1
Think well ever see freedom
again?
End of this war?
We were supposed to be exchanged,
not sent to another prison.
I suppose so.
This aint no way to be treating
men.
Keeping us pinned up like
livestock.
This aint no war I signed up
for.
What kind of war did you sign up
for Robert?
What is a state with southern
hospitality?
I tell you what...
ImuchpreferVirginiatothis.
A lot of them down here can rot
in hell for all I care.
Whydontwegetoutofhereand
showthemwheretheycanputit.
What hospitality are you
expecting?
We are prisoners.
No offense friend.
Just trying to break up the
tension of the situation here.
Does feel nice to stretch our
legs...
Dont you think?
So to speak.
WellbetterthanAndersonville.
You got a name?
Of course, dont we all?
Thomas J. Ryan, Corporal.
Seventeenth man in Volunteer
Infantry.
But please...
Call me Tom.
You boys?
Im... Im Robert Spencer,
Private.
This is...
Sergeant Joseph Hoover.
Were both with the 121st New
York Volunteers.
Nice to meet you.
Look...
I was the only one from my
company who was captured
in our particular conflict,
and on the account of some
unfortunate gambling debts...
I didnt make it out of
Andersonville with too many friends.
This sounds strange to say, but
uh...
Id feel better if I had some
friends, while were in here,
ya know?
Maybe we can help each other
out.
I suppose so, thats alright
with me.
Joseph?
You ok with that?
Reckon so.
Good deal.
Good on ya boys.
Awesome.
Great guys.
You wont regret it.
Come on, come on.
See...
My tent. I won this.
You any good...
At gambling?
Oh yeah, Im the best.
There are no good gamblers.
Hmm.
Where yall boys from?
AndersonvillefromwhatIhear.
They treatin ya good there?
Dont worry, well treat ya good
here too Yanks.
As long as yall behave.
Keep moving you Yankees.
Boys, welcome to Florence
Stockade.
I see a spot.
Follow me.
Its right there.
Its closest to the woods.
Were going to have to act
quickly,
may not be long before
the stockade is finished.
Tom you fool, look how many
guards there are.
Its worth a chance.
Chance to get killed.
I wont be shot on the count of
you boys.
Come on.
Right here.
Thats a nice book you got
there.
Diary?
That paper can fetch a real good
price in here.
More than those newspaper
shreds youve been trading.
Itsnotfortrade,orforsale.
Never said it was.
You hear them whistles?
Raiders.
I figured so.
Just like Andersonville.
Sounds organized.
Suppose theyre feeding on the
weakness and fears of other prisoners.
Weve got ourselves a runner!
Might want to keep that diary
close.
You never know who might be
interested in getting their
hands on that thing.
Sounds like someone werent so
lucky.
You find anything?
Quiet, keep a look out
Hey!
Alright, hes coming to.
Joseph!
You alive?
You alive, Joseph?
It looks that way.
Ha, lets get you up.
Here.
How you feelin?
Like there is an artillery
battery in my head.
Well that aint a surprise.
You tried to block that raiders
club with it.
Who taught him how to fight
anyway.
Tom, just leave him be.
Josephhadhimselfarightrow.
Yea, and where were you?
Leave me to protect the tent all
by myself.
Protect?
Tom, you were sleeping.
Did they get off... Did they get
off with anything?
No.
No they didnt.
After that one clubbed you
down...
I laid into him, I laid into him
hard Joseph.
He put up quite a struggle.
Must have been Irish tough from
New York City.
Probably one of those Raiders we
heard whistling the other night.
New York Bastard.
The loyalty.
Anyway...
We pulled this off of him.
Thought you might not want to
get rid of it just yet.
Thank you, Tom.
Youre welcome buddy.
Drink up.
Im gonna finish my nap.
Ive been thinkin...
What we need is trickery.
What?
Trickery.
Ya know, like an ace up your
sleeve.
We need to find a way to steal
ourselves right outta this camp.
What ace?
You seen that line of confederates,
right beyond the perimeter?
Yea, what about em?
Well...
There is another line 20 paces
after them,
and another one 20 paces after
that,
and so on, and so on...
Day and night.
You heard the gunshots.
Mentryingtomakearunforit.
Which is why we need
the trickery.
What has gotten into you Tom?
This is not Andersonville, but
we are far from freedom.
Theyre building our new
stockade as we speak.
Aint no amount of trickery thats
gonna get us out of that one.
Even so...
Weve been here four days now,
and Ive been watching.
Just as well as either of you
boys.
The Greybacks have got this camp
covered.
Dying is the only way were getting
free before this war is over.
I dont know...
I have an idea.
Wegetacaseofthequickstep.
Hm, enough of your tomfoolery.
Dysentery?
Okyouofficiallyhavegonemad.
Are you an idiot, of course I
dont mean it literally.
What is literature have to do
with dysentery?
Its just for pretend.
Well be close to the woods.
The Reb guys dont watch that
area too close.
Sowepretendwelikedysentery?
That this camp and stockade are
just lovely accommodations,
andtheyrejustgoingtoletu.
No, no we pretend that we have
been taken by the dysentery
to get us into the hospital.
You see it?
Its that white building right
over there.
Quickstep is the trick.
We get into the hospital, well
be closer to the woods.
The Rebs dont watch that area
too close.
You get it?
Yea, I just...
Dont know why you didnt say
that from the beginning.
Give me that.
Weve taken ill.
We need a hospital.
Yall look fine to me.
Its dysentery. I got terrible
pains in my stomach,
and this one, hes feverish.
And what about you?
Its uh..
Hes terrible.
Hospitals full, aint anymore
beds.
Yea, well even so...
We need to be seen.
With the three of us taken
ill...
You dont want to be responsible
for causing an outbreak for
the whole camp, do ya?
Mr. Cooper.
I got to take these boys to the
hospital.
Come on.
I told you the hospitals full.
We cant take take no more of
em.
These boys have dysentery, cant
stay in camp.
This way.
We dont have enough room for ya
but for now you can make
yourselves as comfortable, bestu
can.
Few of these poor men are boundr
beds.
Outhouse is through that door.
Now mind the guards youll
be watched and they dont like.
Illbebacktocheckinonya.
What do we do now?
WhatkindofsergeantareyouJ?
Waiting around f.
We wait for an opportunity.
Walter? Is that you?
No sir I-Im Joseph.
What are you doing here?
I think youre confused.
Thats alright, its good of you
to come at least and attend to me.
Theyre gonna fix you up real
good. Youll be alright.
You always were the optimist.
Walter Im dying.
Have you made your peace with
God?
No, Ive met God, I wish momma
was here.
Im not your momma but I am a
woman of faith.
Close your eyes
andpraythissimpleprayerwit.
Heavenly Father,
dont be afraid.
Heavenly Father
Iwanttomakepeacewithyou.
I want to make peace with you.
Please forgive me.
Please forgive me.
I repent of my sins.
I repent of my sins.
Today,
Today,
I will receive your son Jesus,
as my savior.
I receive Jesus, my savior.
Amen.
Amen. Thank you maam.
Im glad I was here.
Do me a favor, will you?
Tellmymomma,tellherImsor,
TellherIdischargedoutofmy.
Donttellheraboutmyleg.Wi?
Yes, yes Ill tell her.
Hey! We got a runner!
Getembeforetheygettotown!
Hey! |
We got two more in the woods!
They shot Robert.
I know, Joseph Im sorry, God
rest his soul.
Tom hes dead because of us.
I know, he died a better death,
we need to keep moving.
Which way?!
Sergeant, please.
Give me your hat. Give me your.
More trickery.
Come on, come on, come on.
Theys in the water.
See anything?
Over there look!
Aint nobody survive that. Lets
move on up river.
I need a rest.
Itworked.ltworked.ltworked!
Myplanworked.HereweareJos.
What?Nothankyou?Ibelieves.
We are out of the camp, but we e
far from free.
Wevejustexchangedoneprison.
Areyoumad?Howdoyoureckon?
Wearedeepinconfederateterr.
You may not see the walls but
everysuccessionrebelformile.
Theyrenotgoingtothrowusb,
itllgonnabethegallowsfors
justliketheboysfromPortSu.
What do we do now?
WeheadNorth.Wejointhearmy.
You cant be serious Joseph.
Wejustsurvivedtheworsthell.
Thatprisonisworsethananybn
You?Haveyouseenworsethant?
You cant possibly think for one
moment that we are expected
togobackintobattleandrisk.
Itookapledge,3yearsservic.
NowImustleavewiththe121st
andIintendImuststayrightm
Thewarcanbeovertomorrow.I,
Thisisourwarnolonger.Camp.
No sir, I intend to leave.
Well thats desertion.
No it aint. Its practical.
AnoathisanoathTom.Youswo.
AndifRobertSpencersdeathI,
ifGodhastakenhislife,that.
Andhesgivenustheopportuni,
ThenIwillcontinuetoservetn
and uphold the constitution of.
Andifyoucouldevercallyour,
damn well do as you please.
Stillalongwaytogothough.
Weve come this far.
TheStockadewasinFlorence.W?
Yeah, thats what the Rebs was.
You know whats around here?
ImfromMaine,itsalittleu.
Oh Joseph
Lets go come on
Imsorry,itsokay.Illbef
Itsthethirdtimeyouvecoll,
weneedtogetsomethingtoeat.
Yes, we were better off in the
stockade.
At least they fed us once in a.
I just need a moment
Woah, woah, woah. Here, here.
Joseph?
Come on, get up. Come
on, get up.
HereIgotthese.Upthebanka.
Its not much but we gotta eat.
Imsicktodeathofthese.lt.
We need real food.
I saw, um
What?
I saw a tobacco field.
Where?
Yeahwelltheresprobablyaply
we can go ask them for help.
Theyll shoot us.
No maybe they wont shoot us,
wecouldputthatsouthernhosp.
Youdamnfool,haventyouseen.
These rebs are all the same.
Wegottaeatmorethanberries.
Wecantgoonandsurvivelike.
We ask the slaves.
What?NoImnotbeggingfroma.
We have no choice.
Yeswedohaveachoice.Froma?
Thatslikebeggingabeggarfo.
No they can be feral.
I have more dignity than that.
Noyoudont.Weregonnadieo.
Youdontknowwhattheyrelik.
Nor do you
Fine,butifweendupdead,th.
Iwasagainstthisfromthebeg.
Hello.
Hellosir.Yallfromtheporte?
Nowearerefugeesinneedoff?
Ref-gees?
Dontknownothingboutnoref-
WerefromupNorthbutweverd
from the very same oppressors
Theyre Yankees!
Ohnotheysdemons!TheysYan,
they come for our souls.
No, they aint demons aunt
Delia.
Yes they is!
We are not demons.
Lets go Joseph.
They do seem wild though.
What you want?
Wedlikesomefood,werestar
We havent eaten in 3 days.
Well we aint got none.
Youreabloodyliar!Youvegoe
What you thinking Charlie?
Theydontlookmuchlikedevil.
Yes they are.
Nomatterwhattimeofdaythey.
Theyaintnodemons,theyisp.
Look at em.
WhatyouYankeesdoingouthere?
We ran away from a prison camp.
Were just trying to get home.
You got bowls?
Yeah, yeah. Here.
Thanks be to God and to you.
Yeah thank you.
Youre welcome, it aint much.
Itsmorethanwewouldhaveif
Take it and go.
Oh Charlie, would devils go on?
Theycouldbethethiefntypes.
Buttheyaint.Pleasesitdown.
You nearly scared the life out.
IaintneverheardnoYankeed.
MyfriendheresnamedTom.Im.
Mary-Ellen.
Whats your names?
ImSamuel.ThisCharlie.This
Pleasuretomeetyou.Youhavee
forprovidingsustenancethise.
Where yall headed to?
We-wedontknowyet,weheardt
byNewBernbutwedontknoww.
SomewherenearWilmingtonIexp
Mastertakesometimetakingki,
eitherwayyoubestbetterfoll.
PD? Wh-what is that?
Theriver.Yallstayheretomo,
Illtakeyoudownriveraways,
I know where theres a boat.
Yeah.
We appreciate your hospitality
butwellgoaheadandsleepou.
Yallbettergetupandcomein.
Tibias?
Yallstayinsidetoday,Illb.
Heresalittlecorncakefory
So, by New Bern?
Its closer than Virginia.
TheUnionsheldagarrisonpos.
At least it hasnt fallen back.
You trust these slaves?
I havent thought not to.
I dont like the way they look.
IfitwasntforMary-Ellen,we.
Yeahbutwhenwegoouttonight,
We wont go to see nothing, we.
That is a risk.
Well?
Its a risk we have to take.
I like your pipe.
Ithoughtthatwasinmyhavers.
I use to have one of these.
Used to.
It was a bad hand.
TherearenogoodgamblersTom.
Youshadagoodday?Layingup.
Nice and cool I reckon.
Yeah mostly. You?
Didntcatchabeating,soitw.
After we eat, we go.
Hey, sure you dont want me to?
Nah,fewerpeoplecome,thebet.
Itsgonnabeawhilebeforewe.
Cant have people seeing us.
Aint no one used this boat in.
Very much appreciated.
Yalljustbecarefuloutthere.
Nowfollowtherivertillyouc,
thenfollowthebigforkupstr.
Thatll take you back North.
Thank you Samuel, now get back
safe to your family.
That little PD?
Yeah,ithastobe.lfwegoan.
Straight.
Ithinkwereclearofthesucch
I dont want to risk it.
WevecomeatleasttwomilesJh
and besides, Im exhausted.
Tom, Im as tired as you are.
Oh,itsourluckynightJoseph.
Tom,wedontknowwhosbarnt
I could sure use a bed of strawf
roots and rocks.
Lookatthesizeofit,noones
wellbegonebeforeanyonestr
Tom...
You coming?
Gentlemen. I said gentlemen!
Whatareyougentlemendoingon?
Forgiveusmaam,wehadnokno.
Wellitis,andIcouldshooty.
Wellwellbereadyquicklyand,
Youwillnotseelikesofusag.
Just wherere you from?
Pardon?
Yankees? Yes?
No no, uh, nope we-we are froms
andweareonourwaytoCharle.
Itsaterriblesintotellsuc.
YoualongwayfromhomeIdare.
Youregonnahavetoforgivemy.
And why is that?
Wevehardlyeatenfor,goingow
andprobablydeliriousfromhun.
Youaresolders,yes?lntheUn?
Whether presently or formally.
Your silence betrays you,
Icannotabidetoseemenstarv,
my plantation estate.
Youshallfollowmeuptothehd
asanyotherguestwhomightpas
small part of the world.
Maam?
You are travelers, yes? Weary,?
Well,ImayliveinSouthCaroln
andIintendtooffer,asismy,
allthehospitalitythatisdue.
Butasyousay,weareunionso
Thereitis.Well,thewarisa
andinyourpresentstateIsee
youwouldcausenoharmtoapo.
Now would you?
Thereforeyoushallfollowmep.
PerhapsIshouldremindyoutha,
thenyouaretrespassers,andI.
Your name, sir?
Thomas Ryan.
Joseph Hoover, maam.
Pleasedtomakeyouracquaintan.
YoumayaddressmeasMrs.Macih
and this is my boy Jim.
Come along.
Grandma!
My boy.
Mother?
Daughter.Comeinsidegentlemen.
Well by the look of you I dare.
Martha?
Yes maam?
Seethatthesemenarecaredfo.
Andfindsomesuitableclothing.
Motheriseverythingisalright?
Everything is alright.
Gentlemen,comeandtakeyours.
MayIpresentmydaughter,Elis?
How do you do?
Morgan
How do you do?
Elis son, Mark.
TheseareMr.Hoover,Mr.Ryan..
Pleasure to meet you sirs.
Likewise.
I trust youve found the attiref
your liking?
Very much, thank you.
We wont be staying very long.
Mr.Hoovercanspeakforhimsel.
Why certainly he may, never the
less, you are welcome
foraslongasyouwishtorema.
Thank you kindly.
AndsoasIhappentobeagrea,
Please,Iamjustdyingtoknowr
ofYankeesoldiershavefoundts
as my company at my table this.
Weescapedthehandsofouropp.
Escaped? Where ever from?
Florence.ltsaterriblestocks
confined to a small area.
Wewereheldatgunpointandf.
Goodness.Welltellme,asIm
reasonsandargumentsforouro
to enter this war.
Whatarethemostcompellingaru
throughout your involvement in?
For the same reasons I expect.
Each of us must fight for what.
Maamifyoudontmind,wearer
andasyoursupperlookssuperb,
Ihatetospoilmyappetiteany.
Ohhowcallousedofme.Enough
Gentlemen.
Well isnt this a rare luxury?
Brandy?
Why, thank you.
Yes, thank you.
To what shall we toast?
Why,towinningtowarofcours.
Sounds like a wonderful toast.
Whatever it will bring,
to peace, and an end to war
To peace.
To peace.
Sir, get up
Quick. You dont have long
Mrs.Macintosh,she,shebefets
Is breakfast so soon?
No,nosuchthing,theysgoinga
Reward& Reward? Wait, what?
Yous escaped, Yankees?
Yes.
W-welltheycomingforyou.Th-.
Collectsomesortofrewardmon.
WhyshouldItrustyou?Shesb.
Sirthatsjustherway,shehae
beforeshegofetchforhelp.-
Meet me downstairs.
Wake Tom.
Hey!
Tom! Tom!
ShhShh.Quietquite.Whereare,
Where are the other two? |
The-they turned back a while an
Imsorry.Pleasedontkillme,
Please dont kill me.
You must go, you go on home,
alrightyouregobackonhome,.
Letsgo.Tellemyoudroppedth.
Contraband
What?
Contraband, thats what I is.
Trytohelp,dorightbytheLo.
ComeonJim,howsthatarm?Ca?
Suppose itll be fine.
Justalittlesorebuttheyain.
Whyd you help us?
ItseemedlikeaChristianthin
WerestrangerstoyouJim.Wha?
Yallbeencaptives.Thatswha.
Said they heard yall talking.
Theyda taken yall back.
Throwed you in chains and Ive,
knowwhatthatisanditainte
butIhadagoodlife,tookcar,
I aint get no more beatings.
Seemed like a pleasant home.
Except she deceived us. I mean,
treatsusnice,andshedeceive.
Sheisjustlookingoutforher.
Dont you blame her none cause.
Youdidnthavetorun,Jim.Yo
youwerechasingusjustliket.
I ran, thats it.
Now youre free.
Free. Free, free to get killed.
Weallfree,everyoneofus,f.
Lets just not get caught.
Woah!
Theyshounds.Theyshounds.T.
You hear that? They gonna find.
Isaidtheyisgonnafindus.T.
Shh.ifyourun,theywillcatc
We gotta go
Keep quite you dockey.
Youre gonna make em hear us,.
Jimlistenitsokay,wereall.
Lets keep moving.
Youreckonweoughtatryfishin.
Waterstillrunninghigh,fast..
Yea,butatleastitsnotrain.
Wet,dryitdoesntmatter,Im.
CooldownTom.Neithercantyo.
Hey, wait, wait, wait. What is?
Good theres a boat.
Iknowthisplace.Iwasbornn.
AndIaintbeenbackhereina.
Well where do we go?
Theresaplantationnottoofa.
Weshouldgetsomefoodfromth.
No we know how that turned out.
Imnotgoingtoanotherplanta.
Wholecountyisprobablylookin.
We asks slaves. Come on.
We did that last time.
Follow me Mr. Tom.
Jim, you know this place?
Same as I remember.
Youve been here before?
Thought I heard -
No, it cant be.
Is that you momma?
Jim? Jim Young, my baby.
Yeah
Icantbelieve-thoughtIdn.
Theycarriedyouaway,howlong?
18 years.
I got old Jim
Jim we all did.
Beautiful momma.
These your masters?
No,uh,theysYankeeunionsol.
Momma I helps them escape.
Youwhat?Youdid?Youescaped?
Yes momma.
YoucontrabandJim,yougottow
yous in danger.
Mommaplease,IaintseeyouI!
Can you spare anything? Theys.
TheygottagetbacktotheUnio.
SimonstheoverseerJim,Simonn
Simon?
Simonhewontunderstand,hec
change,hellgiveyouareall.
Okay momma well go but can we.
Please
Comeon,getinside.Getinher.
Thank you momma.
Thank you.
Shhh hush up Mr Union man |
Youregonnagetusbeatandki
Simons coming, youll see.
Here, Jim you have to go.
Thank you momma.
Hescoming,bequiet,Illtry
Staycalmeverythingwillbefi
Dora what is wrong with?
Nothingswrongeverythin,
heressomethingtoeat,Imsu,
Please have something.
Oh no it much to stuffy inside.
But I wanna sit down.
OhnoIllgetyouastoo.
Dorawhatsgottenintoy.
OhnopleaseIllgetyou.
IsaidIllgetthestoo
Who are you?
Weretravelers,lookingfora
for a short bit. Well be gone.
Travelers?
Travelers.
Get out here.
Foundthesetravelersupinthe.
Travelers? Indeed.
LookstomelikeDorawashidin.
IsthatrightDora?Hidingstow?
Youknowthataintgonnabetod
No! Get off of me!
Hey!Youboysbetterstarttalkk
causeIaintamanknownfort.
Lets just hold on a minute.
WereonourwaybackfromKans.
WewerejustcomingbackfromCn
whenweboughtthishereslave..
So let us go we wont cause no.
IaintsureIbelieveallthat?
Sound like a lie.
Drop the whip nigger.
NowIbelieveyouboysowemef.
Illtaketheslaveaspayment.
No, you cant take him.
Youhavesomethingtosaytome?
Ithinkitsaprettygooddeal.
Youboysgettowalkwithoutad
andIlltaketheslaveaspaym.
Youboyslongwaysfromhomean.
Bestbegettinondowntheroa.
Jim?NomasterDanielplease-
IthoughtIaskedforquitefro!
No momma!
Jim no!
Momma momma
Momma? Momma?
Momma
HeythereJim.Donttellmeth.
Thats your long lost brother.
BoydidntIsellyoutotheMa?
Whats he doing getting bought?
HewerentboughtinCharleston
Kansasaintexactlyaslavest.
Wellsureitisweretakinghi
You killed her.
Theybuyyouboy?Youarunaway?
You killed her!
When are you people ever gonna!
I is too free!
No you aint boy, is he Simon?,
howboutsomerighttreatmentf?
Come on!
Run!
Get on the boat! |
Get in!
Whatareyoudoingstandingjus?
I cant swim master.
Youcantswim!Youcantswim,.
Isnt that something?
Comeallthiswaytogetshota?
Jim? Jim are you okay? Jim? Hang
in there. Okay?
We gotta find a place to rest
tonight.
Okay, Jim come on get up.
Come on big fella.
Get up, come on get up.
Whos there?!
Friends. Were two Yankee
soldiers and one of your
own. We need food and shelter
and the negros in shock.
Where you from?
We escape from a secession.
Were headed back to the union.
What are Yankees doing in the
South?
The war done come here?
We escape from a prison camp and
this one is a runaway,
tried to help us. Please.
Neverthoughtldseetheday...
Well, come on over here and get
by the fire.
Anna, bring out a blanket for
this one.
You can get ya and eat ya some
yams and stew.
Andfetchthemsomeponecakes.
He watched his mother get beaten
to death. We all saw it.
Her master caught her trying to
hide us.
Thats an awful thing...
ButyoumusttrustthattheLord
givethandtheLordtakethaway
To live is to suffer and yet,
well do almost anything to survive.
Its strange isnt it.
You just have to do the best we
can.
That act of defiance...
harboring you three...
was probably the freest thing
that poor mans mother ever did.
I think I broke his nose.
That man who did it to her.
And I tell ya what...
I wish Id killed him.
The same kind of feeling is in
those flames.
If you watch them close...
They do what they will.
They going this way and that.
But they cant go to far without
going out.
You want to make New Bern.
Yeah, thats what we figure.
Heard that theres a union
garrison over there.
Theres a lot of free and escaped
slaves help folks out along the way.
Follow directions...
youll be alright.
Looks like our tree.
On a hill next to a wall.
Just like that negro said it
would be.
Aint that something.
Wonder where he is?
Hell be here.
Well... nothingtodonowbut...
Wait
Yourmotherwasastrongwoman.
My mother passed when I was
young.
There was thirteen of us plus my pa.
So, we took care for each other.
But my two older sisters, they
did most of the mothering
after she was gone.
All do respect Mr. Joseph, You aint
never seen your momma get beaten to death.
Jim, Im sorry.
Istheonlyoneofmymommas.
She miscarried five-six times
before I was born.
Then Master Daniels sold me
away when I was twelve.
Left her all alone.
Its a terrible thing.
I feel terrible for what
happened.
Whyd it happen?
Whyd I have to go back?
Shed still be alive If I aint
never go back.
Maybe its like that old slave
said,
"TheLordworksinhisownways
How is this the Lords way?
Your mother made a great
sacrifice.
Youhaveagreaterpurposenow.
We all do.
Jim, where are you going?
Is a creek up the way...
Im thirsty.
Well here, take this then.
Bringusbacksomefirewoodin
casehesnotherebeforedark.
Easy boys.
Yall have a nice nap.
What yall doing here in a known
negro meeting place huh?
Hi there boys.
Just taking a nap under this
here tree.
If I didnt know better, Id say
you is a Yank.
Where are you from?
From Maine actually.
Is that a crime here now in
South Carolina?
This here is North Carolina.
You probably cant tell the difference
seeing as yous from the north.
This is North Carolina...
Near Kenansville up yonder
maybe.
Half a day.
Why you talking so much?
And what are yall doing here?
Like I said gentlemen, resting
under this here tree.
Now less I missed my guess...
Thatisagainstnolaw,noteven
hereinconfederateterritory.
No its not.
Now what are yall doing so far
from home?
We are on a little business
trip.
My partner and I are on our way
to Charleston.
Ehya!
Dont move.
Dont move.
You okay Tom? Tom?
Tom?
Yeah, still breathing.
Hows that head?
Howd yea spect?
Its fine.
Jim, how ya holding uo?
I be fine.
You start with that rebel yell...
well be forced to shoot you.
Which regiment you with?
Whats your regiment?
Sixth battalion North Carolina
cavalry company A.
Where are your horses?
We left em in town. Came out to
find some negro we heard talk of.
Wheres your company now?
Answer or my friend may shot
you.
Well that is contrary to the
rules of civilized warfare.
I am your prisoner, you can not
shoot me.
Ive seen my share of the rebels
appreciation for the rules of war.
We spent over four months in
Andersonville.
You may have heard of it.
Suffered horrible from your so
called hospitality.
You killed two of us.
Ill kill one more.
Killing is never pleasant.
Letsnothavetodomoreofit.
Our company is stationed in
Kinston.
Justafewhoursridefromhere.
Sowhatareyoudoingouthere?
We was just scouts. Outliners,
we was on patrol.
On patrol?
And here you say you were
looking for a negro.
Weweregonnametsomeonehere.
I knew you was contraband
escaped.
You two are helping a negro
runaway.
See, it dont matter no how.
We done killed your negro thats
helping.
Yougotnowheretogotonow.
Brokethatlinkinyourchain.
Tom get the rope.
Jim, hand me this fellas
clothes.
Give us an hour.
If I hear you hollering, I will
come back and shot you.
Your friends will be a long soon
enough.
Understood?
This is intolerable.
Yes, it is.
I still think we outta just shot
him.
Be safer. What if someone comes
and wanders along?
Which way to New Bern?
I will not ask you again.
Its northeast of here. Maybe
three days.
Here.
Justa minute.
Ima stay with him.
Jim, you cant stay here. Youll
get caught.
I keeps him quiet for ya.
Sides, somebody gotta go on
back.
Warn others that confederates
know about that tree.
Youre contraband Jim.
They will hang you.
I know.
But its like Mr. Joseph say,
"We all gotta purpose."
I couldt free my momma.
But theys other folks thats
needs helping.
It does seem that there are quite a few
escaped slaves helping others to freedom.
I aint meaning to be one of
them, but I is.
I aint mean to run away...
I aint terrible religious.
But it seems God has chosen this
new path for me.
Youll need this.
Never forget you Jim.
Youre the bravest man Ive ever
known.
Thank you Mr. Joseph.
Thanks Jim... Take care of
yourself.
We wouldnt have come this far
without you.
Here...
Protect yourself.
Theyre off the ridge.
Hold Fire.
Hold.
We cant just walk up through
the line.
These uniforms may look
familiar...
But theyll know were not one
of them.
Should we just go around?
No, theyll take us for
deserters.
Well, you better come up with a
better suggestion.
Cause I cant keep moving on
like this.
If the rebs are up there...
The union... the unions gonna be
right behind that hill.
Hey, quiet down.
Were under orders.
Hey, aint you boys suppose to
up in the picket?
No sir, were with another
company.
Which company?
I aint heard no ones supposed
to be down here.
Were scouts.
Outriders.
Yeah, I know what scouts is.
Which company?
7th battalion North Carolina.
There aint no 7th North
Carolina calvary no more.
Hey, Union in the picket.
Union in the mine.
I see em.
Reload.
7th? They were with the 6th.
I couldnt remember.
Well,weresittingducksnow.
Liable to get killed by both
sides.
God almighty!
Hello!
Whos there?
Identify yourself.
We yanks.
Union boys just like you.
You planning some trickery
there?
Youre wearing Confederate
uniforms.
Take ya jackets off.
Theyll never let us through.
We... we... we... we escaped.
Stoleem off some scouts a ways
back.
Were unarmed.
My names Thomas J. Ryan.
Corporal 17th Maine Voulnteer
Infiltry.
Joseph Hoover
121st regiment from New York.
Well come on then... quick!
Its incredible.
Everyday we get slaves coming
in.
Everyday. Sometimes by the
score.
Theres getting to be so many of
them,
Mr. James dont know how to keep them
all happy over in the Teriton river camp.
Aint never had Union boys coming
up from the deep south though.
Listen up lad, you dont know
half the story.
We could fill a book with all
weve done.
Aint that right Joseph?
Here here.
Maybe two.
Yup...
Nohappenwithoutnohardships.
No sir.
You two are heroes.
And I bet youll get medals.
I tell ya what, Id settle for a
hot bath.
Here here.
He was a good man Jim Young.
I hope he is well.
Best negro Ive ever met.
Had more character to win a
medal than most people I know.
Youre doing the right thing
Tom.
This union can not stand until
all men are free.
And it cant hold together
unless each of us does our part.
Youre right.
Reckon that scout buried his
friends.
Na, figured he ran back to his
unit with his tail between his leg.
That or he deserted out of shame
for being brought low by a slave.
The way I see it...
I dont know what other way I
see it.
Weve been through hell
together.
And its not over.
I do feel the tide has turned
though.
I suspect so.
I have a few hours before the
ship departs.
Reckon I should pay off some
debts.
You take care of yourself
sergant Thomas Ryan.
Ill be seeing ya.
And to you Sergant Hoover.