Grady Hart: The Disappearing Act (Episode 11, Part 4)

“Confederate Gold”

Prologue – Union Encampment, Camp Dick Robinson, Kentucky – 1861

The rain hadn’t let up in days. Mud sucked at boots, fires hissed and smoked under the weight of it, and the air carried the scent of damp wool and horse sweat.

Inside a candlelit command tent, Major General William “Bull” Nelson sat at a makeshift desk, scanning a map through a haze of cigar smoke. He barely looked up as newly minted Major Grady Hart stepped inside, his uniform damp from the storm outside.

Nelson tapped a finger against the map. “You ever heard of Braxton Bragg?”

Grady nodded. “Confederate general. Hard bastard.”

Nelson grunted. “Paranoid, too. He’s setting up a supply hub down in Georgia—Dahlonega—close to the old gold mines. I need someone inside.”

Grady didn’t react. He already knew where this was going. It wasn’t the first time the Army had asked him to go undercover as a spy and it wouldn’t be the last.

The general tossed a knapsack toward Grady.