Books: With Lee in Virginia; A Story Of The American Civil War

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The two men rose simultaneously from their chairs, and in a
second the crack of two revolvers sounded. As if they had only
been waiting for the signal, a score of other men leaped up and
sprang at each other. They had, as the altercation grew hotter,
joined in with exclamations of anger or approval, and Vincent saw
that although the Unionists were the majority the party of
sympathizers with the South was a strong one. Having neither
arms nor inclination to join in a broil of this kind he made his
escape into the street the instant hostilities began, and hurried
away from the sound of shouts, oaths, the sharp cracks of pistols,
and the breaking of glass. Ten minutes later he returned. The
hotel was shut up, but an angry mob were assembled round the
door shouting, "Down with the rebels! down with the
Secessionists!" and were keeping up a loud knocking at the door.
Presently a window upstairs opened, and the proprietor put out his
head.

"Gentlemen," ha said, "I can assure you that the persons who were
the cause of this disturbance all left the hotel by the back way as
soon as the affair was over. I have sent for the police
commissioner, and upon his arrival he will be free to search the
house, and to arrest any one concerned in this affair."

The crowd were not satisfied, and renewed their knocking at the
door; but two or three minutes later an officer, with a strong body
of police, arrived on the spot. In a few words he told the crowd to
disperse, promising that the parties concerned in the affair would
be taken un and duly deal with. He than entered the house with
four of his men, leaving the rest to wait. Vincent entered with the
constables, saying that he was staying at the house. The fumes of
gunpowder were still floating about the hall, three bodies were
lying on the floor, and several men were binding up their wounds.
The police-officer inquired into the origin of the broil, and all
present concurred in saying that it arose from some Secessionists
speaking insultingly of the army of the Union.

Search was then made in the hotel, and it was found that eight
persons were missing. One of the killed was a well-known citizen
of the town; he was the speaker on the Union side of the argument.
The other two were strangers, and no one could say which side
they espoused. All those present declared that they themselves
were Union men, and it was supposed that the eight who were
missing were the party who had taken the other side of the
question. The evidence of each was taken down by the police-
officer. Vincent was not questioned, as, having entered with the
constables, it was supposed he was not present at the affair.

In the morning Vincent read in the local paper a highly colored
account of the fray. After giving a large number of wholly
fictitious details of the fray, it went on to say:
"The victims were Cyrus D. Jenkins, a much-esteemed citizen and
a prominent Unionist; the other two were guests at the hotel; one
had registered as P. J. Moore of Vermont, the other James Harvey
of Tennessee. Nothing is as yet known as to the persons whose
rooms were unoccupied, and who had doubtless made their escape
as soon as the affray was over; but the examination of their effects,
which will be made by the police in the morning, will doubless
furnish a clew by which they will be brought to justice."

Having read this, Vincent looked for the news as to the escape
from Elmira, being anxious to know whether his companions had
been as fortunate as himself in getting clear away. He was startled
by reading the following paragraph: "We are enabled to state that
the police have received a letter stating that one of the officers
who escaped from Elmira prison has adopted the disguise of a
minister, and is traveling through the country with a black servant.
At present the authorities are not disposed to attach much credit to
this letter, and are inclined to believe that it has been sent in order
to put them on a wrong scent. However a watch will doubtless be
kept by the police throughout the country for a person answering to
this description."

Accustomed to rise early, Vincent was taking his breakfast almost
alone, only two or three of the other guests having made their
appearance. He finished his meal hastily, and went out to Dan,
who was lounging in front of the hotel.

"Dan, go upstairs at once, pack the bag, bring it down and get out
with it immediately. I will pay the bill. Don't stop to ask questions
now."

Vincent then walked up to the desk at the and of the hall, at which
a clerk was sitting reading the paper. Sincerely hoping that the
man's eye had not fallen on this paragraph, he asked if his account
was made out. As he had fortunately mentioned on the preceding
evening that he should be leaving in the morning, the bill was
ready; and the clerk, scarce looking up from the paper, handed it to
him. Vincent paid him the amount, saying carelessly, "I think I
have plenty of time to catch the train for the east?"

The clerk glanced at the clock.

"Yes, it goes at 8, and you have twenty minutes. It's only five
minutes' walk to the station."

CHAPTER XI. FUGITIVES.

ON LEAVING the hotel Vincent walked a short distance, and then
stopped until Dan came up to him.

"Anyting de matter, sah?"

"Yes, Dan. There is a notice in the paper that the police have
obtained information that I am traveling disguised as a minister,
and have a negro servant with me.."

"Who told dam dat?" Dan asked in surprise.

"We can talk about that presently, Dan; the great thing at present is
to get away from here. The train for the south starts at ten. Give
me the bag, and follow me at a distance. I will get you a ticket for
Nashville, and as you pass me in the station I will hand it to you.
It must not be noticed that we are traveling together. That is the
only clew they have got."

Dan obeyed his instructions. The journey was a long one. The
train was slow and stopped frequently; passengers got in and out at
every station. The morning's news from the various points at
which the respective forces were facing each other was the general
topic of conversation, and Vincent was interested in seeing how
the tone gradually changed as the passengers from St. Louis one by
one left the train and their places were taken by those of the more
southern districts, At first the sentiment expressed had been
violently Northern, and there was no dissent from the general
chorus of hope and expectation that the South were on their last
legs and that the rebellion would shortly be stamped out; but
gradually, as the train approached the State of Tennessee, the
Unionist opinion, although expressed with even greater force and
violence, was by no means universal. Many man read their papers
in silence and took no part whatever in the conversation, but
Vincent could see from the angry glances which they shot at the
speakers that the sentiments uttered were distasteful to them. He
himself had scarcely spoken during the whole journey. He had for
some time devoted himself to the newspaper, and had then
purchased a book from the newsboy who perambulated the cars.
Presently a rough-looking man who had been among the wildest
and most violent in his denunciation of the South said, looking at
Vincent:

"I see by the papers to-day that one of the cursed rebel officers
who gave them the slip at Elmira is traveling in the disguise of a
minister. I guess it's mighty unpleasant to know that even if you
meet a parson in a train like as not he is a rebel in disguise. Now,
mister, may I ask where you have come from and where you are
going to?"

"You may ask what you like," Vincent said quietly; "but I am
certainly not going to answer impertinent questions."

A hum of approval was heard from several of the passengers.

"If you hadn't got that black coat on," the man said angrily, "I
would put you off the car in no time."

"Black coat or no black coat," Vincent said, "you may find it more
difficult than you think. My profession is a peaceful one; but even
a peaceful man, if assaulted, may defend himself. You say it's
unpleasant to know that if you travel with a man in a black coat he
may be a traitor. It's quite as unpleasant to me to know that if I
travel with a man in a brown one he may be a notorious ruffian,
and may as likely as not have just served his time in a
penitentiary."

Two or three of tha passengers laughed loudly. The man, starting
up, crossed the car to where Vincent was sitting and laid his hand
roughly on his shoulder.

"You have got to get out!" he said. "No man insults Jim Mullens
twice."

"Take your hand off my shoulder," Vincent said quietly, or you
will be sorry for it."

The man shifted his hold to the collar of Vincent's coat amid cries
of shame from some of the passengers, while the others ware
silent, even those of his own party objecting to an assault upon a
minister. It was only the fact that the fellow was a notorious local
ruffian that prevented their expressing open disapproval of the act.
As the man grasped Vincent's collar with his right hand Vincent
saw his left go under his coat toward the pocket in the back of the
trousers where revolvers were always carried. In an instant he
sprang to his feet, and before the man, who was taken by surprise
at the suddenness of the movement, could steady himself, he
struck him a tremendous blow between the eyes, and at the same
moment, springing at his throat, threw him backward on to the
floor of the carriage. As he fell the man drew out his revolver, but
Vincent grasped his arm and with a sharp twist wrenched the
revolver from his grasp, and leaping up, threw it out of the open
window. The ruffian rose to his feat, for a moment half dazed by
the violence with which ha had fallen, and poured out a string of
imprecations upon Vincent. The latter stood calmly awaiting a
fresh attack. For a moment the ruffian hesitated, and then, goaded
to fury by the taunting laughter of the lookers-on, was about to
spring upon him when he was seized by two or three of the
passengers.

"I reckon you have made a fool enough of yourself already," one of
thcm said; "and we are not going to see a minister ill-treated, not if
we know it."

"You need not hold him," Vincent said. "It is not because one
wears a black coat and is adverse to fighting that one is not able to
defend one's self. We all learn the same things at college whether
we are going into the church or any other profession. You can let
him alone if he really wants any more, which I do not believe. I
should be ashamed of myself if I could not punish a ruffian of his
kind."

"Let me get at him!" yelled Mullens; and the men who held him,
taking Vincent at his word, released hirn. He rushed forward, but
was received with another tremendous blow on the mouth. He
paused a moment in his rush, and Vincent, springing forward,
administered another blow upon the same spot, knocking him off
his legs on to the floor. On getting up he gave no sign of a desire
to renew the conflict. His lips were badly cut and the bood was
streaming from his month, and he looked at Vincent with an air of
absolute bewilderment. The latter, seeing that the conflict was
over, quietly resumed his seat; while several of the passengers
came up to him, and, shaking him warmly by the band,
congratulated him upon having punished his assailant.

"I wish we had a few more ministers of your sort down this way,"
one said. "That's the sort of preaching fellows like this understand.
It was well you got his six-shooter out of his hand, for he would
have used it as sure as fate. He ought to have been lynched long
ago, but since the troubles began these fellows have had all their
own way. But look to yourself when he gets out; he belongs to a
hand who call themselves Unionists, but who are nothing but
plunderers and robbers. If you take my advice, when you get to the
end of your journey you will not leave the station, but take a ticket
straight back north. I tell you your life won't be safe five minutes
when you once get outside the town. They daren't do anything
there, for though folks have had to put up with a good deal they
wouldn't stand the shooting of a minister; still, outside the town I
would not answer for your life for an hour."

"I have my duties to perform," Vincent said, "and I shall certainly
carry them through; but I am obliged to you for your advice I can
quite understand that ruffian," and he looked at Mullens, who, with
his handkerchief to his mouth, was sitting alone in a corner-for the
rest had all drawn away from him in disgust-and glaring ferocious
sly at him, "will revenge himself if he has the opportunity.
However as far as possible I shall be on my guard."

"At any rate," the man said, "I should advise you when you get to
Nashville to charge him with assault. We can all testify that he
laid hands on you first. That way he will get locked up for some
days anyhow, and you can go away about your business, and he
won't know where to find you when he gets out."

"Thank you-that would be a very good plan; but I might lose a day
or two in having to appear against him; I am pressed for time and
have some important business on hand and I have no doubt I shall
be able to throw him off my track, finish my business, and be off
again before he can come across me."

"Well, I hope no harm will come of it," the other said. "I like you,
and I never saw any one hit so quickly and so hard. It's a
downright pity you are a preacher. My name's John Morrison, and
my farm is ten miles from Nashville, on the Cumberland River. If
you should be going in that direction I should be right glad if you
would drop in on me."

The real reason that decided Vincent against following the advice
to give his assailant in charge was that he feared he himself might
be questioned as to the object of his journey and his destination.
The fellow would not improbably say that he believed he was the
Confederate officer who was trying to escape in the disguise of a
clergyman and that he had therefore tried to arrest him. He could
of course give no grounds for the accusation, still questions might
be asked which would be impossible for him to answer; and,
however plausible a story he might invent, the lawyer whom the
fellow would doubtless employ to defend him might suggest that
the truth of his statements might be easily tested by the despatch of
a telegram, in which ease he would be placed in a most awkward
situation. It was better to run the risk of trouble with the fellow
and his gang than to do anything which might lead to inquiries as
to his identity.

When the train reached Nashville, Vincent proceeded to an hotel.
It was already late in the afternoon, for the journey had occupied
more than thirty hours. As soon as it was dark be went out again
and joined Dan, whom he had ordered to follow him at a distance
and to be at the corner of the first turning to the right of the hotel
as soon as it became dark. Dan was at the point agreed upon, and
he followed Vincent until the latter stopped in a quiet and badly
lighted street.

"Things are going badly, Dan. I had a row with a ruffian in the
train, and he has got friends here, and this will add greatly to our
danger in getting to our lines. I must get another disguise. What
money have you left?"

"Not a cent, sah. I had only a five-cent piece left when we left St.
Louis, and I spent him on bread on do journey."

"That is bad, Dan. I did not think your stock was so nearly
expended."

"I had to keep myself, sah, and to pay for do railroad, and to buy
dem tree suits of clothes, and to make de nigger I lodged with a
present to keep him mouth shut."

"Oh, I know you have had lots of expenses, Dan, and I am sure that
you have not wasted your money; but I had not thought about it. I
have only got ten dollars left, and we may have a hundred and fifty
miles to travel before we are safe. Anyhow, you must get another
disguise, and trust to luck for the rest. We have tramped a hundred
and fifty miles before now without having anything beyond what
we could pick up on the road. Here's the money. Get a rough suit
of workingman's clothes, and join me here again in an hour's time.
Let us find out the name of the street before we separate, for we
may miss our way and not be able to meet again."

Passing up into the busy streets, Vincent presently stopped and
purchased a paper of a newsboy who was running along shouting,
"News from the war. Defeat of the rebels. Fight in a railway car
near Nashville; a minister punishes a border ruffian."

"Confound those newspaper fellows!" Vincent muttered to himself
as he walked away. "They pick up every scrap of news. I suppose
a reporter got hold of some one who was in the car." Turning
down a quiet street, he opened the paper and by the light of the
lamp read a graphic and minute account of the struggle in the
train.

"I won't go back to the hotel," he said to himself. "I shall be
having reporters to interview me. I shall be expected to give them
a history of my whole life; where I was born, and where I went to
school, and whether I prefer beef to mutton, and whether I drink
beer, and a thousand other things. No; the sooner I am away the
better. As to the hotel, I have only had one meal, and they have
got the bag with what clothes there are; that will pay them well."
Accordingly when he rejoined Dan he told him that they would
start at once.

"It is the best way, anyhow," he said. "To-morrow, no doubt, the
fellow I had the row with will be watching the hotel to see which
way I go off, but after once seeing me go to the hotel he will not
guess that I shall be starting this evening. What have you got left,
Dan?"

"I got two dollars, sah."

"That makes us quite rich men. We will stop at the first shop we
come to and lay in a stock of bread and a pound or two of ham."

"And a bottle of rum, sah. Berry wet and cold sleeping out of doors
now, sah. Want a little comfort anyhow."

"Very well, Dan; I think we can afford that."

"Get one for half a dollar, massa. Could not lay out half a dollar
better."

Half an hour later they had left Nashville behind them, and were
tramping along the road toward the east, Dari carrying a bundle in
which the provisions were wrapped, and the neck of the bottle of
rum sticking out of his pocket. As soon as they were well in the
country Vincent changed his clothes for those Dan had just bought
him, and making the others up into a bundle continued his way.

"Why you not leave dem black clothes behind, sah? What good
take dem wid you?"

"I am not going to carry them far, Dan. The first wood or thick
clump of bushes we come to I shall hide them away; but if you
were to leave them here they would be found the first thing in the
morning, and perhaps be carried into the town and handed over to
the police, and they might put that and the fact of my not having
returned to the hotel-which is sure to be talked about-together, and
come to the conclusion that either Mullens was right and that I was
an escaped Confederate, or that I had been murdered by Mullens.
In either case they might get up a search, and perhaps send
telegrams to the troops in the towns beyond us. Anyhow, it's best
the clothes should not be found."

All night they tramped along, pausing only for half an hour about
midnight, when Dan suggested that as he had only had some bread
to eat-and not too much of that-during the last forty-eight hours, he
thought that he could do with some supper. Accordingly the
bundle was opened, and they sat down and partook of a hearty
meal. Dan had wisely taken the precaution of having the cork
drawn from the bottle when he bought it, replacing it so that it
could be easily extracted when required, and Vincent
acknowledged that the spirit was a not unwelcome addition to the
meal. When morning broke they had reached Duck's River, a
broad stream crossing the road.

Here they drew aside into a thick grove, and determined to get a
few hours' sleep before proceeding. It was nearly midday before
they woke and proceeded to the edge of the trees. Vincent
reconnoitered the position.

"It is just as well we did not try to cross, Dan. I see the tents of at
least a regiment on the other bank. No doubt they are stationed
there to guard the road and railway bridge. This part of the
country is pretty equally divided in opinion, though more of the
people are for the South than for the North; but I know there are
guerrilla parties on both sides moving about, and if a Confederate
band was to pounce down on these bridges and destroy them it
would cut the communication with their army in front, and put
them in a very ugly position if they were defeated. No doubt that's
why they have stationed that regiment there. Anyhow, it makes it
awkward for us. We should be sure to be questioned where we are
going, and as I know nothing whatever of the geography of the
place we should find it very difficult to satisfy them. We must
cross the river somewhere else. There are sure to be some boats
somewhere along the banks; at any rate, the first thing to do is to
move further away from the road."

They walked for two or three miles across the country. The fields
for the most part were deserted, and although here and there they
saw cultivated patches, it was evident that most of the inhabitants
had quitted that part of the country, which had been the scene of
almost continued fighting from the commencement of the war; the
sufferings of the inhabitants being greatly heightened by the bands
of marauders who moved about plundering and destroying under
the pretense of punishing those whom they considered hostile to
the cause in whose favor-nominally, at least-they had enrolled
themselves. The sight of ruined farms and burned houses roused
Vincent's indignation; for in Virginia private property had, up to
the time of Pope's assuming command of the army, been respected,
and this phase of civil war was new and very painful to him.

"It would he a good thing," he said to Dan, "if the generals on both
sides in this district would agree to a month's truce, and join each
other in hunting down and hanging these marauding scoundrels.
On our side Mosby and a few other leaders of hands composed
almost entirely of gentlemen, have never been accused of practices
of this kind; but, with these exceptions, there is little to choose
between them."

After walking for four or five miles they again sat down till
evening, and then going down to the river endeavored to find a
boat by which they could cross, but to their disappointment no
craft of any kind was visible, although in many places there were
stages by the riverside, evidently used by farmers for unloading
their produce into boats. Vincent concluded at last that at some
period of the struggle all the boats must have been collected and
either sunk or carried away by one of the parties to prevent the
other crossing the river.

Hitherto they had carefully avoided all the farmhouses that
appeared to be inhabited; but Vincent now determined to approach
one of them and endeavor to gain some information as to the
distance from the next bridge, and whether it was guarded by
troops, and to find out if possible the position in which the
Northern forces in Tennessee were at present posted-all of which
points he was at present ignorant of. He passed two or three large
farmhouses without entering, for although the greater part of the
male population were away with one or other of the armies, he
might still find two or three hands in such buildings. Besides, it
was now late, and whatever the politics of the inmates they would
be suspicious of such late arrivals, and would probably altogether
refuse them admittance. Accordingly another night was spent in
the wood.

The next morning, after walking a mile or two, they saw a house at
which Vincent determined to try their fortune. It was small, but
seemed to have belonged to people above the class of farmer. It
stood in a little plantation, and was surrounded by a veranda. Most
of the blinds were down, and Vincent judged that the inmates
could not be numerous.

"You remain here, Dan, and I will go and knock at the door. It is
better that we should not be seen together." Vincent accordingly
went forward and knocked at the door. An old negress opened it.

"We have nothing for tramps," she said. "De house am pretty well
cleared out oh eberyting." She was about to shut the door when
Vincent put his foot forward and prevented it closing. "Massa
Charles," the negress called out, "bring yo' shot-gun quick; here am
tief want to break into the house."

"I am neither a thief nor a tramp," Vincent said; "and I do not want
anything, except that I should be glad to buy a loaf of bread if you
have one that you could spare. I have lost my way, and I want to
ask directions."

"Dat am pretty likely story," the old woman said. "Bring up dat
shot-gun quick, Massa Charles."

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