The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [234]
Knox looked at him, smiled, pointed toward the British, said, “I am to place my guns to the greatest advantage. I do not require General Lee’s guidance on that account.”
Across the ravine, the firing was slowing, the smoke beginning to clear, and he searched again, could see men on horseback, thought, I must report to General Lee what has happened. Knox had ceased firing, the targets too few, and Lafayette spurred the horse back toward the ravine, crossed the narrow path again. He rode hard, moved toward the horsemen, saw Wayne watching him, and as he slowed, Wayne said, “Well? What of Varnum? Where is Scott? I have heard nothing from Lee, not a word!”
Lafayette had no answer for him, said, “I have not as well. I last observed Varnum countermarching . . . back there. Scott was to have advanced on your left flank.”
“Well, I don’t see him, do you? Countermarching? What in hell is Lee doing?”
“General Wayne, I do not believe General Lee is aware of your disposition.”
“Well, you may tell him that my men are very aware! Those were Cornwallis’ troops over there! And we ran ’em out of the field! They’ll be back before long, and will probably have half of Clinton’s army with ’em! You go back to General Lee and tell him we need troops on this ground now! Sir!”
Wayne was shaking in anger, and Lafayette said, “I will go. Try to hold here if you can.”
There was musket fire now, more smoke rising farther to the left, along the ravine. Wayne shouted something, moved back toward his men, and Lafayette spurred the horse. The air was cut by a sharp thunder again, and he could see Knox in motion, the guns shifting position.
He drove the horse hard again, one eye on the thick lather that coated the animal’s neck, slowed as he moved past Knox, tried to see out to the other flank, the men who should be advancing. But the brush was too dense, and clouds of smoke were still drifting through the ravines. He patted the wetness on the horse, but there was no time for gentleness, and he pushed back across the middle ravine. He expected to see Lee where he had left him, but the ground was empty. He pushed on, could see a narrow trail, thick with fresh troops, thought, Who? Varnum? Dickinson? He turned the horse, moved in behind them, but the men were not holding formation, were milling around. Lafayette saw Charles Scott, the Virginian, sitting high on a horse, staring out toward the sound of Knox’s guns, and he moved close, said, “General Scott, are you to advance? General Wayne has made a sharp fight, he requires protection on his flank.”
Scott looked at him, and Lafayette saw disgust, the man pointing back toward the main road.
“That man has given me no orders to advance. I have done nothing but march these men back and forth. I was instructed to take command of Varnum’s brigade, and someone else would take command here! It’s madness! The man’s back there spitting out instructions like he’s never been on a field of fire! If Wayne commences another fight, I will move these men out there on my own authority!”
Moving away, Scott began to gather his officers, giving his own instructions. Lafayette felt helpless, looked back toward the main road, thought, How can this be happening? I must find him!
He crossed the last ravine, moved toward the road. He could hear a swelling tide of musket fire behind him, looked out