Disgust for the slave owner who’d done such a despicable thing rolled through him. Thank God Negroes were no longer in danger of such inhumane treatment by their white masters. Seeing the former slave standing there, ready to earn wages like a man should, brought a sense of pride to Levi. He had played a small role in this man’s freedom.
“Sir, the men are ready for your instructions before we depart for Rose Hill.”
He looked down to Corporal Banks, who was approaching the base of the steps. “Thank you, Corporal. They appear to be a good group.”
“Some of them are former Rose Hill slaves.”
Levi’s brow lifted. “Really?” He looked over the group again. He’d watched the line of slaves leave the day they were given their freedom. Frankly, he hadn’t expected any to return. At least not so soon. “We can hope their familiarity with the plantation will be beneficial.”
Levi noticed a small group of women and a few children some distance away gathered near the road. Even from this vantage point, he saw they had packs and bundles with them.
“What are those women doing here? I specifically asked for men only. Strong men, at that. They’ll be doing the work of twice as many field hands.”
A look of helplessness came over Banks. “Sir, they followed us here. I told them over and over we couldn’t hire them, but …” He shrugged.
Levi blew out a breath. What was he supposed to do with women and children? “Bring them over. I’ll have a word with them.”
Corporal Banks walked to the group, motioned toward Levi, then led them over. When the gathering reached the yard where the freedmen waited, he noticed each of the women went to stand next to a man.
Ah. Now he understood. These were not women looking for work. They had relationships with some of the men Levi intended to hire. He hadn’t counted on that.
“I am Colonel Maish, commander of this post. I understand Corporal Banks informed you we are only hiring men at this time. You women will need to go back to town with your children.”
Fear and uncertainty registered on many of their faces. One man, tall and reedy, put his arm around the waist of a woman holding an infant. A small girl stood next to her, clinging to her homespun dress.
“Colonel, suh, if I might speak freely,” he said, meeting Levi’s gaze.
Levi nodded. “You may.”
The man glanced at the woman at his side before returning his attention to Levi. “My name’s Wash Ingram. This here my wife, Ruth. We come from a plantation south o’ here. We got family up in Missouri we’s hoping to get to, but we ain’t got no money to get there.” He glanced at the men around him. “Heard the Army payin’ ten dollars a month to work cotton, with food and a place to stay. I shore am in need o’ the job, suh, but what my Ruth an’ chillens s’posed to do whilst I’s workin’ if you don’t ’llow them to come on along?”
Several others in the group murmured agreement.
Obviously, Levi, as an unmarried man responsible for no one but himself, had not thought this through. That the men he hoped to hire would bring families along had not occurred to him. Had he considered the situation beforehand, he would have stipulated the need for unmarried men only.
But he hadn’t. And it didn’t seem fair to change the requirements after men like Wash Ingram had already been told they had the job. Splitting up families was something slave owners did, and Levi was loathe to stoop to those levels. He counted the women. Five, plus a half dozen or so youngsters. Surely a group so small wouldn’t put a strain on the rations the Army would provide the workers. The women could earn their share by working in the house or garden or wherever Natalie deemed necessary.
The silent group continued to stare up at him.
“Because you men have already been hired by the Union Army, I will allow those with families to bring them to Rose Hill. However, the women who choose to come along will be required to work for food and shelter. No wages in cash will be paid to the women.”
Whispered discussions took place between husbands and wives. Wash approached several men, speaking in lowered tones, nodding from time to time. Finally, he stepped forward.
“We ’ppreciate you understanding, Colonel. We that has families here accept yo’ offer.”
“Very well. Corporal Banks will need the names and ages of each person coming with us before you will be allowed onto a wagon. Those who can sign their names will do so. Anyone who can’t is required to make their mark. Are there any questions?”
No one spoke up. Banks herded the group in the direction of the line of awaiting wagons, some loaded down with supplies. Earlier, he’d set a small desk and chair nearby in anticipation of recording the freedmen’s names before departing for Rose Hill. Now, women and children of various ages would be added to the register.
Mounting his horse, Levi wondered what Natalie would say when she saw the group. He didn’t think she would mind the extra help, but he felt he should give her warning before they actually arrived.
Starting out ahead of the wagons, he viewed the landscape around him. Fallow, overgrown fields filled the Langford property before gradually blending into land that had never seen a plow. Groupings of trees dotted the landscape, along with clumps of low shrubs, cactus, and rocks. Although he hadn’t known what to expect when he arrived in Texas two weeks ago, he had to admit there was a beauty in the land. From the
