May 23rd, 1876
The sun set on the New York harbor as
The Virginius sailed into port. Even near nightfall the port was full of activity, ships coming in and out loading off medical supplies and food, soldiers patrolling before turning in for the night. There was also the New York nightlife at that, despite being occupied by a ‘foreign’ power, the big city life didn’t slow down for anything.
“We will drop off our load and then head to the front to check out things from there. The rest of the fleet should be coming in soon as well.” Roy said, standing at the front of the ship looking towards the city.
“I don’t believe I have seen anything like it, I mean Richmond isn’t even this….impressive.” Jonney replied, standing beside his friend.
Turning to Jonney, Roy nodded. “That’s what industry and being a big port city does to a city, I mean look at it, its all…slummy.” He said in what could be called disgust. The city was cramp, full of people from all over the world who came to the United States to seek a new life.
“Aww, come on Roy, its not that bad, lets just try to enjoy it while it lasts.” Jonney replied, turning to direct the new crew as the ship glided into port. Roy had changed a lot since his cousins murder and the incident in Cuba, he became more serious and mean, he obtained a more fighting spirit, Jonney supposed that’s why he volunteered the ship when the war broke out.
It seemed pretty weird to Jonney that they would be running guns again, well it was legal this time and for the war effort, but none the less it was pretty strange, ironic maybe?
“Alright lets go! Lets go! Get these crates off the ship now!” he shouted, watching the crew work as the large loading ramp was lowered to the dock and the crates of guns, food and medical supplies were rolled down onto the dock. Running his right hand through his hair he stopped to scratch his head before heading down to the ramp, Roy following, and catching a carriage.
“Where to chief.” The carriage driver said in a heavy northern accent as the carriage came to a slow stop.
“We would like to see the front and get a tour of the city.” Roy said, stepping up into the carriage, followed by Jonney.
“Righte o’ Chief” he replied, closing the carriage door and climbing back up onto the drivers seat. The carriage was a black, leather interior, obviously one of the more well-known and profitable cab companies in the city. The carriage took off at a moderate pace, traveling along the well-paved roads down the main street. Much of the city was still intact, but there were visible scars of the previous battle.
“Much of the city is off limits at the moment sir’s, the Main streets are open for business, which you can see plainly, while most of the residential areas have been closed off by General Jackson, so as not to disturb normal life as possible. We will be passing by Wall Street here shortly.” The driver commented, pointing out the specifics as he went along.
Sitting opposite of Roy Jonney began to speak. “It would have been nice to have visited this place under different circumstances, I have been away from home so long I think it will be just about as surprising and strange as this place.”
“I will, defiantly, especially now that Congress has freed the Negro’s.” he mention in his same plain, testy tone. “Should have expected it sooner or later, but it should have been up to us when it happened, and not because the damn Brits over there in England think to stick there nose in our business.”
“Come on now Roy, don’t be so hateful. Sure it will be different, and you said it yourself, it would have happened sooner or later.”
“The point isn’t that it happened, but that we did it because the Brits held it over our head in order for them to support us, besides, at the rate their going the war will be over by the time they get here.”
Jonney just rolled his eyes and looked out the window, Roy was so impossible at times it was infuriating. About an hour later they were outside the city and the carriage came to a stop.
“Here we are gents. This is as far as I can take you, General Jackson isn’t allowing any one into the camp unless there a soldier or diplomat.”
“Thank you, here’s the fee and a tip.” Jonney said, pulling out some money from his billfold and handing it the man. “Keep the carriage here, we won’t be long.” Roy added, stepping out. In the distance could be several thousand little white dots, which would be the tents put up by the Army of Northern Virginia.
“It won’t be long until they move again, or the Union army moves again, it will be best if we prepare for the worst if it does happen.”
“Don’t worry Roy, we may have lost Lee back in Seventy, but we still have Jackson.” Jonney replied, taking out a pair of binoculars and scooping out the front. Smoke could be seen coming from the tents as well as more little figures moving about.
“Roy, it doesn’t matter who we have, what matters is what we have, and what we have I fear is not enough. Come on, lets get back to boat, I don’t want the men getting out and drunk with big city life, its already hard enough to tear them away when we hit land.”
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