B00HSFFI1Q EBOK

by Unknown

  I nodded and smiled, “Yeah I heard about that. How many were there again?”

  The corporal seemed happy to chat and I could see that my two men were almost upon them. “Six of them. They will be taken away tomorrow.”

  The private said, “What a sorry bunch they were too. They had no uniform to speak of. They looked like scarecrows.”

  I laughed and it distracted them long enough for Trooper Ritchie and Sergeant James to hit them on the back of their heads. I caught the two rifles and they caught the men. They laid them on the floor. While Sergeant James tied them up Trooper Ritchie and I picked up their guns and stood where they had stood. If the other two guards looked down they would just see two sentries in the gloom of dusk. I tried the door; it was open. We had to move quickly. We dragged the two unconscious sentries inside and then went to the next door. I tried the handle and it was locked. I rapped on the door.

  “Who is it?”

  “I have a message for Sergeant McNeil from Major Blake. It is about the Rebs.” We all had our pistols out ready. I held up three fingers and the other two nodded. I heard the key turning. As the door began to open I hit it with my shoulder and heard the thud as someone hit the ground. I saw a sergeant struggling to reach his pistol. I stamped on his hand and he yelped. The private who was with him was cold cocked by Trooper Ritchie. I held my Colt to the sergeant’s head and said, “Ssh.”

  I pointed at the other door and Sergeant James nodded. He and Trooper Ritchie slipped through. I gestured for the sergeant to rise, I waved for him to turn around and as he did so I struck him on the back of his head with my gun. I heard the sound of noise and shouting down the corridor. I looked at the wall behind the sergeant’s desk and saw some keys. I grabbed them and hurried down the corridor. Time was of the essence. Eventually someone would notice the lack of guards on the door and investigate.

  Ritchie and James had overcome the guard and were disarming him.

  I shouted, “Dago! You here?”

  I heard Dago’s voice shout. “The cell on the end.”

  I ran down and tried the keys until one worked and it swung open. “Where are the others?”

  “They should be in the other cells.”

  I threw the keys to the sergeant and grabbed Dago’s hand. “Good to see you. Tie this one up and grab his gun.”

  We stripped the bodies of their guns and their hats. It wasn’t much of a disguise but it was all we had. “As we stood in the guardroom Dago asked, “Where is the rest of the troop?”

  “Back in camp. There are just the three of us and we aren’t supposed to be here.”

  Dago shook his head. “That is dumb, Jack. But thank you.”

  “And we have no horses for you yet either. This could be the shortest jailbreak in history unless we find some soon.”

  I peered out of the door to make sure that the coast was clear and then strode casually towards our three horses. We had guns for all six of them. We could fight if we had to but if we did then the odds were we would all die. Sergeant James pointed towards the end of the street. “I think that is a livery stable. Let’s just walk down there and see if it is. If not then we might just as well head out of town and see if we can find some horses on a farm.”

  The smell soon told us that it was a livery stable. The sergeant held up his hand to halt us and then he led his horse into the stable. There was silence. I peered down the street. It was still quiet but every minute increased the chances that someone would spot the lack of sentries outside the jail. I heard a muted cry and then Sergeant James appeared and waved us in. The stable boy was lying unconscious on the floor. “There are just four horses so two of you will have to ride double.”

  Dago grinned, “Just so long as we get out of this town then I don’t care.”

  We put the four smallest men on the two biggest horses. Trooper Ritchie waved us out and we rode slowly out and into the street. Dago and I led with Sergeant James and Trooper Ritchie at the rear. When we passed the last house I breathed a sigh of relief. We had cleared one hurdle. Now we just had fifty miles of hostile territory to navigate and we would be home free.

  We were less than a mile out of the town when we heard the bugles. It was our signal that we had been spotted. I pointed to the empty barn we had used before, “Let’s hide in there.”

  Thankfully they obeyed my orders. They must have seemed stupid orders but I wanted them scouring the country further ahead and not look so close to home. We half closed the doors and kept watch on the road. It seemed an age but eventually I heard the thunder of hooves as a troop of cavalry thundered down the road. They galloped on without even pausing at the barn. We just had to be patient and wait. We spent the time filling each other in on what had happened on our patrols.

  Dago shook his head, “I knew I should have been with you. The colonel just isn’t as lucky as you.” He lowered his voice. “He didn’t scout out the town enough. He thought we could just charge in like the old days and the Yankees would give up. They are getting better. We were surrounded. I lost some good boys back there.”

  I nodded, “I reckon that is one reason why he didn’t want me to come looking for you. I suspect he felt guilty.”

  Just then we heard the sound of hooves as another group rode along the turnpike. “Sir, I reckon if we leave in the next ten minutes or so we might be able to lose them.”

  Sergeant James was correct. They would soon turn around and begin to look for where we might have turned off the road. “Mount up then and let’s go.”

  It was now pitch black outside and we had our best chance to escape. My plan was simple; we would follow the riders until we came to a side road. Even if we had to head west to the Blue Ridge we would have a better chance of escaping. Sergeant James led the way; he knew the country around here better than any and he had an uncanny knack of finding the easiest route for horses.

  He suddenly waved his hand right and we wheeled through a gap in the fence. It looked to be a track leading to a farm of some description. We could see the lights in the farm and smell the smoke from the wood fire as we trotted through the farm’s outbuildings. Even if they saw us they would not be able to get word to the Union soldiers quickly.

  I wondered where he was leading us as we left the track and crossed a field of corn. Our horses made a trail which would be easy to follow. We traversed a small stream and then Copper whinnied. There were horses nearby. I drew my gun in anticipation of a fire fight but Sergeant James restrained me, “It’s just a couple of horses I spied. The boys will have to ride bareback but it will mean we can travel faster.”

  I had no idea how he had seen them but I was grateful. He and a couple of the boys roped them and we made rough reins from rope. It felt better to be mounted and able to flee at will. We carried on across the field and we came to a road. “This leads to Upperville sir. We can then head south.”

  “That seems a good idea. It will take longer and there are Union soldiers there but we might lose these cavalry boys.”

  We halted south of Upperville on the road to Marshall. We needed to rest. The only place we could find was a small copse a mile or so from the road. We posted guards and then lay down for a sleep. Dago and I were too much on edge to sleep.

  “You know you will be in trouble Jack.”

  “I know. When we were Rangers we might have got away with it but we are now part of the army. This is desertion in the face of the enemy.”

  “You mean you know you could be shot for this?”

  I shrugged, “I knew it was a possibility but I couldn’t stand by while you and the others were carted off to a Union prison. Most of them are death camps.” I pointed to Trooper Ritchie who was sleeping. “I told them I would say I ordered them to come with me. They might get away with it.”

  “I would have said that you would have been let off if it wasn’t for the fact that Colonel Boswell appears to have come back a changed man.”

  “I don’t know about that. It might be that he has been brought
up to live by the rules. His disgrace was not his fault and I think he has been trying to become accepted again ever since we met him. He wouldn’t want to jeopardise that by overlooking something as serious as this.”

  “You seem very calm about the prospect of a firing squad.”

  “I am not. Inside I am wound tighter than a clock spring but if I have learned one thing in life it is that you never know what is around the corner. Take each minute as it comes.”

  We waited until late afternoon to begin the last part of the journey. We were still wary. We had to pass through Marshall and Warrenton and both were in Union hands still. Marshall looked to be a one horse town as we spied it from the small hill overlooking the Virginian town. We decided to avoid the road and travel cross country.

  As we dropped down on to the road we heard the sound we had been dreading; it was the sound of a bugle. I looked behind us and saw a patrol of Union cavalry a mile away.

  “Right boys, head for the road. It looks like it will be a race to Brandy Station.” In the back of my mind was the worry that there would be more soldiers waiting for us at Warrenton. That bridge would have to be crossed eventually.

  Dago and I dropped to the back while Trooper Ritchie rode at the front with the sergeant. We were the best armed. I had given one of my spare Colts to Dago and it would be up to us to slow down the pursuit. The Northern cavalry appeared to be gaining. Sergeant James was conserving our horses while the blue coated horsemen were thrashing their mounts. It was a test of nerve.

  We heard the crack as they fired from their horses. It was a waste of lead. Their horses were moving too quickly and they had no control over their aim. When we eventually fired it would be from a stationery position. I risked a glance and saw that they had closed to within a couple of hundred yards but I could see the sweat on their horses and the wild eyes of their mounts. We were still riding within our horse’s comfort zone.

  I saw Warrenton in the distance. If the Union soldiers kept on firing it would alert the citizens of the town. We were clearly Rebs and they would fire on us as soon as they realised we were being pursued. It couldn’t be helped. We had to pass through the town to reach our destination. Once we had passed Warrenton we would be just fifteen miles from our camp. Sergeant James was obviously of the same mind as I was and he headed for the road through Warrenton. When we hit the road we kicked on. We reached half way down Main Street before they realised who we were. Suddenly guns began to pop at us. I was not sure they would hit anything for we were moving quickly but it was nerve wracking to have to endure the heated fire from both sides of the street.

  We erupted out of the town and flooded down the road. We had begun to leave the Union cavalry behind. I glanced over my shoulder and saw that their horses were now labouring. I heard a volley ahead. To my horror, as I turned I saw ten Union soldiers with rifles levelled and the smoke clearing. Two of Dago’s men lay cut to pieces. This was no place for the faint hearted.

  “Fire!”

  Unlike the soldiers who had fired we had fought almost every day for the past two years and when we fired we shot to kill. They were busy reloading as our pistols barked. Four of us poured over twenty shots at them and the troopers with the rifles added their fire. The blue coated men soon lay on the ground or cowered behind whatever shelter they could but our delay had given our pursuers heart.

  “Ride.”

  It hurt me to leave the two bodies on the ground but if we stayed we would have died or been made prisoner. I knew that we had to do something dramatic or they would catch us. Away to the east there were fields beyond the stone wall. The fields were divided by wooden fences.

  “Sergeant James, let’s see if these Yankees can ride.” He turned in his saddle and I said as I mimed with my hand, “Jump the wall!”

  He nodded his understanding and suddenly wheeled Apples, his horse, towards the wall. The Appaloosa soared over. The rest all followed. Dago and I jumped together. Copper cleared it easily. “Keep a steady pace.”

  The sergeant headed south east and we had lost our column formation. We rode now more like an arrow. I risked a glance over my shoulder. Half a dozen had cleared the wall but some of the others had to retry and coax their horses. I saw that some of them had ridden down to a gate. They would not have to jump but they would have a longer journey. We were all able to clear the first wooden fence easily as we were in a line. Behind us the northern cavalry were still trying to retain a column formation. It was a mistake.

  By the time we had cleared five of the fences the Union cavalry were strung out in a long ragged line almost half a mile in length. There were gaps of between twenty and thirty yards between some whilst the last twenty were a few hundred yards behind the leaders. Ahead of us I saw some trees next to a gap in the wall. I galloped Copper and overtook the sergeant.

  “Follow me and have your guns ready!”

  As we thundered through the gap I wheeled Copper to the left so that we were hidden by the trees. I took out two pistols.

  “I want us in a line here. When they come through I want the leaders blasting. When we ride we ride along the road.”

  A few moments later the leading ten riders rode through the gap. We opened fire as soon as we saw them. Every gun blazed. They had no chance to fire back as they had not drawn their weapons. The last four wheeled around and rode back through the gap.

  “Let’s ride!” It hurt me to leave those weapons lying with their dead and wounded riders but we had given ourselves a chance. I could see that the rest had slowed up to draw their guns. They were also impeded by their casualties. Our gap lengthened. We were bone tired but home was less than five miles away. We slowed to a trot. Our horses needed a rest. I kept looking behind us and saw that they had not given up the pursuit. We had hurt their pride and I had noticed that the Union cavalry were getting better; they had toughened up.

  I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the Rappahannock ahead and the Confederate flags flying. We were almost home. We crossed our own lines with little fuss other than a salute from the sentry but when we rode into our camp we were cheered and acclaimed as heroes. Troopers ran from their tents and their food to slap us on the back. I couldn’t help grinning. After I had dismounted I threw my arms around Dago. “We made it!”

  “Thanks Jack. I owe you for this.”

  “You would have done the same.”

  When the colonel and the major strode over I knew that we were in trouble. The colonel’s face was as black as thunder. He shook Dago by the hand. “Welcome back Lieutenant Spinelli. Major Murphy arrest Captain Hogan, Sergeant James and Trooper Ritchie. Confine them to their tents until I can arrange a court martial for Captain Hogan.”

  “Sir the sergeant and the trooper were obeying orders. My orders.”

  His eyes narrowed. “I think you are lying. Major, carry out my orders and disarm them too!” He stormed off.

  Danny looked apologetic, “You are a mad bugger, Jack and I admire what you did but you have really annoyed him. Your guns if you please.”

  “I did order them, Danny. Tell him.”

  He nodded, “When he has had a chance to calm down I will.”

  I lay down in my tent feeling remarkably relaxed. The trooper sent to guard me, Trooper Smith, was embarrassed about the whole thing. “Sorry about this, Captain Hogan. The boys all think it was a fine thing that you did. You should get a medal and not be treated like a criminal.”

  “Kind of you to say so, Trooper Smith, but I knew what the consequences would be when I lit out.”

  I took off my boots and uniform for what seemed the first time in months. I lay on my bed and within minutes was asleep. I was awoken by Trooper Smith. “Captain Hogan, the major is here to see you.”

  It was dark and Danny brought in an oil lamp when he entered. He had a bottle of whiskey and Smith handed him a plate with some food on it. “You have been asleep for four hours. We thought you might like some food.”

  “Won’t you get in trouble for this Danny
?”

  He shrugged, “He’s changed, has the colonel, but he will soon be his old self again and he will realise what a mistake he has made.” He poured some whiskey into my mug. “Dago told me how you managed to rescue them.” He shook his head. “I am certain that no one else could have managed that.” He laughed, “You even got some fine remounts and weapons.”

  “How about James and Ritchie?”

  “I think he will let them go in the morning. He will probably reduce the sergeant to corporal.”

  I felt awful about that. I should have gone alone but then I wouldn’t have been able to rescue my friend. I was learning that you needed your friends around you.

  “Of course the one you really annoyed was Irish.”

  I was puzzled, “Why?”

  “He wanted to go with you.”

  “But he is Sergeant Major.”

  “I think he sees you as being more important than the rank. He has been begging the colonel to reconsider. We had to send him back to his tent. He was in danger of being reduced to the ranks himself.”

  “And the court martial?”

  “He has asked for a panel of officers in the morning. I will be defending you.”

  “Thanks Danny.”

  “You might lose your rank you know? I don’t think he will go for a firing squad. That is a little extreme even for the colonel.”

  “Tell me Danny, if it was me and you had rescued me would you mind being reduced to the ranks?”

  He laughed, “Of course not. What has annoyed the boys is that you have done so much; the trains, the intelligence, and the prisoners. Even if this was what the colonel says they think that he should have taken the other things into consideration.”

  “He is old school remember.”

  As he rose to leave Danny shook his head, “Colonel Cartwright would not have done this and we both know it.”

  As the light was taken away and I was left in the dark I reflected that he was right. Colonel Cartwright had been old school but he was old school with a heart.