by Unknown
“Cheers!”
“Even after just one raid we have achieved more than Mosby has in a month!” Captain Boswell was always a little jealous of John Mosby. I don’t know why for we all were working towards the same end. “Jack, bring one of the bags of dollars from my saddlebags, let’s see how much we have.”
I got one and emptied it out. We began to count. “It looks like fifty dollars to a bag.”
“How many bags?”
I shrugged, “I didn’t count but I told Cecil to give all of the men equal numbers and I have five so that would be forty times two hundred and fifty.”I wasn’t good at arithmetic but Harry was and he said, “I reckon that is around ten thousand dollars.”
Danny had a sly smile upon his face, “And does this go to the quartermaster sir?”
I could see the dilemma on the captain’s face. He didn’t need the money but he knew that we did and that we were not paid like regulars. “I suppose that can wait until we get back.”
Dago ventured, “The lads need something sir. I mean it isn’t as though we are going to have much to take back to the quartermaster to exchange for money is it?”
The argument swayed the captain. The fact that we would have nothing to exchange settled it. “Very well then. We’ll tell them when we have eaten.” And that was how we got the reputation as train robbers and thieves. What our detractors forgot was that we were fighting for the Confederacy and the money we burned would have been used to pay the Union army. The demoralising effect of the robbery would have an effect on their soldiers over the next few months. “And now we need to plan Hagerstown. I want to leave tomorrow night and scout out the warehouse, ready to attack the following night. Danny, you found it. What can you tell us?”
“They have a small barracks close by. I think they were ordnance troops rather than fighting men but there looked to be forty or so of them. There is also a company of cavalry at the southern end of the town.”
“Where is the warehouse?”
“At the northern end, Harry, so we can avoid the cavalry easily. There is another range of hills on the other side of the valley. We have two escape routes. We can come back here or we can head west and head for the valley that way.”
Captain Boswell shook his head. “This is too good an area to leave. I can see us operating here for some time to come. What we will do is to divide into two groups. The sergeants and the corporals can form a perimeter around the warehouse and the barracks with their men in case anyone gets inquisitive. Danny you and me will deal with the men in the barracks and blow it up. Then we just head back here.”
I looked at Harry who looked as bemused as I did. “Sir, you will be outnumbered by two to one.”
“Don’t forget Jack, we will be reconnoitring first. If I think we can’t do it that way then we can change it but I am sure that our lads can deal with twenty ordnance troops who wouldn’t know one end of a pistol from the other. Now go and eat and tell your men about the money!” Confidence exuded from every pore of the captain’s body. We had never failed against the best the Union had to send against us; he thought that troops not used to combat would be easy to defeat. I was not so sure.
Jacob and Wilkie moaned about hiding the tents as we left the next afternoon. “No one came when we were away sarge. It is a waste of time putting them up just to take them down again.”
“That’s the way it is Wilkie, and I would rather do that than be ambushed when we got back here. Don’t forget we all have extra weight now and we can’t run as fast as we would like.” They all grinned and looked at their bulging saddlebags. What I hadn’t told them was that I had buried most of my coins and most of my ammunition underneath the fire. I would risk losing the money rather than struggling to escape. I had just fifty dollars with me and I knew that my mount would appreciate the lighter load. I knew that Harry, Dago and Jed had done the same. We had survived as long as we had because of our caution.
The town of Hagerstown was just ten miles from our camp. We left the hidden dell as the sun was setting in the west. We negotiated the steep part of the journey whilst there was still some light to see any obstacles on the track. We reached the road leading from Hagerstown to Waynesboro just after dark. We could see the glowing lights of our destination to the south and we rode along the road warily. I am sure that any who saw us would have taken us for Union cavalry. Many of our horses had been stolen from the Union cavalry we had bested and our slouch hats were similar to those worn by some of the western cavalry regiments. Confidence was all. We rode towards Hagerstown from the north knowing that the Union troops were to the south of the town.
Danny halted us some way from the warehouse. Captain Boswell summoned Harry, Jed, Dago and me. “You take your men and block the main road north. We will just scout and I will send a man to tell you when to go.”
The twenty men headed east. “How do you want to work this Jack?”
Harry and I understood each other. We obeyed orders but we tended to make them suit us. “I don’t like the idea of twenty of us sitting in the middle of the road. We’ll attract too much attention.”
“I agree. What say we give Dago half of your men and I’ll give Jed half of my boys? I’ll watch the main road. Jack, you ride further into the town and watch there. Jed, take the western road and Dago the east. I’ll send one of my boys when the captain sends for us. With fewer men we can spread out more and look a little more casual.”
I took Cecil and the new boys Wilkie and Jacob. I could keep an eye on them. They were both nervous, I could see that by watching the way they played with their reins and their guns. “Look boys, me and Cecil have done this before. Just ride as though you are the Seventh Michigan. We are on our way south to join McClellan. If you see anyone smile at them and wave. They won’t notice the grey; it’s too murky to distinguish colours. We’ll stop and just take some stones from my horse’s hoof. Right?”
“What if someone speaks to us?”
Cecil snorted with derision, “You answer them. Didn’t you hear the sergeant? We pretend we are Yanks.”
“It’s going to be fine. Irish and me have the advantage of an Irish accent which means they will assume we are from the north anyway but just smile and pretend we have every right to be here.”
There were not many people on the street as it was a chilly evening. When we were in the middle of the town I halted and climbed from my horse. I took one of Copper’s hooves in my hand and pretended to examine it. Copper would happily play along. She was a Ranger. In reality I was watching for any danger. I could see none. Suddenly all hell broke loose. From the north we heard a fire fight. There were carbines and handguns popping off. I swung on to the back of my horse. “Ready your weapons.”
“Aren’t we riding to the guns?”
“Our job is to stop anyone attacking from this direction.”
“But there are just four of us!”
“And we can all fire six balls in the direction of whoever comes up this road. We will be still and they will be riding. Even a poor shot should hit a couple of men and they will be lucky to hit the side of a barn if they are riding. Just do as I say and I will get you out of this.”
“Listen to him boys. He isn’t called Lucky Jack for nothing.”
Just then I heard hooves behind me and Dago and the rest of my section rode up. “Thought you might need some help here. There was jack shit down that road and we know there are cavalry down the other end of town.”
The hairs on my neck started to prickle. “Then why aren’t they galloping up to see what the commotion is all about? You reached here after hearing the firing. I would have expected someone from the south by now.”
Dago too looked puzzled. “You are right but if the cavalry aren’t there…”
“It was an ambush. Davy, ride to the sergeant and tell him I think it is an ambush. I am going to help the captain.”
I headed east towards the sounds of the guns which were still firing. As we closed the sounds grew in volume. Da
go turned in his saddle. “You boys make sure you can get to your other guns real quick!”
I slowed us down to a walk as we rode down a small side street. I could hear the gunfire to the north of us. There were flashes of light in the street ahead. “Dago. Take three men and go up this alley. I will take the others up the next one.” I turned to Cecil. “You ride next to me.” I looped my reins around my pommel and took out my second Colt. I would be ready no matter what I saw. The smoke from the gun fire drifted towards us and afforded us some protection. We emerged from the alley and I saw about a hundred Union cavalrymen firing at Danny and the captain who were sheltering behind some wagons. I saw, in an instant, the dead lying before them. I glanced to my left and saw Dago and his men. “Fire!” I unloaded both guns as fast as I could fire. I replaced one and drew my last Colt and fired again. I yelled, “Yee haw! Wildcats!”
I heard the reply and knew that they would try to break out in my direction. My pistols were empty and I holstered them and drew my Henry. “Aim to the left and the right and watch out for our men.”
I saw a Union sergeant aiming his gun at me and I swung my Henry, and took a snap shot. His bullet smacked into the building behind me but he was thrown backwards by the force of my shot and he crashed into their wooden barrier. I saw the captain. “Cecil, make a gap!” I pulled my horse to the left as Cecil moved to the right and then the remnants of our men galloped through us.
Danny, bleeding from his left arm was the last through. “That’s it Jackie! The rest are dead!”
“Dago! Retreat!” I fired one last shot and then turned, with Cecil to follow Danny.
The captain, who was also wounded, was waiting for us on the main street. He looked to be wounded but more than that, he was in a state of shock. “Captain let’s head back this way and meet Harry. I think the road to the south is free. It will take them some time to mount and pursue us.”
“Lead the way, Jack.” His voice sounded distant and he kept looking back to the bodies lying in the street.
Dago emerged from his alley and rode next to me. “That was a cock up.”
“And then some.” I saw Davy. “Davy, tell Harry we are heading towards him and then we will go south! Tell him we have wounded. He will know what to do.”
He wheeled his horse around. I felt happier knowing that Harry would be watching our back. People were emerging from their houses and the bars to see what the noise was. As they saw us galloping by they ran back in to shelter. However, some of them went to get shotguns and handguns and soon they were on the streets peppering away.
“Someone could get hurt. Should we fire back, Jack?”
“No Dago. They are civilians. The last thing we need is to be accused of murdering innocent citizens. Everybody ride fast and keep your heads down.” When we reached the main road I saw Harry and his men readying a skirmish line. If the enemy were close behind us they would be in for a shock. As we wheeled south I waved and Harry gave a laconic nod. I noticed that many of the horses which had lost their riders had followed us. That could prove useful later on. He shouted to us as rode by, “Get ready with your pistols. There are guards at the cross roads.”
I heard Jacob moan, “I am out of ammunition!”
And I heard Dago growl, “Then use you sword! You soft little bugger!”
I drew my Henry and leaned over my saddle. I fired at the sergeant who was trying to organise his surprised men. The motion of the horse meant that I had no accuracy but I managed to hit him in the knee and he crumpled to the ground. The others opened up with a barrage of balls and the road cleared. It is hard to face horses and men who are firing at you. These men had places they could hide and hide they did. Suddenly we emerged from the crossroads. We were through the town and into the dark again.
A mile from Hagerstown I slowed down. “Wilkie, Cecil, collect the strays. Jacob, check the wounded.” I could see the main east west road a mile south. I did not want to take it. If we did we would be easy to find but I did not know what the captain intended.
I turned as they reined in next to me. The captain appeared to have regained some of his normal composure. “Thanks Jack. If you and Dago hadn’t arrived when you did then we were a-gonna.”
As much as I wanted to now what had gone wrong I needed us to get to safety as soon as possible. “Sir, I think that we need to head back to our camp.” I saw the puzzled look on his face. “They won’t expect it. With respect sir, they had whipped us good and they think they will be chasing us all the way back to Virginia. They won’t expect us to go north and we can rest and then head back to Leesburg if you have a mind.”
Danny nodded his assent. “He’s right sir and it will allow us to check on the wounded.”
His shoulders sagged and he said, “Very well. Lead on Macduff!”
I had no idea what he was talking about but I saluted and said, “Yes sir.” I sought the Rangers I could really rely on. “Dago, take Colm and scout the road to the camp.”
“Aren’t we heading south sarge?”
Dago snorted, “Colm, wash your ears out. You heard Jack, now move it!”
I knew that we had to concentrate on escaping this cleverly worked trap or Boswell’s Wildcats would perish north of the Potomac. I had no idea just how many of Danny and the captain’s men had survived the ambush. I knew that I still had ten men and I think that Harry had the same but, as we rode along the road east, I could see empty saddles. Colm was waiting for us at a gap in the bushes. He looked a little shamefaced. “The corporal says this is the shortest route back.”
“Good lad. You lead the rest along. I will see how Harry is doing.” I watched the men ride through. I was relieved to see David, our only medical expert, tending to Danny as they passed me. “Keep going sir, Dago has found a short cut to the camp and Colm is waiting for you.”
I rode slowly back down the road and met Jed and the rest of Harry’s men. Jed spat. “We lost two back there.”
“At least we got out of it alive.”
Harry reined in. “What an absolute cock up! Did you lose any of your men, Jack?”
“No I was lucky but there aren’t many from Danny and the captain’s sections.”
“Jed, take the men along Jack and I will wait here and make sure we aren’t followed.” After Jed had led the men away Harry said, “We were betrayed.”
The gut feeling I had returned and I knew that Harry was right. “I think you are right but what makes you think so?”
“They were waiting for us.”
“I know. When no-one came from the cavalry camp I knew. But who betrayed us? We have fought alongside these men for along time.”
“I know but they were waiting for us.”
“You are right there. I saw at least a hundred cavalry and there were foot soldiers too.”
“It is a hard pill to swallow Jack but we have a traitor and a spy in the ranks. We’ll need to keep our wits about us.”
“Come on Harry. There’s no-one following.” As we left the road I stopped. I could see something jammed in the wall. It was yellow.
“What’s up Jack?”
I pointed to the yellow bandana. “That bandana, it wasn’t there when I left. I was at the head of the column and I remember checking that the road was clear. I would have seen it.” I leaned down and picked up the bandana. As I did so a silver dollar dropped from it.
Harry spat, “Well that confirms it. Someone left that for the Yanks to follow.”
“We will have to make sure that we are the last ones to leave the camp and we will have to check that no-one has left a message.”
“Do we tell Danny and the captain?”
“We’ll have to. I trust Dago and Jed, but as for the rest…”
“You are right. I still can’t believe that someone has betrayed us.”
“It could be more than one person. We will have to tread very carefully.”
We kept our eyes peeled as we followed the trail to the camp. We found a discarded kepi where the trail
suddenly turned left. “Look Harry. Another sign left by our spy or spies!” I picked it up and another freshly minted silver dollar fell out. “It is every place where the rest turned off. Someone is leading them to our camp.”
“I suppose we just look for someone missing a reb kepi now eh Jack?”
I shook my head, “There will be no point. If they are clever enough to stay hidden then they will have used someone else’s. It will be the same with the bandana. If they left it, they have a spare. In fact my guess is that anyone missing a kepi or a bandana is innocent but until we get proof, I trust no one.”
The sun was just breaking in the east, over Frederick, as Harry and I rode into the camp. Jed and Dago had organised the tents and I saw that Cecil was getting a fire going. He had come on in the past few months and had so much more confidence now. We rode directly to where David was looking at the wounds suffered by Danny and the captain. The other wounds were superficial but Danny looked to have one deep one. I reached into the captain’s saddlebag and took out the last of the whisky. I poured some on the wound and then said to Danny, “Here you go sir, take a deep swallow. I guess David will have to stitch.”
I saw David’s grateful nod as Danny swallowed off a quarter of the bottle. Before the liquor could take effect he grabbed my arm. “You and Harry look after the lads eh Jack?”
I grinned, “Of course!” I nodded to Dago. As he came close I murmured, “Bring Jed to me and Harry. We have something to tell you.”
Harry and I ensured that all the horses and men were taken care of and then wandered over to the rock which overlooked the camp. It would not look unusual or out of place for us to meet and talk there.
“There is a traitor amongst the lads.” Neither Dago nor Jed looked surprised.
“After the cock up tonight I can believe it but I suppose you have some evidence?”
I took out the kepi and the bandana. “Both were left to lead them here.” I let them examine them but they could have been anyone’s. “You two, Danny and the captain; we are the only ones not suspects. We need to watch for little tricks like this.”