Talons of Eagles by William W. Johnstone Page B

Thornbury dropped out of the public’s eye and never made another comment about the bravery and courage of the Southern fighting man. Two of the ladies who were found with General Thornbury immediately retired from prostitution (to the absolute amazement of all their friends) and opened successful businesses of their own in the city. Where they got the money to do all this remained forever a mystery. The third Soiled Dove, who was approximately the same girth as the general, married Thomas Thornbury in a private ceremony, and the two dropped out of sight. A dress shop was kept busy for years making dresses... in duplicate. The general’s dog ran away from home and took up residence at a nearby farm, where he lived to be fifteen years old.
    The citizens of Philadelphia screamed for revenge over this dastardly act, but not one Marauder was ever caught. When it was learned that Jamie MacCallister was the commanding officer of the Rebel Marauders, a bookstore that had sold many, many copies of The Life and Times of Jamie Ian MacCallister, Hero of the Alamo and Frontier Scout, and still had copies in stock, was looted and burned.
    To Jamie’s mind, it had been a very successful raid, for no one had been killed and only a few people injured, none of them seriously.
    What really irritated the people of Philadelphia was the Confederate battle flags flying high and proud at various locations all around the city.
    One senior Federal officer summed it up this way: “Jamie MacCallister is going to be a royal pain in the Union butt until this war is over.”

7
    Training in Massachusetts, Wells and Robert looked at each other in amazement when they learned that Jamie was commanding a guerrilla unit for the South.
    â€œI never thought Jamie would fight for slavery,” Robert remarked.
    â€œHe ain’t fightin’ for slavery,” Wells said, soaking his aching feet in a pan of warm water—the black army did not as yet have shoes and boots and were training in what they had arrived wearing, often bare feet. “He’s fightin’ for the right of a state not to be totally run by the Federal government.”
    â€œDon’t that still amount to slavery?” a friend asked.
    â€œIt might in the minds of some, but not to me. Jamie never believed in slavery, and neither did any of his children, or anyone who ever got close to Jamie. He just don’t hold with it.”
    â€œI ain’t got no use for the white man,” another Negro said. “Never have, never will.”
    â€œThen your thinkin’ is all screwed up,” Robert said. “You ain’t never met no man like Jamie MacCallister.”
    The former slave looked at him. “Why should I want to? He fightin’ for the South, ain’t he?”
    â€œYeah,” his friend said. “I want my mule and forty acres like I hear we gonna git when the war is over. And I know where I’m gonna git it. And I hope that white trash that whupped me tries to stop me from gettin’ what’s due me. ’Cause if he do, I’m shore gonna kill him.”
    â€œYou got a lot of hate in your heart,” Wells said.
    â€œYeah?” The man looked at him. “Well, nigger, I got the scars on my back to prove I earned that hate—do you?”
    * * *
    Jamie and his men returned to a hero’s welcome at the encampment. Even Lee and Johnston were smiles when they greeted Jamie. Johnston had a commendation for him from President Davis.
    â€œYou struck a mighty blow for the South, Major,” Johnston said, unfolding a map. “But as soon as you and your men get some rest, I want you to ride north and join up with Beauregard here.” He pointed a finger at the map. “Between Centerville and Manassas, on the south bank of Bull Run. General Beauregard will have orders for you when you get there. Good luck and good hunting.”
    When Jamie reached the area, he did not immediately report to