train.”
“It took them a while before they finally figured that out.”
Having been a slave, Sable knew that the enslaved population hauled supplies to the Confederate troops, worked in cotton factories and in munitions plants. In addition to mining gold in North Carolina, iron in Kentucky, and salt in Virginia, they built railroads, raised food, and fortified defenses around the cities. In fact, the Southern government thought its “property” so vital to its plans, slaves had been drafted into the war effort before the call went out for the White fathers and sons of the South to take up arms.
“So all of the escaped slaves are in these camps?” Sable asked.
“Not all, but many. Some are being relocated to what the Union’s calling ‘home farms.’ They’re given land and seed so they can support their families.”
“Where’s the government getting the land?”
“Most of it’s confiscated Reb property.”
“I’ll wager the masters are real happy with that arrangement,” Sable cracked sarcastically.
Araminta grinned.
When Araminta asked Sable how the processing had gone, Sable offered only that she’d been assigned to the laundry. Mrs. Tubman peered at her for a moment, then said, “I’d’ve thought you’d been put to work clerking or something.”
“The laundry,” Sable repeated emotionlessly.
“Well, I’ll talk to the major about it later.”
“No. The soldier was very specific. The laundry will be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
Sable nodded. “I’m certain.”
Araminta still looked puzzled, but said no more.
After breakfast, Araminta offered to show Sable the way to the laundry. They took a meandering route to give Sable a chance to see more of the camp that would serve as her new home. As they walked, Sable realized it was far larger and more crowded than she’d first thought. The tents were pitched so close together, one had to be careful to avoid stepping on bedding, tent poles, cooking fires, and small children. There were even more people than there were tents. Black people of all shades, ages, and sizes filled Sable’s vision wherever she looked. Some women nodded greetings, which she returned generously, while others sized her up without smiling. There were men digging trenches, children playing happily, and areas that were roped off. Armedsoldiers were stationed at the ropes as if guarding against something.
“Probably typhoid or measles,” Araminta explained. “The area’s quarantined.”
“Are there doctors here?”
“Not nearly as many as we need. They put up a hospital of sorts in a house over behind the trees there, and the army does what it can, but the soldiers come first, as they should. I help out whenever I can. Once you get settled you might want to lend a hand too.”
Sable thought she would, then considered the poor souls who were forced to live behind the ropes. It chilled her to think they’d come all this way to freedom, only to contract a disease that might well kill them. She offered a quick prayer for them before following Araminta deeper into the camp.
They passed a grove of trees where a woman sat surrounded by a large group of children and adults. She appeared to be showing them pages in a book. Araminta explained she was one of the Northern missionary women who’d come South to help in the camps. This particular woman ran one of the camp schools.
Araminta made a detour so Sable could see the vast gardens that had been planted. She also showed her the camp graveyard. It reminded Sable very much of the one at home. There were very few markers. Most of the spots were memorialized with objects last used by the person interred. Spread out on the ground were broken pieces of crockery, spoons, combs, and bits of colored glass. She saw pieces of fabric, and in one spot a beautiful quilt had been staked down. Near the quilt stood a small but exquisitely carved wooden idol. It had the look of the motherland and made Sable think of Mahti.
The
“It took them a while before they finally figured that out.”
Having been a slave, Sable knew that the enslaved population hauled supplies to the Confederate troops, worked in cotton factories and in munitions plants. In addition to mining gold in North Carolina, iron in Kentucky, and salt in Virginia, they built railroads, raised food, and fortified defenses around the cities. In fact, the Southern government thought its “property” so vital to its plans, slaves had been drafted into the war effort before the call went out for the White fathers and sons of the South to take up arms.
“So all of the escaped slaves are in these camps?” Sable asked.
“Not all, but many. Some are being relocated to what the Union’s calling ‘home farms.’ They’re given land and seed so they can support their families.”
“Where’s the government getting the land?”
“Most of it’s confiscated Reb property.”
“I’ll wager the masters are real happy with that arrangement,” Sable cracked sarcastically.
Araminta grinned.
When Araminta asked Sable how the processing had gone, Sable offered only that she’d been assigned to the laundry. Mrs. Tubman peered at her for a moment, then said, “I’d’ve thought you’d been put to work clerking or something.”
“The laundry,” Sable repeated emotionlessly.
“Well, I’ll talk to the major about it later.”
“No. The soldier was very specific. The laundry will be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
Sable nodded. “I’m certain.”
Araminta still looked puzzled, but said no more.
After breakfast, Araminta offered to show Sable the way to the laundry. They took a meandering route to give Sable a chance to see more of the camp that would serve as her new home. As they walked, Sable realized it was far larger and more crowded than she’d first thought. The tents were pitched so close together, one had to be careful to avoid stepping on bedding, tent poles, cooking fires, and small children. There were even more people than there were tents. Black people of all shades, ages, and sizes filled Sable’s vision wherever she looked. Some women nodded greetings, which she returned generously, while others sized her up without smiling. There were men digging trenches, children playing happily, and areas that were roped off. Armedsoldiers were stationed at the ropes as if guarding against something.
“Probably typhoid or measles,” Araminta explained. “The area’s quarantined.”
“Are there doctors here?”
“Not nearly as many as we need. They put up a hospital of sorts in a house over behind the trees there, and the army does what it can, but the soldiers come first, as they should. I help out whenever I can. Once you get settled you might want to lend a hand too.”
Sable thought she would, then considered the poor souls who were forced to live behind the ropes. It chilled her to think they’d come all this way to freedom, only to contract a disease that might well kill them. She offered a quick prayer for them before following Araminta deeper into the camp.
They passed a grove of trees where a woman sat surrounded by a large group of children and adults. She appeared to be showing them pages in a book. Araminta explained she was one of the Northern missionary women who’d come South to help in the camps. This particular woman ran one of the camp schools.
Araminta made a detour so Sable could see the vast gardens that had been planted. She also showed her the camp graveyard. It reminded Sable very much of the one at home. There were very few markers. Most of the spots were memorialized with objects last used by the person interred. Spread out on the ground were broken pieces of crockery, spoons, combs, and bits of colored glass. She saw pieces of fabric, and in one spot a beautiful quilt had been staked down. Near the quilt stood a small but exquisitely carved wooden idol. It had the look of the motherland and made Sable think of Mahti.
The
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