as it climbed. Eventually I reached an open knoll a little way below the summit. I dismounted to make me less obvious and I led the two horses.
I did not think that we could be seen from the road but I was taking no chances. When I smelled wood smoke I knew that I was near habitation and I took out my gun. This time I reloaded. If I met another patrol I would be ready this time. I edged forwards and noticed that the trail began to drop. I re-entered the woods and went even more slowly. Suddenly I spied a light in a building and saw a man smoking a pipe. I tied the horses to a tree and crept up on him. He did not see me and I pointed my gun at his head.
His head flicked around and he looked at me in shock. “Captain Hogan! We thought you was dead or captured. The sergeant will be sure glad to see you!”
Chapter 11
To say they were glad to see me would have been an understatement. Sergeant Ritchie, in particular, appeared overjoyed. “Captain Hogan sir, I am so sorry for leaving you there.”
“I wasn’t left there. You were obeying orders and I would have had your stripes if you had come back for me.” I shook my head, which was a mistake as it still hurt, “I was knocked off Copper by a tree.” I suddenly remembered my horse, “Copper?”
Sergeant Jones gestured with his thumb, “In the stables. Followed the other horses home.”
That was a relief, “Did we lose any men?”
“No sir, just Lucky Jack.”
They all laughed at that. “But you managed to get back with the booty.”
“Most of it sir but we needed more horses.”
I gestured behind me to the forest. “If you go back in there you will find two fine Yankee horses with saddles and carbines.” As Trooper White went for them I added, “There are some Yankee cavalry in the area so we had better go a little more carefully next time. They nearly had me and they know there is Reb cavalry in the area.”
“How did you escape sir? We are not surprised but we are mighty interested. When Lieutenant Spinelli got separated he had to be rescued. How did you do it all by your lonesome?”
I told them although I left out my conversation with Mary Malone. Sergeant Jones slapped his leg and said, “And that is why he is Lucky Jack. Not only does he escape but he is helped by a pretty young Virginia girl.”
“How do you know that she is pretty?”
Trooper Ritchie looked shamefaced, “That’s me sir. It sort of slipped out.”
“Well I think I am ready for my sleep now but we need to be up early tomorrow sergeant. We need to strike while the iron is hot.”
“You mean up early today sir.” He pointed to the sun rising in the east. I would get little sleep this night.
The next day I sent two troopers back. One was to find Colonel Boswell and report on our findings whilst the other would report to General Lee. We kept the food and the ammunition at the farm. Leaving four men on guard I took the remaining troopers on a patrol. We headed for Gettysburg.
I had not been there since Dago and I had rescued General Stuart’s nephew. There had been a strong military presence there then. We approached the town cautiously but I saw little evidence of soldiers this visit. It looked like the administrative units had moved on. I was aware of General Lee’s instructions in terms of the civilian population and so we headed for the railroad.
We surrounded the station and entered the telegraph office. We quickly overpowered the employees of the railroad and tied them. I sent Sergeant Jones to investigate the warehouses while Sergeant Ritchie and his men lifted a couple of rails. The warehouses were empty but we cut the telegraph wires and destroyed the equipment. Looking back now it seems petty but at the time I knew what effect that would have on the Union. We were deep inside Pennsylvania and we were destroying their railroad without being worried by their army. They would have to move forces here and that meant that General Lee and his army of Northern Virginia could cross without having to fight a battle.
We took the small quantity of food, weapons and ammunition which we discovered in the railroad station and we headed back to the farm. We ate well again that night.
We awoke the next morning to the sound of guns from the south of us. I sent a patrol to look but they reported that they had seen nothing. It had to be General Lee’s forward units. They had made good time. “Sergeant Jones, I want six men leaving here to guard the food and the ammunition. The rest need to be mounted. We will ride towards the guns.”
I knew that the army would be advancing from Harper’s Ferry towards Hagerstown. I also knew that there were some Union forces in the area. The last thing the general would need would be to be ambushed. We headed south. I sent out four troopers to find the enemy. My men were past masters at blending into the background. They could see without being seen.
They soon returned with the news that we needed. “Sir, we found the Yankees. They are a mile yonder. They have a barricade across the road and they are dug in.”
“How many?”
“It looks like that company from Hagerstown and the cavalry with them.”
That meant that we were outnumbered. “Follow me.” We rode along the road towards the ambush. I decided on a different approach this time. “Sergeant Ritchie, I want you with me. Sergeant Jones, when I give the word I want you to bring the men forwards. Hide them. We are going to try to bluff these soldier boys into surrendering. Follow my lead
; pretend you are a brigade”
“Are you sure sir?” Sergeant Jones’ worries clearly showed on his face.
“Copper can move like lightning and Sergeant Ritchie here is no slouch. I think we can get away if they turn nasty. If they do then you will have to cover us.”
I took a piece of white cloth from my saddlebags and tied it to my sabre. We rode forwards. “You watch for any sign of treachery.” I hoped that they would respect the white flag as a flag of truce but I had never used one before.
We trotted around the bend in the road and the sound of our hooves made the officer and the sergeant turn. Their hands went to their guns.
“Flag of truce, gentlemen.”
They kept their guns in their hands but at least they did not point them at us. “What do you want Reb?”
“I want you to save unnecessary bloodshed and the lives of your men.”
The sergeant laughed, “What, from the two of you? You Rebs sure have a high opinion of yourselves.”
I pointed to the south where the popping of guns still sounded. “That is not a raiding party. That is the army of General Lee. Those guns you hear will be the guns of General Jubal Early’s men. Do you think your one hundred men are going to hold up a whole Corps?”
“Why should we to surrender to you two?”
In answer I shouted, “Sergeant Jones, bring the first troop forward! Keep the rest of the regiment hidden!” I kept my eyes on the young captain. His eyes widened as my men appeared. Although we had less than thirty five men the fact that they were spread out and on horses must have made them seem like more for his shoulders drooped in resignation.
“There is no dishonour in saving your men’s lives captain.” Just then there was a particularly large explosion from the cannon which made the captain jump. I could see him looking at the horses in front of him. He looked at the sergeant who shrugged.
The young captain nodded and took off his sabre. “We surrender.”
I nodded, “That was wise captain.” I risked a lie. “The rest of my brigade is already at Hagerstown. You would have all been slaughtered.” I could see that it made him feel better. “Sergeant Jones, collect the weapons. Captain, if you would like to begin to have your men march south.”
As they began to organise themselves I turned to Sergeant Ritchie. “Take two men and head down the road. I wouldn’t want the general to begin firing on these men because of their blue uniform.”
I dismounted and led Copper so that I could talk to the captain. His look told me that he appreciated not having to look up at me. He gave a rueful smile. “Are you the one who escaped the other day? The one who held that girl hostage?”
I nodded, “I am not proud of that but I did not relish the prospect of a prison. I have seen what they look like and it does not appeal.”
“And yet you would send me there.”
“As an officer you may be exchanged.”
“There is no honour in that sir. These boys are from my home town. I will share what they endure.”
“They are noble sentiments and I applaud you for them.”
He looked at my badges. “I do not recognise your regiment sir.”
“We are the 1st Virginia Scouts. I am Captain Jack Hogan.”
He suddenly looked around at the sergeant who shook his head. “You boys are worth money.” I must have looked puzzled. “You know there is a price on your head sir.”
I looked at the grizzled veteran. “No sergeant, I did not.”
“Yup. Some Irish boys have put a bounty on you and a couple of other officers; Murphy and Bosworth.”
I said absent mindedly, “Boswell.”
“Yes sir, that is the fellow; seems you hung his cousin or brother or some such.” He paused, “Did you?”
“Yes, after a court martial. He was one of a couple of spies. They had betrayed us and many fine men were killed.”
“It doesn’t seem to make much difference. They are looking for you.”
The captain nodded. “I would avoid the area around York sir; it is where they are based. I have heard that they are almost savages. My men are all Pennsylvanian men but these Irishmen are from New York and Boston. They are different to the rest of us.”
“I thank you for your concern but as I am Irish myself I think I know what to expect.”
The colonel leading the 13th Virginia was delighted to see us. “We thought we were the first ones to liberate Pennsylvania. It is good to see you boys here. If you escort these prisoners back to Williamsport you will find the rest of your regiment.”
“Sir we have some ammunition and food. We captured a farm. Corporal MacKay, show the colonel where it is.”
He doffed his hat, “Thank you sir. My men will be grateful for that. Rations have been mighty short.”
“You are welcome.” I turned to the corporal and said quietly. “Show the colonel the food first and then load all the Colt and carbine ammunition on the horses. I think our troop earned that.”
He grinned. “Yes sir!”
A little louder I said, for the colonel’s benefit, “Bring the boys and the horses back to Williamsport when you have done that.”
It was only four miles or so and I was looking forward to seeing Dago and the others. We found ourselves swimming against the tide that was General Early’s Corps. Many of the regiments made disparaging remarks about the blue coated soldiers. I began to feel sorry for the captain and his men. I knew that in his position I would not have surrendered. My men and I would have fought on and sought an escape. Perhaps it was the way we hade evolved. The provost marshal at the bridge gratefully took charge of the prisoners.
“Good luck, captain.”
“And to you, Captain Hogan. Now that I know who you are I am grateful that I will just be a prisoner and will not have the mad Irish hunting me.”
After ensuring that we had taken the best of the weapons and the ammunition we handed the rest over to the quartermaster and sought our comrades. We were directed to a large barn on the edge of town. I was pleased to see Danny and Harry were there already. They greeted me warmly. Sergeant James came over to take Copper and I was pleased to see the stripe had been returned.
“How is the wound, Carlton?”
“All healed sir. I am a little slower at the moment but that will change. I’ll look after Copper for you.”
Harry gave me a glass of whiskey. “It seems the garrison here ran away and left their booze. Cheers.”
“Cheers.” I swallowed a healthy mouthful of fiery liquid. “Had much success?”
“Captured some horses and some powder. And you?”
I told them of the train and the capture of the soldiers. “You have done well.” Danny nodded his approval. “As the colonel wasn’t here I gave Sergeant Ritchie his stripe back. I think the colonel will have forgotten that now.“
“Have we any orders yet sir?
“No. I think they are waiting for the colonel to return.”
“The captain I captured told me that there is a price on our heads from those Irish boys who killed our troopers.”
He nodded as though it was not news, “We’ll have to do something about that. The lads are upset and they might not have their minds on the job.”
I shook my head, “We can’t go off hunting them sir. That would be madness.”
“No but if we know where they are then who knows what can happen in a battle?”
Danny was an Irishman through and through. He could forgive and forget but not when there was a feud. “Anyway it is unlikely that we will see them. They are based at York and that is over sixty miles away.”
“You never know, Jack.”
When the colonel arrived with the rest of his troop they had been knocked about a little. “We ran into a regiment of Pennsylvania cavalry and they chased us every which way. We lost some good men.”
We told him of our achievements and he seemed genuinely pleased. “I don’t think we will be here too long. The whole army is heading north.
General Lee wants to give the northerners a taste of war. I had better get to headquarters and find out what our next role will be.”
After he had gone, along with Danny, I turned to Dago. “It seems he is a little more like his old self.”
“You know how it is; you forget what war is like. We have never stopped since we joined up. I am not sure that we could stop being soldiers, even if we wanted to.”
“I know what you mean.” It worried me that we took stealing and killing as normal. What would we do when the war ended? If General Lee succeeded and forced a peace on the north then we would go back to being ordinary citizens again. Could I go back to the house in Charleston? I had barely spent a night there. What would I do? Then I remembered Caitlin. I still had that promise to keep. I would find my sister and then work out what to do when peace broke out.
When the colonel returned we found that would not happen too soon. “Well it seems we have to do another job for General Lee. He wants us to find Stuart and give him some orders. We are heading back to Leesburg.”
The depleted regiment left before dawn the next day. It was almost a repeat of the ride to Williamsport. We passed every Corps in the army as they headed north and we wondered if we would even see any Yankees.
Colonel Boswell told us that Stuart and his Corps was heading for Frederick. I had looked at the map and saw that we would have the army and the cavalry converging. It was a good plan. Unfortunately the northerners were not cooperating. When we reached Leesburg there were Union infantry there. They too were marching north. We were grateful that they had no cavalry or it would have made life difficult. We kept away from the roads and used the trails through the woods and fields.
We headed for Manassas Junction. We could then swing back around the Union forces and join up with General Stuart there. Once again we ran into an immovable object; a Union division heading north. We had crossed the Potomac over one of the islands. We knew the area well; or at least the veterans did. It had been close to here that I had had to cut a man’s throat for the first time. That seemed a lifetime ago now.