running, of dodging Confederate cavalry, brushing around the flank of a regiment of Confederate infantry, he was beyond caring. Besides, the fight was out of his men. They had staggered for over forty miles, cutting across fields, hiding in woods to catch a few hours' sleep, abandoning those who could no longer keep up. If this now meant prison, then so be it
'I'm Henry Hunt Commander, Artillery Reserve,' he paused for a second, his throat feeling thick, eyes filling up, 'the Army of the Potomac.'
His inquisitor stepped out of the woods, pistol still drawn but now lowered slighdy. It was a Union captain.
The man drew closer, looking first at Henry, then at the hundred or so men trailing along with him. The captain sadly shook his head, and then saluted.
'Captain Jamison. I'm on the staff of General Couch, commander of the emergency garrison in Harrisburg.'
'Harrisburg?' Henry asked. 'We made it?'
'Just beyond that ridge, sir. We finished a pontoon bridge across this afternoon, threw out an advanced guard. I guess you can say I am the advance guard. We've had stragglers, thousands of them, coming in all day, but a lot of Rebs, too, trying to round up men like yourselves. Sorry, sir, but with everyone covered in mud, it's hard to tell who is which at the moment'
Jamison fell in by Henry's side, offering to guide him to the bridge.
'You hear about Sickles and Howard?' Jamison asked.
Henry shook his head. All he knew of the army now was what he had seen with his own eyes these last two days.
'Their corps are over by Carlisle. Been some sharp fighting is the report but word is they will be here come tomorrow, at least what's left of them, along with what's left of Fifth Corps. Maybe twenty thousand men or so.'
'And the rest?'
'You, men like you, sir,' Jamison said quietly, 'coming in a couple at a time, part of a brigade from Fifth Corps, a scattering of regiments. A rout sir. A total rout The Army of the Potomac has fallen into pieces.'
Henry said nothing, too shocked, too weary to speak.
'Seen any of our cavalry?' Jamison asked.
'Not a one,' Henry said dejectedly.
'Word is they're reforming over by York. Been some heavy fighting; apparently they blocked Lee from pushing all the way up here. Everyone is so damn fought out and exhausted at this point.'
They crested the low rise. Though darkness had settled he could now see the Susquehanna River below, a flickering line of torches and lanterns drawn like a line across the broad river.
'Some general came up yesterday morning with three trainloads of pontoon gear and built that in a little more than a day. They were like ants; never seen anything like it. They're saying, though, it won't hold for long; the river is rising fast'
Henry made his way down the embankment falling in with hundreds of others shuffling through the mud. In the dim light he could make out on their caps, the Maltese Cross of the Fifth Corps, the circle of the First men of the Second and the Twelfth, all moving along silently, the able helping wounded comrades.
As he stepped on the bridge and bid farewell to Jamison, Henry felt as if he were crossing the river out of a dark land of nightmares, the bridge swaying beneath his feet, sentries posted at regular intervals cautioning the men to not march in step, to stay away from the edge, and to keep moving, keep moving.
The lights of the city of Harrisburg shone softly beyond the mists rising up from the cold, churning river, the road along the riverbank was packed with wagons, ambulances, and disorganized troops wandering about As he reached the end of the bridge, Henry heard sergeants shouting orders, calling off the numbers of corps, then giving directions where to go. Henry was reassured to see a full battalion of guns arrayed along the riverbank, barrels aimed to shell the other side of the river, three-inch rifles, one battery of twenty-pound rifles, the guns obviously straight from the foundry.
Orderlies were waiting, grabbing hold of the injured, taking them to ambulances that lined the street As each ambulance was loaded up, the driver lashed his mules forward.
No one was giving any orders as to where the men- of the Artillery Reserve should go, and Henry stopped in the middle of the street after stepping off the bridge, looking around, confused, not sure what to do next 'Hunt?'
He turned and saw by the light of a torch a star on each shoulder of the man calling to him. The two saluted each other.
'I don't think you know me,' the general offered, and then extended his hand, 'Herman Haupt' 'Railroad?'
'Yes, we met just after Second Bull Run.'
Henry said nothing. Right now he couldn't remember.
‘You were in the thick of it?' Haupt asked.
'Yes, the thick of it' Henry said woodenly. 'Union Mills. The charge.'
Haupt reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a flask, uncorking it
'I’d better not,' Henry whispered. 'If I have a drink now, I think I'll pass out'
'Go ahead, you can pass out on my train.'
'Your train?'
'I came up here to build this bridge and get supplies up in case the army got out' 'It didn't'
'I know. But we have twenty thousand men here with Couch.'
'Militia?' Henry asked.
'Yes, but it's something. Word is parts of three corps will be in here tomorrow.' Henry was silent 'So you saw it'
'Yes, I saw it I was at Westminster as it fell. I saw it all right'
Haupt put his arm around Henry's shoulder. 'General, look at me,' Haupt said softly. Henry raised his gaze and saw the coldness in Haupt's eyes.
'Lee won the battle, but he has yet to win this war. Those are your guns over there,' and Haupt pointed to the batteries arrayed along the riverfront. 'Some of those tubes were cast less than a week ago. The army will be rebuilt; I promise you that.'
'My men, all those men,' Hunt whispered.
'I know, God save them, but the Republic will endure. There will be more men and the Republic will go on; that is our strength.'
Henry nodded, drawing energy from this man's determination and belief.
'You're coming back with me, Hunt'
Confused, Henry looked at the men who had followed him out of hell.
'My men.'
'They'll be well taken care of. I've put the town under martial law. Every house is open to the troops for billeting. I've got three hundred head of cattle for food and enough rations to stuff every man full.
'But you, sir, I think some people in Washington will want to hear your account, Hunt. So far you are the only general, other man Hancock, who's gotten out from Union Mills.'
'How is Hancock?’
'He's in that hotel right over there,' Haupt said. 'Word is he isn't going to live. So you're going back with me.'
Henry looked at his men. 'In a minute, General.'
Henry walked over to the men who had suffered so much with him. They came to attention and saluted. All he could do was nod in reply; words failed him. He took the hands of several, shaking them, and then turned away.
Ten minutes later he was aboard Haupt's train, sprawled out on a straight-back wooden seat, the alcohol unwinding him, and fast asleep.
