SEVEN
Adams’ prediction proved true when they encountered a battalion just before sundown in Sussex County. This time, they were anticipating meeting them ahead and were ready.
The reverend led the conversation, much the same as before. The reception wasn’t overly warm, but wasn’t a rejection either. Once it was confirmed the wagon was empty, save the four who traveled in it, the presumed leader spoke freely.
“Lieutenant McDevitt, Army of the James, Union Army. We’re heading north. You and your companions may continue along with us. You’ll have our protection, but if you fall behind, we will not stop for you. Agreed?”
“You are most generous, Lieutenant,” Adams shook his hand.
Maggie could scarcely believe their luck.
After all this time, all the roadblocks she’d encountered, would this be it?
McDevitt hadn’t said where they were going.
It could be in the opposite direction of Petersburg, but her gut told her to stay put.
When they stopped for the night, she would start to venture out and inquire about Henry.
They followed the railroad tracks. With every man that passed near the wagon, Maggie stared, willing one of them to be Henry. A few brazen men stared back, and she dropped her gaze.
“Careful. Or they will think you’re beckoning them,” Cynthia cautioned quietly.
Maggie flushed red. Cynthia’s comment embarrassed her and frightened her. It wasn’t but seven months ago that she had had her encounter in the woods. Those were men of this same army. Had she been so rash to find Henry that she ignored the danger?
She had thought that traveling with Reverend Adams offered some protection, and perhaps it did, but at the end of the day, she was traveling with an elderly man, who would be unable to offer any physical protection, and two freed people, who also would be unable to protect her without risking their own lives.
I’ve got to keep my guard up.
When they finally stopped for the evening, Maggie was reluctant to leave the shelter of the wagon, but Cynthia dragged her out. “The reverend has gone to make the rounds.”
“Already?” Maggie was shocked. He had to be tired.
“If I were to quote him, ‘no time like the present.’”
While they waited for him to return, they prepared their campsite. Maggie was practically pacing back and forth, antsy to know what Adams had learned. She struggled with her desire to go and find out for herself. But it was best she kept her head down.
It was after dark when he came hobbling back. Tucker helped him sit on a nearby stump, and the reverend sank down gratefully. “Miss Ackerman, would you come and sit by me?”
Concerned, Maggie sat down at once. “What? What did you hear?”
“How many days have you traveled?”
“Um… I’m not sure. A dozen, maybe?”
He pointed to the battalion camped in front of them. “Ever come across something like this?”
She shook her head. Of course not. He knew that she hadn’t. What was he getting at?
“I’ll tell you this— when I said before that we’d find a camp tonight, I mostly believed it, but couldn’t be fully certain.
Do you realize how widespread this war is?
How many cities, regiments, troops, and battles?
It’s bigger than what I could possibly comprehend.
But not for God.” He opened his palms toward the sky.
“Margaret, people have been praying for your travels,” he said, looking back down at her. “And their prayers have been heard.”
Her stomach leapt to her throat. “Is Henry—”
“No, but you’re going to find him. If he’s near Richmond, you’re going to find him very soon. This battalion is heading to City Points. You’re going straight there.”
Before Maggie could process this information, a deep, unfamiliar voice penetrated their group.
“Spying are you, reverend?” Captain McDewitt stood watching them. “When my men told me you acted elated to find out our destination, I had to see for myself.”
They all froze.
“Speak now, or I’ll have you all hanging from a rope.”
The reverend lifted his hands. “Sir, I assure you that I am not a spy, nor are my companions. My intentions are entirely honorable.”
The captain’s demeanor didn’t change.
Desperate to intervene, Maggie stood. “Sir, if I may?” McDewitt studied her up and down, assessing her, and gave a curt nod.
She walked closer to him, standing between him and the group.
“The reason Reverend Adams was joyful was because of me. I’ve travelled a long way—all the way from Albemarle, North Carolina—to find my, er, husband.
” She briefly stumbled on the word. “I received word that he was injured. I believe he was stationed with General Sheridan heading towards Richmond. These people were kind enough to offer me safe passage, traveling along with them.”
“Where’s the notice?”
“Notice?”
“Yes, the telegram that notified you of his injury.”
“Oh… I lost it along the way. I ran into Home Guard near Halifax and had to burn it. I still have my husband’s uniform I mended in my pack, though. There was no time to destroy it, so I took my chances.” She bit the inside of her cheek so hard that she tasted blood.
Believe me.
McDewitt’s eyes burned into hers and then gazed over the group. “This true?” He asked the reverend.
“I believe her,” Adams spoke confidently, despite this being the first time he’d heard some of the details himself.
Bless him.
“Show me the uniform,” McDewitt commanded.
Maggie hastened to the wagon and retrieved it. She thrust it over to McDewitt, making sure she used her left hand so that the wedding ring was in plain sight.
He grabbed it and unfolded it, holding it up. Surprising them all, he sniffed it. Maggie’s face screwed up in confusion and aversion.
Satisfied, he tossed it back to her and she caught the bundle in her arms. “Some people steal uniforms from the dead. It’s a distinct smell,” he explained. “Your husband, what rank is he?”
“Officer. John Henry Thomas Farrow III.”
No flash of recognition crossed his face and Maggie felt a mix of relief and disappointment.
After a moment’s pause, McDewitt spoke. “Mrs. Farrow, while I find your story to be somewhat commonplace, until we can verify who you are, you won’t be permitted to enter the city.
You and your companions may continue traveling with us.
But once we reach City Point, you’ll wait outside with the rest of the camp followers.
If your husband is there with Sheridan, it shouldn’t be too difficult to locate him.
Be advised, we will be watching you closely while you are with us. ”
Maggie’s fingers tightened in the folds of the uniform. This would not stop her from finding him.
McDewitt’s gaze shot over to Adams. “Reverend, you are free to move about camp and minister to those who seek it. There is a three-day journey between City Point and us. I suggest you make the most of it, as your companion will be barred from entry at the gate.”
“Thank you, sir,” Adams bowed his head.
McDewitt seemed to wait to see if Maggie would thank him as well, but she remained silent. Adams coughed behind her. “Thank you.” The words felt like sawdust in her mouth.
Satisfied, McDewitt turned away and left them to continue their preparations for the night.
Numb, Maggie walked back over to her original seat. The captain was doing his job, but what would happen to her once they arrived and didn’t find Henry injured? When they found out he was unmarried? What would be made of her story then?
Have faith. Levi’s words came flooding back to her.
She was trying to. Oh God, she was desperately trying.
As if he could read her mind, Adams began to pray aloud.
“Gracious and merciful Father, we beseech You to guide and direct our steps. Help us to understand Your will, and endeavor for our actions be for Your glory—today, tomorrow, and forever. Lord, we specifically pray for the reunion of two young people who are obviously in love. Protect them, Father. I do not know the specifics of these two people’s lives, but I do know that Your perfect plan has woven their lives together.
Lord, we thank You for the blessings You have given us and for those yet to come. Amen.”
“Amen,” Tucker and Cynthia said in unison.
Maggie couldn’t find the words. Her eyes blurred with unshed tears. The reverend understood and patted her knee, knowingly.
Strangely, Maggie didn’t pull away and wasn’t frightened or triggered by his touch. Just like Henry and the Howards, she knew this, too, was a good man with no shadow of evil in his soul.
That night, when they were all bedding down, she offered up a fourth prayer. Unlike the others she had prayed in the past, this wasn’t a plea for safety, but one of thankfulness.
God, thank you for Reverend Adams and his kind spirit. He is a blessing.
Two days of torrential downpour slowed them. When the sun rose, shining on the morning of the third, everyone at the camp collectively cheered.
They were nearly one day away from City Point. A rider approached midday. He was cloaked in mud, but his uniform still visible. McDewitt broke from the march and rode out to meet him.
He handed McDewitt what appeared to be a letter.
McDewitt broke the seal, his face hardening as he read the contents.
He dismissed the messenger and galloped back to the men at the front of the unit.
He went down the line, speaking to his officers, and suddenly the battalion turned and marched west.
“Whoa,” Tucker called as he pulled back on the team. “What do you make of that, Reverend?”
“I don’t know, but here comes McDewitt now.” Adams stood up. “Is all well, Lieutenant? Or should we be prepared for defense?”
The idea of the elderly reverend defending an enemy seemed to briefly amuse McDewitt, for Maggie would swear that she saw his cheek twitch. Instead, the lieutenant coughed before replying. “Destination has changed, that is all. Ride on, or we will leave you here.”
Those words made Maggie stand at once in the back, forgetting herself. “We aren’t going to City Point?”