Smith Watley—having survived an attack alongside his wife, Caroline—then ignored his landlord’s command that he stay put, complete his work, and relocate only at the end of his current contract. Fearful of another attack and well outside the U.S. Army’s zone of security, Smith had to calculate the risks of heeding the white man’s advice or doing what he felt was necessary to survive. Smith said he reasoned, “they can’t do me any harm if I leave now.” The next day, he took his mule and fled to Montgomery, leaving Caroline and the rest of the family behind, presumably to follow once he could
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