Chapter III (cont.)
* * *
Wyoming Territory, 1881
“I’LL KILL HIM!!” Sonny screamed out into the night, waking Doc Foster from his sleep. The Doc stood and looked down at Sonny who was writhing on the bed. His face was drenched with sweat and he mumbled to himself in his sleep. Doc Foster found a rag and blotted Sonny’s forehead and neck.
Corinna ran into the room quickly after hearing Sonny’s shout. Bert followed her as he had been trying to convince his sister to get some sleep. She would have none of it, and this latest outburst would make sure of that.
“What is it, Doctor?”
“Oh, the poor fella’s just dreaming. I told you this fever would take some time to work its way through. But I am fearful that he’s not getting any restful sleep.”
The Doc looked around the room for a moment, consumed with a thought.
“Dear, hand me that bottle…just there on the counter. Yes, that’s it.”
Corinna handed the bottle to him as Doc Foster gestured for Bert to go to the other side of Sonny’s bed.
“Help me hold his head up, Bert. He’ll sleep well after a dose of this. I can assure you of that.”
As the Doc poured an amount into Sonny’s mouth, Corinna asked, “What are you giving him, Doctor?”
“Oh, just a bit of Laudanium. He might still dream a bit, and odd ones at that, but he’ll sleep better.”
He re-corked the bottle and Bert gently laid Sonny’s head back onto the bed. Sonny seemed to find some calm soon after and Doc Foster told Corinna to listen to her brother.
“You best get some sleep, young miss. There’s plenty more to wait through and there’s no reason for you to get sick with worry. I’ll be here with him.”
She left the room with tears in her eyes. Bert tried to console her, but he was unable to make her think of anything other than Sonny. The Doc sat back down and watched, as Sonny seemed to find some calmer sleep. Soon, he too would drift off and begin dreaming. But his dreams would be nothing like Sonny’s. Nothing like them at all.
* * *
Illinois, December 1861
Sonny and Will trotted along beside one another. The air surrounding them was cold, even though the sun was out. If the steam coming from their horses nose did not make them sure of it, the occasional gusts of wind certainly did. Sonny was glad he brought his heavy coat, for many of the men had discarded theirs earlier in the fighting and some of them now wished they had not.
Will had explained to Sonny how he had seen Bill Tanney. After Forrest’s cavalry had raided a train just west of the Kentucky state line, they had pulled away and gathered themselves on a ridge overlooking their work. General Forrest had taken the chance to look back and see the damage and the Union attempts to gather what was left. Through his field glasses, he had seen another group of mounted soldiers ride up and assist. He motioned to a few of his subordinates to look as well, to see if any of them recognized the band of riders.
One of the Captains knew that Will was from Missouri and asked him to look. When Will was able to gain good sight of them, it was then that he recognized old Tanney riding out in front. Will had told Sonny how haughty he appeared, barking orders and riding his horse up and down the length of the raided train.
There was also the matter of stolen documents that listed the prison at Camp Butler to the north, just outside of Springfield, Illinois. They had all noticed that the band of riders had several men chained together that followed them. Forrest was sure that they were attempting to get these men on board in order to free Tanney’s men to go out and gather up further prisoners.
After returning to the camp at Bowling Green, Forrest had argued strongly to attempt a raid on this prison, not just to free the imprisoned troops, but also for the valuable supplies that might be stored at the camp. Perhaps even a few pieces of artillery might be found.
Jackson had been skeptical of the venture, but Taylor had weighed in on Forrest’s side, as strange as that seemed to all of the General staff. Taylor volunteered to mount up a part of his brigade and join with Forrest in the trip. They would add strength in case the number of Union troops was higher than Forrest anticipated and also provide arms to guard the cavalry as they gathered up the desired loot.
Jackson eventually relented, as there had been no further attacks from Buell and with winter setting in, he did not anticipate any more until at least the first of the year. Still, he kept the majority of his army stationed around Bowling Green. Forrest was allowed to take half of his cavalry corps, and Taylor to pick only the best riders from his group.
However, one soldier would owe his ticket on this trip to the special relationship he had developed with General Jackson. Sonny had heard about the planning from Will and gone directly to Jackson immediately. It took two days to finally wear the old Stonewall down, but eventually he crumbled, more to cease the constant pestering than anything else. Besides, it did not sound like a very dangerous mission, as Jackson knew that most of the Union forces in the west had been sent south with Sheridan and Pope, and whatever raw recruits that had joined up since would still be green.
It was with this satisfaction that Sonny rode with a smile even with the wind constantly nipping at his face and neck. He pulled the collar of his heavy coat up around his face and trotted along without saying a word. He only hoped that he and Will would be fortunate enough to catch Tanney delivering prisoners when they reached Camp Butler. It was a long shot, but they knew of no other way to find their nemesis in this great war.
The trip had taken some time, as they had needed to cross the Ohio River and cover a good deal of ground. Further, they were forced to remain on constant guard as they were in enemy territory. But General Forrest was a master at using the terrain to shield his men from the enemy’s watch. Because of this reason, and perhaps because of the recent falling out, Jackson had given Forrest command over the combined forces. Taylor had not been pleased with being skipped over, but it was required for the plan to be carried out. He was a professional soldier and took it without much complaining, other than to Stephens of course.
Not much was said between Sonny and Will throughout the trip. They had talked some of Dinny and his recovery. Dinny had returned to his former strength and was learning tactical maneuvers in the hopes of being promoted. Time spent in recovery had assisted him to read all he could, and Sonny had been helpful by borrowing books from General Jackson for that purpose.
Will had heard of Sonny’s dinner with the young daughter of the Snow’s and had asked Sonny about it several times, but each time Sonny only replied with a shrug of his shoulders and looking the other way. Will was unable to see the slight smile on his face when he did so.
On the afternoon of the thirteenth day, Forrest called out to his men.
“We are here, soldiers. Those of ya going on the raid, drop all your heavier items. We shall need to be as quick as we can in securing the place. Leave them with General Taylor’s men and form up down the hill.”
His men did so, including Will. Sonny helped gather the items together and then mounted his horse again. Taylor had instructed the rest of the men to hold at the ready in the event they might be needed.
Forrest’s cavalry set off down the hill towards the Camp, as if they were making a charge. Slow at first, with increasing speed as they gained momentum. The camp was not very large. There appeared to be two large barracks and a stable set off to the side. Tents had been set up behind the barracks and the entire camp was bordered by a small spring-fed lake to the west. There was one other rectangular building that ran the length on the opposite side of a central courtyard, and Taylor presumed that it either housed the armaments or possibly a hospital for the wounded. In prisons, disease and sickness would kill a man quicker than any labor or torture might.
As Forrest’s cavalry reached their destination, they were met by a small showing of force that was quickly brushed aside. There were very few infantry assigned to the prison and there had been no cavalry assigned at all. The horses simply bowled them over in the rush past the gate. Once inside, Sonny could hear the firing of guns and the occasional clash of steel, but within less than an hour, one of Forrest’s aides rode back to Taylor’s position to tell him that the camp was secured.
Taylor turned his horse around and shouted to the remaining soldiers,
“I want half of ya to secure the perimeter and the other half to assist General Forrest in scavenging around the camp. Let his soldiers work on springing our boys. Is that clear?”
Sonny and the rest of the men called out “Sir, yes sir” in unison and went about their business. As Sonny reached the camp, he chose the long rectangular building to search in. Several of the other soldiers followed him as he entered from a side door with his pistol drawn. He did not feel like taking any chances.
It was dark and musty inside. There were a set of offices directly in front of him and a set of double doors hung crudely to his right. He saw several sets of off white gowns hanging on hooks by the doors and assumed that Taylor had been right about this being a hospital, or at least a place for the sick. The rest of the men went about searching in the offices as Sonny turned towards the double doors. When he walked through them, however, he grew sick at the smell.
Retching without a chance to hold it back, he wiped his mouth and covered his nose. The room smelled like rotten cheese and the sound of moaning made it even worse. A man stood at the other end of the room, with a mask over his mouth. He quickly turned to Sonny,
“Who the devil are you?”
Sonny raised his weapon and walked over to him.
“I’m a soldier in the Confederate army. Who the hell are you?”
The man was taken aback.
“I am a doctor. I have no weapon. I told your commander that I was simply looking after these wounded soldiers. They are not harmful. Half of them have lost a limb, or more.”
Sonny looked around and found the doctor was right.
“You go stand over there,” he said pointing towards the corner. Sonny walked up and down the rows of beds and finally stopped in front of one. The soldier lying in the bed was bandaged around his left side. He appeared to have no left arm anymore, and the sheet half covered his face. But the portion that Sonny could see made his eyes grow large.
“Thomas?”
The body did not answer. Sonny walked up beside the bed and pulled the sheet down to see the entire face. He was sure of it. This was his best friend, though looking far worse than he had ever seen him. His blond hair was matted to his head and his face was showing signs of needing a shave. Sonny started to think about shaving and realized that he had not needed to start doing it yet. He shook his head to bring him back out of his daze and placed his hand on Thomas’s head.
“Thomas…d’ya hear me?”
Thomas slowly opened his eyes and looked up at Sonny. He did not show any recognition.
“Thomas, it’s Sonny…Sonny Gamble. Ya member me?”
Thomas started to turn his head from side to side to signal no and then stopped. He spoke softly,
“Son…Sonny? Is that you?”
“Yeah, Thomas. I’m here. What you gone and done?”
“They…they took my arm.”
Sonny did not know how to respond.
“It’ll be all right. They’ll probably let ya go on home once ya get healed up.”
“Ain’t gonna grow another arm.”
“No…I spect not. But ya ain’t got to fight no more. At least there’s that. Ain’t gonna get yerself kilt.”
“Might as well have,” Thomas said softly, clearly dejected.
“Aw, now you stop that kind a talk. You don’t know how bad it can get,” Sonny replied as he found he was getting irritated. How could Thomas say such a thing when his parents were probably still alive somewhere.
“I suppose. What are ya doin’ here, Sonny?”
“We’s raidin’ the place. Don’t ya know I gone and signed up?”
“Signed up with who?”
“With the South, Thomas. You knowed I was gonna sooner or later, and Da…well, he ain’t here to stop me no more.”
Thomas closed his eyes and shook his head. He clearly did not understand what Sonny was saying to him.
“Soldier, he’s in a great deal of pain. We have him on rather heavy morphine,” the doctor interrupted. Sonny quickly leveled his gun at the doctor’s direction.
“You just stay where ya are,” he said as he felt tears begin to well up in his eyes. He fought them quickly and they stopped. As he was about to ask Thomas about the rest of his family, one of the Captains burst into the room.
“Corporal, you gather up the medical supplies in here and move back out to where General Taylor has set up a defensive position. We have company.”
Sonny did not think twice. He did not want to see Thomas like this anymore, and another part of his brain registered that maybe his wish had come true. Maybe the visitor was Tanney. Maybe he was to have his chance for revenge after all.
To be continued...