The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [218]
Others joined him. “Indeed.”
“Welcome, General.”
He could feel the genuineness, the smiles sincere. He looked again at Clinton, said, “Sir, may I offer my congratulations.”
“Yes, you may. Thank you. I offer mine to you as well.”
Cornwallis watched him carefully, knew the subject might be a tender one. By Clinton’s promotion, Cornwallis was now second in command, had received the rank of full general in America. It was of little significance to the overall command of the army, but cemented Cornwallis as the successor should Clinton be killed or become too ill to serve. It was the ministry’s discreet way of preventing a senior Hessian commander like Knyphausen from assuming command by his seniority of rank.
Clinton had been tormented by Howe’s shadow for three years. Now he was casting a shadow of his own, and Cornwallis could already feel the man’s discomfort that this time, Cornwallis was in that shadow and might have the same driving ambition for command as Henry Clinton.
“I am honored to serve under your command, sir.”
Clinton seemed to weigh his words.
“And serve you shall. You may have observed that the population of this city has been diminished. It is our regrettable duty to accommodate those loyal citizens who wish protection. We have done so by removing three thousand of them to safety in New York, along with their astounding volume of baggage. Doing so has occupied most of the navy’s capacity for transport. While some officers have expressed regret that the army has thus been inconvenienced, I believe we would have remained on land in any event. Transporting this army by sea would have caused us unacceptable risk. If a fleet of French warships were to suddenly confront our transports, or should we be scattered by inclement weather, we could suffer a severe disadvantage. For that reason, I believe it is in our best interests to march the army by land.”
The questions began to rise in Cornwallis’ mind, a sudden wave of doubt. He had seen every sign that the army was preparing to move, that certainly Clinton would begin his command by showing Lord Germain a burst of energy. But why would any new campaign involve the navy at all? Clinton looked up at Cornwallis, said, “Some might suggest that I am exhibiting the same caution as my predecessor. I assure you, I have learned the lessons of our recent past. With respect to General Howe, his command was hesitant to act unless he was assured of certain success. While I admire his devotion to the protection of his troops, the results are well known. Inactivity may prevent casualties, but it accomplishes nothing else. I am not interested in merely achieving the conquest of land.”
Clinton looked around the room, and Cornwallis saw little response, thought, They have heard this before. He looked to the map, and Clinton said, “General, you have questions? I understand that because of your absence, you would want an explanation. You are entitled to it.”
“Sir, I have indeed observed that this army is preparing to march. But I have not been informed as to the overall plan of the new campaign.”
Clinton stared down at the map, and Cornwallis felt the familiar rage brewing in the man.
“General Cornwallis, there is no new campaign. I would have thought your friends in London…well, no matter. This army is preparing to march out of Philadelphia and return to its primary base in New York. Lord Germain has ordered me to detach five thousand troops to our ports in the Caribbean, to defend against an expected assault by French forces there. I am to send another three thousand to our bases in Florida as support. You were informed that we are now at war with the French?”
“Certainly, sir.”
Clinton turned the map around, slid it toward him. Cornwallis saw crooked lines drawn across New Jersey.
“We have been left with sufficient craft for Admiral Howe to ferry this army across the river. As soon as we are prepared to move, we will do