Gods and Generals - Jeff Shaara [53]
“Thank you, Mr. Blair. I am happy to see you. I would like to hear about your son—”
“Colonel, allow me to get to the point. I have been authorized by President Lincoln himself, with the full blessings of the War Department, to offer you the position of Major General, in command of an army, an army that is being formed to put down the rebellion and preserve the Union.”
Lee had not expected anything of the sort, did not know Blair was that close to the President. His mind danced, jumped in all directions, and he sat for a long moment before replying. “I am . . . grateful, but an army? Where . . . when is this army being formed . . . ?”
“The President is issuing a call for volunteers, from every state. Every state. The President expects to build an army of seventy-five thousand men, maybe more. You are the choice, his choice, for commander of that army.”
“But, General Scott . . . ? Has he . . . ?”
“The general still retains the title of Commanding General, but it is only a title. The President will not remove the general from his post. He feels that General Scott is entitled to leave his command in his own fashion. The general is also strongly in favor of your appointment to this post.
“If you don’t mind, Colonel, the President is in somewhat of a difficult position. This army must be raised, equipped, and organized as quickly as possible. I’m sure you are familiar with the difficulties of that. We require your acceptance of this position . . . well, immediately.”
Lee stared at the old man, tried to think, to clear his mind. “I am assuming, Mr. Blair, that this army is to be used to . . . invade those areas . . . to eliminate the rebellion by force.”
“Of course, Colonel. The Federal government has been violently attacked by elements of an unlawful band of criminals, who have been most effective in turning the sentiments of several state legislatures against their central government, against the Constitution. The President has no choice. The situation is quite clear.”
Lee stared at the wall beyond Blair’s desk, the rows of books, then looked down, looked at his own hands, realized he was shaking. He said a small prayer. God, how can You have let this happen? But it was happening, and he was being asked to sit in the center of it all. He thought of the long, dull years spent wondering if there would ever be the satisfaction, the reward for a good career, the advancement he so wanted but could not politic for. And now it was there, from the President himself, and with it came the horror of what he would have to do. He prayed again, silently asked God, Why must there be such irony?
He looked at Blair, saw patience. The question had been asked. Lee broke the silence with a small cough. “Sir, would you please convey my deepest sense of honor and gratitude to the President, but I must decline your offer. Please understand, I am sorely opposed to secession, as I am opposed to the violent path that the southern states seem bent on following. I decided months ago that my greatest loyalty is to Virginia, to my home. I would rather resign from the army and return to my fields at Arlington than to lead an invasion such as this. I hope, with all prayers to God, that Virginia stays within the Union, but I fear that with this call for an army, this building of an invasion force . . . I fear that the President will now unite his enemies. And that may include Virginia. Please tell him, please be clear, I have never taken my duties lightly, not to my country nor to my home. But I have no greater duty than to my home, to Virginia.”
Blair did not speak, sat with his head down, rubbed an old hand on the back of his neck, then looked up and nodded. “Well, Colonel, we have your answer. I hope . . . in the end . . . your home is a safe place.”
HE RAN up the steps to General Scott’s office, did not stop outside the door, pushed through and halted at Keyes’s desk.
Keyes jumped, startled. “Oh! Colonel . . . I am not aware you have an appointment—”
“Please,