"Our republic cannot sustain another Gettysburg or Union Mills. If this army is destroyed, our cause is finished. We are stripping every available soldier from our other fronts for this action. We might very well lose some of the gains made in the past year, perhaps a length of the Mississippi, maybe even New Orleans. But that, at this moment, is not of consequence to us. I have for us one goal and one goal only, to destroy General Lee's army in the field and to take Richmond."
No one muttered an approbation, or, worse yet, gave some sort of foolish patriotic reply. All were silent.
"Gentlemen, when we cross that river and move, I do not ever want to hear again someone worrying about what Lee is doing. I want Lee to worry about what we are doing. I do not want anyone worrying that an action taken might lose a battle, and thus the war. I want everyone focused on one thought, that the actions we take will win the battle and win the war. Do I make myself clear?"
Again no response, only a few nods, though a subtle smile did crease the faces of McPherson and Ord, men who had been with him for over a year.
"I've said enough. I want full drill every day except Sunday. I expect to see the roads east of here filled with men marching daily, full packs, good march discipline, and the men in shape. They've had their time to relax, and that is finished. I want to see good food and plenty of it, but no waste. The discipline against strong drink is to be kept in force, and that goes for my officers as well."
His glare moved from man to man; some met his eyes, some lowered their heads.
"We meet again three days from now, same time. Dismissed."
The men cleared the tent; outside he could hear them immediately start to talk, comments about the "old man's ready for a fight" Ord's distinctive, high-pitched laugh about a good chewing-out making a few men nervous.
"That certainly had some heat to it."
Grant looked up to see Elihu smiling at him.
"It was needed."
Grant extended his hand and stood up. Elihu had arrived just at the start of the meeting, fresh from the arduous roundabout journey to Washington and back.
'Tell me everything," Grant said, motioning to the chair by his side.
Elihu, who had sat through the meeting in formal attire, gladly took his jacket and tie off, his finely ruffled shirt plastered to his body with sweat He groaned with delight, took a glass of lemonade, the precious ice long ago melted, and drained it off before sitting down.
"Some good, some bad."
"Go on."
"As you ordered, I brought Dan Sickles up here with me," Elihu said. Grant nodded.
"His reaction when you told him you were escorting him to meet me?"
"He wasn't pleased, tried to beg off, said duties of command, all the usual. I handed him your written order and that took the wind out of his sails, though he did mutter about having to check with Secretary Stanton."
"And?"
"The letter from the president informing him he was to comply with all your orders settled his hash. He's waiting in a tent just down from here."
Grant looked over at his adjutant, Parker, who had remained silent in the corner of the tent throughout the meeting.
"Give Mr. Washburne and me about ten minutes, then go fetch General Sickles for me."
Parker grinned. "Yes, sir." And he left the tent.
"How are things in Washington?"
"In an uproar. The siege is wearing nerves thin."
"They're most likely facing no more than one division of infantry and some cavalry."
"Still, Heintzelman is ordering all troops to stand in place within the fortifications; he fears a ruse and Stanton agrees."
Grant nodded his head.
"Fine for the moment but he should still be probing, making Lee a bit nervous, maybe forcing him to send some troops back that way."
"I carried that suggestion to the president; he said it's like watching a blind woman trying to catch a goose and cut its head off."
Grant chuckled softly.
"But Heintzelman did put up a good fight defending the city."
"Yes, he's good for a defensive fight," Grant said softly.
"Any thoughts on that?"
"Not yet, perhaps later. But what else?"
"You heard about President Davis and the state convention in Baltimore?"
"Just that they were meeting yesterday."
"The rebels have convened a new state legislature. It was sworn in late last night. Its first act was to officially declare that Maryland has withdrawn from the Union and joined the Confederate States of America. Admiral Franklin Buchanan was appointed provisional governor until an election can be held. Judge Richard Carmichael is provisional lieutenant governor and acting as governor until Buchanan can come up from Mobile."
"Interesting turn of events," Grant said noncommitally.
"A smart move by Davis. Carmichael is held in high regard, even by some pro-Unionists. I don't know if you are aware of this, but he was the presiding judge of the Seventh Circuit Court. Some damn coward and two of his cronies pistol-whipped the man nearly to death because of his pro-Southern leanings. It was an outrage felt across the entire state. He's acting as governor for the moment until Buchanan, who is a Maryland native and the highest ranking officer in the Confederate navy, comes up to take the post."
"The fact he commanded the ironclad Virginia will play well with some. Besides, I heard he's an able administrator."
"Exactly. You have a war hero with naval tradition that appeals to Baltimore. In fact, the man was born there, and is a well-respected judge who can work the political angles. A smart move by Davis."
"What about Fort McHenry?"
"Still holding out. That's a strange truce neither side wants to break at the moment. If Lee tries to seize it by a frontal attack, he'll lose thousands; the garrison is well reinforced now. On the other side, President Lincoln has ordered the garrison commander not to fire unless fired upon. If we set off another conflagration in Baltimore, it only will serve the other side."
"The heavy artillery captured around Baltimore?"
"Hard to get accurate reports on that. Some say the guns positioned up on Federal Hill are now all 'Quaker guns, just painted logs, but with so many civilians around that would be hard to conceal. There are some reports that Lee will dispatch the heavy-siege equipment toward Washington; others say he'll finally be forced to try and reduce McHenry.
"Frankly, I hope he fires on McHenry."
"Why?"
"The symbolism of it, General Grant The site of our gallant star-spangled banner remaining defiant against the British. Every artist and editorial writer in the North will have a field day with that one."
Grant had never really thought of it in that light. As for the song, he found it far too difficult to follow, the latter stanzas rather overblown.
"So far the news you bring is bearable; what's the bad news?"
Elihu smiled and shook his head.
"Lee is reportedly starting to get reinforcements. The first of Beauregard's men are reported to be in Baltimore. There are accounts he'll get upward of thirty thousand fresh troops."
"We'll see," Grant replied without any emotion.
"We know as well that he is absolutely burdened with artillery. His standing force, the guns taken at Union Mills that weren't spiked, additional field pieces at Baltimore. Word is he has two hundred and fifty guns and the ammunition to keep them firing for days. They're converting some of their infantry over to artillerymen."
Grant said nothing. In an open-field fight, the type of terrain to be found in a fair part of Maryland-expansive fields and pastures-combined with good roads to move the guns rapidly, this could be a problem.
"Sickles," Elihu continued. "He's cut up a fuss with Stanton that the Nineteenth Corps should be incorporated into his command, and Stanton agrees."
"Damn him, Stanton has to quit interfering," Grant muttered softly.
"The president said it's up to you though, since you have direct com
mand in the field." "Thank God for that."
"Sickles is also diverting trainloads of equipment and supplies, at least that's the rumor. His Tammany friends have raised five regiments; they paid a lot for them, too. The governor of New York, when he had them sworn in, specifically stated they were taking duty with the Army of the Potomac."
"We're going to put a stop to that"
"Be careful, Sam. Even Lincoln conceded that for the moment Dan Sickles cannot be touched, so I have to ask that you tread lightly."
"I know, I know."
"That's it in rough form. The president is keeping his nerve up to the hilt. At least fifty papers up North have already declared, or will after today's announcement of Maryland's secession, that the president should negotiate a cease-fire with Davis."
"His response?"
"In confidence?"
"Of course."
"He said he wished it was winter; that way he could use the papers as kindling to warm his feet."
Grant could not help but laugh at the image it conjured. Elihu grinned.
"He made another reference to how he might use them as well, but good taste forbids me from citing him."
"More in line with what I was thinking."
"I won't quote you, either, General."
Both men smiled, the interlude interrupted by the clearing of a throat outside the open flap of the tent. It was Parker, General Sickles by his side.
Grant took a deep breath and stood up.
"General Sickles, please come in and join us."
His tone was neutral, not genial, nor cold in the manner in which he had just addressed some of his closest companions only minutes before.
Sickles stopped at the entryway and formally saluted, Grant returning the salute then motioning for the commander of the Army of the Potomac to come in.
Elihu went through the motions of being a proper host, pouring a glass of lemonade and offering it to Dan, who politely refused.
"If you don't mind, sir, after such a hot and arduous trip up here, I'd prefer something a little stronger."
"We don't serve liquor at this headquarters, General."
"Oh, really. Too bad. If you should need some, sir, do let me know; I keep an excellent selection at my headquarters. It is good for morale at times."
Dan reached into his hip pocket, pulled out a flask, picked up an empty lemonade glass, poured several ounces of brandy, and took a drink.
Grant said nothing, eyes cold.
Sickles drained half the glass and put it back down, his features going slightly red, and he smiled.
"It is good to see you, General Grant."
"I'd like a report, General Sickles, on the status of the Army of the Potomac."
"It is moving along, sir, but slowly, I regret to tell you. As I indicated to you in my report filed last week, the army has been reorganized into three corps, the old Third, the Fifth, and the Sixth. I have a little more than thirty thousand men now under arms, nearly all of them veterans of the best sort I have eighty guns, four thousand men mounted."
He fell silent.
"That's it?"
"Yes, sir, there is not much else to say. The men are still recovering from the, how shall I say it, mishandling they suffered from last month, but morale is improving, the men training for the next campaign. May I ask when that will begin?"
"When we are ready, General Sickles, and not before."
Sickles nodded thoughtfully, on the surface taking no offense from the obvious rejection regarding a discussion of operational plans.
"You heard about the traitors in Maryland switching sides," and Sickles looked over at Elihu.
"Yes, the congressman just told me."
"Some sort of demonstration, perhaps on your part" Dan offered, "might be of advantage now, to show them we will not take this lightly."
"As I just said, General Sickles, when we are ready and not before."
Sickles nodded and drained the rest of the glass. He started to open his flask again, but the look in Grant's eye made him stop.
"Is there something you wish to tell me, General Grant? I have traveled a long way to meet with you, time that frankly I had hoped to spend with my command."
"My command," Grant said softly.
Sickles froze, eyes unblinking.
"Sir?'
"The Army of the Potomac is my command as well, and will obey my orders to the letter." Dan forced a smile.
"Sir, but of course. However, you being new to the East, sir, I daresay that there are unique aspects to the Army of the Potomac that will take time to fully understand."
"It is but one component of the armies of our republic. It will be run like any other army, will fight like I expect every army to fight, will answer my commands, and will see this war through to its proper conclusion."
Sickles said nothing, the smile frozen on his face.
"You, sir, have direct field command; that was the decision of the secretary of war and President Lincoln. I hope, sir, that you fully understand that responsibility and live up to the obligation of your command and the obligation to lead your men properly."
Sickles's features darkened.
"Sir. I fought with those men through the Peninsula and every campaign since right to Union Mills," his words coming out forced, through clenched teeth. "I think, sir, I do not need to be lectured on my obligation to my men."
Grant sat back in his chair, the silence in the tent chilling.
"I don't think General Grant meant any offense to you personally," Elihu interrupted.
"I should hope not I know my men and they know me. If I had been listened to at Chancellorsville, at Gettysburg on the second day, at Union Mills, we would not be in the fix we now find ourselves in."
"I will not dispute your suggested decisions in those battles, General Sickles," Grant replied. "I am just stating that in the future you will coordinate your actions with my direct orders. If we understand that, sir, I know we will work together well."
"Fine then, sir," Sickles responded, voice still strained, "I understand what you are saying. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?"
"Regarding the Nineteenth Corps."
"Sir?" Now his features shifted in an instant to open-faced innocence. "Is there a problem with their shipment to Philadelphia?"
"No. It is just that they will be detailed to this army here in Harrisburg."
"Sir. Is that prudent? I am outnumbered and Lee's army is little more than thirty miles away while you are here, a hundred miles from the front"
"You have the mile-wide Susquehanna between you and him, that river patrolled by gunboats. I doubt seriously if General Lee will make any demonstration against you, and the men you have, who as you said are all veterans, would certainly be more than a match if he tried to force a crossing. I am confident you can hold with the numbers you have."
Sickles's features were again frozen, as if he was calculating his chances of winning the argument.
"I understand, General," he said quietly.
"Fine then, I hope you may join my staff and me for dinner tonight."
"Yes, thank you, sir."
Sickles stood up to leave.
"And, General Sickles, one more thing," Grant said casually, as if he was about to address a minor issue. "Yes?"
"A week and a half ago I passed through Perryville after my visit to Washington. I went looking for you, in order to have this meeting. Your staff claimed you could not be found."
"Sir, I was surprised to hear that you were in the area. I was out inspecting units in the field. I hurried back but you had already taken train and left."
"Next time, sir, when I visit the Army of the Potomac, I expect to see its commander as well."
"I apologize for the failure of my staff, sir." "Fine then, that's all."
Sickles stiffened, features red, saluted, which salute Grant returned while remaining seated, and left. Elihu exhaled noisily.
"I hate to say it, Grant, but even I could use a dri
nk after that."
Grant looked over at him coldly, and Elihu smiled in apology.
"Well, you certainly blistered the paint off of him."
"Had to be done. Let's hope he toes the line now. In private I'll admit he has the makings of a good general in him, a good tactical sense. I studied the reports on Chancellorsville, and the man was indeed right. If he had pushed forward as he wanted, he'd have taken Jackson apart on that flanking march. He has the stomach for a fight
"But he's too much like our old friend McClernand; he doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut and is always looking for his own political gain."
"And you fired McClernand," Elihu said.
"I hope that was different. Frankly, if I could bring that man to be part of my command, he might prove his mettle as well. At least he fights, and that's more than can be said for a lot of corps commanders. I'm willing to give him his chance. He had the guts to give it back to me a bit, which I respect. Let's see if he can give it back to Lee when the time comes."
"That comment about the liquor, that was uncalled for," Elihu replied sharply.
"You just asked for a drink yourself."
Elihu shrugged.
"Sorry."
"No need to apologize. I'm past that now. Remember, I made a promise to Lincoln on it and I find he's one man whose respect I want"
Elihu smiled.
"I know what you mean. He's grown. He's not the same man at all I put up for nomination three years ago. He's only seven years older than me, and yet I feel like he's ancient now."
Elihu looked off and smiled.
"I know you won't lose your nerve. I think that in what's to come, their president really doesn't matter. It's down to Lee or Lincoln and who will break first. That's what will decide it."
Grant said nothing. His cigar had gone out and he tossed it aside, fished in his pocket for another, and, striking a match, he puffed it to life.
"It's going to be a hot day," he said quietly.
The band played "Dixie" for what must have been the tenth time as the last of Beauregard's men marched past, hats off, cheering. As Lee watched, yet again he was caught up in that fleeting moment when war did indeed have glory to it.
The Army of Northern Virginia, except for Pickett's division, which had been assigned garrison duty within the city, and Scales's, which still shadowed Washington, was encamped in the fields west of Baltimore, along the line of fortifications that had been so easily pierced three weeks before.
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