The Unknown Slave Across the River
A Tale of Duty, Courage, and Humanity in the Civil War
by Greg Rank
A Tale of Duty, Courage, and Humanity in the Civil War
by Greg Rank
Life is a Big Song, but for Peter Columbus on May 10th, 1863, it was playing a tune of duty. The Mississippi air hung heavy with humidity as Peter, a Union soldier and teamster with the Minnesota Fourth, received his unusual orders that morning. While most of his comrades prepared for the siege of Vicksburg, Peter's mission was different – escort an enslaved man from a nearby plantation to General Grant's field headquarters.
The sun was barely cresting over the horizon when Peter set out. His uniform, once crisp blue, now faded from years in the field, still commanded respect in Union-controlled territories. His horse's feet slogged underneath him as he navigated the muddy roads toward the nearest plantation he could find.
A Union soldier from Minnesota, originally from Canada where he studied to become an architect like his father. When Lincoln called for volunteers, Peter answered the call despite thinking it was "a certain death sentence." Now a teamster with the Minnesota Fourth, he carries out his duties with quiet determination.
Peter wasn't born a soldier. Back in Canada, he'd been in school to become an architect, like his father. When Lincoln called for volunteers, Peter thought it was a certain death sentence. Slavery had divided the nation.
As his horse approached the plantation, Peter could see the tension in the eyes of the few workers visible in the fields. The plantation owner, a Confederate Colonel, fled weeks earlier when Union forces advanced. A slave stood on the porch, rifle in hand, glaring as Peter approached.
"I have orders to escort one of your workers to General Grant's field office," Peter announced, his voice steady despite the slave's hostile stare. "Which one?" the slave spat. "You," Peter replied, holding firm to his orders.
Click to trace Peter and Elijah's route across the mighty Mississippi River to General Grant's headquarters
Peter sets out with his orders, navigating muddy roads to reach the plantation where he will meet Elijah.
A tense meeting at the plantation. Elijah, nearly forty with graying hair and clear eyes, fears this might be another lynching.
Peter reassures Elijah: "General Grant just wants local knowledge to share the lay of the land and the best route into Vicksburg."
At the Mississippi ferry, Peter shares his hardtack and dried beef with Elijah. "I forgot to ask your name," Peter says. "It's Elijah," comes the reply.
Nearly forty years old with graying hair and clear eyes, Elijah initially fears for his life, worried this might be "another lynching." His local knowledge of Confederate supply routes and fortifications around Vicksburg proves invaluable to the Union cause.
On the other side, they traveled three miles on horseback to reach General Grant's field tent – the nerve center for the Vicksburg campaign. Officers in not so pristine uniforms bustled about as Peter's horse came to a stop.
Peter reported to the staff officer who greeted them. "This is Elijah," Peter said, looking at Elijah reassuringly. "It'll be ok, General Grant just wants to talk."
Elijah was quickly ushered inside the General's tent while Peter watered and tied up the horses. An hour later, Elijah emerged with a captain who explained that Elijah's knowledge of the Confederate supply routes and fortifications around Vicksburg might help save countless Union lives.
Peter was ordered to return Elijah safely back to his plantation, this time with military escorts for additional protection. As they boarded the ferry for the return journey, Elijah looked back at Grant's muster of 45,000 Union soldiers.
"I hope I helped," Elijah remarked quietly. "We did the right thing," Peter replied.
By sunset, with Elijah safely delivered back to his plantation, Peter completed his mission. When he returned to camp, Grant called Peter back to his tent. "I want you in charge of supply transport tomorrow, Columbus," Grant said. "Thanks for your help today. Keep head down and the supply train out of harm's way."
In 1850, Prairie du Chien saw French fur trappers navigate the mighty Mississippi alongside Native Americans. The Ho-Chunk people harvested wild rice, trading with European settlers. Birch bark canoes carried families and furs downstream. For two hundred years, neighbors of different cultures lived in peace, intermarried, shared children, customs, and trusted one another. A testament to what America could be.