by Unknown
“Does the captain know?”
“Not yet. Let David make them whole again and we can tell them. From now on one of us is on duty at all times. Don’t let anyone know we are suspicious. We will just pretend that the ambush was unfortunate. We need to watch for anyone trying to leave the camp or wandering off and leaving little clues.”
“Do we go south when they are healed?”
Harry growled, “It would seem the best. I did a quick count. The captain and Danny have three men left between them. And I lost two. That makes just twenty three men who can fight and our two officers are wounded. Yes, I think we go south and Jack and I will persuade the captain it is for the best.”
David strode over to us. “How are they?”
The young man who had such an aptitude for healing smiled. “I think they are just annoyed that they were wounded at all. They can ride in the next day or two.”
Harry and I wandered over to the two officers. Danny was looking a little pale, having lost a lot of blood but the captain looked hale and hearty. Harry looked at me and I nodded. “We think we should head back to Virginia in the next couple of days captain.”
I saw Danny give an affirmative smile. “Why? It was just one little setback boys.”
“Captain, you were ambushed.”
“We were just unlucky and it could have been worse if those new boys Colm and Geraghty hadn’t seen the Yanks early and yelled out. We had a little warning; otherwise they would have had us cold.”
“Exactly and that makes my point. Besides… go on Jack tell them.”
“Someone was leaving signs for the cavalry to help them find us here.” I brought the evidence out from my jacket. “I found these left where we turned off and there was a Yankee sliver dollar in each one. Just like the ones we took from the train. I was riding at the rear and so I was able to take the kepi and the bandana. We covered our tracks but it won’t take them long to find us.” I took a deep breath. “There is a traitor amongst us and if we can’t trust our men then we will die.”
The captain looked incredulous, “A traitor? Could it have been one of the men who were killed in the ambush?”
The captain was clutching at straws because he believed and trusted in these men.“If it was he has an accomplice because the clues were left after the ambush.”
Danny tried to struggle to his good elbow. “Won’t it be more dangerous taking them back to our lines?”
“We hope that we can discover the identity of the spy or spies by then. We told Dago and Jed but everyone else is suspect.”
“Even David? Colm?”
“Everyone captain. We have six of us able to watch and they will make a mistake. They don’t know that we are on to them. We thought that, until you two are well again, Harry would take your men to replace his losses and David can care for the two of you. We will organise the watches. That way we have eyes on all of the suspects. We need to eliminate suspects and make our task easier. At least we have some spare horses now and the coins and the ammunition will be easier to carry if we have to leave in a hurry.”
The captain lay back with a resigned look on his face. “It looks like you two had better make all the decisions until we are south of the Potomac again.”
Danny put his hand on the captain’s shoulder. “Don’t take it to heart captain. There were thirty nine loyal men and just one bad apple.”
As I walked to the horse lines I wondered about that. I would not assume that there was only one traitor. Until I had the proof then all of the men were potential traitors. It was uncomfortable looking at men I had fought alongside with new eyes. I could not believe that Cecil, the young man who had saved my life on two occasions, could be a traitor. Davy, who was as loyal and brave a man as you could wish- could he be spy? I suppose if I were a traitor then I would do that to allay suspicion. The same was true of David who had saved many limbs and lives since he had joined us. And what of the new boys Colm and Geraghty? Had they not been alert then our officers would also be dead along with the brave men they had lost. There was little point in speculating; I needed evidence and information.
By the time we packed the horses to head south, none of us had any more information. We had seen no suspicious behaviour. No-one had attempted to leave the camp and no-one was looking anxiously for friends coming to rescue them. We decided that Dago and Jed would ride half a mile behind us to look for any messages sent or dropped by the spy. We had been evasive about our destination just telling the men that we were heading south of the Potomac. None showed any curiosity and we left the camp just before dusk. We headed towards the ford we had crossed near Leesburg. Although it meant we would have to skirt that nest of cavalry who patrolled that area, we were familiar with the land and could easily get back to the Blue Ridge. Our final destination would have to be the Shenandoah Valley. Our spies had to have the opportunity to give themselves away and that was more likely in a busy military area rather than an isolated camp in the mountains. We hoped that they would show their hand before we reached our camp.
I led the column while Harry had the rearguard. Cecil rode next to me. “You’ve been kinda quiet for a couple of days, sarge. What’s up?”
Why was it that I was now suspicious of such an innocuous question? I bit back my retort and gave him a reassuring smile. “Best keep silent, Cecil. Noise travels a long way at night. Wait until we cross the Potomac eh?”
He smiled, “Yes sarge. I just didn’t want to have annoyed you. That’s all.”
I felt relieved as we reached the heights above the river. It meant that we were almost out of Union territory. I wondered if they had repaired the railroad yet. There was a danger that they would be watching along the line for a repeat of our raid. I made the signal for single file and silence. Cecil dropped in behind me and I took out my Colt. Copper was very sure footed and I had the luxury of being able to scan the track of the railroad as we approached it. I could see no signs of waiting men. I signalled for the rest to wait and then I edged slowly forwards. It was always a nervous time as you awaited the crack of a pistol. I reached the track and glanced down in both directions. It appeared to be clear and, as I listened, I could hear neither engine nor the sound of metal clanging. There were no railroad men out that night. I waved them forwards as I dropped down the steep slope to the river.
There were a number of fords we could use. White’s Ford was a good one but there were others that riders with good horses could cross. The river was cold at this time of year but, as yet, there was no ice. As I rode along the river bank I felt that prickling around my scalp. I halted and held up my hand. Soon the only sound I could hear was the sound of the river as it headed towards the sea. The company knew how to sit silently and all of us trusted the rider on point. Then I heard it again. It was the sound of creaking leather and the jingle of reins on bits. There were cavalry ahead! I looked across the river. It was fordable, but only just. I turned in the saddle and gave the signal for danger and then plunged into the river. I heard the rest join me as we began to cross the Potomac. I kept glancing to my left where I had heard the sound of horses. Perhaps I had been mistaken. I stepped out of the water onto one of the flat rocks in the middle of the river. I looked behind me and saw that the whole company, except for Dago and Jed were in the river.
I was about to carry on when a sudden movement to my left caught my eye. It was a company of cavalry and they were racing along the river. I drew my Henry. “Cecil, lead them across and then form a skirmish line on the other side.”
“But…”
“Just do it!”
I heard him splash into the water and call out. “Follow me!” I made sure the Henry was cocked. There was little point in wasting ammunition. They were too far away and my only intention was to give Dago and Jed a chance to reach the middle of the river before they were seen.
Danny said, “Well spotted,” as he and the captain trotted across the rock.
“It was my ears sir. I told Cecil to form a skirmish line.
” I never took my eyes from the cavalry who were now beginning to ford the river themselves. I sighted the gun on the leading rider. He was an officer and appeared to be giving orders. When I saw the sabre in his hand I knew the type. He was a glory hunter. The graveyards were filled with them. Harry reined in next to me. “Ritchie, take the boys across. I’ll wait here with Lucky Jack.” The quiet, gangly trooper nodded and led the rest of the men over the river. Harry, too, took out his Henry. “You got the officer?”
“Yup!”
“I’ll take the one with the guidon.”
Although it was dark there was enough light from the moon to enable us to see our targets clearly. I hoped that Dago and Jed were close but I knew that they could handle themselves. The officer was about a hundred yards away and I squeezed the trigger. His horse was unfortunate enough to raise its head at the wrong time and the bullet smacked into it. The horse died and the officer plunged into the water. Harry’s gun sounded a heartbeat later and he was luckier. The bugler was thrown from his horse. It bought us time as they tried to help the officer to his feet. I fired a second shot as did Harry. There was so much movement amongst the cavalry that it was difficult to see if we had hit anyone or they had just dismounted. A couple of the troopers tried to fire as they swam the river but their shots were wasted. I risked a look across to our two corporals and saw that they were just forty yards from us.
“One more, eh Jack?”
“One more, Harry.”
I aimed at the officer again as he began to mount the bugler’s horse. I saw him clutch at his shoulder as he fell back into the water. Harry’s shot struck another trooper who plunged into the river. Our job done we turned and joined Dago and Jed as we headed towards the rest of the Wildcats. South of the Potomac we were confident that no-one would catch us and we headed to the Valley just as quickly as we could. The camp in the Blue Ridge would have to remain unoccupied until we had discovered who the spy was. The camp would be a bad place for us to be trapped and our spy knew the way in and the way out. It had to be the Valley and we would need to be clever to catch our traitor.
Chapter 4
The army had left Front Royal by the time we reached our old stomping ground. The generals had moved everyone north to Winchester. General Lee was busily preparing his army to repulse an attack on Richmond. We reached Front Royal about noon and the last thing David wanted was more travelling. He had worries about his patients. The journey had not helped their recovery. Danny’s wound had burst and, although there would be a surgeon with the army, we thought it best to stay in the town. As events turned out we saved ourselves a wasted journey for the next day J.E.B. Stuart and his cavalry corps rode through the town on their way down the valley. The captain was well enough to speak with the general. He was keen to explain why we were no longer north of the Potomac. When he returned to us he was in a much better humour.
“It seems that we are no longer needed north of the river. Our little train wreck made the Union soldier boys move more cavalry north of the river to stop us. Those cavalry are no longer facing Lee. And they have replaced the general in charge of the Yankees. It is now Burnside. I don’t think we made them do that but it would be nice to think we helped. Stuart and Jackson are heading east towards the Rappahannock River.”
We can have a couple of days to recover here and then head towards Manassas Junction. It is an important route for the army’s supplies and we can hurt them there. The generals like our work on railroads.”
“Did the general say anything about the money sir?”
“No Jed and, you know, it never came up in the conversation.” He nodded towards the door and I got up to make sure that no-one was listening. We had rented a house for the captain and he was appreciating the comfort.
I shook my head. “All clear sir.”
“Now are we any closer to finding out who the traitor is?” We all sat in silence. It was eloquent. “Then we have a problem don’t we? How do we uncover him?”
“Or them.”
The captain looked horrified. “Them, Jack? It is bad enough to have one bad apple but to have more does not bear thinking about.”
“I am just saying, sir, that until we know, let’s not make any assumptions.”
“We could try a trap?”
“A trap, Danny?”
“Aye sir. I have had time to think while I rested my wounded wing. If we give the lads some information and the information is a lie then if the enemy react to it we know where it came from.”
I had thought of that but there was something in what Danny said. “That doesn’t help us, sir. We would still need to know who to watch. But what we could do is give some information to some of the boys. If nothing comes of it then they might be innocent and we try some others.”
“You mean eliminate the ones who aren’t traitors?”
“Yes sir. It whittles down the possibilities. It might take time but it would be safe.”
We spent the next hour working out our strategy. We had two days to set it up. One problem Harry mentioned was that it might tip the hand of the spies if the information was found to be totally erroneous and so we baited the trap; with me. Actually, to be fair, it was with Dago, Jed and me. We decided that as we had done missions like this before, it would not look unusual if Dago and I were sent to Berryville to see if there were any senior officers billeted there as there had been the previous year. We took just Cecil, Wilkie and Jacob. They were my choice. I was convinced that they were all innocent and this would prove it and eliminate three suspects. Once we were on the road Dago and I would let slip some information about a raid on Leesburg. Jed would hide close to Leesburg and see if any troops came to reinforce it. He would be away for a few days but we thought it was worth it. There were two chances for our three suspects to betray us. I didn’t think they would and the bonus would be that we would gather intelligence on two important targets.
We left in the afternoon and I rode next to Dago. He was a born actor and played his part well. “Well I don’t know why Jed was chosen to be the one for the top secret mission to Leesburg. Why couldn’t it be me?”
I lowered my voice but still kept it loud enough for the others to hear. “And I told you before, Jed knows the spy in the Union headquarters. He is a cousin of his or something like that. The spy trusts no-one else. Besides it is a secret. It will be dangerous for him if anyone finds out he is there alone.”
The trap was baited. We would, of course, be scouting Berryville but we were fairly certain that the Union army would have their senior officers further east. We found the place strangely quiet as we rode around the familiar streets. There was no sign of cavalry horses or armed guards. We had frightened them away. We returned to Front Royal just after midnight.
“Sorry that was a wasted journey, boys. Get some sleep. We won’t be needing you until again noon.”
Dago and I were now set to watch the three of them. Dago had the first shift and I would have the second. Jed had already left on his alleged reconnoitre. I hoped that the trap would not be sprung but was also disappointed that if it were not sprung then it would all have been a wasted effort.
I felt like I had only been in bed for five minutes when Dago awoke me. “Quiet as the grave. The three of them are still in their tent.”
I waited and watched from the large tree close to the tent line. I knew that I could not be seen so long as I remained still. Four hours can seem a long time to be alone with your thoughts. A short time ago our world had been perfect. We had destroyed a train and become rich men. Within two days it had turned into an unmitigated disaster. As I mulled over the events something jarred in my mind. I couldn’t quite place it. It was like the piece of meat hidden between teeth that no amount of poking and picking will remove. It was just before dawn. I was as cold as I had been at home in Ireland when the flap of the tent I was watching twitched. A figure emerged and I became alert. It was Wilkie. He looked left and right. I could not work out if it was furtive or just naturall
y careful. Then he walked to the line of bushes and after a moment or two began to pee. I had just started to relax when the flap of the next tent inline opened and Geraghty stepped out. He looked from left to right and then joined Wilkie to relieve himself.
“You boys got in late last night.”
“Yes. It was a wasted journey. We found nothing.”
“Colm and I wondered if Jed had met you. He lit out soon after you guys.”
I tensed. Would Wilkie reveal the information? If he did then that might not make him a spy but it would mark him as a blather mouth.
“Nah. We just had the sarge and the corporal with us. Anyway we get a lie in tomorrow. We won’t be needed until after noon.”
When he returned to his tent Geraghty waited a while and then went to the horse lines. I didn’t need to move from my position to see him. He walked down the line and stopped at my horse and Dago’s. He stroked them both and then returned to his tent. It was a strange thing to do and nagged at me right through until dawn.
I reported to the captain and told him what had transpired. “I am pretty certain that Jed will have nothing to report when he returns tomorrow but Harry can watch the three of them today. My money is on their innocence. And that means we have eliminated three suspects.”
“Well I am feeling better already and as soon as Danny is up and about we will head for Manassas. I hope by then that we have some clue as to the traitor’s identity.”
I started to leave and then I paused. “There is something about the train wreck and the ambush that is lurking in the back of my mind. I am sure there is something there. I just can’t see it.”
“Listen Jack, you have already saved the Wildcats. If you hadn’t spotted the bandana and the kepi then we would all be dead or prisoners. You have given us a chance. We will find whoever it is; believe me.”