“What’s it say?”
“We’re at the Rappahannock River.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Saturday, June 27, 1863
General Lee had reorganized his two corps into three, under the commands of Longstreet, Ewell, and A.P. Hill. Lee was with Longstreet’s Corps, moving through the Cumberland Valleys under the protection of the high mountain ranges. Lee kept his army’s northerly march unknown by his combined screening and reconnaissance operations.
The Union army, led by General Hooker, was in the vicinity of Frederick, Maryland. Hooker’s army was the covering force for Washington, and that was his main objective—to protect the Capital.
He didn’t know exactly where Lee’s army was. He didn’t realize that Ewell’s Corps was already in Pennsylvania and pointed toward Harrisburg. Or that A.P. Hill’s Corps was pointed toward the Susquehanna River. Nor did he know that Lee had sent out orders to concentrate his army in the vicinity of York, Pennsylvania.
***
Mike and Ray walked the horse up to the only ferry dock in the area.
“Let’s see if we can cross,” Mike said. He went to the dock. “Anybody here,” he called out.
A ferryman came out of a small wooden shed.
“Four bits,” said the average-built man. As he got closer, his appearance revealed a weathered face with beady eyes.
“We have no money,” Mike said.
“Then I can’t get you across the river,” the man replied.
“But we have to cross,” Ray begged.
“It’s an emergency,” Mike explained.
“Can’t help that,” the man said.
“It’s a matter of life and death,” Mike insisted.
“There’s a ford about a mile downriver. You can cross there for free.”
Mike saw red. He took Ray by the arm. “Let’s go.”
“But Mike,” Ray objected.
“Let’s go before I do something I’ll regret.”
“I guess a mile isn’t that far,” Ray said.
They got back on the horse and rode about a mile down the river. They found the ford the ferryman told them about and started across the Rappahannock. The water was knee deep, and their brogans filled with water. When they got to the other side they had to take off their brogans and pour out the water.
Mike followed a bridle path back to the road north. It wasn’t long before the downpour started once again and they became completely wet.
The road became a mud hole as the rain beat down on them. The mud splashed on their legs as they continued wet, hungry, and tired for most of the day.
The next day the rain stopped. Mike’s horse was a good horse and with little direction from Mike, the horse followed the lush green countryside of Virginia. That evening, Mike saw buildings up ahead.
“Another town,” Mike said. “We have to stop.”
“Hope to eat,” Ray said.
As they got closer, Mike noticed that beyond the town was a river that looked to be about a mile wide.
“That must be the Potomac,” Mike said.
They came upon a sign that read: “Port Royal.”
“Can we go around?” Ray asked.
“Sure, Ray we’ll go around it,” Mike said, sarcastically. “What we need is a boat.”
Mike pulled up outside a saloon called, “The Horse You Rode Inn On.” He tied the horse off and walked up to the wooden plank that was the bar. Ray looked around for stools, but there weren’t any.
The barkeeper came over to them.
“Can I help you two gentlemen?”
“Yes, we need to cross the river. Do you know anyone that can help us?” Mike said.
“The ferry docks are at the end of Main Street. Here we sell beer and whiskey. What’s your poison?”
“We were robbed and have no money,” Mike said. “Can you help a couple men down on their luck?”
“No. Get out.”
“What? No sympathy?” Mike said.
“This ain’t a charity. No coin, no service.”
Mike heard the sound of steel hitting wood. The bar keeper pulled out a shotgun and laid it on the wooden plank he used as a bar.
“Why you gotta get like that?” Ray asked.
“We’re going,” Mike said.
They left the saloon and hiked down to the river’s edge, where they came across a man scraping the hull of a boat clean of barnacles. Other than the gray in his sideburns, the man had dark hair. Mike stood and watched. The man turned to see who was there. The man’s weathered face made him look old before his time.
“What?” the man asked, annoyed.
“We need to cross the river,” Mike said.
“And who are you two?” the man asked.
“Mike Hill and Ray Hensley.”
“When?”
“Tonight,” Mike said. “It’s urgent.”
The man looked at the sky, checking the weather. It was already getting dark. “Not tonight.”
“Please, mister, we gotta cross tonight. We need to get to Baltimore. It’s a matter of life and death.” Mike was not going to take no for an answer like he had with the last guy.
“That’s the Potomac River. It’s a mile wide and treacherous. Sounds like you’re on a mission?”
“We are,” Mike said.
“What side?” the man asked.
“Confederate.”
“Okay, but I can’t cross til morning,” the man said.
“Why?”
“Safety. The United States have gun boats patrolling these waters. Smuggling spies is a capital offense.”
“We’re not spies,” Mike said.
“Sure, that’s what they all say. And we still swing and dance at the end of a rope. Come back in the morning.”
“We have no place to go,” Mike said.
“How were you going to pay?”
“You can have my horse over there for the crossing,” Mike said.
“Good horse, is it?”
“Excellent horse.”
“Christ, okay. Wait here. I’ll get my things and set you up for the night.” The man started to walk away.
“By the way, what’s your name?” Mike asked.
“Emmit.” The man kept walking as he said it.
***
It was dark when Emmit got back. He carried two blankets and a haversack strapped on his shoulder and a pistol holstered on his hip.
“I’ve sent word to my contact across the river. If you two check out, we’ll cross in the morning. If you don’t—well, I’ll just have to kill ya. You still want to cross?”
Mike was nervous about what information the contact would have, but went along. “It’s a matter of life and death, so yes.”
“This would be the time for you to walk away, free and clear,” Emmit warned.
“There’s no question about that,” Mike said. “We need to get across.”
“Then are you two ready?”
“Ready as we’re gonna get.”
Emmit walked them to the edge of the wooded area. “Follow me,” he said, and he started down a path into the woods.
He walked them deep into the pine thickets and with every step, Mike became increasingly anxious. He worried that this guy might kill them. Who would know? Then who would help Sarah?
Ray was quiet and Emmit didn’t say another word. Finally, Mike couldn’t take the silence any longer. “Where we going?”
“I have a duck blind on this side of the river. No one knows it’s there but me. You’ll have some shelter for the night.”
They walked to the river and Emmit stopped. He looked around.
“What’s up?” Mike asked.
“Over here, had to find it first myself.”
They walked over to a lean-to made of tree limbs and foliage. It had a wall made of tree branches facing the river, with a small window to shoot out of.
“You need to stay here until dawn. Can you do that?”
“Here?” Ray exclaimed.
“Yes. That is why I brought you here,” Emmit said.
“I’m wet and it feels cold tonight,” Ray complained.
“Hell, it’s only for a few hours. You can last one night, can’t you?” Emmit said.
“Sure, what do you take us for?” Mike said.
“You don’t want to know,” Emmit said, and handed them the blankets. Then he swung his haversack in front of him and opened it. Mike stood up straight, ready for a fight.
Emmit looked at Mike. “You okay?” Then he pulled out a slab of salted ham.
A collective sigh of relief came from both Mike and Ray.
“Thought you might be hungry,” Emmit said.
“Food,” Ray said, and took the ham.
Emmit gave Mike a second slab of ham from his haversack. He also had a chunk of cheese for them to share. Mike smiled. Then Emmit pulled out a loaf of oven-baked bread. Ray’s eyes lit up. Emmit handed Mike a knife to slice the cheese. A few moments later, Emmit stood there with a strange look on his face.
“What?” Mike asked.
“What are you doing?” Emmit asked.
“Making sandwiches,” Ray said.
“Sandwiches? What the hell are—never mind. Do what you want, but listen up. When you hear my whistle, the coast is clear. Go to the river. I’ll be waiting, understand?” Emmit said.
“We got it,” Mike said, in between swallows.
“See you in the morning,” Emmit said. He watched Ray shove the last bite of his sandwich into his mouth, then shook his head and walked off.
Mike and Ray got under the shelter and tried to get some sleep. The rain would ease up at times, only to come down in buckets a half-hour later.
Mike couldn’t sleep because of the anticipation of crossing the river, not knowing what to expect. He imagined Emmit coming back and killing them both in their sleep. These thoughts kept his mind working overtime. Then there was Ray and his tossing and turning. After a while, Ray became still. A few minutes later, Mike heard him snoring. Finally, cold and miserable as he was, Mike fell asleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Sunday, June 28, 1863
Russell drove all day and into the night. Finally, with overcast skies, the slave hunters got to the Potomac River. Russell paid the fare to cross. Within the hour they crossed a relatively calm section of the river. Once on the other side, he took the trail around Zekiah Swamp. By the end of the day, Monday, they pulled into Port Tobacco.
That evening Russell passed the docks that were on the left and pulled the wagon over to the first alley he came to. To his left stood the town. The railroad station was across the street to the right.
“Who we waiting on?” young Barnard asked.
“Two fellows that go by the names Isaac and Ben.”
“When they supposed to get here?”
“Sometime tonight. Then with the money we get, I’ll get us a room with a real bed to sleep in.”
“Hey if’n we do. Think we can have a little fun with them white women?” Barnard asked.
“Get your mind straight. We don’t want you ruining our product?”
“I ain’t ruin nut’in,” Barnard said.
“I told you, Chinese pay big bucks for virgins,” Russell said.
“But they ain’t no virgins.”
“Chinese don’t know that.”
***
In the distance, Sarah and Jenny heard a train whistle. They felt the rumble of the train as it pulled into the station.
“Hear that, George?” Sarah asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” George said.
“When they get us outside to make a deal with the other two men. Jenny and I will start a commotion.”
“Jenny, you know how to get them fighting?”
“Get men to fight? Who, me? Gee, let me think,” Jenny said.
“When we get them fighting. You get your family to the train depot.”
“Then what?” George asked.
“Make sure you jump on the northbound train to make your getaway,” Jenny said.
***
It was just after midnight now, June 30th when Barnard asked, “What time is it?”
“Should be here any minute,” Russell said.
“I guess getting a room any time soon is out of the question,” Barnard said.
From around a building and out of the shadows of the street lamp came two men. They walked up to the paddy wagon and stopped.
One man was tall and slender with dark features, and the other was smaller, more of a stocky build. He had that ruffian look about him.
“You two must be Russell and Barnard?” the stocky one said.
“You must be Isaac and Ben?” Russell replied.
“You got it,” the stocky one said.
The four men nodded, acknowledging each other.
“Where do you want to do business?” Russell asked.
“See that alley?” Ben asked. “Pull in down there and go to the end. We’ll meet you there.”
The two men walked back across the street and disappeared into the shadows. Russell smacked the horses and drove between the buildings. He followed a dark alley until he saw the two men with a lantern. Russell pulled on the reins and stopped. The two men walked to the back of the wagon. Russell and Barnard got down and went to the back, where Isaac and Ben were waiting at the door.
Isaac had two bank bags in his hands.
“Let’s see what you got?” Ben asked.
“Quality, is what I got,” Russell said. He unlocked the door and opened it. “Get out here.”
Sarah and Jenny got out first, followed by George and his family.
“Damn, I didn’t know you had white women on this trip,” Ben said.
“They were acquired cargo. Attained along the way,” Russell said.
“They for sale?” Ben asked.
“If the price is right,” Russell said.
“Oh, yeah. How much for the lot of ‘em?” Ben asked.
“All five? How’s two thousand dollars sound?” Ben said.
“One thousand sounds better.” Ben said.
“Why are we selling the white women to these guys?” Barnard asked.
“Easier to get paid by them than deal with all the hassle of dealing with the dock boss and the captain of the ship. Plus, we get paid right away,” Russell said.
“So do we have a deal?” Ben said.
Jenny spoke up. “You two gullible dumb bastards. You’re going for the oldest trick in the book.”
“What are you talking about?” Russell asked.
“Counterfeit money. He’s about to pay you in counterfeit money.”
“Counterfeit money? Who is this bitch?” Ben demanded.
“Show us the money. Then we’ll negotiate,” Russell said.
“Isaac, show them the money,” Ben said.
Isaac set the two bags on the ground and opened one. He held the lantern to let Barnard see.
“Looks good to me,” Barnard said.
Isaac opened the second and held the lamp over it.
Barnard took a look. “This one looks good too.”
“Satisfied?” Ben asked.
“Yes. How ‘bout we meet in the middle. Let’s say, eighteen hundred dollars.” Russell held his hand out.
“Fifteen hundred was the middle last time I checked,” Ben said.
“Deal.” Russell still had his hand out and this time Ben took it. “Deal.”
“Congratulations, dumbass,” Jenny said. “You’re now the proud owner of an inferior product.”
“What the hell is she talking about now?” Ben asked.
“These three are sick. Real sick. They don’t have very long before they’re dead.”
George’s expression changed to disbelief and shock. He didn’t know what she was talking about either.
Jenny aroused more suspicion. Ben and Russell exchanged looks.
“What are you trying to sell me here?” Ben said.
“She’s out of her mind. She doesn�
��t know shit about them there slaves,” Russell said.
“Like hell she don’t. She’s been with them this whole trip. People talk,” Ben said.
Sarah backed Jenny. “Yeah, and I overheard them two say they needed to recoup their losses from past dealings and that they planned to swindle you.”
Ben put a knife to Russell’s throat. Isaac tightened up the bank bags and stood ready to fight.
“Deal’s off,” Ben said.
“We made a deal. We shook on it,” Russell argued, not giving any thought to the knife to his throat.
“Maybe we’ll just relieve you of you cargo and not pay anything. Whatta think about that?” Ben said.
“I’ll kill you. I will hunt you down and kill you both,” Russell warned.
Now there was pure unadulterated fear among the captives.
“You’d kill us?” Ben asked.
“I gar‘in tee told ya,” Russell said.
“I’m the one with the knife to your throat,” Ben warned.
Unexpectedly, Jenny pushed Russell into Ben, which started them fighting. Russell got Ben on the ground and made him drop his knife.
Sarah turned to George. “It’s time to go.”
George and his family backed away while, Sarah and Jenny stood their ground. Both knew they had to cover for George and give up their chance of escape.
Then a shot rang out. Isaac had shot Barnard when he went to help Russell. Sarah and Jenny jumped.
“Stop them!” Ben yelled. He saw the slaves go around the corner of a building.
Isaac grabbed Sarah and Jenny by the arms.
“Not them! The slaves!” Ben hollered.
George had taken his family into the shadows of the buildings and was gone.
At that moment Russell picked up Ben’s knife and held it on Ben. Isaac simply shot Russell without warning. Moaning and bleeding, Russell looked to escape. Isaac’s attention fell on Barnard. He raised his gun and shot him. Barnard fell to the ground and started to crawl away. Isaac looked at Ben. Isaac had the crazy-eyed look of frenzy. Isaac walked over to Barnard as he tried to crawl faster and shot him in the head.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Ben said.
“They threatened me. Had to kill them,” Isaac said.
He went to kill Russell, but Russell was gone.
“Where’s the other one?” Isaac said.
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