The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [235]
“Sir! On the right flank, General Wayne has driven the enemy back. But they are forming for a counterattack. General Wayne requests reinforcements.”
Lee seemed calm, looked past him, shouted, “Where is General Scott? Did he not receive my order to march to the left?”
The aides were scrambling, men arriving from all directions, a cascade of questions, and Lee said, “Enough! Gentlemen, there is no cause for confusion! We must determine where our greatest strength lies.” He seemed to see Lafayette for the first time.
“Did you say Wayne? What in the devil is Wayne doing out there? Did I not order him to pull back? He is certainly too far in advance.”
“Sir, General Wayne’s brigade has driven the enemy! If we provide reinforcements, he is certain to carry that part of the field. General Knox has placed his cannon in a most advantageous position. They must be protected!”
The sounds of musket fire were increasing, rolling toward them, and Lafayette turned toward the fight, could see nothing for the wave of smoke. The cannon began to punch the air again, and Lafayette turned to Lee, said, “Sir! We must move closer! The enemy is sure to counterattack! We must coordinate the brigades! I would suggest, sir, a general advance, all along the line! The enemy is not yet formed! The advantage is ours, sir!”
Lee stared past him toward the smoke, seemed to focus for a moment, raised his field glasses, said, “We cannot stand against them. We have no choice. We must retreat.”
THE UNITS ON THE FAR LEFT HAD RECEIVED THE ORDER FIRST, CONFUSED and furious men withdrawing in good order across the ravines. Lafayette pushed the horse as hard as he dared, rode again toward the right flank, the animal stumbling as it moved past the dense brush. The sounds of fighting were scattered throughout the field, Lee’s order pulling men away from a startled enemy. Lafayette knew that Wayne would still be stubborn, that if his men had held their ground, he would not simply back away. He reached the final ravine, could see the wide field littered with bodies, heaps of red, bloody patches of white. The horse seemed to stagger, and he reined up, said, “Not now . . . please. A moment more.” There was no one around him now, Knox already in some new position, or withdrawing, as many of the others were doing. Far out along the edges of the ravine he saw horsemen, couriers, and one man was moving toward him, a hard, fast ride. The man slowed the horse as he moved to the causeway, and Lafayette saw the man’s face, young, wide-eyed with fear.
“Sir! Sir! I must find General Wayne!”
Lafayette pointed toward the wide hill, said, “Across there.”
“Uh, sir, I’m supposed to give General Wayne the message. General Lee has ordered the army to retreat. We’re pulling back, sir.”
He nodded, said, “Yes, Sergeant, I have been informed.” He had thought Lee might yet change his mind, might see that the ground across these deep cuts was there for the taking. But the young man in front of him was the final confirmation, one of many who finally carried some definite instruction to the army Lee was supposed to command. He looked down at the exhausted horse, patted its neck, his own frustrations and weariness giving way to tears. He wiped his eyes, looked up at the man through a thick blur. The courier seemed to sense his anguish, said, “I’m sorry, sir. But can you tell me where General Wayne is?”
He blinked hard, leaned forward, his arms resting across the horse’s mane.
“Sergeant, I will give the order to General Wayne. I have a much more important mission for you.