Original subtitles

Think we�ll ever see freedom again?

End of this war?

We were supposed to be exchanged, not sent to another prison.

I suppose so.

This ain�t no way to be treating men.

Keeping us pinned up like livestock.

This ain�t 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...

I�much�prefer�Virginia�to�this.

A lot of them down here can rot in hell for all I care.

Why�don�t�we�get�out�of�here�and show�them�where�they�can�put�it.

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...

Don�t you think?

So to speak.

Well�better�than�Andersonville.

You got a name?

Of course, don�t we all?

Thomas J. Ryan, Corporal.

Seventeenth man in Volunteer Infantry.

But please...

Call me Tom.

You boys?

I�m... I�m Robert Spencer, Private.

This is...

Sergeant Joseph Hoover.

We�re 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 didn�t make it out of Andersonville with too many friends.

This sounds strange to say, but uh...

I�d feel better if I had some friends, while we�re in here,

ya know?

Maybe we can help each other out.

I suppose so, that�s alright with me.

Joseph?

You ok with that?

Reckon so.

Good deal.

Good on ya boys.

Awesome.

Great guys.

You won�t regret it.

Come on, come on.

See...

My tent. I won this.

You any good...

At gambling?

Oh yeah, I�m the best.

There are no good gamblers.

Hmm.

Where y�all boys from?

Andersonville�from�what�I�hear.

They treatin ya good there?

Don�t worry, we�ll treat ya good here too Yanks.

As long as y�all behave.

Keep moving you Yankees.

Boys, welcome to Florence Stockade.

I see a spot.

Follow me.

It�s right there.

It�s 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.

It�s worth a chance.

Chance to get killed.

I won�t be shot on the count of you boys.

Come on.

Right here.

That�s a nice book you got there.

Diary?

That paper can fetch a real good price in here.

More than those newspaper shreds you�ve been trading.

It�s�not�for�trade,�or�for�sale.

Never said it was.

You hear them whistles?

Raiders.

I figured so.

Just like Andersonville.

Sounds organized.

Suppose they�re feeding on the weakness and fears of other prisoners.

We�ve 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 weren�t so lucky.

You find anything?

Quiet, keep a look out

Hey!

Alright, he�s coming to.

Joseph!

You alive?

You alive, Joseph?

It looks that way.

Ha, let�s 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.

Joseph�had�himself�a�right�row.

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 didn�t.

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.

You�re welcome buddy.

Drink up.

I�m gonna finish my nap.

I�ve 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.

Men�trying�to�make�a�run�for�it.

Which is why we need the trickery.

What has gotten into you Tom?

This is not Andersonville, but we are far from freedom.

They�re building our new stockade as we speak.

Ain�t no amount of trickery that�s gonna get us out of that one.

Even so...

We�ve been here four days now,

and I�ve 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 don�t know...

I have an idea.

We�get�a�case�of�the�quickstep.

Hm, enough of your tomfoolery.

Dysentery?

Ok�you�officially�have�gone�mad.

Are you an idiot, of course I don�t mean it literally.

What is literature have to do with dysentery?

It�s just for pretend.

We�ll be close to the woods.

The Reb guys don�t watch that area too close.

So�we�pretend�we�like�dysentery?

That this camp and stockade are just lovely accommodations,

and�they�re�just�going�to�let�u.

No, no we pretend that we have been taken by the dysentery

to get us into the hospital.

You see it?

It�s that white building right over there.

Quickstep is the trick.

We get into the hospital, we�ll be closer to the woods.

The Reb�s don�t watch that area too close.

You get it?

Yea, I just...

Don�t know why you didn�t say that from the beginning.

Give me that.

We�ve taken ill.

We need a hospital.

Y�all look fine to me.

It�s dysentery. I got terrible pains in my stomach,

and this one, he�s feverish.

And what about you?

It�s uh..

He�s terrible.

Hospitals full, aint anymore beds.

Yea, well even so...

We need to be seen.

With the three of us taken ill...

You don�t 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 can�t take take no more of em.

These boys have dysentery, can�t stay in camp.

This way.

We don�t 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 you�ll

be watched and they don�t like.

I�ll�be�back�to�check�in�on�ya.

What do we do now?

What�kind�of�sergeant�are�you�J?

Waiting around f.

We wait for an opportunity.

Walter? Is that you?

No sir I-I�m Joseph.

What are you doing here?

I think you�re confused.

That�s alright, it�s good of you to come at least and attend to me.

They�re gonna fix you up real good. You�ll be alright.

You always were the optimist.

Walter I�m dying.

Have you made your peace with God?

No, I�ve met God, I wish momma was here.

I�m not your momma but I am a woman of faith.

Close your eyes

and�pray�this�simple�prayer�wit.

Heavenly Father,

don�t be afraid.

Heavenly Father

I�want�to�make�peace�with�you.

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 ma�am.

I�m glad I was here.

Do me a favor, will you?

Tell�my�momma,�tell�her�I�m�sor,

Tell�her�I�discharged�out�of�my.

Don�t�tell�her�about�my�leg.�Wi?

Yes, yes I�ll tell her.

Hey! We got a runner!

Get�em�before�they�get�to�town!

Hey!

We got two more in the woods!

They shot Robert.

I know, Joseph I�m sorry, God rest his soul.

Tom he�s 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.

They�s in the water.

See anything?

Over there look!

Ain�t nobody survive that. Let�s move on up river.

I need a rest.

It�worked.�lt�worked.�lt�worked!

My�plan�worked.�Here�we�are�Jos.

What?�No�thank�you?�I�believe�s.

We are out of the camp, but we e far from free.

We�ve�just�exchanged�one�prison.

Are�you�mad?�How�do�you�reckon?

We�are�deep�in�confederate�terr.

You may not see the walls but

every�succession�rebel�for�mile.

They�re�not�going�to�throw�us�b,

it�ll�gonna�be�the�gallows�for�s

just�like�the�boys�from�Port�Su.

What do we do now?

We�head�North.�We�join�the�army.

You can�t be serious Joseph.

We�just�survived�the�worst�hell.

That�prison�is�worse�than�any�bn

You?�Have�you�seen�worse�than�t?

You can�t possibly think for one moment that we are expected

to�go�back�into�battle�and�risk.

I�took�a�pledge,�3�years�servic.

Now�I�must�leave�with�the�121st

and�I�intend�I�must�stay�right�m

The�war�can�be�over�tomorrow.�I,

This�is�our�war�no�longer.�Camp.

No sir, I intend to leave.

Well that�s desertion.

No it ain�t. It�s practical.

An�oath�is�an�oath�Tom.�You�swo.

And�if�Robert�Spencer�s�death�I,

if�God�has�taken�his�life,�that.

And�he�s�given�us�the�opportuni,

Then�I�will�continue�to�serve�tn

and uphold the constitution of.

And�if�you�could�ever�call�your,

damn well do as you please.

Still�a�long�way�to�go�though.

We�ve come this far.

The�Stockade�was�in�Florence.�W?

Yeah, that�s what the Rebs was.

You know what�s around here?

I�m�from�Maine,�it�s�a�little�u.

Oh Joseph

Let�s go come on

I�m�sorry,�it�s�okay.�I�ll�be�f

It�s�the�third�time�you�ve�coll,

we�need�to�get�something�to�eat.

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.

Here�I�got�these.�Up�the�bank�a.

It�s not much but we gotta eat.

I�m�sick�to�death�of�these.�lt�.

We need real food.

I saw, um

What?

I saw a tobacco field.

Where?

Yeah�well�there�s�probably�a�ply

we can go ask them for help.

They�ll shoot us.

No maybe they won�t shoot us,

we�could�put�that�southern�hosp.

You�damn�fool,�haven�t�you�seen.

These rebs are all the same.

We�gotta�eat�more�than�berries.

We�can�t�go�on�and�survive�like.

We ask the slaves.

What?�No�I�m�not�begging�from�a.

We have no choice.

Yes�we�do�have�a�choice.�From�a?

That�s�like�begging�a�beggar�fo.

No they can be feral.

I have more dignity than that.

No�you�don�t.�We�re�gonna�die�o.

You�don�t�know�what�they�re�lik.

Nor do you

Fine,�but�if�we�end�up�dead,�th.

I�was�against�this�from�the�beg.

Hello.

Hello�sir.�Ya�ll�from�the�porte?

No�we�are�refugees�in�need�of�f?

Ref-gees?

Don�t�know�nothing�bout�no�ref-

We�re�from�up�North�but�we�ve�rd

from the very same oppressors

They�re Yankees!

Oh�no�they�s�demons!�They�s�Yan,

they come for our souls.

No, they ain�t demons aunt Delia.

Yes they is!

We are not demons.

Let�s go Joseph.

They do seem wild though.

What you want?

We�d�like�some�food,�we�re�star

We haven�t eaten in 3 days.

Well we ain�t got none.

You�re�a�bloody�liar!�You�ve�goe

What you thinking Charlie?

They�don�t�look�much�like�devil.

Yes they are.

No�matter�what�time�of�day�they.

They�ain�t�no�demons,�they�is�p.

Look at �em.

What�you�Yankees�doing�out�here?

We ran away from a prison camp.

We�re just trying to get home.

You got bowls?

Yeah, yeah. Here.

Thanks be to God and to you.

Yeah thank you.

You�re welcome, it ain�t much.

It�s�more�than�we�would�have�if

Take it and go.

Oh Charlie, would devils go on?

They�could�be�the�thief�n�types.

But�they�ain�t.�Please�sit�down.

You nearly scared the life out.

I�ain�t�never�heard�no�Yankee�d.

My�friend�here�s�named�Tom.�I�m.

Mary-Ellen.

What�s your names?

I�m�Samuel.�This�Charlie.�This

Pleasure�to�meet�you.�You�have�e

for�providing�sustenance�this�e.

Where ya�ll headed to?

We-we�don�t�know�yet,�we�heard�t

by�New�Bern�but�we�don�t�know�w.

Somewhere�near�Wilmington�I�exp

Master�take�some�time�taking�ki,

either�way�you�best�better�foll.

PD? Wh-what is that?

The�river.�Ya�ll�stay�here�tomo,

I�ll�take�you�down�river�a�ways,

I know where there�s a boat.

Yeah.

We appreciate your hospitality

but�we�ll�go�ahead�and�sleep�ou.

Ya�ll�better�get�up�and�come�in.

Tibias?

Ya�ll�stay�inside�today,�I�ll�b.

Here�s�a�little�corn�cake�for�y

So, by New Bern?

It�s closer than Virginia.

The�Union�s�held�a�garrison�pos.

At least it hasn�t fallen back.

You trust these slaves?

I haven�t thought not to.

I don�t like the way they look.

If�it�wasn�t�for�Mary-Ellen,�we.

Yeah�but�when�we�go�out�tonight,

We won�t go to see nothing, we.

That is a risk.

Well?

It�s a risk we have to take.

I like your pipe.

I�thought�that�was�in�my�havers.

I use to have one of these.

Used to.

It was a bad hand.

There�are�no�good�gamblers�Tom.

You�s�had�a�good�day?�Laying�up.

Nice and cool I reckon.

Yeah mostly. You?

Didn�t�catch�a�beating,�so�it�w.

After we eat, we go.

Hey, sure you don�t want me to?

Nah,�fewer�people�come,�the�bet.

It�s�gonna�be�a�while�before�we.

Can�t have people seeing us.

Ain�t no one used this boat in.

Very much appreciated.

Ya�ll�just�be�careful�out�there.

Now�follow�the�river�till�you�c,

then�follow�the�big�fork�up�str.

That�ll take you back North.

Thank you Samuel, now get back safe to your family.

That little PD?

Yeah,�it�has�to�be.�lf�we�go�an.

Straight.

I�think�we�re�clear�of�the�succh

I don�t want to risk it.

We�ve�come�at�least�two�miles�Jh

and besides, I�m exhausted.

Tom, I�m as tired as you are.

Oh,�it�s�our�lucky�night�Joseph.

Tom,�we�don�t�know�who�s�barn�t

I could sure use a bed of strawf roots and rocks.

Look�at�the�size�of�it,�no�one�s

we�ll�be�gone�before�anyone�s�tr

Tom...

You coming?

Gentlemen. I said gentlemen!

What�are�you�gentlemen�doing�on?

Forgive�us�ma�am,�we�had�no�kno.

Well�it�is,�and�I�could�shoot�y.

Well�we�ll�be�ready�quickly�and,

You�will�not�see�likes�of�us�ag.

Just where�re you from?

Pardon?

Yankees? Yes?

No no, uh, nope we-we are froms

and�we�are�on�our�way�to�Charle.

It�s�a�terrible�sin�to�tell�suc.

You�a�long�way�from�home�I�dare.

You�re�gonna�have�to�forgive�my.

And why is that?

We�ve�hardly�eaten�for,�going�ow

and�probably�delirious�from�hun.

You�are�solders,�yes?�ln�the�Un?

Whether presently or formally.

Your silence betrays you,

I�cannot�abide�to�see�men�starv,

my plantation estate.

You�shall�follow�me�up�to�the�hd

as�any�other�guest�who�might�pas

small part of the world.

Ma�am?

You are travelers, yes? Weary,?

Well,�I�may�live�in�South�Caroln

and�I�intend�to�offer,�as�is�my,

all�the�hospitality�that�is�due.

But�as�you�say,�we�are�union�so

There�it�is.�Well,�the�war�is�a

and�in�your�present�state�I�see

you�would�cause�no�harm�to�a�po.

Now would you?

Therefore�you�shall�follow�me�p.

Perhaps�I�should�remind�you�tha,

then�you�are�trespassers,�and�I.

Your name, sir?

Thomas Ryan.

Joseph Hoover, ma�am.

Pleased�to�make�your�acquaintan.

You�may�address�me�as�Mrs.�Macih

and this is my boy Jim.

Come along.

Grandma!

My boy.

Mother?

Daughter.�Come�inside�gentlemen.

Well by the look of you I dare.

Martha?

Yes ma�am?

See�that�these�men�are�cared�fo.

And�find�some�suitable�clothing.

Mother�is�everything�is�alright?

Everything is alright.

Gentlemen,�come�and�take�your�s.

May�I�present�my�daughter,�Elis?

How do you do?

Morgan

How do you do?

Elis� son, Mark.

These�are�Mr.�Hoover,�Mr.�Ryan..

Pleasure to meet you sirs.

Likewise.

I trust you�ve found the attiref your liking?

Very much, thank you.

We won�t be staying very long.

Mr.�Hoover�can�speak�for�himsel.

Why certainly he may, never the less, you are welcome

for�as�long�as�you�wish�to�rema.

Thank you kindly.

And�so�as�I�happen�to�be�a�grea,

Please,�I�am�just�dying�to�knowr

of�Yankee�soldiers�have�found�ts

as my company at my table this.

We�escaped�the�hands�of�our�opp.

Escaped? Where ever from?

Florence.�lt�s�a�terrible�stocks

confined to a small area.

We�were�held�at�gun�point�and�f.

Goodness.�Well�tell�me,�as�I�m

reasons�and�arguments�for�our�o

to enter this war.

What�are�the�most�compelling�aru

throughout your involvement in?

For the same reasons I expect.

Each of us must fight for what.

Ma�am�if�you�don�t�mind,�we�arer

and�as�your�supper�looks�superb,

I�hate�to�spoil�my�appetite�any.

Oh�how�calloused�of�me.�Enough

Gentlemen.

Well isn�t this a rare luxury?

Brandy?

Why, thank you.

Yes, thank you.

To what shall we toast?

Why,�to�winning�to�war�of�cours.

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 don�t have long

Mrs.�Macintosh,�she,�she�be�fets

Is breakfast so soon?

No,�no�such�thing,�they�s�goinga

Reward& Reward? Wait, what?

You�s escaped, Yankees?

Yes.

W-well�they�coming�for�you.�Th-.

Collect�some�sort�of�reward�mon.

Why�should�I�trust�you?�She�s�b.

Sir�that�s�just�her�way,�she�hae

before�she�go�fetch�for�help.-

Meet me downstairs.

Wake Tom.

Hey!

Tom! Tom!

Shh�Shh.�Quiet�quite.�Where�are,

Where are the other two?

The-they turned back a while an

I�m�sorry.�Please�don�t�kill�me,

Please don�t kill me.

You must go, you go on home,

alright�you�re�go�back�on�home,.

Lets�go.�Tell�em�you�dropped�th.

Contraband

What?

Contraband, that�s what I is.

Try�to�help,�do�right�by�the�Lo.

Come�on�Jim,�how�s�that�arm?�Ca?

Suppose it�ll be fine.

Just�a�little�sore�but�they�ain.

Why�d you help us?

It�seemed�like�a�Christian�thin

We�re�strangers�to�you�Jim.�Wha?

Ya�ll�been�captives.�That�s�wha.

Said they heard ya�ll talking. They�da taken ya�ll back.

Throwed you in chains and I�ve,

know�what�that�is�and�it�ain�t�e

but�I�had�a�good�life,�took�car,

I ain�t get no more beatings.

Seemed like a pleasant home.

Except she deceived us. I mean,

treats�us�nice,�and�she�deceive.

She�is�just�looking�out�for�her.

Don�t you blame her none cause.

You�didn�t�have�to�run,�Jim.�Yo

you�were�chasing�us�just�like�t.

I ran, that�s it.

Now you�re free.

Free. Free, free to get killed.

We�all�free,�every�one�of�us,�f.

Let�s just not get caught.

Woah!

They�s�hounds.�They�s�hounds.�T.

You hear that? They gonna find.

I�said�they�is�gonna�find�us.�T.

Shh.�if�you�run,�they�will�catc

We gotta go

Keep quite you dockey.

You�re gonna make �em hear us,.

Jim�listen�it�s�okay,�we�re�all.

Let�s keep moving.

You�reckon�we�oughta�try�fishin.

Water�still�running�high,�fast..

Yea,�but�at�least�it�s�not�rain.

Wet,�dry�it�doesn�t�matter,�I�m.

Cool�down�Tom.�Neither�can�t�yo.

Hey, wait, wait, wait. What is?

Good there�s a boat.

I�know�this�place.�I�was�born�n.

And�I�ain�t�been�back�here�in�a.

Well where do we go?

There�s�a�plantation�not�too�fa.

We�should�get�some�food�from�th.

No we know how that turned out.

I�m�not�going�to�another�planta.

Whole�county�is�probably�lookin.

We asks slaves. Come on.

We did that last time.

Follow me Mr. Tom.

Jim, you know this place?

Same as I remember.

You�ve been here before?

Thought I heard -

No, it can�t be.

Is that you momma?

Jim? Jim Young, my baby.

Yeah

I�can�t�believe�-�thought�I�d�n.

They�carried�you�away,�how�long?

18 years.

I got old Jim

Jim we all did.

Beautiful momma.

These your masters?

No,�uh,�they�s�Yankee�union�sol.

Momma I helps them escape.

You�what?�You�did?�You�escaped?

Yes momma.

You�contraband�Jim,�you�got�to�w

you�s in danger.

Momma�please,�I�ain�t�see�you�I!

Can you spare anything? They�s.

They�gotta�get�back�to�the�Unio.

Simon�s�the�overseer�Jim,�Simonn

Simon?

Simon�he�won�t�understand,�he�c

change,�he�ll�give�you�a�real�l.

Okay momma we�ll go but can we.

Please

Come�on,�get�inside.�Get�in�her.

Thank you momma.

Thank you.

Shhh hush up Mr Union man

You�re�gonna�get�us�beat�and�ki

Simons coming, you�ll see.

Here, Jim you have to go.

Thank you momma.

He�s�coming,�be�quiet,�I�ll�try

Stay�calm�everything�will�be�fi

Dora what is wrong with?

Nothing�s�wrong�everythin,

here�s�something�to�eat,�I�m�su,

Please have something.

Oh no it much to stuffy inside.

But I wanna sit down.

Oh�no�I�ll�get�you�a�stoo.

Dora�whats�gotten�into�y.

Oh�no�please�I�ll�get�you.

I�said�I�ll�get�the�stoo

Who are you?

We�re�travelers,�looking�for�a

for a short bit. We�ll be gone.

Travelers?

Travelers.

Get out here.

Found�these�travelers�up�in�the.

Travelers? Indeed.

Looks�to�me�like�Dora�was�hidin.

Is�that�right�Dora?�Hiding�stow?

You�know�that�ain�t�gonna�be�tod

No! Get off of me!

Hey!�You�boys�better�start�talkk

cause�I�ain�t�a�man�known�for�t.

Let�s just hold on a minute.

We�re�on�our�way�back�from�Kans.

We�were�just�coming�back�from�Cn

when�we�bought�this�here�slave..

So let us go we won�t cause no.

I�ain�t�sure�I�believe�all�that?

Sound like a lie.

Drop the whip nigger.

Now�I�believe�you�boys�owe�me�f.

I�ll�take�the�slave�as�payment.

No, you can�t take him.

You�have�something�to�say�to�me?

I�think�it�s�a�pretty�good�deal.

You�boys�get�to�walk�without�a�d

and�I�ll�take�the�slave�as�paym.

You�boys�long�ways�from�home�an.

Best�be�gettin��on�down�the�roa.

Jim?�No�master�Daniel�please-

I�thought�I�asked�for�quite�fro!

No momma!

Jim no!

Momma momma

Momma? Momma?

Momma

Hey�there�Jim.�Don�t�tell�me�th.

That�s your long lost brother.

Boy�didn�t�I�sell�you�to�the�Ma?

What�s he doing getting bought?

He�weren�t�bought�in�Charleston

Kansas�ain�t�exactly�a�slave�st.

Well�sure�it�is�we�re�taking�hi

You killed her.

They�buy�you�boy?�You�a�runaway?

You killed her!

When are you people ever gonna!

I is too free!

No you ain�t boy, is he Simon?,

how�bout�some�right�treatment�f?

Come on!

Run!

Get on the boat!

Get in!

What�are�you�doing�standing�jus?

I can�t swim master.

You�can�t�swim!�You�can�t�swim,.

Isn�t that something?

Come�all�this�way�to�get�shot�a?

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.

Who�s there?!

Friends. We�re two Yankee soldiers and one of your

own. We need food and shelter and the negro�s in shock.

Where you from?

We escape from a secession. We�re 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.

Never�thought�ld�see�the�day...

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.

And�fetch�them�some�pone�cakes.

He watched his mother get beaten to death. We all saw it.

Her master caught her trying to hide us.

That�s an awful thing...

But�you�must�trust�that�the�Lord giveth�and�the�Lord�taketh�away

To live is to suffer and yet, we�ll do almost anything to survive.

It�s strange isn�t 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 I�d 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 can�t go to far without going out.

You want to make New Bern.

Yeah, that�s what we figure.

Heard that there�s a union garrison over there.

There�s a lot of free and escaped slaves help folks out along the way.

Follow directions...

you�ll be alright.

Looks like our tree.

On a hill next to a wall.

Just like that negro said it would be.

Ain�t that something.

Wonder where he is?

He�ll be here.

Well... nothing�to�do�now�but...

Wait

Your�mother�was�a�strong�woman.

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 ain�t never seen your momma get beaten to death.

Jim, I�m sorry.

I�s�the�only�one�of�my�momma�s.

She miscarried five-six times before I was born.

Then Master Daniel�s sold me away when I was twelve.

Left her all alone.

It�s a terrible thing.

I feel terrible for what happened.

Why�d it happen?

Why�d I have to go back?

She�d still be alive If I ain�t never go back.

Maybe it�s like that old slave said,

"The�Lord�works�in�his�own�ways

How is this the Lord�s way?

Your mother made a great sacrifice.

You�have�a�greater�purpose�now.

We all do.

Jim, where are you going?

Is a creek up the way...

I�m thirsty.

Well here, take this then.

Bring�us�back�some�fire�wood�in case�he�s�not�here�before�dark.

Easy boys.

Y�all have a nice nap.

What y�all doing here in a known negro meeting place huh?

Hi there boys.

Just taking a nap under this here tree.

If I didn�t know better, I�d 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 can�t tell the difference seeing as you�s from the north.

This is North Carolina...

Near Kenansville up yonder maybe.

Half a day.

Why you talking so much?

And what are y�all doing here?

Like I said gentlemen, resting under this here tree.

Now less I missed my guess...

That�is�against�no�law,�not�even here�in�confederate�territory.

No it�s not.

Now what are y�all doing so far from home?

We are on a little business trip.

My partner and I are on our way to Charleston.

Ehya!

Don�t move.

Don�t move.

You okay Tom? Tom?

Tom?

Yeah, still breathing.

How�s that head?

How�d yea spect?

It�s fine.

Jim, how ya holding uo?

I be fine.

You start with that rebel yell... we�ll be forced to shoot you.

Which regiment you with?

What�s 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.

Where�s 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.

I�ve 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.

I�ll kill one more.

Killing is never pleasant.

Let�s�not�have�to�do�more�of�it.

Our company is stationed in Kinston.

Just�a�few�hours�ride�from�here.

So�what�are�you�doing�out�here?

We was just scouts. Outliners, we was on patrol.

On patrol?

And here you say you were looking for a negro.

We�were�gonna�met�someone�here.

I knew you was contraband escaped.

You two are helping a negro runaway.

See, it don�t matter no how.

We done killed your negro that�s helping.

You�got�no�where�to�go�to�now.

Broke�that�link�in�your�chain.

Tom get the rope.

Jim, hand me this fella�s 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.

It�s northeast of here. Maybe three days.

Here.

Justa minute.

I�ma stay with him.

Jim, you can�t stay here. You�ll get caught.

I keeps him quiet for ya.

Sides, somebody gotta go on back.

Warn others that confederates know about that tree.

You�re contraband Jim.

They will hang you.

I know.

But it�s like Mr. Joseph say,

"We all gotta purpose."

I could�t free my momma.

But they�s other folks thats needs helping.

It does seem that there are quite a few escaped slaves helping others to freedom.

I ain�t meaning to be one of them, but I is.

I ain�t mean to run away...

I ain�t terrible religious.

But it seems God has chosen this new path for me.

You�ll need this.

Never forget you Jim.

You�re the bravest man I�ve ever known.

Thank you Mr. Joseph.

Thanks Jim... Take care of yourself.

We wouldn�t have come this far without you.

Here...

Protect yourself.

They�re off the ridge.

Hold Fire.

Hold.

We can�t just walk up through the line.

These uniforms may look familiar...

But they�ll know we�re not one of them.

Should we just go around?

No, they�ll take us for deserters.

Well, you better come up with a better suggestion.

Cause I can�t keep moving on like this.

If the rebs are up there...

The union... the union�s gonna be right behind that hill.

Hey, quiet down.

We�re under orders.

Hey, ain�t you boys suppose to up in the picket?

No sir, we�re with another company.

Which company?

I ain�t heard no ones supposed to be down here.

We�re scouts.

Outriders.

Yeah, I know what scouts is.

Which company?

7th battalion North Carolina.

There ain�t 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 couldn�t remember.

Well,�we�re�sitting�ducks�now.

Liable to get killed by both sides.

God almighty!

Hello!

Who�s there?

Identify yourself.

We yanks.

Union boy�s just like you.

You planning some trickery there?

You�re wearing Confederate uniforms.

Take ya jackets off.

They�ll never let us through.

We... we... we... we escaped.

Stole�em off some scouts a ways back.

We�re unarmed.

My name�s Thomas J. Ryan.

Corporal 17th Maine Voulnteer Infiltry.

Joseph Hoover

121st regiment from New York.

Well come on then... quick!

It�s incredible.

Everyday we get slaves coming in.

Everyday. Sometimes by the score.

There�s getting to be so many of them,

Mr. James don�t know how to keep them all happy over in the Teriton river camp.

Ain�t never had Union boys coming up from the deep south though.

Listen up lad, you don�t know half the story.

We could fill a book with all we�ve done.

Ain�t that right Joseph?

Here here.

Maybe two.

Yup...

No�happen�without�no�hardships.

No sir.

You two are heroes.

And I bet you�ll get medals.

I tell ya what, I�d settle for a hot bath.

Here here.

He was a good man Jim Young.

I hope he is well.

Best negro I�ve ever met.

Had more character to win a medal than most people I know.

You�re doing the right thing Tom.

This union can not stand until all men are free.

And it can�t hold together unless each of us does our part.

You�re 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 don�t know what other way I see it.

We�ve been through hell together.

And it�s 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.

I�ll be seeing ya.

And to you Sergant Hoover.