B00HSFFI1Q EBOK

by Unknown

  “Make a column of twos. Keep your eyes and ears open and watch your horses, they can smell a Yankee.”

  Miraculously we saw nothing. We left the road and headed across country to find the ford. Dawn was breaking and we were exhausted. I had the men walking and leading their horses. It would not do to be forced to walk later if our horses went lame. Suddenly Copper’s ears pricked up and I took out my pistol. I held up my hand and we edged forwards. Through the gloom of the first light I saw a shape I raised my gun and then lowered it. It was the rest of my troop. We had found them.

  “Captain Hogan coming in!”

  The trooper on guard said, “Are we glad to see you sir. The Sergeant Major was real worried.”

  I relaxed as I walked towards the other shapes. Irish came up to me. “We heard the shooting. Is everyone alright sir?”

  “Yes Sergeant Major. How come you didn’t get over the ford?”

  In answer he led me forwards to the ford itself. There was no ford, it was a raging river. All the recent rains had swollen it and made it impassable. Although we were stuck on the wrong side at least Hooker could not use the fords for his cavalry.

  “So sir, what do we do?”

  I could see the looks on the faces of all the troopers; they were despondent. Much of it was down to lack of sleep and food but part of it was to have done so much and be stopped by rain! I couldn’t just give up; I had to try something. “Sergeant Major, take out the map I gave you earlier.” He held the map for me. I could see where we were and how far behind the lines we were. There were bridges that we could use but they were in Union hands. I jabbed a finger at a spot on the map. “Remington. There is a bridge there. We will just have to hope that it is in our hands at the moment.”

  “And if not sir?”

  “Then you had better pray that my luck is still holding.”

  Remington was a small town with a small bridge. I doubt that the wooden structure would have stood up to an army crossing it but my little group would not trouble it. We reached the outskirts of the tiny burg in the middle of the morning. I could see blue uniforms on the bridge but not many of them. There were few Union flags to be seen which made me think that this town had southern sympathies.

  I gathered the men around me. “We are tired and we are hungry. The only thing in our way is that little bridge and those few Yankees. I say we can ride through them and reach our camp at Kelly’s Ford. Are you with me?”

  “Yes sir!” was their chorus.

  “Good. We ride towards the bridge as though we are Yankees. When I give the signal we ride straight through them. In my experience, Yankee soldiers don’t like to get in the way of charging horses. Sergeant Major, I’ll lead with my group and you follow through afterwards. You bring up the rear.”

  I heard him mumble, “No change there then!”

  As we rode through the town, which didn’t take long, I smiled and waved at the civilians. Most just waved back but a couple recognised our uniforms and just stood open mouthed. The bridge was about a quarter of a mile from the town. I could see the sentries peering down the road at the column which was approaching them. They did not appear anxious and their guns were stacked neatly at the side of the bridge. I waved at them and they waved back. We were within thirty paces when the sergeant became suspicious.

  “Ride!” It was a race. We were racing to get across the bridge and the soldiers were racing to get their weapons. We won. Five of the eight soldiers hurled themselves into the river. Two were knocked over by the horses but the sergeant managed to reach his gun. I was in the middle of the bridge and, I was told later, he had a bead on my back until Irish slashed at his back with his sabre. We had managed to cross back into Confederate territory and we had not even fired a shot.

  We kept riding. We knew that our camp was a little over five miles away and were anxious to reach home. When we saw the flag still flying we all broke into a canter. I had dreaded finding it captured. As we reined in Sergeant James and Dago came running out to meet us.

  Sergeant James was apologetic. “I’m sorry sir we couldn’t get back. We reached the camp and then the river rose. I am sorry.”

  I held up my hand. “Nothing to apologise for. I am just glad you got back. Did you lose any men?”

  “Two sir but we captured a hundred head of horses.” He grinned cheekily, “We took the best and delivered the rest to General Stuart. He was happy.”

  “Well done. How did it go for you, Dago?”

  My old friend’s face looked pained. “We were ambushed. We lost ten troopers.”

  “Dead?”

  “I don’t know. We were chased by a full troop of cavalry. We got back just after the sergeant and we had to swim the river. The Yanks weren’t as stupid as us and they halted.”

  I then told them my news. “We need to fortify the ford. There could be a whole corps heading this way. Dago, you are fresh. Take the prisoners and the documents to the general. He will need to know what is going on.”

  As Dago led the prisoners away the major held out his hand. “Sir, you may be an enemy but I have never seen anyone take so many risks as you did. Can I ask how old you are?”

  “Let’s just say, sir, that I have been fighting for most of my adult life and it is second nature not to give in.”

  “I admire that sir.” He shook his head, “I am just sorry that I will now be a prisoner of war.”

  “No sir. You and I know that you two will be exchanged. It’s the likes of the troopers who get prison.”

  He nodded, saluted and rode off behind Dago. I had no time to waste. “Sergeant James. Get your boys to rebuild the barricades and trenches at the ford. Dig a couple of ditches too. It will be cavalry who are coming and we need to make life difficult for them.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Irish, make sure our lads get to bed. They will need all their energy when the Yankee cavalry comes. The river will be getting lower sooner rather than later.”

  “Sir and Captain Hogan?”

  “Yes Sergeant Major?”

  “Take your own orders too and get some rest.”

  I nodded but I would not. I took Copper to the horse lines and rubbed her down. I found a couple of carrots for her and put a bag of grain over her head. She deserved it. I then went to the quartermaster sergeant. “Winthrop, do we have any artillery left?”

  “No sir. The infantry took it to Fredericksburg.”

  “Any gunpowder?”

  “A couple of barrels.” He looked intrigued, “Any reason sir?”

  “I’d like to make some bombs. Put your mind to it eh?”

  I strolled down to the ford. I could see the high water mark and the river’s level was falling. “Sergeant put some stakes in the ground to the right and left of the ford. I want to force the cavalry into a killing ground here.”I pointed to the forty foot gap.

  “Yes sir. There are plenty of fence posts in the timber yard. We’ll get them.” He looked at me, concern written all over his face, “Sir, the Sergeant Major is right. You need sleep.”

  “Don’t you worry, sergeant, I will sleep when I am happy that we have plugged this gap.” All of us worked until we dropped although I am sad to say that it was me who dropped. I found that I had been put to bed by the Sergeant Major and the guard on my tent given instructions to shoot or cold cock any bastard who disturbed my sleep. I did awake refreshed.

  When Dago returned it was with two six pound cannon and a hundred Louisiana infantrymen. “The general was delighted with your intelligence and he sent these men because he thinks he might need us. I have been given orders to send riders to find the major and the others. It looks like we are rejoining General Stuart.”

  Chapter 4

  It was a couple of days before the rest of the regiment arrived back at our camp. They too had been knocked about a little. In all the regiment had lost forty men it could ill afford to lose. Danny was as pleased as anyone with my success, especially the horses. “It was a miserable time Jackie Boy. It was
like being in Ireland again. It never stopped feckin’ raining.” He pointed to the sky. “I am just glad the sun has finally come out.”

  “Yes sir, but that means that the Yanks will probably come as well.” In the end we left before they came.

  We left Kelly’s Ford for the last time in the last week of April 1863. We had had great success there but it still held the memory of Colonel Beauregard shooting Colonel Boswell. We had camped there for the last time although we passed over the fateful ford more times than I can count.

  General Stuart’s aide brought us a jug of fine whisky as soon as we had set up our camp amongst the hundreds of other cavalrymen. “The general is pleased with your intelligence and your horses. He thanks the 1st Virginia Scouts.”

  After he had gone Danny opened it and poured us all a healthy glass. “I have to say boys that we had nothing to do with this; it was all down to Lucky Jack again.”

  Jed toasted me and then said, “I am beginning to see that it isn’t so much luck it’s more that he takes more chances than we do.”

  “Aye you could be right.”

  I hated it when they spoke of me. I changed the subject. “We are a little short of corporals, sir. It makes it harder to move in smaller groups. I used responsible troopers to help organise the men but it isn’t the same.”

  “You are right. I’ll get Irish to sort some out. The trouble is we need more men. I’ll write to the colonel and see what he can do.”

  “How is he doing?”

  “There was a letter waiting when we arrived.” He patted his pocket. “He is almost ready to travel.” His wound had been life threatening but we had all expected him back sooner.

  If we thought we would have time to recover from our exertions we were wrong. We knew there was something up when one of the 5th Virginia Cavalry came galloping along the road as though the devil himself was after him. He almost threw himself from his horse before it had stopped. He was in the headquarters buildings but a matter of moments before one of the general’s aides mounted his horse and rode in the direction of Fredericksburg. As the last camp along the Confederate lines we knew that whatever was coming would hit us first.

  Danny nodded sagely. “Best get ready Jack. Something is up.”

  General Stuart left soon after the aide and the bugle sounded for senior officers to head for headquarters.

  Danny and I had been discussing the new corporals and we stopped to watch the frenetic action. He turned to me, “It looks like something is up Jack, best get the men assembled. It looks like we will be moving soon.”

  “Yes sir. Sergeant Major, find the other officers and tell them we might be leaving soon. Have the men ready to drop their tents and tell the Quartermaster to get as many supplies as he can.”

  Danny ran back to us an hour later, “It’s the Yankees. You were right Jack. They have attacked but instead of using Kelly’s Ford they have come across at U.S. Ford. Every regiment is riding there now to stop them and we are the eyes and ears of the whole shooting match.”

  “Sergeant Major, have the bugler sound ‘Boots and Saddles’.” I smiled at Danny. I assumed the worst.”

  He clapped me on the back with a huge ham of a fist. “I think we will head to Chancellorsville. The initial reports were a little vague. This may be just a raid although your intelligence would suggest this is a major advance.”

  Stuart’s aide found us just as we were leaving. “It’s vital that you find out where the main Union forces are gathered.” He lowered his voice, “The general has just returned and there are small units behind us. We are cut off from Fredericksburg.”

  We headed west with Danny devising a plan as we went. “Harry, you take Jed and scout towards the U.S. Ford. Jack you take Dago and scout towards Ely’s Crossing on the Rapidan. I’ll check out Chancellorsville. Be careful.”

  I turned to Dago and whipping Copper with my hat said, “Come on Lieutenant; we’re burning daylight.”

  We knew the area well and I led us towards Catherine’s Furnace. There were few towns in this area and a lot of woods. The area was known as The Wilderness and with good reason. I hoped that we would be able to move without being seen. “Dago, take your troop and ride a mile parallel to us. You take the southern side of this wood.” I would not be putting all my eggs in one basket.

  It was eerily silent in the woods. We were the only ones making a noise. Suddenly Sergeant James signalled me; there were soldiers to our right. I signalled to keep going. We just had to avoid their scouts and find their main force. We reached the Rapidan River and I halted the column. Dago and his men appear from the woods and he shook his head as he approached me.

  “Dago, take your boys west and then north. I’ll see what Ely’s Ford looks like. I’ll meet you back here. If I am not back by nightfall then head back to camp.”

  He grinned, “It’s like the old days with the Wildcats eh Jack?”

  “We did not have a whole Union Army against us then.”

  I led my twenty men along the river bank. We kept within the eaves of the woods. Across the river I could see columns of infantry and artillery. This was not a raid. I knew that they would have taken Ely’s Ford; how else would they have managed to get men across. I wanted to see how it was guarded. Was it possible to dislodge them? As soon as I saw the crossing I realised the impossibility of retaking this without losing many men. They had pontoon bridges which they were throwing over the river.

  I was so busy trying to identify units that I failed to see the troop of cavalry heading our way. Cecil shouted a warning, “Yankees!”

  Our training took over and we all drew a pistol. I now saw the column heading along the river directly for us. Their bright uniforms and sabres thrusting towards us told me that they were new to the battlefield.

  “Right boys! Show these Yankees that a sabre ain’t no good against a pistol.” We had the advantage that we were in a two deep line and they were in a column of fours. We blazed away with our pistols. It was a wall of lead into which they rode and the leading riders, officers, guidon and bugler were thrown from their saddles. The infantry battalion across the river saw the dilemma of their comrades and they began to fire at us. When two troopers fell dead I knew that we had to retreat.

  “Sergeant Major, take the men into the woods and head back to the lieutenant.” I took out my second pistol and emptied that too. I took off hidden by the pall of smoke from our weapons. By the time we reached the rendezvous Dago was there.

  “Dismount the men and form a skirmish line. We have Yank cavalry chasing us. We can ambush them here.”

  The horse holders took the horses to the rear and we all drew our carbines. I rested mine against a tree but others lay down while some climbed into the lower branches of the many trees. We heard the cavalry as they encouraged each other. They had spread out from the column of fours and a hundred and thirty troopers hurtled through the woods cheering and whooping. The bark of our carbines silenced the cheering and turned them into screams as men and horses were cut down. We all fired until we were empty and then emptied our second Colts. The smoke before us hid the carnage but we could hear the moans and cries from their wounded.

  “Mount and let’s ride.”

  Hit and run was the only way we could escape and we left before they could recover. Dago and his men covered the rear while Cecil and I led our little band east towards our camp. When we hit the turnpike I felt a sense of relief for our camp was just four miles away. To my horror I had to rein in Copper for there was a full Union Corps before us marching resolutely towards Fredericksburg.

  I held up my hand and halted the column. If we went north we would hit the enemy force. We had to go south. It was unknown country. I left the road and entered the stream which flowed north. We galloped down it. The overhanging trees provided some cover but we had no idea what lay ahead. Then I saw a gap to the east. It was the bed of an unfinished railroad. I could see the sleepers stacked to the side. The engineers had made a cutting and it was below the
level of the woods. I turned Copper and headed down it. There was no point in saving the horses; we only had a short way to go. It was far more important that we returned with the news.

  Hidden by the cutting we made the camp successfully. General Stuart was standing amongst a huddle of officers. I left Dago with the men and galloped over, “Sir!”

  My voice silenced the conversation. Stuart recognised me. “Ah is it my lucky Irishman. What news?”

  “The Union are throwing pontoon bridges over the Rapidan River. They have artillery, infantry and cavalry over in large numbers. Chancellorsville and the turnpike are in their control.” I pointed west. “They have a full Corps over there already.

  “Thank you, captain. That is useful information. Have your troop ready; I may have more work for them.”

  I walked Copper back to our men. Dago nodded to Irish, “The Sergeant Major has managed to find us some food.”

  He shrugged, “They had cooked enough for a regiment and it was just for the general and his staff. It seemed a shame to let it go to waste.” He thrust a plateful of steaming chicken at me. Hot food was a rare treat and we never looked a gift horse in the mouth. I devoured mine in minutes.

  “We will be out again soon. I think we will try to get a prisoner this time. If you see an officer above the rank of lieutenant, grab him.”

  Dago gave me an indignant look, “And what is wrong with lieutenants?”

  I laughed, “Nothing Dago but those above shave tail lieutenant are paid more and so they might know more.”

  “I suppose.” He held up his Colt. “We are running mighty low on ammunition.”

  We both had the same problem; we had Union guns and we needed to capture more quickly. My last two ventures had not given us any. The two officers we had recently captured had had a gun each and just a handful of ammunition. “We’ll keep our eyes peeled then.”

  Stuart’s aide waved me over an hour later. It was dusk and I had thought that we would not be needed until the following day. “Captain, I know it’s late but could you take your troop out and find how far down the pike they are.” He gave me an apologetic look. “General Lee and General Jackson haven’t decided what we are doing yet and I would hate to end up in a Yankee prison.”