The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [266]
“South Carolina holds opportunity. While I am not quick to leap to the same conclusions of my predecessor, nonetheless, it is a favorable climate for us. Am I wrong to anticipate considerable support for us there? I do not believe so.”
Clinton had answered his own question, and Cornwallis knew when his opinion was not required.
It was unusual for Clinton to summon him alone, and he was still not comfortable, felt as though the private meeting was meant to mask something, protect Clinton from some later blame for a plan that might emerge right now. Clinton had still not revealed any reason for the meeting, continued to talk.
“It has always been difficult to secure the approval of Lord Germain for some plan of which he is not the author. But I have prevailed. From London, the war must seem like one grand theater, from Boston to the islands, one place indistinguishable from the other. The king places enormous value on the West Indies, and thus, we move troops to the West Indies. If he feared for Pensacola, we would no doubt be called upon to send troops to Pensacola. I have protested that weakening New York to such a degree has placed this army in grave peril. Those concerns have been ignored, until now. Perhaps it is perseverance on my part, perhaps the ministry has suddenly remembered that we are still fighting to preserve all of the empire, not just the land of sugar cane. In any event, Lord Germain now agrees with me that we cannot make war with the French and simply ignore the colonies. We have afforded Mr. Washington too many advantages as it is.”
Cornwallis would not allow Clinton to bait him into some criticism of William Howe.
“I am relieved, sir, by Lord Germain’s change of heart. I had feared the rebels would be allowed to remain unmolested. It can only add to their strength, and their arrogance.”
“The arrogance, General Cornwallis, is ours! From the beginning of this war, we have done exactly what the rebels would ask of us. We have assaulted them at their strongest point! From the horror we inflicted on ourselves at Breed’s Hill, to John Burgoyne’s stubborn invasion, we have pointed our spear in one direction, and allowed the rebels to slap it aside. Would you have us repeat that absurd strategy?”
Cornwallis took a deep breath.
“Sir, does not the defeat of Mr. Washington end this war? Should that not be our goal?”
“How often have we defeated him thus far, General? We drove him out of New York, we drove him out of New Jersey, we drove him out of Philadelphia. What has it achieved? Look at us! For nearly a year, this command has been hampered by London’s indecision. We weaken ourselves further, send troops to all corners of the earth, while across the Hudson River, our enemy stands tall and taunts us. Now, I am criticized in London for having done so little. How dare those mindless politicians insult me so! For nearly a year, they have granted me a free hand to make raids along the coast. Admirable work, that! Throw terror into farmers and fishermen! Well, General, now there is a new plan! My plan! We have learned a valuable lesson from our success in Georgia, and that success will be repeated in South Carolina. We are no longer going to strike the enemy at his strongest point. We are going to consume him in pieces, one powerful thrust at a time. Once the Carolinas are in our control, we will launch a major assault into Virginia, conquering both that colony and the Chesapeake Bay. What will become of this war if the colonies lose half their territory?”
“I suppose . . . the rebel congress could be compelled to end the war.”
“Yes, General. Then we are in agreement. I will summon the senior staff. General Knyphausen will remain in command in New York, with sufficient force to keep the rebels at bay. I am withdrawing General Pigott and his command from Newport, to add to our defenses here. With the change in the direction of our campaign it is no longer necessary to extend our forces so far to the north. You and I will lead the rest of the army to an assault on Charleston!”
The word punched him,