Union Bound (2016) - full transcript

He went to war to free slaves but in the end was freed by them.

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.