Gods and Generals - Jeff Shaara [117]
The columns were closing up behind them, and still Longstreet stared ahead, not moving. He spurred his horse then and moved slowly forward, starting down through the gap. Lee followed, and Longstreet stopped again, and now Lee heard it. There was a rumble, straight ahead, the rolling thunder of cannon, and Lee knew it was Jackson.
They began to move again, and behind them the column of soldiers reacted to the distant sounds, the men quickening their steps with a new flow of energy. Lee strained toward the horizon, looked for smoke, and then from below he saw riders, the gray hat and the tall plume: Stuart.
The horses reined up, and a cloud of hot dust followed, enveloping the group of men. Lee closed his eyes, waited, and Stuart said, “General Lee, General Jackson is engaged, in a line facing to the southeast. He is deployed along an unfinished railroad cut and is in a position of some strength. I suggest, sir, that you direct this column to his right flank. There is a small town, Gainesville, where you may turn to the left, taking the Warrenton Turnpike toward Groveton. You will find General Jackson’s right flank anchored there.”
Stuart was breathing heavily, and Lee waited for the flood of words to pass, then said, “General Stuart, my compliments. We will proceed as you have suggested. Can you advise us as to the concentration of General Pope’s army?”
“Sir, General Jackson is facing a heavy concentration of troops. We have located three corps, with at least three more corps approaching the field.”
Longstreet rubbed his nose, said quietly, “That’s near seventy thousand men. Jackson has twenty-two thousand. I hope that railroad cut is a deep one.”
Lee turned to Longstreet, said, “General, I have confidence that General Jackson will not engage the enemy unless he is confident of holding his lines. It is up to us now. We still have an opportunity. Let us move forward.”
Longstreet saluted, turned his horse around, saw the approach of Hood, who was hurrying toward the group of commanders.
Longstreet said, “General Hood, your men will lead the column, and speed is a priority. We will proceed to Gainesville, turning left and filing out in a line away from General Jackson’s right flank.”
Instantly Hood was away, riding back to his officers with the instructions, and now Lee said to Stuart, “General, take your men out to the right, to the northeast, see if you can determine if more troops are close to joining Pope’s forces. McClellan’s army is out there somewhere, and if they are moving this way, we need to know. Be mindful that your position will also serve to protect General Longstreet’s right flank.”
Stuart smiled, nodded. “Sir, I have a squadron out that way now.”
“Good, General. You will keep me informed?”
Stuart removed the hat, made a sweeping motion. “I serve only you, mon Général.”
Salutes were exchanged and Stuart rode back down, away from the column. Lee turned, saw the men pressing forward, motioned to his staff, the waiting couriers. He could feel the movement from behind, the pressure of the column, unstoppable, and he spurred his horse, leading them forward. Down the hill he saw the lines of sharpshooters, watching, waiting for him to begin moving again, and now they continued forward, down through the thinning trees.
Longstreet rode alongside, still stared out ahead, toward the low sound of the guns, which was now constant. He pointed, but Lee had already seen a flat cloud of smoke beginning to rise over far trees.
Lee said, “General Stuart has proven himself valuable again.”
Longstreet said nothing, and Lee knew he did not approve of Stuart’s style, the flair for the dramatic.
Lee waited, then said, “He is of great value to us, General.”
Longstreet nodded, said, “I do wish . . .