The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [276]
Washington was accompanied by an escort of forty guards, rode with Lafayette and Hamilton. As they crossed the Hudson, Washington was losing patience with Lafayette’s unusual sulking silence. He had resisted pressing the young man, but Hartford was close now, and sulk or not, Washington needed more than Lafayette had given him.
The road was well traveled, and the guards obeyed Washington’s orders, were polite to the carriages and horsemen they passed. He moved past an open hay wagon, a farmer slapping the team, moving them aside. The man looked at the guards, seemed annoyed at the inconvenience. He noticed Washington now, glanced at his uniform with no recognition.
“You best be gettin’ this war done, now! People in these parts is runnin’ out of patience!”
The words punched him, and he wanted to stop, talk to this man, felt a surge of annoyance that this farmer would presume to understand so much. Hamilton was close beside him now, said, “He’s just a farmer, sir. There’s four little ones riding in there behind him. Has to be difficult for these people to make do.”
Washington was surprised that his reaction to the man had been so obvious.
“Thank you for your counsel, Mr. Hamilton.”
He was annoyed more at himself now, thought, You do not have the luxury of anger. He is one man, one farmer who worries for his children. He has the right to show concern, to question why these soldiers cannot prevail against an enemy that the man has probably never seen. I have yet to convince the congress. Why should I believe I can convince anyone else?
He looked ahead, the road widening a bit, thought, The town is close, certainly. Time is short, I must know what to expect.
“Mr. Lafayette.”
Lafayette had stayed back behind him, rode forward now.
“Sir?”
“Remain beside me. Mr. Hamilton, you may fall back a bit, if you don’t mind.”
Hamilton understood, slowed his horse. Washington kept his voice low, said, “Mr. Lafayette, you have provided me with the substance of your meeting with General Rochambeau. You will now provide me with something more. Your behavior has convinced me that there is more purpose to this meeting in Hartford than convenience.”
There was a silent moment, and Lafayette said, “You are correct, sir. My conversations with General Rochambeau were somewhat difficult.”
“Why? Do the French not wish to cooperate with us? Is this man no different than d’Estaing?” His voice was rising, and he closed his eyes, held tight to the frustration. “I am weary of riddles, Mr. Lafayette. What challenges do we face in Hartford?”
“General Rochambeau is a superior commander, sir. The fault is mine. I was perhaps too outspoken in my meeting with the general. You should know, sir, that General Rochambeau is a veteran of many wars, of much good service to the king. I did not understand that he would receive my authority with such resistance. It gave me some offense. It was not the proper stage for our discussion.”
“Why should General Rochambeau find you objectionable?”
“In France . . . General Rochambeau is aware that I made great effort to place myself in command of his forces now in Newport. He is aware that I am welcomed frequently at the royal court. It is a privilege that some find to be . . . superfluous. Some in the army, the men of experience, do not believe I should be here in such capacity as I enjoy.”
A fog seemed to lift in Washington’s mind. Of course, Rochambeau is an old professional. Lafayette is a young, ambitious man who has gained a position of some influence here. Energy and zeal from the young is not always appreciated